Mario Party

  • Genres: Quiz/Trivia, Card & Board Game
  • Platforms: Nintendo 64
  • Studios: Hudson Soft, Nintendo, CAProductions, Gradiente
  • Release Date: 12/17/1998

Roll the dice, collect stars, and sabotage your buddies in hilarious mini-games!

Ah, Mario Party - the game that has both brought friends together and torn them apart since its inception. With its signature mix of board game strategy and unpredictable mini-games, this beloved Nintendo series has provided countless hours of entertainment and, let's be honest, a fair amount of frustration.

The core mode in every Mario Party game is the Party Mode, where up to four players venture through a whimsical game board, hoping to hoard as many stars as possible. Each turn, players roll a die and move along paths filled with twists, turns, and opportunities for mischief. It's like a virtual marathon, but with more chaos and fewer sweaty socks.

But what's a Mario Party without some coins to sweeten the deal? Coins are earned by performing well in mini-games that pop up at the end of each turn. Whether it's racing in go-karts, battling it out in a boxing ring, or showing off your artistic skills, these mini-games are designed to test your mettle and tickle your funny bone.

Of course, the real stars of the show are, well, the stars. On most boards, players can cash in their hard-earned coins to purchase a shiny little celestial object called a star. But here's the twist - the star space appears randomly on the board, changing its location every time someone buys a star. It's like trying to catch a firefly in a dark room, except there's no room and you're competing against your friends. Good luck!

And speaking of friends, Mario Party offers a delightful variety of mini-games that will challenge your group dynamics. In four-player games, it's every Mushroom Kingdom resident for themselves. You'll sabotage, outwit, and outmaneuver your friends as you vie for victory. Who said friendship can't be tested by a virtual warioware showdown?

But wait, there's more! In 2-on-2 and 1-on-3 mini-games, you'll team up with your pals, kind of. Yes, you're technically working together, but don't forget that each of you is still a lone wolf in the main game. It's an exercise in cooperation, competition, and, let's be honest, a bit of confusion. So buckle up, because navigating the dynamics of friendship has never been more hilarious.

And here's a secret - some mini-games in Mario Party are actually cooperative, even if it doesn't explicitly say so. You and your friends can join forces to defeat the game's challenges, all while secretly plotting to come out on top. It's like a spy movie with less espionage and more, well, virtual athletic events.

Now, you may be wondering, what's in it for the winners? Well, each victorious player in a mini-game earns a cool ten coins. So not only do you get to bask in the glory of triumph, but you also get to stuff your digital pockets with shiny coins. It's the perfect balance of pride and materialism.

In conclusion... just kidding! We certainly can't conclude a Mario Party adventure without mentioning the ever-coveted bonus stars. These elusive rewards are handed out at the end of the game, based on various accomplishments such as winning the most mini-games, collecting the most coins, or simply being the biggest superstar (yes, that's a thing). It's a chance for even the underdogs to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

So grab your Joy-Con controllers, gather your crew, and get ready for the laugh-inducing, friend-testing, and star-chasing madness of Mario Party. It's a not-so-serious competition where everyone's a winner (except those who come in last, but let's not dwell on that). Are you ready to roll the dice and party like a superstar?

Disclaimer: No actual friendships were harmed during the making of this game. Maybe just slightly tested.