Mario Party is back on Nintendo Switch three years after its most recent entry. This time, it comes as Mario Party Superstars, a collection of the decades-old franchise’s best mini-games and boards. Reviews have been coming in for Nintendo’s latest big first-party title, and so far, critics have had mostly positive things to say about the assortment of Bullet Bill-dodging, bat-swinging, pizza-eating party game.
Critics have largely praised Mario Party Superstars for its family-friendly setup and, for many, nostalgic mix of levels. We weren’t quite as high on the game as some others, but ours is just one review of many that tell the story of what will surely be one of Nintendo’s biggest games of the holiday season, if only because it’s a quieter year for the publisher.
We’ve rounded up reviews from all across the internet to allow you to get an overview of what Mario Party Superstars does right and wrong. Maybe this will be the party game you pull out during the holidays ahead.
- Game: Mario Party Superstars
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Developer: ND Cube
- Release Date: October 29, 2021
- Price: $60
GameSpot — 6/10
“Mario Party Superstars certainly provides the highs that the series is capable of, but unless you’re restricted to playing on the Switch Lite or itching to play with a Pro Controller, there’s a better version of this game available for you and your loved ones to play in Super Mario Party.” — Randolph Ramsay [Full review]
IGN — 8/10
“Mario Party Superstars is an amalgamation of some of the best boards, minigames, mechanics, and quality of life improvements from the whole series, resulting in the best Mario Party has been in a very long time.” — Mitchell Saltzman [Full review]
Digital Trends — 8/10
Mario Party Superstars is the best Mario Party game ever, even if by default. The curated nature of it means that players get the best — and most — minigames the series has to offer, though the same can’t be said for its board selection. The commitment to online play at launch puts it ahead of Super Mario Party and makes Superstars the best version of what a Mario Party game can be. — Giovanni Colantonio [Full review]
Game Informer — 8/10
“Mario Party Superstars is either a delightful stroll down memory lane or a great way to experience these games for the first time. No matter your history, it’s a worthwhile celebration of the Mario Party franchise.” — Brian Shea [Full review]
Nintendo Life — 8/10
“Mario Party Superstars is a love letter to the parties you remember attending 20 years ago. A disappointingly slim selection of boards takes the shine off things somewhat, but it’s hard to argue that this is the best Mario Party has been in over a decade. No new ideas absolutely feels like a missed opportunity, but by the same token we’d much prefer to have all these classic ideas intact rather than potentially tainting them with unwanted and unnecessary inclusions only added for the sake of being new. Grab a can of Tango and a fistful of 10p Freddos — you’re going to party like it’s 1999.” — Alex Olney [Full review]
The Gamer — 7/10
“Mario Party Superstars is an excellent package for long-suffering Mario Party fans, but it’s almost certainly not going to lead to any new converts. Online multiplayer is a nice feature to have at launch, and the variety of 100 minigames will keep things feeling fresh for your first dozen hours of play at least. But with that said, this is quite literally the safest Mario Party entry imaginable, and even with a hot nostalgia injection, I think I prefer Super Mario Party as the Switch’s premier place to ruin your relationships.” — Dave Aubrey [Full review]
COGConnected — 7/10
“If the thing you were missing was frustration and elation in equal measure, then yours will be a rich bounty indeed. For better and for worse, this is a heaping helping of the cruel whimsy you remember so well. Mario Party Superstars is a glamorous trip down cherished paths you’ve mostly blocked from your memory.” — James Paley [Full review]
Polygon — Unscored
“Mario Party Superstars is great because it’s both exciting and malleable, filling a variety of different roles depending on who is playing. For a parent, it’s an easy-to-understand game that’s fun to break out every few weeks. For younger generations, it’s an enjoyable glimpse into video game history, and a not-incredibly-boring way to connect with your grumpy, old uncle. And for those of us who’ve been partying since 1998, it’s a lovingly crafted blast of nostalgia. But in the end, despite its value for video game preservation and appreciation, Mario Party Superstars is more than that. It’s a collection of Mario Party’s best work, perfect for veteran partiers, newcomers, and everyone in-between.” — Ryan Gilliam [Full review]
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