TheMario Partygames have been a staple in the party game genre for quite some time, and for good reason, too. Unlike its contemporaries like Jackbox, Mario Party is not only completely family-friendly, but it perfectly blends healthy competition with the fantasy of the underdog story. It is a game of chance, luck, and going from fourth place to first in the final turn because someone landed on a Chance Time Space and gave all their Stars to you.
The verybestMario Partygameshave always understood this particular balancing act, and it is why so few games have managed to replicate its success since. That is, of course, until now.A brand-new contender has come to the partyand wants a slice of Mario’s pie. The miraculous thing is that it may actually succeed thanks to a clever use of a creative IP, as well as some innovationsMario Partysorely needs.
LEGO Party Could Dethrone Mario Party
It Has Enough Going For It To Be A Smash Hit
I would completely understand many dismissingLEGO Partyfrom the outset, especially after the recentdisastrous LEGO games, likeLEGO Brawl, which failed to inspire any confidence in the IP. Of course, that’s not to dismiss the many amazing LEGO games that have come before it, but rather to say thatit’s completely understandable to approachLEGO Partywith a healthy pinch of skepticism.
However, this is being developed by the talented folks behind the absolutelyincredibleMoving Outgames, SMG Studios, which definitely elevates it beyond a simple IP cash-grab.LEGO Partyis also one of the few party games that actually useMario Party’sboard-like structure, even down to the colorful circular spaces players hop between to collect a golden object - in this case, it is bricks.
However, that isn’t to say thatLEGO Partyis lacking innovative features.It is actually introducing several fresh new mechanics thatMario Partycould benefit from, such as customizable characters and the ability to alter the map during the game, leading to unique playthroughs each time. SeveralLEGO Partypreviewshave painted it as aMario Partykiller, and it isn’t hard to see why. Its colorful visuals, creative use of the LEGO brand, and many unique features position it to be a pretty spectacular party game.
Mario Party Needs The Competition
It Has Gone Unchallenged For Too Long
Frankly,it is a very good thing thatLEGO Partyis gunning for Mario’s crown.Mario Partyis a truly exceptional series, but it feels like it has been stagnant for far too long. The three Switch entries are a good example of this, with each one iterating on the last, rather than offering a truly transformative experience. That’s not a strictly necessary requirement of a sequel, but after 19 entries, you want a little spice to mix things up.
Superstarswas a remake of older boards, whileSuper Mario Partymessed up the formula too much, thus making it too easy.Jamboreeis an amazingMario Partygame, but it just feels like the most polished entry in a series that has been resting on its laurels for too long.LEGO Partyis here to shake things up, and, for that reason, I sincerely hope it succeeds. Not only do we need more games likeMario Party, but we also need something to remind it that it should always be improving.
