In the 2021 financial year, the Nintendo Switch sold more games than any other Nintendo console had in the history of the company. One of the heavy lifters of this record-breaking year was Mario Party Superstars, which sold almost seven million copies.
Mario Party has long been a staple game for Nintendo consoles, with twelve installments having been released over the last twenty-three years. While all of these games saw success with their Mario-themed board game scheme, there were some boards in particular through the franchise that rose above the others, taking the game from fun to magnificent.
Eternal Star (Mario Party 1)
The final board in the original Mario Party, Eternal Star is the last destination for players looking to defeat Bowser. In order to even be able to play this board, players must beat all the other boards and collect 100 stars through various gameplay. The stars are then stolen by Bowser, who escapes to Eternal Star to hide away with them.
The main draw of Eternal Star is the storyline and the Bowser-esque feel to everything. Instead of getting stars from Toad, players get them from Baby Bowser with Bowser coins, and the goal is to defeat Bowser. The views are great too, with a space-themed background that really sets the astral mood.
Pagoda Peak (Mario Party 7)
This Chinese and Japanese-inspired board consists of a couple of dojos within a small town atop a 4000-year-old mountain. The board is run by Kung Fu Koopas, and players' final destination is the Master Koopa who sits atop the mountain, waiting to sell them a star.
As one of the less Mario-themed boards, Pagoda Peak immediately stands out for its uniqueness in theme and layout. The hike up the mountain is a treacherous one, but well rewarded at the top. The price of the star also consistently changes, adding another layer of complexity and intrigue to this board.
Shy Guy's Perplex Express (Mario Party 8)
This locomotive board is full of all sorts of unique twists and turns, taking its main inspiration from the wild west aesthetic. The Shy Guy conductor at the front of the train will sell players a star, but they'll first have to watch out for bandits and moving train parts to get there with enough coins.
With no junctions, players on the Perplex Express must all take the same path, but this board makes sure that the path is anything but boring. Routine movement of train cars, as well as the ability to climb onto the roof, makes this board unpredictable and tons of fun. A coin bag can even be thrown into the engine and cause a coin-filled smokestack to erupt if the right ? space is landed on.
Yoshi's Tropical Island (Mario Party 1)
A tropical island paradise, Yoshi's Tropical Island is a bright sun board that gives good vibes and a good playing time. It takes place on an island inhabited by Yoshi's, where a Pink Yoshi is stuck on a small island surrounded by whirlpools and needs the players' help to get back to Watermelon Island to be reunited with the Blue Yoshi anxiously watching.
The original Mario Party was fantastic with its mission boards, and Yoshi's Tropical Island was the best of the bunch. The story of saving a Yoshi in distress, while walking around a tropic wonderland and dodging Thwomps make it entertaining and uplifting. Bowser making players stop and buy a defective Bowser Tube when they pass by is unfortunate, but not even that can dull the island's shine.
Goomba's Greedy Gala (Mario Party 4)
A casino-inspired board with bright lights and a roulette wheel is bound to make for memorable Mario Party side-games and fun. Goombas run all the shops and games, and players have to watch their funds to make sure they don't lose too much during a spin on the roulette. There are even Goomba card games that can be played to win items.
Casino themes are a home run, and Goomba's Greedy Gala does an especially great job with it. Bright flashing lights and the party vibe of the board make playing on this board a visual spectacle. The Mario spin on cards, slot machines, craps, and the roulette then seals the deal on a fantastic play for any Mario Party fan.
Kamek's Tantalizing Tower (Super Mario Party)
The only unlockable board in Super Mario Party, Kamek's Tantalizing Tower challenges players with Chain Chomps and Thwomps, but rewards them with the possibility of buying two stars when they reach Toadette. The board also plays with chance, changing the price of stars after each buy.
With impressive gold architectural features and even a giant statue of Kamek, this Super Mario Party board dazzles visually. Outside of this, the gameplay is magnificent, with exciting event spaces that can have players whisked away to fortune by Toadies and attacked by the Chain Chomp kept in the center of the board.
Waluigi's Island (Mario Party 3)
One of the unlockable boards in Mario Party 3 and the only one to have its namesake be a playable character, Waluigi's Island is a sprawling industrial complex. The board has a number of islands, each with unique features and gameplay mechanics from the starting dynamite island being prone to exploding, t0 an island where every tile but the bank tile changes every turn.
With its varied island features amid a deep blue surf, Waluigi's Island is undoubtedly one of the best boards in the game. Piranha Plants run the cranes around the board and the central Action Time controls where players go. The island even has a storied history, with several covert references to Luigi subtly implying that he had owned the board previously before it came under the control of Waluigi.
Faire Square (Mario Party 6)
A lighted town with multiple levels and an abundance of Halloween decorations, Faire Square has some of the most stunning visual features in the franchise. The core feature of the board is the passage of daylight that occurs, meaning players can experience both day and night while playing a round within this town.
This day/night dynamic also different events that occur and who gives out stars. The games throughout Faire Square up the ante at night, with the hat shuffle yielding three stars instead of two and the slot game giving out double the coins. During the day stars are given out by the sun, Brighton, for twenty gold. At night, however, players can gamble on price, buying from the moon, Twila.
Western Land (Mario Party 2)
The Wild Wild West board of the Mario Party franchise, Western Land boasts a red rock western town highlighted by its train, Steamer, which travels around the board. Players who choose this board also get to see their characters dressed up as cowboys and given the title of Deputy to their name during gameplay.
A good western is always amazing, and Western Land is no different. On no other board are players able to see Toad wearing a cowboy, start a hootenanny at the local milk shop ran by a Wiggler, and other instant Mario Party memes. Arguably the biggest draw however is the cut-scene prize given to the winner, who gets to see their character defeat Bowser in a high stakes shootout.
Koopa's Tycoon Town (Mario Party 8)
Introduced by MC Ballyhoo saying that real estate is an unbelievably dangerous game, Koopa's Tycoon Town raises the stakes in every way in Mario Party 8. Players compete for dominance of various hotels around the three blocks, being able to raise their stake in them for stars. Beware, however, because other players can up their stake as well, stealing ownership over hotels as a result.
The layout of the town is colorful and thoroughly city, but it is the gameplay that is really the calling card of Koopa's Tycoon Town and that makes it the best board in the franchise. In addition to the real estate competition, players can take a ride around the block in Donkey Kong's hot rod and Koopa's cab. The board even has secret hotels that players can gain control of using lucky spaces, allowing them to truly dominate the town.