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30,000 Mario Party Points: Beat Bowser's Tower three or more times: Bowser Jr. (Playable Character) Finish Bowser's Tower once: Bowser's Peculiar Peak (Board) Play all boards other than this and Shy Guy's Shuffle City.
Contents GameplayMario Party takes the form of a traditional board game which players can play by directing characters on various themed game boards. Playable character rosters generally consist of major Mario franchise characters, including the main protagonist; his younger brother; his love interest; his sidekick; his antagonists and rivals, and; and his friends, and, among others. Each game features its own variations on the cast and storyline, with, the archnemesis of Mario and most of his friends, serving as the main antagonist in most Mario Party titles. There are several modes available for play in each game, each of which provides its own rules and challenges.List of games Home console TitleSynopsisDecember 18, 1998The original Mario Party, upon its release for Nintendo 64 in 1998/1999, introduced a new aspect to multiplayer capabilities in the Mario franchise, of which most games before that point mainly featured a two-player versus mode, with the exceptions of a few sports spin-offs. Six characters are playable in the game: Mario, Luigi, Peach, DK, Yoshi, and Wario, with Toad being the host of the game. Each character has one board named and modeled after them (e.g. 'Mario's Rainbow Castle'), in addition to two other boards in the game — one dedicated to Bowser, and another, the Eternal Star board, unlockable after collecting 100 stars.December 17, 1999Nintendo 64In 1999/2000, a sequel was released on Nintendo 64, Mario Party 2.
The plot centers around the characters deciding to create their own world, which is named Mario Land, but soon arguing over a good name for the world, only to have the area invaded by Bowser who partially seizes it for himself. As the characters go through the boards to take back their world, they dress in costumes unique to the board that is being played on (ex. Pirate, astronaut, etc.), and after they have finished playing through the board, the winner gets to confront Bowser (in a board-appropriate alter ego) one-on-one and then thwart him. This was the game that introduced items to the series.December 7, 2000Nintendo 64Mario Party 3, released in 2000/2001 as the final Mario franchise entry for Nintendo 64, centers around a scenario where the Millennium Star, a star reborn once every thousand years, crashes into the grounds of Peach's castle; Mario and his friends argue over who gets to keep it; and a nearby transports everybody into a toy box which they have to navigate to save the star. This game added Daisy and Waluigi as playable characters and was the only entry in the Mario Party series to contain duels where two characters can battle each other using some of the staple enemies of the Mario franchise, such as and.October 21, 2002Mario Party 4, released in 2002, transitioned the series to the new Nintendo GameCube console. The game centers around a mysterious object called the Party Cube, which grants the wishes of its users; Mario and his friends enter this cube when Toad, Koopa, and several other characters invite them inside to celebrate birthday parties for them. As the player-characters progress through boards, they are awarded with presents; the story's climax comes in the form of Bowser, who wishes to disrupt the party with a board of his own.
This was the last Mario Party game to have Donkey Kong as a playable character until Mario Party 10, and was also the first entry in the series to grant players the ability to team up. Although this game does not introduce any new fully playable characters, Daisy and Waluigi are both playable in Story Mode (unlike in Mario Party 3). Also, there are characters exclusively playable in the 'Beach Volley Folley' minigame: Toad, Koopa, Boo, and Bowser.November 10, 2003Nintendo GameCubeMario Party 5, released in 2003 for the GameCube, is set in the world of the Dream Depot, where everybody's dreams come together.
The from, who serve as guardians to the dreams there, invite Mario and his friends to the depot where they try to prevent Bowser and his Koopa Kids from conquering and ruining the place. Toad, Boo, and one of the Koopa Kids take on roles as playable characters for the first time here (in all modes except Story Mode), and Donkey Kong is now restricted to being featured in the special 'DK Space,' which initiates an event granting the possibility of a star or coins whenever landed on.
Also introduced are capsule machines, which dispense containers called 'capsules' that hold items for the player-characters to use to their advantage.November 18, 2004Nintendo GameCubeMario Party 6, released in 2004, was the first game to make use of the GameCube's microphone peripheral, packaged with the game. Every three turns, the sun will periodically set or rise, producing different effects including: spaces moving, different characters appearing, and changes to mini-games. The game features as its hosts the sun-and-moon duo of and, who are arguing over who is more popular, which Mario and his friends hope to stop by collecting stars and completing the 'Miracle Book.' This game marks the first time that Toadette is playable in the series; here, she is an unlockable character, the first player-character in the series to be unlockable. Also, Toad, Boo, and Koopa Kid are fully playable for the first time in the series.November 7, 2005Nintendo GameCubeMario Party 7, released in 2005, was the series' fourth and last entry on the GameCube. The game again incorporates the microphone mechanic and mic-exclusive mini-game format from the previous installment, and also introduces an eight-player joystick-only game in which up to eight people can party, with two players sharing one controller. In the game's story, Peach's longtime steward, has invited his missus, Mario, and all of their friends to go on a luxury cruise around the world as a reward for their hard work.
Bowser is not invited, however, and furiously vows to take revenge by turning their vacation paradise into a stress-filled madhouse, so it is up to the passengers to end this. Birdo and Dry Bones are introduced as unlockable playable characters in this game.May 29, 2007Mario Party 8, released in 2007, launched the Mario Party series to the Wii. A and one of the are added as unlockable playable characters. Hosted by, the self-proclaimed 'master of catastrophes' with a talking top hat called 'Big Top,' the game has an assortment of mini-games utilizing the capabilities of the new console's remote. It centers around the Star Carnival, which comprises five areas: the Party Tent, where players can have a classic game of Mario Party; the Minigame Tent, an arcade where mini-games are played; the Extras Zone, where players can play extra mini-games with either the main characters or their avatars; the Fun Bazaar, where players can buy mini-games, items, and various other things; and the Star Battle Arena, which acts as the game's story mode. Mario and friends have been invited to the Star Carnival to party, and the winner of their game gets a year's supply of candy. However, just as one of the gang is crowned the Superstar, Bowser steals the Star Rod they were to receive, and now Mario and friends must defeat Bowser and get it back.March 2, 2012WiiMario Party 9 for Wii, released in 2012, was the first iteration in the series to be developed by Nd Cube.
Gameplay uses a mechanic new to the main branch of the series, in which players move around in a vehicle. Players take turns as the captain, rolling to dice to move the vehicle. Instead of attempting to collect coins to buy stars, the players attempt to earn the most amount of Mini Stars on each board by collecting them from the board, winning minigames, and beating bosses. They must also avoid Mini Ztars, which decrease the player's current total of Mini Stars. The game also has two boss battles integrated into each board; the players try to take down a boss together, while also trying their best to increase their individual scores.
The game's plot has Mario and friends looking at the night sky when suddenly, Bowser and son are sucking Mini Stars into a vortex, so Mario and friends head off to save the Mini Stars. A Koopa Troopa is added as a default playable character (being fully playable for the first time in the series), and and the are introduced as unlockable playable characters (although neither are playable in Story Mode).March 12, 2015Mario Party 10 is the only Mario Party game for the Wii U, released in 2015.
The game reuses the vehicle mechanic, and players once again have the goal of collecting Mini Stars. However, in addition to the traditional Party Mode, two new modes have been added: Bowser Party, where a player using the GamePad plays as Bowser and tries to make the heroes lose all their hearts; and amiibo Party, where players collect stars with coins using figures from the Super Mario line.
Bowser's playability in his special mode and amiibo Party aside, the game also adds Rosalina as a default playable character and as an unlockable playable character. In addition, Donkey Kong returns as a fully playable character for the first time since Mario Party 4.October 5, 2018Super Mario Party is a Mario Party game for the Nintendo Switch, released in 2018. The game goes back to the series's roots, with the return of the turn-based, linear, individually moving style gameplay from the first eight home console installments.
This game brings back the ally system from Mario Party: Star Rush, as well as some boards using the non-linear style of said game in the Partner Party mode, albeit with individual turns. In addition to this, there are two other featured modes, these being River Survival and Sound Stage. Both of these modes feature unique minigames that are exclusive to these modes, and both modes feature different gameplay from the basic Mario Party mode. The game also introduces Goomba, Monty Mole, and Pom Pom as new playable characters.
Later in 2018, a browser game on the website appeared called Super Mario Party Fun Trivia Quiz.Handheld TitleSynopsisFebruary 18, 2003Mario Party-e is a card game released in 2003 that makes optional use of the Nintendo e-Reader. Many of these cards contain 'dot-codes' that, when scanned into the e-Reader, allow players to play minigames similar to those found in the regular Mario Party series. The Mario Party-e package contains a play mat, an instruction book, and a pre-constructed deck consisting of sixty-four cards. An extra card was included as a promotion in an issue of the magazine.January 13, 2005Game Boy AdvanceMario Party Advance, released on the Game Boy Advance in 2005, was the first full Mario Party release on a handheld gaming system. Instead of the multiplayer Party Mode that is traditional to the series, Advance features a new mode called 'Shroom City,' where players must collect all the minigames and Gaddgets that were scattered around the city by Bowser, completing quests assigned by the various inhabitants of Shroom City. Unlike other installments of the Mario Party series, this game is almost exclusively single-player.
This game introduces the mechanic of having players move around in a vehicle, which was later used in Mario Party 9 and Mario Party 10.November 8, 2007Nintendo DSMario Party DS, released for the Nintendo DS in 2007, was the last iteration in the series to be developed by Hudson. It features many minigames that utilize the capabilities of the DS' touch screen and microphone, in addition to traditional minigames using the directional pad and control buttons. The story revolves around five meteorites called 'Sky Crystals' which fall onto the earth one day. While Mario and the gang are discussing this, Kamek drops them party invitations from Bowser, who has invited them to his castle for a banquet; however, once they arrive, they are all captured, shrunk to a microscopic size, and thrown outside. The player-characters must return to Bowser's castle to be restored to their normal height.November 22, 2013Mario Party: Island Tour, released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013, was the second Mario Party installment to be developed.
The game returns to the traditional individual player movement of the Mario Party series, but each board has its own unique style of gameplay. Many minigames are designed to utilize the touch screen and other unique features of the system. Is playable for the first time in the series in this game.October 7, 2016Nintendo 3DSMario Party: Star Rush, released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2016, deviates from the normal format in its removal of turn-based gameplay in favor of the ability to move at will, simultaneous with other players, and without set paths on the game board. The main mode in this installment is 'Toad Scramble,' where all players play as Toad in one of his various color schemes, and can recruit other characters to play with them on their teams. Mario Party: Star Rush is the first handheld release in the series to be amiibo-compatible. It is also the first game in the series to have Diddy Kong as a playable character, after he had non-playable roles in Mario Party DS and Mario Party 9.November 10, 2017Nintendo 3DSMario Party: The Top 100, released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2017, compiles 100 minigames from past home console Mario Party games with altered graphics and controls. These minigames can be played in a variety of ways through the game's modes, such as through the single-player Minigame Island mode.CharactersThe Mario Party series features a total of 32 playable characters among its various installments.
Below is a list of these characters and which games they are playable in.Characters.
Available on: Nintendo 3DS
Mario Party Star Rush brings the latest Mario Party game to a Nintendo 3DS near you. Like all Mario Party games, this one is more fun with friends and family, although it’s certainly easy for a single player to have their own party of one.
If you pick up a copy of the game, all your fellow Mario Party-ers need to play with you is the Party Guest Edition on the Nintendo eShop. It’s a free, easy download, and a cinch to set up over your local wireless network. Up to three players can join in the coin collecting frenzy at once.
So grab the kids and get ready to annoy each other like crazy—but in a fun way. It is Mario Party, after all!
The Gameplay
Mario Party Star Rush is a social party game designed to get you and your friends to throw Koopa shells and other objects at each other. You’ll work together to defeat some classic Super Mario bosses, but the winner is the player who gathers the most coins by the end of the game.
Mario Party Star Rush has different game modes that are unlocked the more you play. Toad Scramble is the mode that will feel the most familiar to Mario Party veterans, as players roll dice and move around the game board to collect power-ups and coins.
In a welcome change of pace (literally), all players roll at the same time, so you don’t have to wait for your turn to play. As you move around the board you’ll gain beloved Super Mario allies like Princess Peach and Yoshi, and they’ll help you in your fight against that level’s bosses.
![Mario Party Star Rush All Bosses Mario Party Star Rush All Bosses](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125522946/151429978.png)
Coinathlon, one of several unlocked game modes, is packed with minigame fun as you vie to collect the most coins and automatically go around the game board. In this go-round of Mario Party, minigames are more skill-based than luck-based, so you won’t feel as much frustration when trying to collect the most coins.
There’s also Balloon Bash, a mode to choose minigames à la carte, Mario Shuffle, Rhythm Recital, and more, giving you and your Mario Party-goers several options and variety from game to game.
Rating
Mario Party Star Rush is rated E for Everyone and is suitable for all ages.
Takeaway
Changing almost all of the minigames to reflexes and skill rather than the luck of the random number generator does a lot to revitalize the Mario Party franchise.There’s even more strategy involved: In many of the game modes, the spaces you move on the game board can be the difference between a victory and defeat. Some of the longer modes, like Toad Scramble, might wear on kids’ patience levels as the games can go quite long. If you’re playing with the kids, I recommend the Coinathlon or mini-game mode to stave off sighs of boredom.
Mario Party Star Rush is a fun family game to pick up if you’re already a fan of the Mario Party franchise. If it’s the first time you and the kids are playing a Mario Party together, however, be ready for some cries of, “That’s not fair!” when you steal their coins or knock them off a platform. But in no time they’ll be giggling maniacally as they do it right back to you.
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