Every Mario Party RANKED
Ty Richardson
Matrix link: MP-Every-Mario-Party-RANKED_T5U9J0_MATRIX - Google Sheets
FL Notes: I have captured footage for most of the list here.
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at Every “Mario Party” RANKED!
“Mario Party” has been around for quite a long time now, and over the years, it’s seen a large amount of sequels and spin-offs that have introduced new ideas with each iteration. Some were a blast while others were a complete buzzkill. Do note that we will not be including “The Top 100” nor “Superstars” as the former is only a minigame collection while the latter is a rehash of older titles. And we’re definitely not counting the e-Reader card game - who even played that, really?
Which “Mario Party” do you consider to be the best? Everyone has their favorite, so sound off in the comments below!
#15: “Mario Party” (1998)
Normally for these kinds of lists, we tend to throw the first game somewhere in the middle or even at the very top in some circumstances. When it comes to the first “Mario Party”, though, it’s fair to say that this one was the worst. For starters, the game’s economy is absolutely brutal as you’ll see Bowser way more frequently than you’ll see someone nabbing a Star. Then, you have the minigames which range from terribly unbalanced to actually inflicting physical pain! Yes, back when the game first launched, players reported getting their hands lacerated from having to furiously rotate the analog stick for some of the mini games. Nintendo faced a lawsuit, which forced them to make protective gloves to send to players who requested them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_(video_game)
#14: “Mario Party 9” (2012)
The ninth installment in the mainline games was arguably the most controversial title in the entire franchise, and deservedly so. See, when it comes to “Mario Party”, there’s only one way to play the game - be ultra competitive and get salty when friends steal Stars. Or when Luigi cheats. MP9 took some of the competitive nature away by shoving all players in a car and forcing them to move as one unit. Considering how long it had been since MP8 had launched by this point, this was appalling to die-hard fans. It may not have caused physical pain like the first game, but it certainly caused some emotional pain.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_9
#13: “Mario Party: Island Tour” (2013)
The 3DS had so many amazing titles that we were itching for a new “Mario Party” on the handheld. Alas, “Island Tour” told us we were better off without one. While it was, admittedly, not as horrifying as our previous two entries, “Island Tour” is by far the most boring of the franchise, and that’s not how a “Mario Party” game should be described. It simply does nothing interesting with the handheld’s capabilities, and even when asking for basic gameplay, it’s uninspiring. The boards are lacking in charm and personality, the minigames are mindnumbing, and the overall experience is forgettable. In the words of Scott Pilgrim, “This sucks. I’m gonna go pee due to boredom.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party:_Island_Tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oeoy3iJMQE
''I'm gonna go pee due to boredom!'' Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) - YouTube
#12: “Mario Party: Star Rush” (2016)
The franchise was given a second chance on the 3DS, but it wasn’t that much better. Now, the core “Mario Party” formula had practically been thrown out the window. Rather than play as different Mario characters and run around a board, “Star Rush” sees you and your friends control Toads as you recruit the other characters to assist in minigames and collecting Stars. There was no mode for veteran players to tap into and play a real game of “Mario Party”. That isn’t to say the game was entirely awful; it does hold interesting ideas. The problem is that it doesn’t make the experience anything special. It’s just that one “Mario Party” that wasn’t...you know…”Mario Party”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party:_Star_Rush
Mario Party: Star Rush - Toad Scramble Walkthrough: World 1 (2 Player) - YouTube
#11: “Mario Party Advance” (2005)
Honestly, this one was just confusing. Yes, this was a “Mario Party” made for the Game Boy Advance, a handheld console that was made primarily for single-player games on the go and required lengthy connection setup in order to play with friends. How could “Mario Party” possibly exist on the GBA?? ...Well, you turn it into a single-player package of minigames and fetch quests. Run around a board solving ridiculously easy mysteries, being an errand boy for the different Mario baddies you hold vendettas with, and earn Gaddgets you’ll grow bored of playing after a minute. It isn’t the most offensive game in the series, but it’s also one no one missed out on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_Advance
#10: “Mario Party 10” (2015)
The tenth installment (and the only one made for the Wii U) is very much a “you love it or you hate it” kind of game. On one hand, you have the same gameplay as “Mario Party 9” where all players are shoved into a car and forced to awkwardly stare at each other in between the trash talk. On the other hand, you actually have something interesting here to warrant a fifth player. While the main four are vying and bickering for Star Points, a fifth player can take control of Bowser, acting as the chaos agent and wreaking havoc by tricking players into choosing paths, grabbing extra dice for himself, and being an overall jerk. In other words, it’s perfect for your sadistic friends.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5rFWZfNz38&t=339s
#9: “Mario Party 8” (2007)
Compared to the entries we’ve already covered so far, MP8 really isn’t all that terrible. Not only does it give us an excuse to boot up the Wii from time to time, but it also houses quite a bit of entertainment, and that’s not considering any minigames where one might be making questionably inappropriate gestures. The boards here all have unique themes from pirates and haunted mansions to an ever-shifting train and ventures in hotel management a la Monopoly. Sure, MP8 does not hold the best collection of minigames (Rudder Madness, Flip the Chimp, for example). However, for what it does have, it does it fairly well. Now, excuse me while I go be a 12-year-old and laugh at Mario in the minigame menus…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_8
#8: “Mario Party DS” (2007)
If you absolutely needed a “Mario Party” on a handheld device, this was the one that managed to replicate the core experience. Though every map had a different goal just like the previous two games, it was still the formula we were well familiar with. It also boasted a hearty helping of minigames that fully utilized the capabilities of the Nintendo DS. On top of that, it was extremely friendly for multiplayer, requiring only one user to own a copy and allowing other players to participate via DS Download Play. Now, THIS was how you threw a pocket-sized party!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_DS
#7: “Mario Party 4” (2002)
When “Mario Party” made the jump from Nintendo 64 to GameCube, we weren’t expecting such a big change-up in boards and mechanics. Gone were the days of Skeleton Keys and Bowser Phones. Now, we had Mega and Mini Mushrooms to worry about. These two presented an interesting way to navigate the board, often providing access to shortcuts. However, one could argue the design of the boards forced you to rely on these a little too much, and because of their sizes, it caused games to drag out longer than previous games. Still, it was a solid beginning to a new era of “Mario Party”, and it’s still fun to go back to every once in a while.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_4
#6: “Super Mario Party” (2018)
The first to arrive on Switch, “Super Mario Party” brought the franchise back in full-force. With MP9, 10, “Island Tour”, and “Star Rush” having flubbed the series, “Super” reminds us what “Mario Party” is all about - grabbing Stars, strategizing dice rolls, and yelling at friends. As for the minigames, they were some of the best we had seen in a long, long time, and they utilized the Joy-Con’s technology in very fun and unique ways. The only problem “Super” had was its questionable balancing, specifically when it came to allies. Yeah, even if someone gets one or two allies, the game is basically over thanks to the buff in dice rolls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Party
#5: “Mario Party 7” (2005)
MP7 was the first to start distinguishing the boards from one another in terms of gameplay. Sure, they all were about grabbing the most Stars, but each board brought a different spin to it. Ascend to the top of a mountain, find the Star hidden in one of three chests, invest in windmills, or even play a board that’s all about using Chain Chomps to steal Stars from each other. There was variety here to freshen things up without deviating from the core experience. Our only gripe was the inclusion of “mic minigames”, which drastically slowed down the MP7’s pacing. Yeah, you know we turned that crap off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_7
#4: “Mario Party 5” (2003)
In all honesty, MP5 was not particularly well-received at launch and saw a mixed bag of reviews...but so has the entire series, for the most part. MP5 brought a new spin on “Mario Party” that added a bit of chaos and strategy to the boards - capsules. This time, players could use capsules on themselves or alter the board by throwing them down on a nearby space. Sounds basic on paper, but when you factor in the positions of your opponents, where the Star is, and how to dissuade players from a particular area, MP5 becomes a more maniacal and devious game of wits and skill. Plus, it holds an excellent selection of minigames from Fish Upon a Star and Coney Island to Night Light Fright and Panic Pinball.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_5
#3: “Mario Party 3” (2000)
You only need ONE reason to call “Mario Party 3” “one of the greats” - WAAAAHHHHHLUIGI!! No, in all seriousness, MP3 is a riot from start to finish. Not only was it the same “Mario Party” formula, but it was improved with slightly better balance and significantly better visuals. There were also a collection of minigames that required more skill and not too much luck. Messy Memory, Ice Rink Risk, Boulder Ball, and Rockin’ Raceway are just some of the ones that’ll stick with you after the party is over. This was also the first time solo players were given more reason to play as MP3 came with a Story Mode, which would become a series mainstay.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_3
#2: “Mario Party 6” (2004)
Of the GameCube era, “Mario Party 6” was the absolute best one. For starters, you had the same chaotic vibe brought by the capsules, even better minigames, and the first secret character in the series (Toadette!). On top of that, boards were given a bit more of a puzzle element to them through the introduction of the day-&-night cycle. Borrowed from a board in a previous game, boards would spend three turns under day or night before switching over to the other for three turns, rinse and repeat. This required players to approach boards differently and consider their actions a bit more carefully. It wasn’t a blatant race to the Star anymore - it was time to be crafty and cunning!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_6
#1: “Mario Party 2” (1999)
What can we say? “Mario Party 2” is the definitive experience of the series and encapsulates everything you need to know about the franchise. What is “Mario Party” all about? Well, it’s about the colorful worlds and their charming music, it’s about the different events and items that mix things up just enough to where they aren’t obnoxious, and it’s about the minigames that are sometimes too difficult for specific players, but still manageable. Plus, costumes! No other game in the franchise has ‘em! It’s hard, it runs right between skill and luck, the AI cheats sometimes, but of all of the “Mario Party’s”, MP2 was the one that captures the essence of the franchise, for better or worse. And we wouldn’t want it any other way. ...Luigi is a filthy cheater, though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Party_2