Mario Party 10 Reviews
Despite a few flaws, this is the essential party game for your Wii U.
It's strange to say, but they've changed the game too much and made it too much based on fate for any semblance of strategy to make a difference. Sure, changing things up in the series once in a while is all fine and good, but when you take it too far, you may lose sight of what you were trying to accomplish in the first place.
Although Mario Party 10 may not be the best one of the bunch, it still features a large assortment of enjoyable games layered with plenty of fan-pleasing experiences.
If you're looking for a Mario Party game to play, you're likely better off trying to find Mario Party 9, as that 2012 release features more boards and mini-games than Mario Party 10. The Wii U debut of the series is a big disappointment, with little reason to throw too many celebratory Mario parties to play it.
Mario Party 10 is a plumber bash at its most average, and that's a real shame as there still seems to be legs in the idea, if properly handled. As it is, though, you're probably better off rooting out one of the classics.
Whilst it has made some key improvements, Mario Party 10 still doesn't feel like that much of a significant step up from its predecessors, notably because of its inconsistent GamePad support. Nevertheless, it's still a fantastic title, which will no doubt provide a pleasant alternative to the stuffy board games that it draws inspiration from. If you're in the mood for an enjoyable party game then Mario Party 10 is definitely worth a roll of the dice.
In this way, Mario Party 10 is the purest embodiment of an actual board game yet seen in the series. The effort may be lost on long-time fans who play a videogame version for a reason. But there is something to playing on a screen while still feeling the weight of a toy between your fingers. Maybe this is why my poor Monopoly Iron failed to move the hearts of many: It was lighter than all the rest. With computers the size of business cards and a world's information floating in something called the cloud, we crave tangible objects. Or maybe, taken over by the spirit of competitive bloodlust, it's just more fun to hurl Luigi across the room at your buddy for stealing all of your coins. Either way: Choose carefully. Mario Party just got real.
Mario Party 10 expands on the ideas ND Cube had tinkered with in the last pair of games, refining the vehicle mechanic and crafting enjoyable, primarily skill-based mini-games to compete in. The inclusion of a more traditional-type mode using amiibo figures is a welcome one, and perhaps something that will be fleshed out further in the future. Lack of online aside, the game is a worthy addition to the Wii U line-up and a game-night roster. Just be sure to stock up on those amiibo!
The reality is that Mario Party 10 isn't a classic game, and it certainly does have any meat or lasting value to it beyond being the most casual of party games that you pop out for a quick bash once in a while. But that Amiibo integration is pure gold, and short of Square Enix following up on the Wii's Fortune Street (or Boom Street, depending on where you live), this will be the best digital board game released on the Wii U during its life.
Mario Party has enough entertainment in it to still be a fun game to grab a couple buddies and play with, but given the choice, I'd easily pick older iterations over this title. The fact that you can go whole segments without even touching a mini-game and the hollow offerings of amiibo mode make this game a pretty big party pooper.
Mario Party 10 does not drastically change the mold. It does not evolve things into unfamiliar territory, nor does it become some gaudy, hollow version of its former self. It's simply you everything you want it to be. I cannot rave enough about how important this simple approach is to the survival of Nintendo. Not just for this franchise, but the gaming industry as a whole. Mario Party 10 has reminded me of the purpose and importance of gaming with friends. These are the games that stand out in a field full of tortured heroes, fallen worlds, and apocalyptic destruction, and it is these games people are in desperate need of to get back to basics of gaming – having fun. It might not be that for everyone all the time, but if you ever find yourself on the brink of ending your gaming experience due to one reason or another, grab some friends and punish each other the old fashioned way with harmless fun. Mario Party 10 has that fun in spades, and will remind you why you are a gamer in the first place.
Annoying issues make this a bit of a party pooper
Going into Mario Party 10, you should expect to find the traditional board-game / mini-game setup, but prepare to ride that see-saw of over-zealous joy and almost unbearable frustration with the new ideas that the game introduces. Either way, Mario Party 10 creates a massive hype in the living room, for better or worse, and that to me is always a winner.
Mario Party 10 is a game that needs to be played with friends and family which is far superior than the AI. The gameplay is very reminiscent of previous Mario Party games but there are a few twists and turns from Nintendo such as the inclusion of the amiibo and full HD graphics that does give the franchise a fresh coat of paint.
Despite its flaws, it's hard not to have fun with Mario Party 10 in small doses. Obnoxious amiibo functionality and an overall lack of variety make it hard to recommend to anyone who's not already a fan of the franchise, but those who enjoy a bit of Mushroom Kingdom chaos with friends might just find reason enough to give it a shot.
Mario Party 9 and go straight to Mario Party 10.
For many families, Mario Party 10 will be an essential addition, and is wholly recommended- for everyone else, hold on tight. Mario Party 10 is indicative of Nintendo getting the series back on track, but it's not there yet. The next one should be a return to the glory days.
The game's main game doesn't add a whole lot from Mario Party 9, but the addition of the fantastic Bowser and amiibo party modes makes up for that.
Despite new technology, Mario Party 10 remains true to its roots. New modes add some flair, but odd design choices limit the overall fun.
Mario Party 10 is pretty to look at and it has some interesting modes (like the Bowser mode) to play, but the overall amount of content is a tad bit on the shallow side. The way that player management and competition is handled falls short of Mario Party expectations.