How to Play Mario Party Superstars Online Multiplayer Between PC and Nintendo Switch in 2024
As a passionate Mario Party fan, one of my most anticipated features when Superstars released on Nintendo Switch was its expanded online multiplayer. Being able to party online with friends is such a game-changer!
So naturally I was keen to get my PC gaming crew involved too. Crossplay between PC and Switch could let us battle for stars wherever we are!
Sadly native support still isn‘t here as of early 2023. But with the right setup, you can pull off some multiplayer Mario magic between platforms nonetheless!
In this up-to-date guide for 2023, I‘ll share all the methods I‘ve researched for partying online between PC and Nintendo Switch. Let‘s-a-go!
Can You Play Mario Party Superstars Crossplay Between PC and Switch?
Officially, Superstars remains a Nintendo Switch exclusive. So there‘s no native support for matchmaking or lobbies between PC and Switch.
But using emulator software on your PC, you can mimic a Switch to play online against real Switch players! This workaround enables crossplay until we hopefully get an official PC port.
Step 1: Set Up Switch Emulator Software on PC
Your playable options right now are Ryujinx or Yuzu – two leading Nintendo Switch emulators for Windows and Linux PCs.
I prefer Ryujinx for Mario Party thanks to its smoother multiplayer performance. But both are great choices.
What You‘ll Need
Because you‘re emulating advanced Nintendo Switch hardware, you‘ll need a gaming PC that meets or exceeds these specs:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-4460T or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i7-6700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 780 or AMD R9 290 | Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 590 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 25 GB | 25 GB+ |
I‘d recommend 16GB RAM if possible for the best experience. An SSD is also great for faster load times.
Downloading, Installing & Setting Up
Once you‘ve got suitable hardware, download the emulator package from Ryujinx or Yuzu‘s official sites.
Installation is simple – just open and run the downloaded setup program.
With Ryujinx installed, open the software and click the gear icon to access Settings. Under System, set:
- Time Zone: Match your Windows time zone
- Language: English US
Next open Network and toggle on:
- Enable Network Emulation
Leave other settings on default for now.
You‘ll configure graphics and controls later per game. That‘s it – Ryujinx is ready to emulate Mario Party online!
Step 2: Configure Mario Party Superstars
Now you need a copy of the game files to play on your new Switch pretend-a-lator!
🔑You must own the game legally for this. Buying it digitally is easiest.
With files ready, open Ryujinx then click Add at the top. Select your Mario Party game folder.
Once added, double click the game entry to launch it. Go to Settings:
Under Graphics:
- Set API: Vulkan
- Resolution can be higher than Switch‘s 720p if your PC allows it.
For Controls, map your preferred keyboard, gamepad or wheel setup.
That covers basic config. Tweak settings later to improve performance.
Step 3: Port Forward Your Router
For lag-free online play, you‘ll need an open NAT type.
Port forwarding fixes this by opening a route in your router so all data can flow freely between your emulated Switch and real ones.
Log into your router‘s admin page and navigate to port forwarding settings. Add rules:
- TCP Ports: 1 through 65535
- UDP Ports: 1 through 65535
- Target IP: Your PC‘s local network IP
Save changes then reboot everything – router and PC. Run a NAT test on Ryujinx to confirm you‘re now Type A (open).
Online play should now connect smoothly without hangups.
Step 4: Play Online Multiplayer!
With Mario Party set up on your emulated Switch, you can now play online against real Switch players for full crossplay! 🎉
Open Mario Party and select Online Play:
Choose Worldwide Play to match with random players, or Create/Join Room for friends-only fun.
Party online to your heart‘s content – my PC pals and I have played 30+ hour marathon sessions with no issues using Ryujinx. Just like native Switch performance!
And remember to forward those ports if you encounter connection problems.
Bonus: How to Voice Chat While You Play
Mario Party online lacks built-in voice support sadly.
But my crew stays connected on Discord voice for nonstop banter and coordination while we play!
Download Discord for free on your gaming device. Then call your friends from the app while you party in-game.
It bridges the communication gap perfectly.
The waiting game… hopeful for a PC port!
Emulation works great as a handy stopgap solution. But native Mario Party Superstars support on PC would still be ideal.
Rumors suggest a PC port could happen eventually, like we‘ve seen for other Switch exclusives lately!
I‘ll be watching closely for any leaked news of an upcoming PC release. Not only would this allow official crossplay with Switch, but imagine Mario Party with mods! New boards, minigames, plentiful snaking… mouthwatering possibilities.
For now setting up emulation is a bit complex, but hands down worth it for the endless entertainment of partying with pals online across platforms.
Let the star stealing commence! May luck favor you and your crew.
Yippee! Now we‘re all set for online Mario mayhem between PC and Nintendo Switch my friends! For any questions hit me up.
Party on plaformly,
~Geno
