GameCube was a classic Nintendo gaming system that made players fans of the franchise for life. The first Mario Party ever to come to GameCube was called Mario Party 4 in 2002, and now the Nintendo Switch has its own version of this game called Super Mario Party. The technology is better which has led to some advancements in the game, but not everything has changed.
Nintendo has kept much of the gameplay the same for those who were passionate about the series since it was first released on GameCube. Keep reading to learn what has changed in Mario Party and what has remained the same over the span of their releases!
10 Changed: Addition Of The Ally Space
One of the spaces on the board that wasn't there previously is the Ally Space, which fans hope will be included in the Mario Party for the 2021 Nintendo Switch. If you land on this space then you are granted an ally of your choosing which gives you an extra die roll. You can have up to four allies at once but choose carefully, as each option has a different die and some are more helpful than others.
9 Same: A Ton Of Fun Minigames
One of the greatest aspects of the game, and the main reason why you probably bought it, is the variety of fun minigames. There are so many to play and a private mode is still included where you can go head-to-head against your friends. Some are obviously better than others, but they will keep you entertained for hours on end as you play one-versus-three, two-versus-two, or head-to-head.
8 Changed: Two Die To Choose From
The past game for GameCube had you choosing a character based on your personal preference, but now there is some strategy involved. Each character has the normal die with one through ten, as well as a secondary die which varies depending on your character. For example, Donkey Kong gives players the chance to roll a five or ten, while rolling Boo's die could have you moving back two spaces.
7 Same: You Can Buy Special Items
Mario Party 4 had a shop where players could buy specialty items to help them win the game. Super Mario Party is no different as the shop appears once again to give players with some extra coins an advantage over the competition.
However, unlike in the GameCube version, the shop is run by Flutter and new items are in play. The previous game would allow players to switch places with another on the board, while the Nintendo Switch puts players next to the star itself.
6 Changed: Online Minigames
Now that the world has moved into the technological era and major advancements have been made, you now have the ability to play against others online. You can compete on the world stage against other players in a series of minigames, and it is part of what makes it one of the best Mario games on the Switch. It is fun to work your way up the leaderboards in order to nab some neat rewards and gain bragging rights that you are one of the best in the world.
5 Same: Steal A Star
It is hard to acquire a star, which is why stealing a star from someone who earned it fairly is such a big deal. This has been a reality for those who started out playing GameCube as they remember summoning a Boo to steal them a star. It is a bit different now in Super Mario Party as Lakitu will steal a star for 30 coins, but it hurts the victim's soul in this family-friendly game all the same.
4 Changed: River Survival And Sound Stage
Super Mario Party not only saw the addition of a hub for game selection, but it also saw the addition of both River Survival and Sound Stage. These two modes add an extra level of fun and are perfect for those who prefer minigames to a board game.
River Survival has players choosing various paths to make it to the end before time runs out by navigating a boat and crushing the minigames. Sound Stage is a bit different and players must be in tune with the rhythm in order to nail the actions with the motion sensor controls and achieve the highest score.
3 Same: Stars Awarded At The End
One way to snag a win in the board game mode is to focus on receiving the stars that are awarded at the end of the game. Mario Party 4 awarded Bonus Stars if you had the most coins, won the most minigames, and landed on the most Happening spaces. Super Mario Party on the other hand has stars that vary based on the game with a few of them being the Rich Star, Partner Star, and Traveling Star.
2 Changed: Toad's Rec Room
Toad's Rec Room gives players the opportunity to enjoy a tabletop experience, as well as unlock a variety of things. It is a multiplayer mode that requires two switches and it has minigames that cannot be played anywhere else in the game. This adds another level of fun to your Mario Party experience as you enjoy yet another advancement in the modern age.
1 Same: Partner Party
Partner Party is where players face-off two-versus-two in the board game and it is perfect for couples or friends looking to team up. It requires teamwork and communication if you want your team to come out on top in both generations of these games. One difference they did make to this mode is that dice rolls are shared between players, rather than each player having their own independent dice roll.