Best GameCube Mario Party Games

The first Mario Party game to break into the GameCube generation, it revolutionized the series with its stylish visuals. It also added a new mix of fun minigames and creative new boards.

While it doesn’t innovate as much as the next entry on this list, it still offers a good assortment of modes and fun minigames. It also features the first unified character-themed game board theme and the first 1 vs 1 duel map.

Mario Party 4

The first entry to feature 3D graphics, this is a solid Mario Party game with a lot of content. It’s also arguably the smoothest from a gameplay perspective, though it doesn’t do anything that stands out in particular. The Mega-Mini system adds a bit of depth to the game, but it’s not a revolutionary addition by any means.

By the time this game came out, players were jaded by gimmicks like the car system and handheld games. However, this is a solid title that brings back the charm of traditional Mario Party. It also features some fun new mechanics, including the dynamic day/night cycle that changes gameplay.

Mario Party 5

The fifth installment in the GameCube’s Mario Party series is the strongest of them all. It features a great assortment of fun minigames, engaging boards and a cool item system that they greatly improved upon in 6.

Released about a year after the fourth Mario Party both enthralled and annoyed us, this sequel brought some of the improvements that fans had been waiting for. It still feels like a N64 Mario Party but with updated graphics and a much more sophisticated control scheme.

Although it has some luck-based minigames and a clunky Super Duel mode, it is still the best GameCube Mario Party game.

Mario Party 6

Like the Rolling Stones or Paris Hilton, rotund Italian plumber Mario is always partying. He’s been doing it for over a decade, and the GameCube was the first to let him showcase his flamboyance.

Gameplay wise, it sticks closely to the winning formula of the series. There are plenty of fun boards and a variety of minigames. However, the game is often criticized for its heavy reliance on luck. This may make it more accessible to younger players, but it can irk those looking for a more challenging experience.

The coolest thing about this entry is the day/night system and the new unlockable character. Otherwise it’s a rehash of 4 and 5.

Mario Party 7

One of the best GameCube Mario Party games (not counting 9 or 10) and it had some cracking mini-games. I also liked how the boards were a lot more adventurous than previous entries. For instance, you could climb up a waterfall or traverse shifting bridges on the canal board. It was the first time that the game experimented with different board mechanics too like Koopa Tycoon Town where you invest coins in hotels and if another player earns more stars than you then they get the rooms.

Despite this, it is still the weakest of the four and dabbles with the microphone to no real effect.

Mario Party 8

With new characters, a revamped board game layout and some innovative 1 vs 1 duel maps this is one of the best Mario Party games on GameCube. It also boasted a unique new mechanic that changed the board game by swapping between day and night, making it more dynamic and unpredictable.

The first entry to feature motion controls this game brought back classic boards and minigames from the N64 and GameCube eras. It’s a hit with fans and critics alike despite being a little light on the minigames. It’s not without its flaws though like a bare-bones front-end interface and outdated visuals.

Mario Party 9

After Super Mario Party brought back traditional board game play and 6 nailed atmosphere and board gimmicks, this one took the orb system from 5 and gave it real depth. A variety of boards such as a luck-based Bob Omb Factory, Mirage-esque Boo Horror Castle, and rising lava in the Magma Mine offered plenty of different ways to explore and enjoy.

This is also the first game to utilize a mic peripheral, but it ultimately fails to add enough to the core gameplay. Combined with the car mechanic, this game’s reliance on random chance over strategy rubbed some players the wrong way.

Mario Party 10

After the car system fizzled and the handhelds failed, Nintendo hoped a few new ideas would revive their series. Unfortunately, Mario Party 10 is a bland entry that feels like a half-baked concept. It has fun Wii U GamePad antics and smart use of amiibo figurines but the main mode is bogged down by bad ideas from previous games.

Despite its lack of innovation, this game still has plenty to offer for fans of the series. Visuals are a big draw for this upgraded Wii U version that carries the franchise into the next generation. The new game modes may not rock the boat much but they all feel slick and polished.

Mario Party 11

Bringing the series back to its roots, Mario Party 4 is one of the most dependable and enjoyable entries in the franchise. It takes the best aspects of previous games and combines them into a fun package that always provides laughs with friends.

The game also features the return of the ally system from Island Tour, which adds a welcome bit of extra strategy to the boards by allowing players to choose a friend from an ally space on the board or with a Buddy Phone. However, separate movement still stifles momentum and the reliance on luck can make this game feel a little repetitive over time.

Mario Party 12

The last Mario Party to make the N64 trilogy, this game introduced the day and night cycle to all boards. This added some variation to the traditional board games and allowed for new minigames based on the change of the sun, while also introducing Toadette.

A solid entry in the series, this one introduced a gimmick that would influence all future games, allowing players to steal event spaces and earn stars on their turn by landing on them. The game had a decent roster of fun minigames and introduced a cool motor derby mode as well.