The Best Mario Party Games - Investment Policy

Summary

Super Mario Party Jamboree amplifies the reboot’s success, with a balanced ally system and basics-focused gameplay.
Mario Party Superstars brings nostalgic minigames and boards, blending modern visuals and online support.
Mario Party 2 stands out for creativity, themed boards, memorable minigames, and the introduction of items.

The game known as Mario Party is one that can either fortify or strain relationships among friends. It has consistently followed a competitive format, where players strive to emerge victorious and claim the title of Superstar, earning the right to boast over their peers or loved ones. Over time, numerous iterations of Mario Party games have been introduced, each introducing unique elements and stylistic changes, without a doubt.

In various aspects such as the design of game boards, narratives, and mini-games themselves, several titles in the Mario Party series have earned classic status. However, some games struggled in their execution, leading to releases that are frequently overlooked by the fan community.

18. Mario Party Advance

The First Attempt At A Handheld Title Was Not A Successful One

The game titled “Mario Party Advance” does share some similarities with the Mario Party series, such as using dice for movement and including minigames. However, it is primarily designed as a single-player adventure where you collect items and games to rebuild an area that Bowser has taken over. While it shares these aspects, it’s more of a standalone experience rather than a traditional Mario Party game.

In Shroom City, there are six distinct zones that players traverse to gather mini-games, aiming not to deplete all their lives in the process. When gamers anticipated the Mario Party experience in portable form with the GameBoy Advance (GBA), they were disheartened by the end result, which seemed disconnected from the familiar Mario Party series.

17. Mario Party: Island Tour

Disappointingly Easy And Forgettable Romp Of The 3DS

For the 3DS, Mario Party: Island Tour appeared to cater to longtime series enthusiasts by adopting a more self-reliant play style, enabling individual player movement. However, other modifications made took a turn for the worse. This game is heavily reliant on chance in terms of its boards and minigames.

As a film enthusiast who’s also a gaming aficionado, I must say that the game boards in “Mario Party: Island Tour” provide Mushroom Rankings for Skill, Luck, and Minigames. Though there are creative efforts put into designing the boards, particularly the Bowser board, the straightforward stages, the abundance of Mini-Stars, and an overemphasis on luck make this game so effortlessly easy that some matches can be won in as little as ten rounds.

16. Mario Party: The Top 100

Somehow Ruined The Most Beloved Minigames

As a longtime fan of the Mario Party series, I must admit that I was eagerly anticipating the release of a compilation featuring the franchise’s top mini-games on the 3DS. Unfortunately, my excitement quickly faded as I found myself deeply disappointed with Mario Party: The Top 100.

While it’s understandable that fans might have their personal favorites among the countless games in this beloved series, I can’t help but feel that releasing a compilation of the best mini-games was not the wisest decision for Nintendo. Despite my initial enthusiasm, the final product fell short of meeting my expectations.

Despite Mario Party: The Top 100 boasting several popular classic mini-games, numerous adjustments have turned these games into inferior versions compared to their originals. More concerning, though, is the absence of game boards, which significantly weakens the series’ fundamental appeal. Adding to this issue are the limited playable characters, making for a rather underwhelming collection overall.

15. Mario Party: Star Rush

Nothing New Results In A Mostly Boring Jaunt

Mario Party: Star Rush, for the Nintendo 3DS, is often overlooked among its peers due to a notable lack of character customization. Unusually, players are assigned the role of Toad throughout the game, particularly in the main mode, Toad Scramble. Here, players move around the board, encountering and defeating bosses to amass stars and coins.

In essence, a player can only control Toad unless they interact with another character. This interaction is what established the ally system, enabling players to enlist characters to aid them in rolling dice or participating in mini-games. Unfortunately, this mechanic was initially quite imbalanced, but it received substantial improvements in Super Mario Party.

14. Mario Party 9

Shared Movement Of Characters Was A Mistake

One might argue that the authentic evolution of the Mario Party series truly commenced with Mario Party 9. This installment introduced an innovative style of gameplay, where players journey together along a sequential path, taking turns and gathering Mini-Stars while battling bosses in an attempt to become a Superstar. Although the boss fights offer a refreshing shift, the lack of individual freedom diminishes the overall experience.

As a fan of the Mario Party series, I found that one of its unique aspects was the freedom to choose my own path throughout the game. This included picking up items, extra coins, or landing on specific spaces. However, this new version seems to give more control to other players, which somewhat diminishes the autonomy that I previously enjoyed in the earlier games.

13. Mario Party DS

Looking at the distinctive capabilities of the Nintendo DS, one might anticipate a more captivating approach to the franchise, particularly since the Nintendo DS boasts several excellent Mario games. However, despite its promising potential, the story mode in Mario Party DS falls short. In fact, it’s not much more than ordinary at best, even though the game offers an intriguing setup initially.

In the game Mario Party DS, both screens and touch controls are included but not optimally used, failing to greatly improve the overall enjoyment. Yet, it’s difficult to ignore the impressive variety of seventy-four minigames, as well as the groundbreaking four-player wireless multiplayer feature, which was particularly innovative for its era.

12. Mario Party 10

Bowser Mode Is The Only Fun Mode

As the title for the Wii U, “Mario Party 10” showcases appealing graphics, yet maintains the debatable play mechanics akin to “Mario Party 9”. In this game, players journey together around a board, accumulating Mini-Stars and vanquishing bosses to attain Superstar status. This edition introduces more noteworthy characters, including Donkey Kong’s return, as well as the debut of Spike and Rosalina.

In Mario Party 10, there’s a distinctive game mode called Bowser Party that sets it apart. This mode allows up to four players to cooperate and reach the end before the fifth player, who controls Bowser, diminishes their Health Points (HP). Due to the higher reliance on random outcomes, Bowser initially seems to have an edge because many of the game board spaces benefit him. However, when played with friends, it’s undeniably the most enjoyable mode in the entire game.

11. Mario Party 8

An Overlooked Gem With Some Of The Best Boards

In terms of rephrasing: Being the initial Mario Party for the Nintendo Wii, there was high anticipation surrounding Mario Party 8. Thankfully, it managed to deliver one of the stronger entries in the series. Although motion controls have become less common over time, their integration in Mario Party 8 works effectively as a casual party game suitable for social gatherings with non-gaming companions.

Enhanced by several engaging mini-games, the main attractions of this game manage to keep things interesting and new. At first, Mario Party 8 received mixed reactions from fans, but over time, it has earned a reputation as an underappreciated gem in the series. Players have come to appreciate its unique mini-games and more complex board mechanics.

10. Mario Party 3

The Nintendo 64 Trilogy Went Out With A Bang

One standout feature of Mario Party 3 was its engaging story mode, where players aimed to collect Star Stamps in order to restore their world, which had been disrupted by the Millennium Star. Initially, players would compete on boards to amass the most Stars. Subsequently, they’d engage in one-versus-one battles, recruiting up to two allies to confront their opponents’ partners. This strategy allowed them to directly attack their adversaries, reducing their health points.

In addition to Mario Party 3, it introduced two fresh characters, Waluigi and Princess Daisy. Notably, this version boasted one of the most well-balanced collections of minigames among all releases, emphasizing those that required skill while still incorporating an element of chance.

9. Mario Party 4

The First All-3D Game Continued To Advance The Series

In essence, the initial Mario Party game on the GameCube signified a significant advancement for the franchise. It was the inaugural installment to showcase all 3D visuals and its graphics, despite being from the Nintendo GameCube era, continue to impress today. Additionally, it boasts several minigames that fans adore, like Booksquirm, which may reappear in future editions of the game.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d say: “Experiencing Mario Party 4 felt like stepping into an epic movie sequel. The massive boards, while occasionally stretching the gameplay a tad too long, were richly themed and accompanied by music that lingered in my memory. This title served as a natural progression for the franchise, setting the stage for the next three Nintendo GameCube installments.

8. Mario Party 7

The Last GameCube Game Continued To Add More Mechanics

Frequently, fans find themselves locked in discussions over which installment, number six or seven, is the franchise’s best. The unique 8-Player feature introduced in Mario Party 7, enabled four groups of two to compete simultaneously on the same boards, aiming to be crowned Superstars. Moreover, the minigames found within Mario Party 7 are often praised for their fairness and balance between elements of chance and skill.

Regrettably, Mario Party 7 needs the same microphone as Mario Party 6 for specific mini-games, which can limit its appeal at times. However, this underscores the excellence of the mini-games as fans continue to appreciate those that are playable, making it an exceptional choice for the GameCube due to the variety of mechanics and visually appealing boards.

7. Mario Party 6

A Great Mario Party Game Held Back By An Odd Gimmick

Mario Party 6 introduces an interesting aspect: day and night cycles. This means that paths on stages can open and close, and certain interactions happen only when landing in a Happening Space during the day. However, at night, players must evade Bowser, or they risk losing coins or Stars if he manages to catch up to them.

One significant drawback of Mario Party 6 lies in the need for a specific microphone for certain minigames. While it’s remarkable how well these games respond to voice commands, the issue arises because this peripheral is quite scarce and pricey today. Therefore, not having it can diminish the overall gaming experience.

6. Mario Party 5

A Party Game That Plays And Feels Like A Dream

In Mario Party 5, Nintendo’s creativity shone through its dream-inspired game boards, a nod back to the original concepts of Mario Party 1 and 2. The imaginative design was evident, with players competing against Bowser’s Koopa Kids in a story mode that involved gathering coins by playing minigames or using capsules.

Following the introduction of the capsule system, it was maintained for two subsequent games and further enhanced by them. With an abundance of minigames included, Mario Party 5 emerged as a version that many fans regard as the epitome of the Mario Party series on the GameCube.

5. Mario Party

Over Two Decades Later, It Is Still A Game That Will Test Friendships

The original Mario Party game brings various characters from the Mario Universe together in a board game setting, where they collect coins, gain stars, and compete in minigames to determine the ultimate Superstar. Its impact is undeniable, as it has contributed significantly to the franchise’s success and appeal, reaching far beyond dedicated Mario gamers to include newcomers as well.

Even though certain games are known for potentially harming players’ hands, it continues to be a timeless classic, surpassing more than a quarter of a century. Although some of its sequels may have outperformed it, this doesn’t imply that the original is subpar. Instead, it remains an inventive multiplayer game that numerous other franchises have attempted to emulate throughout the years.

4. Super Mario Party

Fans Needed A Reboot And They Got A Good One

By 2017, when the Nintendo Switch was released, the Mario Party series was yearning for a resurgence after its previous two console games fell short in satisfying long-time enthusiasts. Enter Super Mario Party, offering refreshing updates as both a sequel and reboot of the spin-off franchise.

In contrast to previous games, the unique dice for each character in “Super Mario Party” introduce a strategic depth and potential exploits that were lacking before. The console’s design facilitates exclusive player interactions never experienced within the franchise until now. Essentially, the game returns to the classic board-style format of “Mario Party”, where all players move independently, providing a more authentic experience.

3. Mario Party 2

The Sequel That Improved In Almost Every Way

The quirky and unconventional feel of this game is reminiscent of Mario Party 5. If you’ve ever desired for Mario or Princess Peach to don new attire, Mario Party 2 caters to that whim by offering boards with unique themes and adjusting characters’ outfits according to these roles. This adds a touch of thematic style to the boards, which are more engaging than the initial Mario Party game.

In the classic game Mario Party 2, the mini-games stood out as particularly memorable, offering updated versions of favorites from the original and introducing some exciting innovations. One significant new feature was the item system, which enabled players to modify their roles or influence each other’s performance – a mechanic that has become a defining aspect of the series ever since.

2. Mario Party Superstars

Nostalgic Adventure Through The Whole Franchise

Mario Party Superstars surpasses the shortcomings of Mario Party: The Top 100, by incorporating popular minigames from all ten primary series installments, while also featuring boards from the initial two Mario Party games. This results in a game that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, but in an enjoyable and satisfying manner.

This game blends nearly all the beloved elements from past titles, including vintage boards and thrilling mini-games, while also maintaining a contemporary feel with stunning graphics, convenient upgrades, and reliable online functionality. In contrast to some previous versions that included excess elements, this game focuses on traditional gameplay, which pleased longtime fans greatly.

1. Super Mario Party Jamboree

The Reboot Series Continues With The Biggest Roster Of Characters

Super Mario Party served as the foundation for something fresh, leading to the full bloom of Super Mario Party Jamboree. It carries forward everything that the reboot excelled at and enhances it with a revised ally system called Jamboree Buddies. Additionally, it eliminates the character dice to provide a more traditional gaming experience.

The lively gathering titled “Super Mario Party Jamboree” draws a little motivation from “Super Mario Superstars,” as demonstrated by the reappearance of several timeless minigames and stages. Boasting the largest cast of characters in the “Mario Party” series to date, it has swiftly garnered popularity among fans, sparking some speculation about whether Nintendo might prolong its success through additional content (DLC).

2025-01-08 04:54