Finally, All The Best Mario Party Games Are On Nintendo Switch

One great feature of the Nintendo Switch has been the increasing back catalog of excellent Nintendo games available on the system, and the newest additions complete the collection of the truly standout Mario Party games. The Mario Party series has long stood out from most party games thanks to both its frantic fun and a little help from its famous mascot, receiving 10 numbered entries and multiple games that opt for subtitles instead. Although some fun can be had with every entry, a select few stand out as the best of the bunch even years after their release.

A number of titles from the Wii U and earlier have been ported or remastered for full releases on the Switch, but most older games on the platform are available through Nintendo Switch Online’s catalog of titles. The base version of the service features titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color, while the Expansion Pack adds the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis into the mix. Although the subscription requirement to access these games can be frustrating compared to the traditional purchases offered as Virtual Console titles in the past, it has led to a robust selection that can be accessed with ease.

Mario Party 3 Is Joining Nintendo Switch Online

October 27, 2023, marks the release of Marty Party 3 through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, completing the trio of N64 titles in the series available through the service. This is a strong contender for the best game in the franchise, iterating further on the formula established by the first two games without losing any of their excellence. Although there’s certainly room to argue that some later entries meet or exceed these standards – like the fondly remembered Mario Party 6 for the GameCube, for example – the cutthroat nature of the N64 games holds up in a way that nothing else really replicates.

The Switch Is The Best Platform For Mario Party

With Mario Party 3 to add the icing on the cake, the Nintendo Switch makes for the perfect Mario Party platform. The modern system offers a more accessible way to play the fantastic N64 trilogy, and its portability makes it easy to set up at any get-together for a bout of quick fun. The newest title, Mario Party Superstars, also offers a remake of classic boards from the N64 games and a highlight reel of minigames from across the series, so there’s no shortage of ways to play.

There’s no harm in wishing for more Mario Party games to come to Switch, and the idea of a GameCube or Wii catalog for Nintendo Switch Online remains as tantalizing as it is unlikely. Now that Mario Party 3 has landed on the platform, however, it’s difficult to be unsatisfied with the chaotic opportunities that are readily available. With all the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games available through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, the Switch has become the perfect home for the best Mario Party experiences.