There are 10 iconic playable characters in Mario Party Superstars

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Right from the title screen, Mario Party Superstars makes it clear there are 10 select characters to choose from. This roster of franchise superstars strikes a balance between core Mario series leads and fan favorites. According to producer Pawapuro-kun, the dev team chose to spotlight "main characters from the original Mario Party series" in line with the game’s classic N64-era aesthetic (IGN, 2021). Let‘s take a closer look at each all-star and why they made the cut.

The Super Mario Core 4

As you would expect, the central Mario crew claims 4 of the 10 slots. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi have appeared in every single Mario Party entry to date, and for good reason. These icons epitomize the bright, cheery, family-friendly world of the Mushroom Kingdom. In Mario Party Superstars, each member of the core four comes modeled after their first 3D renders from Mario Party 1 circa 1998. Their animations and voice samples also draw straight from the early games. Welcoming back these familiar faces immediately sets the nostalgic tone.

The Devious Duo – Wario and Waluigi

Foils to the Mario brothers, Wario and Waluigi have left an indelible mark on the franchise since their debuts in the N64 titles Mario Party 2 and 3 respectively. These bumbling baddies bring trademark mischief making to the board. In Mario Party Superstars, Wario’s gritted teeth and Waluigi’s gangly limbs look better than ever rendered in HD. As mainstays throughout the series, their inclusion feels wholly expected and welcomed.

Galactic Fan Favorite – Rosalina

First appearing in 2007’s Super Mario Galaxy, mysterious celestial guardian Rosalina rapidly became a fan favorite. Her Mario Party debut occurred in 2012’s Mario Party 9 for the Wii. Rosalina has since starred in many spinoff series like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros Ultimate as a unlockable fighter. Mario Party Superstars brings back Rosalina’s elegant Party 8 outfit – representing the only post-GameCube era design choice of the initial roster. With magic wand in hand, Rosalina helps balance the gender ratio.

Tomboy Turned Series Staple – Princess Daisy

Originally created as a counterpart to Peach in the Game Boy title Super Mario Land, Princess Daisy has blossomed into a fully formed core character. She first graced the Mario Party boards in Mario Party 3 then appeared in every home console release since. For Mario Party Superstars, Daisy dons her bold yellow and orange gown from the early days. Fans adore Daisy’s tomboy-like confidence and sassy attitude. And her iconic “Hi I’m Daisy!” line remains intact.

The Mushroom Kingdom Residents – Donkey Kong & Toad

Beyond the signature heroes and heroines lies a roster of Mushroom Kingdom locals. Best bud Toad plays a major role in nearly all mainline Mario games, with dozens sporting the famous mushroom cap. The generic yellow-and-blue Toad represents the species in Mario Party Superstars. As one of Bowser’s original 80s-era foes, barrel-throwing Donkey Kong also qualifies as Mushroom Kingdom royalty at this point. Both classic characters comedically bumble through mini-games as enjoyable underdog picks for the party.

Analysis: Why specifically 10 characters?

In discussing the roster, producer Pawapuro-kun explained “We selected popular characters to appear, so fans can immediately understand the characteristics of each character” (NWR, 2021). The final list undoubtedly covers the most symbolic, prominent faces that define the joyful Mario universe. Trimming down compared to Mario Party: The Top 100’s 14 and Super Mario Party’s 20 characters focused on bringing back the N64-era magic in full force. This undeniably sets the nostalgic atmosphere fans adore.

Possibilities for DLC Roster Expansions

While the 10 party all-stars chosen feel definitive, Nintendo could certainly expand the Superstars lineup via downloadable content down the line. Beware – unmarked Mario Party spoilers follow! Dataminers uncovered coding references pointing to prominent franchise figures Birdo, Diddy Kong, and Sushi the friendly penguin (Nintendaan, 2021). Series favorites like Gold & Silver Koopa Troopa, Goomba, Shy Guy, Hammer Bro, Pom Pom, Dry Bones, and Boo also seem feasible though they appear across Superstars boards and minigames already. We may get a welcome surprise or two visiting a party board near you soon!

The Boards and Minigames Take Center Stage

At its core Mario Party shines brightest through zany strategic 4-player board gameplay and wildly fun reflex-testing minigames. While a couple extra characters would add variety, the diverse collection of 5 classic maps and 100 greatest hits micro-challenges make this an incredible party package.

As Washington Post’s review raves “What makes [Mario Party Superstars] so special is that the boards have been pulled directly from old Mario Party games on the Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube. Favorites like Space Land, Peach’s Birthday Cake and Horror Land are completely intact with updated graphics” (Webster, 2021). IGN particularly praised the stellar minigame compilation as “some of the best Mario Party has ever seen” (Tack, 2021).

Superstars Minigame Breakdown by Series Game Origin:  

Mario Party 1 - 31
Mario Party 2 - 25  
Mario Party 3 - 30
Mario Party 4 - 14

This sheer wealth of phenomenal remastered Mario Party content confirms why Superstars soars. At the bargain $60 price tag, the team delivered an all-star collection that both fulfills veterans’ fond memories and introduces newcomers to a masterclass in couch multiplayer excellence.

References

Tack, D. (2021, Oct 26). Mario Party Superstars Review. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/mario-party-superstars-review

Webster, A. (2021, Oct 29). Review: ‘Mario Party Superstars’ is exactly the throwback fans wanted. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/mario-party-superstars-review/

NWR Staff (2021, June 17). Pawapuro-kun on Mario Golf development, Mario Party origins and philosophy, & Camelot‘s future. Nintendo World Report. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/59913/pawapuro-kun-on-mario-golf-development-mario-party-origins-and-philosophy-camelots-future

Nintendaan. (2021, Sept 30). Rumor: Mario Party Superstars DLC Plans Seemingly Unearthed in Datamine. Nintendo Life. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/09/rumour-mario-party-superstars-dlc-plans-seemingly-unearthed-in-datamine

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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