Can You Play 2 Player on Mario Party DS?
As a passionate Nintendo gamer and content creator, I can definitively say yes, Mario Party DS does support local 2 player multiplayer gameplay. By using the DS Download Play feature, even if only one person owns the Mario Party DS game card, up to 4 players can play together wirelessly. The game offers great 2 player experiences across Party Mode, Minigame Mode, Puzzle Mode and more.
How Many Players Can You Have in Mario Party DS?
Mario Party DS supports both single player and multiplayer, with the maximum player counts varying by mode:
| Game Mode | Max Players |
|---|---|
| Party Mode (main board game) | 2-4 players |
| Minigame Mode | 2-4 players |
| Puzzle Mode | 2 players |
| Extra Minigame Mode | 2 players |
So whether you just want to play with one friend or have a full Mario Party with 4 people, the game accommodates anywhere from 1-4 players depending on the chosen mode.
What Controllers Do You Need for 2 Player Mario Party DS?
The great thing about Mario Party DS is that thanks to DS Download Play, only one game card is needed to enable local wireless multiplayer. Here are the possible controller setups:
- Option 1: Each player has their own Nintendo DS system and Mario Party DS game card. This allows full access to all modes/features.
- Option 2 (DS Download Play): One player owns the Mario Party DS card. Up to 4 other players can download the multiplayer data to their DS systems wirelessly and join games.
So at minimum, you just need two Nintendo DS systems in close proximity to play Mario Party DS with 2 people. But Download Play means even if only one person purchased the game, you can still experience great local multiplayer.
What Multiplayer Modes Are There in Mario Party DS?
There are several multiplayer-enabled modes in Mario Party DS to enjoy with 2 players:
Party Mode (2-4 players)
- Classic Mario Party board game with 2-4 players rolling dice, landing on spaces, earning coins and stars
- Play through 5 unique game boards like Wendy‘s Shoe Plaza and Kamek‘s Library with special rules
- Fun way to compete against friends with over 70 minigames between turns
- Wide variety of minigames requiring speed, strategy, luck – best played in a group!
Minigame Mode (2-4 players)
- Quickly jump into playing minigames outside the main Party Mode boards
- 7 ways to compete including Free Play, Step It Up, Boss Bash and more
- Over 70 minigames cover puzzle, action, strategy – great formultiplayer
- Minigame Island provides single player challenges to unlock extras
Puzzle Mode (2 players)
- Brand new mode not in previous Mario Party games
- Cooperative 2 player gameplay solving picture crossword puzzles
- Work together by describes puzzle pieces over DS microphone
- Rewarding feeling when solving word/shape puzzles as a team
Extra Minigame Mode (2 players)
- Unlockable mode with 10 entertaining bonus minigames
- Variety keeps them feeling fresh like Popgun Pick-Off and Trace Race
- Good change of pace from competition to play cooperatively
So with fun board games, 70+ minigames, puzzles and extras, Mario Party DS offers awesome content for 2 people to battle and work together!
Does Mario Party DS Have Online Multiplayer Support?
No, unfortunately Mario Party DS on the original Nintendo DS does not offer online multiplayer connectivity. In the mid-2000‘s when this game launched, online gaming infrastructure was still quite limited. Multiplayer is thus constrained to local wireless play only with others nearby.
Compare this to modern Switch games like Mario Party Superstars that leverage full internet multiplayer. So while you cannot play Mario Party DS online, the rich local Download Play and multiplayer modes still make this one of the best social DS experiences for 2 players!
Gameplay Tips for 2 Players on Mario Party DS
Based on my experience mastering Mario Party DS, here are some tips to maximize the fun when playing 2 player:
- For friendly competition, I recommend Party Mode on shorter boards like Wendy‘s Shoe House
- Turn off Bonus Stars to reduce luck and keep scores close
- In Free Play under Minigame Mode, randomizing minigames keeps variety up
- Cooperative Puzzle Mode is a nice change of pace from 1v1 matches
- For fastest action, try Step It Up which chains quick minigames
Overall Mario Party DS provides a stellar 2 player experience on Nintendo DS that still holds up today. Thanks to the straightforward yet deep minigames and engaging board game antics, this entry offers some of the best local multiplayer on the system. I highly recommend giving it a go with a friend!
