The evolution of theMario Partyseries has been strange. Originally a simplistic party game with basic themed boards, the series went from near-yearly releases to unfocused follow-ups. Alongside the numbered titles one might expect, players also have handhelds titles named after the system they were made for (AdvanceandDS), and compilations of old fan-favorite minigames likeThe Top 100. There are also miscellaneous installments that do not fit in any broadly defined category and are often forgotten as a result, likeIsland Tour.Mario Party Superstars, the most recent installment, is another attempt at compiling nostalgic boards and minigames.
Ever since the second game,Mario Partyhas been associated with changing gimmicks. Sometimes they are conceptual, likeMario Party 5’s dream world premise; and sometimes they directly affect how the boards function, likeMario Party 6’s day-and-night mechanic.Mario Party 7stands out due to having one of the more experimental gimmicks for a mid-2000s game: eight-player modes. While the game requires two players to share a controller if the eight people want to play at the same time, the idea of eight-player minigames is still an interesting concept. IfMario Party Superstarswere to add more content, it should consider a revival of eight-player modes.
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Eight-Player Modes Then and Now
Even beforeMario Party 7released, the idea of allowing more people than a console would usually permit is not new. Within the extendedSuper Mariofranchise,Mario Kart: Double Dashprovided players with opportunities to create LAN parties. They would theoretically allow every character to be picked (beyond secret unlockable racers) due to eight people playing at the same time. Although an interesting idea, most people who ownedDouble Dashsettled with features the base game offered since not everyone can afford a LAN party. Nowadays, the biggest example of a successful eight-player mode isSuper Smash Bros.
Originally introduced in the Wii U version ofSmash 4, eight-player battles were polished inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. The idea of having eight players fight locally is less farfetched thanks toGameCube controller adaptersand the Switch’s compatibility with various wireless controllers. Additionally, whileSmash for Wii Uwas selective with stages, basically only allowing big places like Temple to be usable with eight players,Ultimateintroduced variants to make every stage in the game compatible. It made the mode more accessible and provided players with opportunities for even crazier battles.
Modernizing Mario Party 7’s Eight-Player Mode
Mario Party 7having minigames for eight peopleis a remarkable idea in hindsight. After all,Mario Partyis perhaps the one Nintendo multiplayer series that can rivalMario KartandSuper Smash Bros. One possible wayMario Party Superstarscould reintroduce minigames with eight players is by bringing back a few ofMario Party 7’s best offerings, such as “Bob-ombic Plague,” “Grin and Bar It,” and “Unhappy Trails” to see how players respond.
Similar to howSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatemade every stage compatible with eight-player Smash, a contemporary eight-player mode forMario Partyshould also introduce recreated versions of the available minigames that tailor to eight players. Not only would this add more content and replay value, they would add more life intoclassic minigames.Mario Party 7also forced people to pair up in eight-player games, but a new feature this hypothetical comeback could add is the option to have all eight players work on their own.
There areno confirmed plans forMario Party SuperstarsDLC.However, if Nintendo wants to honor the game’s spirit and pay tribute to oldMario Partytitles with a contemporary look, it should look into bringing back eight-player minigames. They were a unique feature similar to ones that have proven functional in other multiplayer games, and their presence can potentially add an extra layer toMario Partygames.
