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| Mario Party | |
|---|---|
| Title | Mario Party |
| Developer | Hudson Soft |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Platforms | Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch |
| First release | 1998 |
| Genre | Party, Board game |
| Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Mario Party Mario Party is a video game series featuring characters from the Mario (franchise), built around board-game mechanics and party-style minigames. The series combines elements from classic board games such as Monopoly, arcade-style competitions like Mario Kart 64, and console party traditions exemplified by WarioWare, Inc. and Jackbox Party Pack. Over its history the series has influenced multiplayer design alongside franchises like Super Smash Bros. and Animal Crossing.
Gameplay centers on turn-based movement across themed boards inspired by settings from Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Players take on roles of protagonists and antagonists drawn from Mario (franchise), including characters associated with Princess Peach, Bowser, Luigi, and Yoshi. Each turn commonly concludes with a competitive minigame resembling challenges from F-Zero speed trials, Donkey Kong barrel tests, or The Legend of Zelda puzzle rooms. Core mechanics draw comparisons to board interactions in Monopoly property control, The Game of Life events, and collectible systems used in Pokémon titles. The series integrates item strategies similar to Mario Kart 8 item boxes and resource management akin to Fire Emblem support items. Matches frequently incorporate luck elements paralleling Yahtzee dice outcomes, while skill-based trials echo designs from Tetris and Street Fighter II. Multiplayer support references conventions from Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection services and local party structures promoted by Nintendo Switch Online.
Development began under Hudson Soft with guidance from Nintendo producers and external teams experienced in party design drawn from studios linked to Konami and Capcom. Early production cycles referenced technologies and methodologies of the Nintendo 64 era alongside influences from arcade cabinets at events like E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) and Tokyo Game Show. Key figures in development intersected with personnel associated with Shigeru Miyamoto projects and hardware teams responsible for the Nintendo 64 controller and GameCube optical media. Release strategies mirrored campaigns used for Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, leveraging partnerships with retailers like GameStop and promotion on television networks including MTV. Post-launch support incorporated updates informed by community feedback channels such as NeoGAF and GameFAQs, and later entries adapted to online services provided by Nintendo Network and Nintendo Switch Online.
Characters are drawn largely from the Mario (franchise) roster alongside guests and antagonists tied to Bowser subplots and affiliates connected to Wario and Donkey Kong. Playable protagonists often reference signature associates like Princess Daisy, Rosalina, Toadette, and recurring rivals like Waluigi. Non-playable entities include board hazards inspired by Kamek and bosses recalling encounters from Paper Mario arcs. Items function similarly to power-ups in Super Mario Bros. and speed boosters in Mario Kart, with collectible coins and star currencies resembling systems in Super Mario Galaxy and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Item design shows lineage from classic Nintendo pickups such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Star (stardust) encountered in titles like New Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario All-Stars.
Mini-games span categories comparable to arcade challenges seen in WarioWare, Inc. microgames, timing trials from Metroid Prime boss sequences, and reflex tests popularized by Kirby Air Ride. Competitive modes include free-for-all contests, 1-vs-3 asymmetrical matches reminiscent of Resident Evil asymmetry experiments, and co-operative objectives like those in Luigi's Mansion 3 multiplayer. Design inspirations include rhythm game mechanics from Donkey Konga, platforming precision from Super Mario Galaxy 2, and puzzle resolution similar to Dr. Mario and Puyo Puyo. Many mini-games reuse assets associated with worlds from Super Mario Odyssey and Yoshi's Crafted World, while music and sound design draw on libraries established in Koji Kondo compositions for The Legend of Zelda and Mario (franchise) soundtracks.
Critical reception has paralleled reactions to ensemble multiplayer titles such as Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart, often praised for accessibility while critiqued for reliance on luck akin to board games like Sorry!. Sales milestones placed entries alongside bestsellers within the Nintendo 64 and Wii catalogs, influencing party design in third-party series such as Sonic Shuffle and Crash Bash. The franchise impacted academic discussions on social gaming at conferences like Game Developers Conference and in journals exploring cooperative play alongside titles like Journey and Animal Crossing. Competitive communities emerged around skill-based mini-games, hosting tournaments in venues similar to EVO Championship Series formats, while casual gatherings mirrored conventions seen at PAX (event) and Comic-Con panels.
Spin-offs include adaptations and compilations that parallel cross-media strategies used for Super Mario All-Stars and Mario Kart Arcade GP, with guest collaborations echoing partnerships seen in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate downloadable content. Related media encompass strategy guides published by companies such as Prima Games and Nintendo Power, manga tie-ins comparable to The Legend of Zelda adaptations, and merchandising lines distributed through Nintendo Store and licensed partners like Jakks Pacific. The series’ formats inspired mobile prototypes and party experiments reminiscent of Pokémon Shuffle and Miitomo, and it contributed to discussions about party game monetization alongside platforms like Apple App Store and Google Play.
Category:Party video games