Mario Party 3

A battle for the Party Star begins

Released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000 (Japan) and 2001 (North America), Mario Party 3 was the final Mario Party game on the system. It introduced a full-fledged story mode, where players competed to become the Party Star by battling their way through board game-style challenges. This was also the first entry to feature Waluigi and Daisy as playable characters, expanding the roster and adding new dynamics to multiplayer matches.

More boards, mini-games, and the Duel Mode twist

Mario Party 3 featured six boards in standard Party Mode, each with unique mechanics and events. It also introduced the Duel Mode, a one-on-one battle where players controlled partner characters with different abilities. This mode added an extra layer of strategy, making it one of the standout additions in the series. Mini-games remained a core focus, with over 70 included, ranging from classic button-mashers to brand-new reflex-based challenges.

A strong send-off for the N64 era

The game refined many of the mechanics introduced in its predecessors, making movement smoother and mini-games more balanced. It also made use of the N64’s Controller Pak, allowing players to save game progress, a rare feature in the series at the time. While Mario Party 3 didn’t change the formula drastically, it polished the experience and set the stage for the GameCube entries that followed. Today, it remains a fan-favourite, known for its vibrant boards, creative mini-games, and the introduction of Duel Mode.

Mario Party 3 took the beloved party game formula and expanded it with new characters, mechanics, and game modes. It introduced Waluigi and Daisy as playable characters for the first time, giving players more choices in their multiplayer battles. One of its biggest innovations was the Duel Mode, a one-on-one board game experience that changed the pace from the traditional four-player competition. The addition of new items, including Reverse Mushrooms and Lucky Lamps, added deeper strategy to the gameplay, allowing for more ways to manipulate movement and steal Stars.

A lasting legacy

Physically, Mario Party 3 is one of the rarer Nintendo 64 titles, particularly in North America and Europe. As the last Mario Party game released on the system, it had a lower print run compared to its predecessors, making complete-in-box copies more expensive for collectors. In Japan, the game received a different logo design and had slightly different artwork on its box and cartridge. Another interesting fact is that Mario Party 3 was the first in the series to feature fully voiced lines for characters during certain mini-games, a small but notable step in the evolution of Mario voice acting. With its creative boards, refined mechanics, and one of the strongest mini-game lineups in the series, Mario Party 3 remains a standout entry that many fans still consider one of the best in the franchise.

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