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Do You Need Multiple Switches to Play Mario Party? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: no, you do not need multiple Nintendo Switch consoles to play Mario Party. A single Nintendo Switch allows for up to four players to enjoy the chaotic fun of Mario Party locally. However, utilizing multiple consoles unlocks different gameplay possibilities, particularly for online play and specific game modes. Let’s dive into the details.

Understanding Mario Party’s Multiplayer Options

Mario Party offers a variety of ways to play, catering to different group sizes and preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the series, understanding these options is key to maximizing your enjoyment.

Local Multiplayer on a Single Switch

The most straightforward way to play Mario Party is on a single Nintendo Switch. This setup supports up to four players who can share Joy-Cons or use Pro Controllers. This is ideal for game nights with friends and family in the same room. Most Mario Party games are designed with this type of local play in mind, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.

Local Multiplayer with Multiple Switches

When you have multiple Nintendo Switch consoles available, you can engage in local play where each player uses their own console. This setup offers a unique advantage: up to three players can play on each system in Local Play and Online Play with Friends. However, remember that each player will need their own copy of the game and a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play online.

Online Multiplayer

Online multiplayer in Mario Party presents another layer of complexity. In a Global Game (playing online with random players), only one player can play on each system. This restriction is designed to prevent cheating and ensure fair gameplay. However, when playing Online Play with Friends, up to three players can play on each system, as mentioned previously.

Exploring Game-Specific Features

Different Mario Party titles on the Nintendo Switch offer slightly varying multiplayer experiences. Let’s take a look at a couple of the most popular options:

Super Mario Party

Super Mario Party, while a fantastic entry in the series, is somewhat limited in its controller options. It requires the use of Joy-Cons due to its focus on motion-controlled mini-games. This means that if you’re playing on a Nintendo Switch Lite, you’ll need to pair it with Joy-Cons to play. The game supports local multiplayer with up to four players on a single system. To play online with others, you can either play with friends using local wireless play or through a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Mario Party Superstars

Mario Party Superstars offers a more classic Mario Party experience, featuring remakes of boards and mini-games from previous installments in the series. Unlike Super Mario Party, Mario Party Superstars is not limited to Joy-Con controllers. You can use Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, or even GameCube controllers (with an adapter) to play. This flexibility makes it a more versatile choice for players who prefer different controller types. The online play is well-implemented, allowing you to easily connect with friends or random players for some Mario Party fun.

Controller Compatibility and Requirements

Understanding the controller requirements for each Mario Party game is crucial for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable multiplayer experience. As mentioned earlier, Super Mario Party requires Joy-Cons, while Mario Party Superstars offers more flexibility.

Joy-Cons

The standard controller option for the Nintendo Switch, Joy-Cons can be used individually or paired together for a more traditional controller experience. In Super Mario Party, each player needs a single Joy-Con to play, allowing for up to four players to participate. In Mario Party Superstars, you can use Joy-Cons individually or paired, depending on your preference.

Pro Controllers

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a great option for players who prefer a more ergonomic and traditional gamepad. It is fully compatible with Mario Party Superstars, offering a comfortable and responsive control experience.

GameCube Controllers

For those who have fond memories of playing Mario Party on the GameCube, Mario Party Superstars allows you to use GameCube controllers with a compatible adapter. This adds a nostalgic touch to the game and provides a familiar control scheme for long-time fans.

Benefits of Playing with Multiple Switches

While a single Switch can provide hours of Mario Party fun, playing with multiple consoles unlocks several advantages:

Expanded Player Count in Local Wireless Play: In Local Play with friends, more players can join.
Reduced Screen Crowding: Each player has their own screen, making it easier to follow the action and see what’s happening.
Private Screens: Playing mini-games and making strategic decisions in separate screens can add to the tension and excitement of the game.

Mastering the Art of Cooperative Play

Mario Party isn’t just about individual competition; it also encourages cooperative play in certain game modes and mini-games. Working together with your teammates to achieve common goals can be just as rewarding as winning the overall game. Learning to communicate effectively and strategize with your teammates is key to success in these cooperative scenarios. Games Learning Society explores the benefits of social interaction and collaborative problem-solving within games like Mario Party. Visit https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to playing Mario Party with multiple Switches:

Can you play Mario Party with one Switch and multiple players? Yes, you can play with up to four players on a single Nintendo Switch system. Each player can use either a single Joy-Con or a Pro Controller.
Do all players need a copy of Mario Party to play on separate Switches? Yes, each player needs their own copy of the Mario Party game to play on their own Nintendo Switch console in local wireless or online multiplayer.
Is a Nintendo Switch Online membership required to play Mario Party online? Yes, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play Mario Party online with friends or random players.
Can you play Super Mario Party on a Nintendo Switch Lite? Yes, but you need to pair Joy-Cons with the Switch Lite since Super Mario Party requires the individual motions of Joy-Cons.
How many people can play Mario Party Superstars locally? Up to four players can play Mario Party Superstars locally on a single Nintendo Switch.
Is Mario Party Superstars better than Super Mario Party? It depends on your preferences. Super Mario Party features new boards and mechanics with an emphasis on motion controls, while Mario Party Superstars includes remakes of classic boards and mini-games with enhanced online play. Many prefer Superstars due to the absence of Joy-Con only gameplay.
Can you use Pro Controllers for Super Mario Party? No, Super Mario Party requires Joy-Cons.
Can you use Pro Controllers for Mario Party Superstars? Yes, Mario Party Superstars is compatible with Pro Controllers, Joy-Cons, and GameCube controllers (with an adapter).
How do you play Mario Party with two players? You can play with two players on a single Switch by sharing Joy-Cons or using Pro Controllers. Alternatively, you can play with two Switches in local wireless play or online multiplayer.
Can you play Mario Party alone? Yes, you can play Mario Party alone with CPU-controlled opponents.
Can you play 8-player Mario Party with two Switches? No, the game does not support 8 player gameplay with two switches
Can you play Mario Party with only two Joy-Cons? Yes, you can play with two players using two Joy-Cons (one Joy-Con per player) or one Pro Controller per player.
Is Mario Party Superstars worth buying? Many players consider Mario Party Superstars worth buying due to its classic boards and mini-games, enhanced online play, and flexible controller options.
What is the difference between Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars? Mario Party introduced new boards and motion-controlled minigames, whereas Mario Party Superstars is a “best of” compilation with remade classic boards and minigames from previous entries, plus added online functionality and support for multiple controller types.
Can you play 3 players on the same Nintendo Switch?

Yes, you can. If you have 3 Nintendo Switch players, you can all play together on one system, using a separate Joy-Con controller for each player.

Conclusion

In summary, while multiple Nintendo Switch consoles aren’t required to enjoy Mario Party, they can enhance the multiplayer experience, particularly for online play and larger groups. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences, the number of players you want to accommodate, and the type of gameplay experience you’re seeking. So gather your friends, grab your controllers, and get ready for some Mario Party mayhem!

Do you need multiple switches to play Mario Party?