The Mario Party franchise is known for its wild and chaotic minigames, and that doesn't change with Mario Party Superstars. The latest Mario Party title is a nostalgic throwback to many of the minigames that fans know and love from throughout the series. Minigames are playable during regular games, or in new modes featured in Superstars' Mt. Minigames.
When bringing games from the past to current generation consoles, not everything can be perfect. While all minigames in Superstars benefit from their updated visuals, some struggle with controls and playability on the Switch's Joy-Cons. However, some of the classic minigames still bring just as much joy to players as they always have.
10 Face Lift
A 4-player free-for-all minigame, Face Lift benefits heavily from an update to modern-day consoles, with movable points highlighted on the target's face. This game has been featured in multiple Mario Party entries, and the Superstars version of this minigame is Face Lift at its best.
The goal of Face Lift is to match one's face with the template in the middle of the screen by stretching and pulling it at different points. It's a great minigame to play with friends, as the countdown to the finish can make for a frantic dash to complete the contorted face.
9 Bobsled Run
Bobsled Run is a 2 vs. 2 minigame that has been featured in multiple Mario Party games. To many fans' delight, it works well in Mario Party Superstars and is even improved by the Nintendo Switch's JoyCon controls.
In Bobsled Run, two teams compete in a race to the bottom of an icy bobsled track. Players will have to factor in speed and steering while racing to the finish. The main obstacle is the cooperation that partners must have when steering their bobsled, to avoid cliffs and gaps in the track.
8 Booksquirm
The simplicity of iconic 4-player minigame from Mario Party's GameCube era makes it fun for both new and returning Mario Party players. The controls have stayed the same throughout its appearances, and with only one goal, it is easy to understand what to do.
In this minigame, players must maneuver through holes in a book's pages as they turn. These holesare always changing shape and location, and finding a way into the opening can be difficult if too many players have chosen the same location.
7 Mario's Puzzle Party
Mario's Puzzle Party takes inspiration from other block games like Dr. Mario and Tetris. With a concept that most players will understand automatically, this 4-player minigame is a great addition to Superstars' lineup.
The goal in Mario's Puzzle Party is to reach a combo score of 100. Combos can be achieved by matching two or more blocks of the same color. Bricks will occasionally fall onto the player's board, and can be broken when the player makes a combo near the bricks.
6 Snowball Summit
Snowball Summit is a competitive 4-player free-for-all minigame, originally from Mario Party 3. It's a skill-based minigame but has a low barrier of entry, allowing players of all experience levels to have fun playing.
In Snowball Summit, players will build snowballs and roll them towards each other in hopes of knocking opponents off of the screen. Players can grow the size of their snowball by rolling it for longer, which causes it to have a much bigger impact when it collides with the other players.
5 Flash Forward
Mario Party 10 wasn't the most well-received of the Mario Party franchise, but its 4-player free-for-all minigame Flash Forward stood out — and returns in Superstars. The competitiveness makes it tons of fun to play with friends and family.
The player's main goal in Flash Forward is to be in front of the camera and strike a pose when a picture is taken. Players can sabotage each other by ground-pounding and pushing their opponents out of the way.
4 Bumper Balls
Bumper Balls is a top-tier minigame for competitive players, and has been featured in multiple Mario Party entries. The goal in this 4-player minigame is to knock opponents off of the platform by ramming into them.
The bounciness of the balls can sometimes cause players to be flung in unintentional directions. Speed and impact play a role in how hard opponents are knocked back.
3 Burnstile
Burnstile is a 2 vs. 2 minigame from Mario Party 6, and is a great team minigame as neither player is reliant on their teammate for success. This minigame is skill-based and has no way for players to interfere with opponent's success, making it less luck-based and more intense.
In Burnstile, players stand on a platform while a rotating arm circles around the map. Players will have to jump over the arm at increasing speeds to outlast their opponents.
2 Shy Guy Says
Shy Guy Says is a 4-player minigame that pits players against one another by testing their speed and reflexes. It's perfect for playing with friends or family, as both skilled players and newbies have the chance to win this game.
Without the ability to sabotage opponents, players will have to rely on skill to win this minigame. Practice can help with this game, but even a small mistake can result in elimination, putting all players on an equal playing field.
1 Mushroom Mix-Up
Mushroom Mixup is a 4-player free-for-all minigame from the original Mario Party, and ranks on the top of the list when it comes to visual upgrades. This minigame is just as fun now as it was on the Nintendo 64, and keeps its competitive chaos as well.
The goal in Mushroom Mixup is to get to the mushroom that corresponds to the color and pattern that Toad holds up during each round. With four players competing to make their way to the mushroom, it can be tough. Players also have the ability to ground-pound their opponents, making them unable to move for a few seconds. Getting flattened is an easy way to lose, especially during later rounds.
Mario Party Superstars was released for the Nintendo Switch on October 29th, 2021.