I wish it was more along the lines of a whimsical ringmaster named MC Ballyhoo and his talking hat Big Top have invited Mario and the rest of the crew to his carnival, the Star Carnival. He has promised to whoever wins is crowned the Superstar and receives a year's supply of candy. This begins the battle between characters in the boards to retrieve the prize.
However, upon defeating the last opponent, MC Ballyhoo claims he promised something even better than a year's supply of candy, which is the Star Rod. However, Bowser comes and steals the Star Rod and runs away to his new board, Bowser's Warped Orbit. After the character beats one of his minions, which is either Hammer Bro. or Blooper, the character then challenges Bowser to a fight. After the fight and Bowser falls in a hole, the character returns the Star Rod and the game ends. After that, the fought minion will be unlocked as a playable character. If the player redoes the arena with, they will unlock the other minion.