Guide: Best Mario Party Games Of All Time

Image: Nintendo LifeUpdated with Super Mario Party Jamboree and rejigged to our new list format. Enjoy!

What’s the best Mario Party game? Mario is no stranger to spin-offs, but there’s nothing like a good Mario Party to ruin family occasions and bring out the worst in people, right?

Once a stalwart of the N64, there are tons of Mario Party games available, most following a very familiar formula, but the franchise has seen a bit of a critical renaissance with its Nintendo Switch iterations. We’ve compiled a ranked list of every Mario Party to showcase the best of the best, (excluding the e-Reader game and the Arcade releases).

So, which one gets the most gold stars and which one has lost all of their coins? Here is the Mario Party series ranked from worst to best.

18. Mario Party: The Top 100 (3DS)
Nd Cube’s decision to bring back 100 beloved minigames from the Mario Party series was admirable, but Mario Party: The Top 100 fell short as a package in the way it delivers those bite-sized delights. While it may have held the record for most minigames at the time, The Top 100 certainly has the least amount of content and the lowest replayability in the series.

This 2017 3DS game set out to compile a collection of the best minigames from the 10 home console entries. The minigames were revamped for the handheld, which makes the initial time spent with the game an awesome walk through nostalgia lane.

But after one or two playthroughs, this starts to feel like a rushed project that is hugely limited by the hardware and fails to live up to its full potential.

17. Mario Party Advance (GBA)
Going in with the right expectations will help shape your enjoyment of Mario Party Advance; there’s none of the raucous action and minigame madness of the console games in this portable party, but it offers up its own attractions within the board game frame.

There are some charming Quests with great writing, fun, solo-focused minigames, and a toy box full of wonderfully whimsical Gaddgets to explore. But the Mario Party series has always been about multiplayer, and the lack of it here — apart from some four-hands-one-system microgames — is a definite disappointment.

The huge role played by the roll of the dice can be frustrating at times, too, but if you’re up for a less prototypical Party, there may be something here for you.

16. Mario Party 10 (Wii U)
Where the series was already showing signs of wear and tear, the last numbered Mario Party tried to incorporate amiibos to the point where it’s a little bit too reliant. Still, Mario Party 10 can be a multiplayer game, and it’s still polished and undeniably entertaining at times.

The Bowser Party mode, in particular, was a great example of how the Wii U’s bespoke features could be used to create a compelling multiplayer experience that extends beyond minigames, though it’s extremely limited in replayability as a result.

We like how the game utilised the GamePad, but even with the changes, this feels like a tired entry. But, if you want a light-hearted game to enjoy with a group of friends, regardless of their skill level, you could do a lot worse, though.

15. Mario Party: Island Tour (3DS)
Mario Party: Island Tour may still be a sound purchase for kids, families, or anyone looking to play with friends, but clear misfires and shortcomings plague the game boards. Many are throwaways, and a handful of game modes are forgettable, hurting the overall experience in a big way.

Those seeking a long-lasting single-player experience may want to steer clear as there isn’t enough depth to the solo-focused modes to keep you engaged for very long, and Island Tour is yet another entry that doesn’t do much to differentiate from its predecessors.

Thankfully, there’s a great collection of minigames that may give enough of a reason for many to roll the dice, but Mario’s hosted much better parties.

14. Mario Party 9 (Wii)
In a shake-up for the series, Mario Party 9 made the most major changes to the Mario Party formula that we’d seen in years, for both better and worse.

Streamlining proceedings to a short and snappy rush of minigames, it’s much less predictable than previous instalments, with boss battles that don’t outstay their welcome and less-distracting minigames. But the lack of a ‘Classic’ mode, the poorly-explained Captain Events, and the short parties often leave something to be desired.

We can’t deny that this game ditched some of the dead wood in favour of a fresh approach that emphatically reminded us why the series had been going for 14 years to that point, but some of the changes seemed to forget what makes Mario Party fun in the first place.

13. Mario Party: Star Rush (3DS)
Yet another 3DS entry, Mario Party: Star Rush may not have excelled in many ways, but it addressed some complaints from past entries and delivered some harmless entertainment.

The main modes have a nice variety and sense of purpose (aside from two duds), and the overall offering includes a mix of longer-form and quickfire gameplay options. The free ‘Guest’ download is a brilliant touch for quick and easy local multiplayer, too, if you’ve only got one full copy on hand — we wished that more games used this feature.

However, due to hardware limitations and a few disappointing modes, we’re not sure you should rush out to find this one for your back catalogue.

12. Super Mario Party (Switch)
After years of Mario Party games having a somewhat sterile feel, that wasn’t the case with Super Mario Party, the Switch’s first Mario Party outing.

This wasn’t a cash grab with Mario’s face on the front; this was a well-constructed and beautifully realised Mario Party game which takes the series right back to its roots, but without being a straightforward rehash.

There were a few interesting ideas that felt a little bit underdeveloped — such as the overhyped Challenge mode — but on the whole Super Mario Party was a true return to form after it felt like the series was sagging on Wii, Wii U, and (3)DS.

11. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
Making the leap over to the Wii meant a lot of motion controls, so Mario Party 8 already felt a bit different right out of the gate.

But there were plenty of times when we didn’t feel like this was the next big jump for the Mario Party series. With no online play, visuals on par with the GameCube titles, and a limp single-player mode, Mario Party did plenty better before (and after) this.

However, we did enjoy playing this with friends and watching them waggle their Wii Remotes as they attempted to win. It’s still a fun party experience that belongs with the Wii’s initial slate of multiplayer games, but we know the series can do better.

10. Mario Party 4 (GCN)
Mario Party 4 is a definite party favourite for many, but it wasn’t much of a jump or advancement of the series. The sheer uncertainty and the many features and games keep it enjoyable for a long time, and some all-time classic minigames were introduced here, including Booksquirm and Dungeon Duos.

Once again, the single-player is just a dull add-on, and the fact that there are only 40 normal minigames definitely hurts replayability, but this is an overall solid Mario Party that’s worth showing up to, even if you’re arriving incredibly — but fashionably — late.

9. Mario Party DS (DS)
For a handheld entry in the series, Mario Party DS had an addictive and wide variety of minigames (over 70, including the puzzle ones) that we enjoyed. From rapidly slicing cucumbers to running around a maze snapping photographs of your rivals or blowing out candles for your character to hop across, this pocket-sized party is a decent transition to a handheld format.

It did come to Wii U Virtual Console, where the lack of multiplayer hurt party mode quite a bit. But if you’re on a DS, then four players (each with their own DS, of course) can party together using Download Play, making this an ideal handheld Mario Party experience.

8. Mario Party 7 (GCN)
The GameCube’s Mario Party swansong was a decent send-off for the series as Mario and friends looked to future generations, but Mario Party 7 is the definition of a safe sequel in a series full of ’em.

Our favourite thing about Mario Party 7 is the ability to play with up to eight people, sharing the controller between friends, albeit with simpler controls for some minigames. We’d absolutely take being able to have a bigger party, for sure, even if it might cause yet more squabbles among the family. MP7 capped off a solid run for the series on the purple box, at the very least.

7. Mario Party 5 (GCN)
Mario Party 5 came in thick and fast after the first GameCube iteration, and with it came Capsules. Out with the items and in with the little plastic balls that you could use to consume helpful boosts or set up traps for your closely matched rivals.

We rather liked the fun Paper Mario nod with the Star Spirits, but there’s no denying that this is more of the same. If you like Mario Party, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and looking through the sizeable roster of the series entries, that’s a sentiment you’re going to run into a lot.

This fifth numbered Party has a solid set of boards and minigames to keep you and the family entertained, but as another entry that does little to advance the formula, you probably don’t need to run out to grab this one unless you spot it cheap.

6. Mario Party (N64)
The game that got the Party started. Mario Party kicked things off raucously and without it, we wouldn’t be able to keep holding the most almighty of Nintendo parties at NL Towers.

Feuds that have lasted a lifetime may have spawned thanks to this game back in 1998. Conspiracy theories that Nintendo created this game solely to force the purchase of additional controllers after Aunt Susan and Uncle Stan destroyed your analogue sticks are spurious.

Mario Party’s slate of minigames truly shines, with Bumper Ball, Face Lift, and Mushroom Mix-Up helping to cement a legacy that endures to this day.

5. Mario Party 6 (GCN)
Remember the GameCube microphone? Mario Party 6 was the first game to use that peripheral, but besides shouting into this little grey stick (and it often not working), the third GameCube instalment brought a fresh batch of boards and games, and an interesting day-and-night system just like in Mario Party 2’s Horror Land board.

While there was no massive shakeup for the formula, there’s no denying this was a highly polished title and that day/night twist really affected board layouts and minigames. As such, MP6 kept us coming back for just another bite or two, and sits up there as one of the most fun multiplayer experiences on the GameCube.

4. Mario Party Superstars (Switch)
Mario Party Superstars is a love letter to the parties some of us remember attending two decades earlier. A disappointingly slim selection of boards takes the shine off things somewhat, but it was hard to argue that this was the best Mario Party had been in over a decade.

While there aren’t many new ideas here — surprise, surprise — we much preferred to have all these classic ideas intact rather than potentially tainting them with unwanted, unnecessary inclusions only added for the sake of being new.

The lack of DLC boards was utterly baffling, but this is how you do a compilation of minigames, and with online play, there are even more opportunities to claim victory. Grab a can of Tango and a fistful of 10p Freddos — it’s time to party like it’s 1999.

3. Mario Party 3 (N64)
The third and final fiesta thrown by Mario on the Nintendo 64, the Mario Party formula was well-established by this point.

Hudson Soft saw no reason to change it in any way or kick it up a gear beyond a new influx of minigames, but that doesn’t stop Mario Party 3 from being a quintessential entry in the series: a riot with multiple friends, and a soul-crushing grind for a lonely single player… but why would anyone play Mario Party on their own? Well, for the brand-new story mode of course!

We all know the real reason this places as high as it does. No, it’s not the fact you can hold three items, but rather that Daisy and Waluigi make their polished party debut. As the final Mario game to be released on the N64 (except in Australia), it was a darn good send-off.

2. Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch)
Super Mario Party Jamboree is a fantastic new entry in the franchise that focuses on improving the core mechanics and experience, making for a more involving board game in the process, whilst also polishing everything to a slick sheen.

Online aspects and modern stuff like the game’s battle pass and collectibles are woven in smoothly, and the various new modes all have their place in a package that also delivers the goods in terms of minigame quality.

For our money, Jamboree is the best Mario Party to date, so best make sure you’ve got your invite sorted.

1. Mario Party 2 (N64)
There ain’t no party like a Mario Party, although he sure has thrown an awful lot of them.

Of the three Hudson-developed minigame bonanzas that came out on N64, Mario Party 2 is arguably the fan favourite. This is where Battle, Item, and Duel minigames got their start, and you could spend all the time in the world practising them before you start, so you can ensure you’re prepped for party play.

Obviously, you’ll still need three friends to get the most out of this, but the first sequel built on the foundation of the original and steered the series on a steady course which now extends well into double figures. Even decades on, it stands as one of the best party games ever, and it’s available on Switch via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

Just watch those Joy-Con analogue sticks — they’re fragile at the best of times!

See, all of that was fair, wasn’t it? Those are all 18 Mario Party games No coin-nabbing or star-snatching. Just how we like it.

Best Mario Party FAQ
If you haven’t had enough board game fun, then we’ve got all of the answers to your burning Mario Party questions. No need to roll the dice on this.

What was the first Mario Party game?
Mario Party made its debut on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 in Japan, and 1999 elsewhere in the world. The very first game was developed by Hudson Soft and featured eight boards, 50 minigames, and a hub world known as Mushroom Village.

The game went on to be a huge success, spawning the franchise as we know it today.

If you’re hankering for some old-school Mario Party action, you can play the original Mario Party on Switch thanks to Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack.

How many Mario Party games are there?
There’s a grand total of 26 Mario Party games across all systems.

This includes 13 home console games, 6 handheld titles (which includes Mario Party-e), and seven Japan-only arcade games. That’s… a lot of Mario Party!

We mentioned up top, but we’ve limited this list to those home console games and five of the six handled titles — e-Readers are only available in certain countries, after all.

What’s the latest Mario Party game?
The newest Mario Party game is Super Mario Party Jamboree, which launched on 17th October 2024.

Jamboree is the third Mario Party game to be released on Nintendo Switch, following Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars.

Who develops the Mario Party games?
Hudson Soft was the original developer of the Mario Party series. The Japanese developer worked on every Mario Party game from the N64 original through to Mario Party 8 and Mario Party DS.

In 2011, Konami — the primary shareholder in Hudson Soft — announced that it would be fully acquiring the company and merging it into the Konami brand. Multiple Hudson Soft workers moved onto NDCube, now known as Nintendo Cube.

Since 2012, Nintendo Cube has been the main developer of the Mario Party series.

Which Mario Party game has the most minigames?
Once again, Super Mario Party Jamboree is the answer here. The newest Mario Party game features 110 unique minigames, which is the most in the series.

Before Jamboree, Mario Party Superstars held the record, with 100 minigames from various games in the series. Mario Party: the Top 100 also included 100 minigames, but that one’s not a favourite among fans, and it’s more of a minigame compilation rather than a traditional Mario Party game.

What’s the best-selling Mario Party game?
Super Mario Party is currently the best-selling Mario Party game. As of June 2024, the first Switch entry has sold a staggering 20.84 million units, making it the eighth best-selling first-party game on Switch.

Behind it is the second Switch Mario Party, Mario Party Superstars. This return to form has sold 12.89 million units as of March 2024.

Which Mario Party games are on Nintendo Switch Online?
All three classic N64 Mario Party games are available on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.

That’s Mario Party, Mario Party 2, and Mario Party 3. Most people think these are the best in the series, too.

Can you play Mario Party online?
Yep, you can! All of the Nintendo Switch Mario Party games can be played online — that includes the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion pack ones.

There are a few differences, however. For Super Mario Party and Mario Party 1, 2, and 3 (on NSO), you can only play online with friends, so you’ll need to have their friend codes on your Switch.

For Mario Party Superstars and Super Mario Jamboree, you can play with anyone. For Jamboree, there are various modes you can jump into — many of which are new — so we’ve covered just how you can play everything online in a separate guide.

How can I change the ranking in this article?
It’s pretty easy! We enlisted Nintendo Life readers to help us rate every Mario Party game ever. The list above is governed by each game’s User Rating in our database, and is therefore subject to change after publication, even as you’re reading this!

We make sure the list is up-to-date with every single new Mario Party release, which is why you’re seeing Jamboree here. And hey, if you disagree with the rankings, then you can search for your favourite Mario Party game below and give it the score it deserves.

If you feel like your favourite Mario Party game has been robbed just like the times we’ve seen multiple stars get nicked from our pockets, don’t forget this list is subject to change according to each game’s User Ratings on the site.

Feel free to let us know your thoughts and share a comment about your personal favourites below.