5 Best Mario Party Games Of All Time, Ranked

When it comes to Nintendo’s multiplayer titles, there are few series that do it better for sheer fun factor than “Mario Party.” Starting in 1998 on the Nintendo 64, the series essentially took the playable roster from the “Mario Kart” games and placed them in the definitive party game atmosphere. Players navigate themed game boards, with their own perils and pratfalls, punctuating each round with mini-games to fuel their efforts on the board. The original game’s success spawned an entire series that has surfaced on virtually every Nintendo platform since.

With well over a dozen “Mario Party” games, including installments <a href="https://comicvibe.com/one-piece-chapter-1195-release-date-time-where-to-read/” title=”One Piece Chapter 1195 Release Date, Time & Where to Read”>released for Nintendo’s handheld consoles, we’re naming our personal favorites. These games feature standout mini-games, memorable boards, and plenty of features that keep players engaged with varied gameplay. Moreover, we find these particular games in the series to be a tremendous amount of fun that keeps us coming back to them. These are the five best “Mario Party” games of all time ranked, each perfect to play with friends all night.

5. Mario Party

The original “Mario Party” is one of the best Nintendo 64 games of all time, setting the foundation for the series that’s still used and improved upon today. The 1998 game features some of the most memorable boards in the series, from Mario’s Rainbow Castle to the Eternal Star, each with a distinct atmosphere. The game also features a single-player campaign with Mini-Game Island, placing players on a gauntlet of all the mini-games to truly test their mettle. But like all “Mario Party” games, the original boasts a fun set of mini-games that can feel particularly punishing (there was even a major lawsuit made against Nintendo over the gameplay).

Looking back, while still a family-friendly experience, the original “Mario Party” does feel darker in its presentation than its sequels. The mini-games and several of the game boards have a more ominous tone, which makes the whole thing a bit more distinct and endearing. The game is also “Mario Party” at its most unforgiving, with a difficulty level that will actively challenge even seasoned players. But the inaugural “Mario Party” still holds up, and served as the start of one of Nintendo’s most beloved series.

4. Mario Party 3

The last installment in the series released for the Nintendo 64, 2000’s “Mario Party 3” goes big with its aspirations. The game is the first in the series to expand the playable roster, marking the first appearances of Waluigi and Daisy into the mix. The title also boasts an all-new set of mini-games rather than reusing ones from its predecessors, though several contain clear similarities. Additionally, the game includes a story campaign guiding players through the main boards in an overarching narrative, and a duel mode for players to go head-to-head on special boards.

In terms of just how feature-rich the overall game is, “Mario Party 3” is the most of any entry released for the Nintendo 64. While this doesn’t always translate to a more fun experience, the 2000 title fortunately connects on most of its big creative swings. The mini-games themselves are solid additions too, though we do find ourselves missing some of the series’ mainstays. “Mario Party 3” lives up to many of its ambitions and results in a memorable time for players.

3. Mario Party Superstars

The second “Mario Party” title produced for the Nintendo Switch, 2021’s “Mario Party Superstars,” is a major improvement over its predecessor, “Super Mario Party.” The game itself is a celebration of the franchise, including boards from the series’ original trilogy on the Nintendo 64 and mini-games from across its history. The game’s playable roster includes characters from the series’ first four titles, while bringing in Birdo and Rosalina to complement it further. What elevates the game over its predecessor is improved handling and online functionality, as well as its nods to the series’ legacy.

Upon its release, critics observed that “Mario Party Superstars” relied heavily on nostalgia from past entries in the series. Given that the entire premise is built on that approach, we see this element as more of a creative strength, adding interesting dimensions to familiar mini-games and boards. While that appeal is tailored for veteran “Mario Party” players, the game is optimized for modern audiences too, with the boards noticeably revamped. A love letter to the series, “Mario Party Superstars” is a welcome trip down memory lane.

2. Super Mario Party Jamboree

The best “Mario Party” game the Nintendo Switch ever got was the 2024 title “Super Mario Party Jamboree.” Taking cues from its predecessor, the game incorporates classic boards and mini-games from previous titles, but also adds its own to the mix this time. The game’s new major mechanic is giving players the option of temporarily recruiting a buddy to help them as they progress around the board. The game also features the largest playable roster in the series to date, giving players 22 characters to choose from.

“Super Mario Party Jamboree” is a game that justifies the price of the Nintendo Switch, exemplifying the joys found through the console’s multiplayer experiences. Rather than treading entirely on nostalgia, the game features a healthy blend of classic and new elements to make something truly special. The game received an enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, but the original version still stands as the superior iteration of the title. The best of the modern era “Mario Party” games, “Super Mario Party Jamboree” helped reinvigorate the venerable series.

1. Mario Party 2

At the end of the day, as much as we love all the games that came after it, “Mario Party 2” still shines as the series’ best entry. The game presents each of its boards as a genre-themed story, always concluding with a final showdown against Bowser, ranging from horror to sci-fi themed boards this time. The board games are bolstered by the introduction of items that players can earn and strategically use, along with the addition of item, battle, and duel mini-games. Even the standalone mini-game mode outside of the board games feels more intuitive to navigate in this installment.

With all the features it added to the experience, “Mario Party 2” feels like the entry that the series continues to primarily take creative cues from. The game also provides a robust variety in mini-games, including varying scope, which really takes things to the next level. Plus, the boards don’t feel tedious to traverse, while each one features interactive elements aligned with their respective themes. Still an enjoyably ambitious realization of what the series can and should be, “Mario Party 2” remains the guiding star for subsequent party games to follow.