Story Mode of Mario Party I-II-III
Let’s see, what should really matter when critiquing party games? Game-play? Controls? Graphics? Story? Mario Party since the beginning has been about having fun, partying around and enjoying a game without any forms of stress; however some believe that Story plays a large-ish role on how good the games are. Don’t they realize that these are “party” games, not games involving the fate of the universe? Though, story should matter a bit since there needs to be a purpose in playing through a form of “story mode” in each Mario Party game. What is there in store for such stories?
For the start of the Mario Party series, there’s a simple story involving what the Mario Party games are all about, being the Party Super Star. Mario and friends are simply hanging around for some reason in the middle of nowhere talking amongst each other. In that conversation, a topic related to who’s better known as the Super Star is brought up, and so the arguing begins. Toad magically shows up and tells them that one must be worthy to become a Super Star, and therefore must complete certain tasks. He gives them a fair warning that the road is apparently dangerous and numerous challenges await around the corner. Mario and friends aren’t afraid, they jump into the pipe that appeared out of nowhere to head out to adventure. The story here is short and simple: a small argument relating to who’s the actual Super Star (really, of what?), and explaining the road to reaching Super Star-hood. Why should it even be any more complex than that? It’s a party game, and it’s a game that is about partying. There’s no villainy going on, there’s no fate of the world going on, just some friendly competition involving who’s better. There’s no need to speak badly about it. Then again, not many said anything about the story here, because it’s the start of the series, and there’s nothing really to compare or refer to for such ratings.
Mario Party 2 has more of a play-style story. Toad appears to tell the story of Mario Land, but before this name was to be, there were some disagreements among Mario and friends. Wario didn’t like the name at all and preferred something else, while Peach conveniently stands next to a rope dropping from the top which allows her idea to be put into consideration. Peach Land! Pretty huh? I mean the story. Pretty simple and straightforward, and it’s nothing to hate. Is it too basic, though? Not really, since though there is a point in beating the game in single player and be the one to defeat Bowser Koopa, it’s something that was different from the first game and it’s better. It’s not bad at all. So story shouldn’t play a big role here either. It’s something that a lone Mario Party 2 player can do when no one wants to play with them.
Mario Party 3 came along and new characters were introduced here as well as a new random story. The Millennium Star, and Tumble (that one dice dude who you’ll probably never see again)! This time, the story is about being the Super Star, and the only way to do so is by receiving these magical stamps pertaining to several character traits: courage, wit, strength, kindness, love, beauty and mischief. After each board selected by the Millennium Star, you are to be rewarded a stamp until someone shows up to ruin your stamp ceremony. I have to admit, this idea is kind of weird. Why in the world would they argue at all if the CPU player wanting the stamp to him/herself had nothing to do with what you were going through the entire time to be awarded that stamp? Nonetheless, you go through a duel mode map to see who deserves a magical stamp given to you by a sparkly old Silver Star. After you get all of them, you battle that supposed Millennium Star in a battle known as the Stardust Battle. It’s a nice twist to the overall stories of Mario Party games, to which the story is more focused and leaves the player doing more than just Party-ing around. And after defeating him, what do you know, he’s not the real Millennium Star and flies away! Oh no, all was for not! Or was it? Who ever knew that Tumble was hiding the real Millennium Star inside his head-cube the entire time. An extended story for a party game, but that isn’t a bad thing. You unlock some stuff, and you had some fun becoming the Super Star of the Universe even though you only hung out in that one planet. The story may have its inconsistencies, but it’s a party game, the story just has to make some sense, and you need to have fun! Seriousness in a Party game like this is unheard of.
This was Part 1 of a short analysis for the Story Modes of the Mario Party games and how they fit in with
the overall idea of Mario Party. Next week, it’s Part 2 with the next three games: IV, V and VI.