

There are six different boards in the game, each with its own theme (examples: pirates, space).

Given it's age, it isn't particularly surprising that the game looks quite blocky at times and characters can fail to mesh convincingly with pre-rendered backgrounds, but the colourful style works well for the most part. If you particularly like a mini game they can be purchased in "Mini-Game Land" for repeated play whenever you feel like it. One highlight is "Sneak 'n' Snore" where the barrel-wearing players carefully make their way to the door-release button as a Chain Chomp sleeps should the sleepy sphere awake any players not hiding in their barrel are eliminated.

Some are frantic button bashers such as "Skateboard Scamper" where you race to the end (whilst also having to jump raised sections) but others require a slower pace. There's a good variety of minigames here and the short bursts of fun include a tank battle game, a bobsled race, archery, jumping across sliding tiles and a climb to the top of a mast on a sinking ship. If in doubt you can check the rules/controls before you play and even take part in a practice game. There are 65 mini-games in all and whilst they control differently and have different rules, they are simple enough to quickly get to grips with. Some are four-way free-for-alls, others split you into teams of two and there are also one-on-three mini games. After all four players have had their turn a mini-game commences giving players a chance to compete for more coins. If that's all there was to it, frankly it'd be rubbish, so it's a good job then that the Mario Party titles feature lots of mini-games.
