This fall a new installment in the Mario Party franchise is coming to the Nintendo 3DS. Mario Party: Star Rush addresses some of the more frustrating aspects of a typical game of Mario Party, giving everyone the chance to take their turn at the same time and adding more skill than luck to the minigames. With most of the waiting removed, Mario Party: Star Rush is a pick-up-and-play game the entire family can enjoy.
At PAX West, I played the Coinathlon mode with two other players—and had a blast. Star Party supports Local Play and Download Play, with a special “Party Guest” version for Download Play to be available in the Nintendo eShop the same day as the game’s release. Four players can take part in the minigame melee, competing for coins and generally trying to sabotage the other players. (It is Mario Party, after all.)
Unlike the board game-style play in Mario Party 10, players don’t have to wait for each other to roll dice in either Coinathlon or Toad Scramble.
The minigames in Coinathlon require fast fingers and quick thinking, so skill is more of a factor compared to other games in the Mario Party series. Players won’t be frustrated by luck suddenly changing the outcome of a game.
In Toad Scramble, which resembles the board game players are used to in Mario Party, players team up to take down bosses to win the most stars. But you aren’t limited to just one path; blaze your own trail to get the boss with a roll of the dice. In this mode, all players roll at the same time. “It’s instant fun for everyone,” said the representative from Nintendo.
Mario Party Star Rush is compatible with amiibo, including a new glow-in-the-dark Boo.
You’ll need the NFC Reader/Writer for your 3DS to use the new amiibo making their debut with the game, or you can use this opportunity to pick up the new galaxy-style New Nintendo 3DS XL.
The galaxy design is definitely pleasing to the eye, and the midnight blue color on the inside is soothing and beautiful in its own right. With amiibo support and other design enhancements all around, the New 3DS XL is a worthy upgrade if you’re still using an older model 3DS.
The improvements to gameplay and the multiplayer modes in Mario Party Star Rush make the game a fantastic option for the entire family this fall and holiday season. The game and seven new amiibo, including that glow-in-the-dark Boo, will be released November 4, 2016.
GeekMom received a promotional item for review purposes.
All images © Nintendo
