Which Mario Party Game Is The Best And Why?

Mario Party is one of the most popular and beloved spin-off series in Nintendo's history. Since its debut on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, Mario Party has brought countless hours of fun and frustration to millions of players around the world. The series features Mario and his friends (and foes) competing in various board games and mini-games, with a mix of skill, luck, and strategy.

But with so many Mario Party games out there, which one is the best? This is a question that has sparked many debates among fans and critics alike. Some prefer the classic formula of the N64 era, while others enjoy the innovations and changes of the newer titles. Some value gameplay over presentation, while others care more about graphics and music.

Of course, there is no definitive answer to this question, as different games appeal to different tastes and preferences. However, based on some common criteria such as gameplay variety, balance, replay value, fun factor, and overall quality, we can try to rank the mainline Mario Party games from worst to best. Here is our list:

10. Mario Party 9

Mario Party 9 was a controversial entry in the series, as it introduced some radical changes to the gameplay. Instead of moving independently on a board, players were now grouped together in a vehicle that moved along a linear path. Stars were replaced by mini-stars that were scattered along the way or awarded by winning mini-games. The game also added boss battles at certain points of each board.

While these changes were meant to add more excitement and unpredictability to the game, they also reduced the amount of choice and strategy that players had. Many fans felt that the game relied too much on luck and randomness, and that it took away some of the charm and identity of the series. The game also had fewer boards and mini-games than previous titles, making it less replayable.

9. Mario Party 10

Mario Party 10 was a direct sequel to Mario Party 9, and it continued with most of the same gameplay mechanics. The game added a new mode called Bowser Party, where one player controlled Bowser using the Wii U GamePad and tried to catch up with the other players in their vehicle. The game also featured amiibo compatibility, allowing players to use their figures to unlock special boards and modes.

However, Mario Party 10 did not do much to improve or innovate on its predecessor's formula. The game still suffered from many of the same issues as Mario Party 9: lack of player agency, excessive reliance on luck, limited content variety, etc. The game also had some technical problems such as long loading times and poor online functionality. Overall, Mario Party 10 was a disappointing follow-up that failed to recapture the magic of the series.

8. Mario Party: Island Tour

Mario Party: Island Tour was the first handheld title in the series since Mario Party DS. The game featured seven different boards with unique themes and rules, as well as over 80 mini-games that used various features of the Nintendo 3DS system. The game also supported local wireless multiplayer for up to four players.

Island Tour was a decent attempt at bringing Mario Party to a portable device. However, Island Tour also had some flaws that prevented it from being a great Mario Party game. The game lacked online multiplayer, which was a missed opportunity for a handheld title. The game also had some balance issues, such as some boards being too short or too easy, and some mini-games being unfair or repetitive. The game also lacked some of the charm and personality of the console titles, as it had fewer characters, items, and events.

7. Mario Party 8

Mario Party 8 was the first and only title in the series for the Wii console. The game took advantage of the Wii Remote's motion controls and added new types of mini-games such as shaking, pointing, and twisting. The game also introduced a new feature called Candy, which gave players different abilities when used on the board.

Mario Party 8 was a fun and accessible game that appealed to a wide audience. The game had a lot of content to offer, with 14 playable characters, six main boards, and over 70 mini-games. The game also had some creative and memorable boards and mini-games, such as Koopa's Tycoon Town and Flip the Chimp.

However, Mario Party 8 also had some drawbacks that kept it from being a top-tier Mario Party game. The game's graphics and presentation were mediocre for a Wii title, and the game suffered from frequent loading screens and slow animations. The game's motion controls were also inconsistent and sometimes frustrating to use. The game also had some annoying features such as the host MC Ballyhoo and his puppet Big Top.

6. Mario Party: Star Rush

Mario Party: Star Rush was the second handheld title in the series for the Nintendo 3DS. The game introduced a new mode called Toad Scramble, where players controlled Toads that moved freely on the board without waiting for turns. Players could recruit other characters as allies to help them in mini-games and boss battles. The game also featured other modes such as Coinathlon, Balloon Bash, and Rhythm Recital.

Star Rush was a refreshing and innovative game that tried to fix some of the problems of previous Mario Party games. The game eliminated the boredom of waiting for turns and added more strategy and interaction to the board gameplay. The game also had a lot of variety and replay value, with seven different modes, seven different boards, over 50 mini-games, and 26 playable characters.

However, Star Rush also had some limitations that prevented it from being a flawless Mario Party game. The game's graphics and sound were not very impressive for a 3DS title. The game's multiplayer options were also limited, as the game required each player to have their own copy of the game or download a free app to play together. The game also lacked some of the charm and humor of the console titles, as it had fewer cutscenes, dialogues, and events.

5. Mario Party 7

Mario Party 7 was the last title in the series for the GameCube console. The game added a new feature called Mic Minigames, which used a microphone accessory to let players control the game with their voice. The game also added an 8-player mode, which allowed two players to share one controller and play on specially designed boards and mini-games.

Mario Party 7 was a solid and enjoyable game that offered a lot of content and fun for fans of the series. The game had 12 playable characters, six main boards, and over 80 mini-games. The game also had some unique and interesting boards and mini-games, such as Neon Heights and Fun Run.

However, Mario Party 7 also had some flaws that kept it from being a masterpiece. The game's graphics and sound were not very different from previous GameCube titles, and the game felt somewhat stale and repetitive. The game's mic minigames were also gimmicky and unreliable, and often caused more frustration than fun. The game also had some balance issues, such as some boards being too long or too luck-based.

4. Mario Party DS

Mario Party DS was the first handheld title in the series for the Nintendo DS. The game made use of the DS's dual screens and touch screen features to create new types of mini-games and interactions. The game also had a story mode, where players had to defeat Bowser and his minions who shrunk them down to a tiny size.

Mario Party DS was a surprising and impressive game that proved that Mario Party could work well on a portable device. The game had a lot of content and variety, with eight playable characters, five main boards, over 70 mini-games, and several other modes. The game also had some clever and fun boards and mini-games, such as Wiggler's Garden and Call of the Goomba.

However, Mario Party DS also had some limitations that prevented it from being a perfect Mario Party game. The game's graphics and sound were not very remarkable for a DS title. Continuing the blog post:

`The game's multiplayer options were also limited, as the game required each player to have their own copy of the game or use a single-card download play feature that only allowed access to a few mini-games. The game also lacked some of the charm and personality of the console titles, as it had fewer animations, voice clips, and events.

3. Mario Party 6

Mario Party 6 was the second title in the series for the GameCube console. The game introduced a new feature called Day and Night, which changed the appearance and gameplay of the boards and mini-games depending on the time of day. The game also introduced a new character called Brighton, who represented the sun, and a new antagonist called Twila, who represented the moon.

Mario Party 6 was a fresh and exciting game that added a lot of variety and challenge to the series. The game had 12 playable characters, six main boards, and over 80 mini-games. The game also had some innovative and memorable boards and mini-games, such as Clockwork Castle and Granite Getaway.

However, Mario Party 6 also had some drawbacks that kept it from being a flawless Mario Party game. The game's graphics and sound were not very different from previous GameCube titles, and the game felt somewhat familiar and predictable. The game also relied heavily on the microphone accessory for some mini-games, which was not very accurate or responsive. The game also had some balance issues, such as some boards being too easy or too hard.

2. Mario Party 2

Mario Party 2 was the first sequel in the series for the Nintendo 64 console. The game improved on many aspects of the original game, such as adding more characters, items, boards, and mini-games. The game also added a new feature called Costumes, which changed the appearance of the characters depending on the theme of each board.

Mario Party 2 was a classic and beloved game that set the standard for many future Mario Party games. The game had eight playable characters, six main boards, and over 60 mini-games. The game also had some creative and fun boards and mini-games, such as Western Land and Hexagon Heat.

However, Mario Party 2 also had some flaws that kept it from being a perfect Mario Party game. The game's graphics and sound were not very impressive for a Nintendo 64 title. 

The game also had some annoying features, such as the item-stealing Boo and the coin-draining Bank. The game also had some balance issues, such as some boards being too luck-based or too unfair.

1. Mario Party 3

Mario Party 3 was the last title in the series for the Nintendo 64 console. The game added more content and features to the series, such as adding more characters, items, boards, and mini-games. The game also added a new mode called Duel Mode, where two players competed in a one-on-one board game with partners. The game also had a story mode, where players had to collect seven Star Stamps by defeating other characters.

Mario Party 3 was the best and most complete game in the series for many fans and critics. The game had 10 playable characters, six main boards, six duel boards, and over 70 mini-games. The game also had some diverse and challenging boards and mini-games, such as Waluigi's Island and Eatsa Pizza.

However, Mario Party 3 also had some minor flaws that kept it from being a flawless Mario Party game. The game's graphics and sound were not very different from previous Nintendo 64 titles, and the game felt somewhat dated and old-fashioned. The game also had some frustrating features, such as the item-stealing Baby Bowser and the coin-draining Game Guy. The game also had some balance issues, such as some boards being too long or too short.



Mario Party is a series that has entertained and infuriated many players over the years. Each game has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each player has their own preferences and opinions. However, based on our criteria of gameplay variety, balance, replay value, fun factor, and overall quality, we think that Mario Party 3 is the best Mario Party game of all time.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with our ranking? Which Mario Party game is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below!`