Mario Party: Island Tour Reviews

Mario Party: Island Tour is ranked in the 14th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

It’s exactly what you want out of a portable party game, complimenting the 3DS effortlessly, and bringing a perfectly suited party game to the console that is long overdue.

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79 / 100
Nov 24, 2013

Even with a few minor hiccups along the way, Mario Party Island Tour is destined to be a 3DS group favorite for years to come, no doubt.

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 4, 2013

What could and should be a worldwide spectacle is confined to a house party, that much of the time may include only you and three AI competitors. If you have the hardware and bodies to fill this party then buy this game immediately. If not, you might want to wait for a price cut.

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GameSpot
Top Critic
7 / 10
Nov 22, 2013

If you're looking for on-the-go minigame mayhem, Mario Party: Island Tour is an enjoyable sojourn.

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USgamer
Top Critic
Nov 26, 2013

You might add a little to the score if you’ve got friends who are frequently ready and willing to play, but Mario Party: Island Tour ultimately feels par for the series’ course. It’s still good, but is mostly hurt by a higher barrier to entry for multiplayer, a lack of continuing the push towards truly "Mario" feeling mini-games, and the series’ ever-present dominance of luck over skill.

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7 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

It’s quick, it’s slightly less random, and it’s fun, which would be great if the game was released for a console. Unfortunately, as a handheld game, you’ll find that Mario Party Island Tour just isn’t much fun until you find a whole bunch of people playing with their 3DSes at a convention or something, and even then you’ll likely just play Street Pass mini-games anyway.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2013

The simplified objective makes for a more fun experience, and I wish they made more Mario Party games on the console in this style. That being said, it still is just Mario Party for a handheld console. Don't expect anything more than that. .

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3.5 / 5.0
Nov 27, 2013

The Mario Party series has been around for a long time now, yet even after so many iterations, it doesn't feel like each subsequent entry is a departure from its predecessor. In some cases, that is a good thing, but in Mario Party's case, it needs more than new music and a spin on game boards to evoke a sense of innovation. The mini-games must be more than simple variations of past offerings or lackluster uses of system features (like the touch screen and microphone). And the series absolutely needs online multiplayer, no exception. That said, I still had fun with Mario Party: Island Tour, and it was nice to have a brief but satisfying match while out and about.

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Alan Bell
Top Critic
6.9 / 10.0
Jan 29, 2014

Fun in the (rare) right circumstances.

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6.8 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2013

If you have enough friends with the 3DS or 2DS, Mario Party: Island Tour becomes a fun title that's probably worth picking up. But if your social group lacks the necessary hardware or interest, the game becomes a barren experience that can only hold your interest for a short time.

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GameGrin
Top Critic
6.5 / 10.0
Jan 20, 2014

Mario’s detours from platforming have always been hit and miss, and Island Tour, sadly, hasn’t reached the top of that scale. It’s an enjoyable experience, let down by limited multiplayer options and a general lack of replayability.

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Nov 22, 2013

Island Tour isn't the Mario Party you remember, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. That said, there are definitely some missing pieces that keep it from being a memorable entry in the franchise.

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Nov 22, 2013

For a quick fix, the solo boards really aren’t too bad, but at the same time they’re not much to write home about. Board game enthusiasts will find themselves bored quickly, the average player will only break it out when there are friends around—which is the point, and I guess with friends the skill-based games aren’t too bad—and Party aficionados will be able to scratch that virtual itch. For everybody else, unless you’re really planning on playing with others on the go, there aren’t many mini-games here worth playing more than a few times, so be aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Then again, Mario Party is a series that’s been on six different consoles (N64, Gamecube, Wii, GBA, DS, 3DS), so if you’re not aware of what’s going on by now, I can’t say I feel sorry for you.

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6 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

Mario Party: Island Tour is far from being a bad game, it’s just a part of a series that seems to have run out of ideas to an extent, lacking any aspects that really excite or pleasantly surprise you. There is still plenty of fun to be had when taking on some of the more successful mini games with a group of friends locally, but the game as a whole does come across as more of a re-tread of something we have played time and time again. As such, there is little about Island Tour to recommend above past portable versions of the game. If this is your first experience with the series, it is certainly one of the best versions, I’m just not entirely sure that it’s a necessary one.

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6 / 10
Nov 22, 2013

Even with the misfires and shortcomings plaguing the game boards, we believe Mario Party: Island Tour may still be a sound purchase for kids, families or anyone looking to play with friends. Those seeking a long-lasting single-player experience may want to steer clear though, as there isn't enough depth to the solo-focused modes to keep you engaged for very long. Island Tour doesn't do much different from it predecessors, and the throwaway boards — coupled with some forgettable game modes — definitely hurt the overall experience in a big way. Thankfully, the great collection of mini-games ensures that there may be enough reason for many people to roll the dice.

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Nov 22, 2013

Mario Party: Island Tour's lasting appeal is mainly in the multiplayer mode. Since the experience is always changing and the fun is shared amongst friends. It is a game that will provide a great party experience, but only when family or friends are over.

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Nintendo Enthusiast
Ryan C.
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Dec 19, 2013

The Mario Party franchise and I have always had a rocky relationship. I love its charming aesthetics and generally fun mini-games, but its focus on luck and random “surprises” always left a sour taste in my mouth. My favorites were the N64 titles, with sprawling maps and mad dashes to the power stars. Later entries tried to change the formula with varying success. Island Tour once again tries to shake things up ever so slightly, and again, has varying success.

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3 / 5
Nov 22, 2013

If you're looking for a competent party game or multiplayer affair for your handheld, walk on by. It's no Fortune Street, but it's certainly one of the weakest Mario Party titles I've seen in some time.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
6 / 10
Feb 1, 2014

Want to play a title where there is no guarantee of winning, no matter how good a player's skill level? Then Mario Party: Island Tour is something to pick up. Fun is there to be found, in small pockets of good mini-games (although not consistent or regular), but - as a big fan of Mario Party in general - this isn't the greatest of games.

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5.6 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

Mario Party is continuing to see sequels and unfortunately it isn't seeing much change. In its 3rd portable experience, Island Tour, I had hoped for more enjoyable single player and internet multiplayer to keep players interested when they can't get their friends around. Unfortunately, the bread-and-butter experience of 4 players is easier to implement and more enjoyable on console experiences. Though the game can be played with only one game cartridge (and 1-4 3DSs), there isn't enough incentive to join the party on 3DS.

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