How Many Joy-Cons Do You Need to Play Mario Party?

The short answer is: it depends, but the good news is you don’t need a lot! You only need one Joy-Con per player to dive into the chaotic fun of Mario Party. This applies to both Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars. However, the number of Joy-Cons you’ll need will change depending on the number of players you have joining the game. This article will break down how many controllers are needed for different scenarios in Mario Party and answer other frequently asked questions about controllers, player counts, and even compare the two most recent releases in the series.

Controller Requirements for Mario Party

One Player

If you’re playing solo, you’ll only need one Joy-Con. You can choose to use either the left or right Joy-Con. This means you can play the game immediately with the base console setup, as each Nintendo Switch comes with a pair of Joy-Cons.

Two Players

For two players, you will each need one Joy-Con. You can play either with a Joy-Con each or one player with a pair of Joy-Cons, but this is not necessary. You don’t need two pairs, and you can use just one Joy-Con per player. This is great for a quick pick-up-and-play experience right out of the box. It’s also important to note that you can play in this mode whether you play locally on the same console, or if you are both on separate Nintendo Switch consoles.

Three to Four Players

For three or four players, you’ll need a total of three or four Joy-Cons, respectively. Each player uses just one Joy-Con. This is where you may need to invest in additional Joy-Cons. If you want to play with a full group of four friends on one console, you’ll need two additional Joy-Cons if you are starting from the base console’s two.

Using Pro Controllers and Other Options

While Mario Party is primarily designed for use with single Joy-Con controllers, Mario Party Superstars offers more controller flexibility. In this version, players can use Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, or even GameCube Controllers (with the appropriate adapter). However, the requirement remains that each player uses only one controller. Despite the ability to use different controller types, the main game focus still revolves around using one controller per player.

Important Considerations for Playing Mario Party

• Single Joy-Con Gameplay: Remember that each player will use a single Joy-Con held sideways. This is important, as it will dictate how you are able to hold and interact with the controller while playing.
• Local Multiplayer: Mario Party is best enjoyed with others on the same console.
• Additional Controllers: If you want to maximize the experience, particularly with multiple players, extra Joy-Con sets are a worthwhile investment.
• Controller Pairing: The Nintendo Switch can connect to up to 8 controllers, so there is no limitation of how many additional controllers you can connect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use Pro Controllers for Mario Party?

Yes, Mario Party Superstars allows the use of Pro Controllers. However, you can’t use a paired set of Joy-Cons held together on the grip as one controller. Each player still needs their own separate controller (Joy-Con, Pro Controller, or GameCube controller). Super Mario Party only supports single Joy-Cons.

2. Do I need two Joy-Cons per player to play Mario Party?

No, you only need one Joy-Con per player to play any game in the Mario Party series. You do not need a pair of Joy-Cons per player.

3. How many Joy-Cons do I need for a full four-player game?

You will need four Joy-Cons for a full four-player game of Mario Party. Each player needs a single controller.

4. Can you play Mario Party with only two Joy-Cons?

Yes, you can play Mario Party with two players, using one Joy-Con per player. If you are playing with just two players, you don’t need to buy any additional controllers beyond what your console came with.

5. Can you play Mario Party with more than four players?

To play with more than four players, you will need multiple Nintendo Switch consoles and copies of the game. The game does not support more than four players on a single console.

6. Can I play Mario Party with different controller types simultaneously?

In Mario Party Superstars, yes. You can have some players using Joy-Cons and others using Pro Controllers or GameCube Controllers on the same console; however, each player must only use one controller. Super Mario Party is restricted to single Joy-Cons.

7. Is Mario Party worth it for two people?

Absolutely! Mario Party can be a lot of fun with two players, especially with the option to play on teams with CPU companions. You can play locally on the same console or even on separate consoles if both players have their own copies of the game.

8. Is Super Mario Party or Mario Party Superstars better?

This depends on your preference:
* Super Mario Party features fresh content, a larger character roster, and unique dice blocks.
* Mario Party Superstars offers a nostalgic experience, with larger boards, and a faster pace, bringing back classic elements from the earlier titles.

9. Can I use a single Joy-Con for other Nintendo Switch games?

Many Nintendo Switch games support single Joy-Con play, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which, like Mario Party, only needs one controller per player. However, some games require paired Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers.

10. What about Nintendo Switch Sports?

While Nintendo Switch Sports utilizes the Joy-Cons for motion controls, it is not compatible with Pro Controllers. You can use single Joy-Cons or paired Joy-Cons depending on the sport selected.

11. Can you play It Takes Two with only two Joy-Cons?

Yes, It Takes Two can be played with two Joy-Cons, with each player using one of their controllers. You can also use two Pro Controllers or connect two Nintendo Switch consoles locally.

12. Do I need a second set of Joy-Cons for Nintendo Switch Sports?

For most sports, you only need a single Joy-Con per player, but some, such as soccer, may require the use of a pair.

13. Can you play Mario Kart with one Joy-Con?

Yes, you can play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with just one Joy-Con per player. This makes it easy to play with two people out of the box.

14. How many controllers can you use on one Nintendo Switch at a time?

The Nintendo Switch can connect to a maximum of eight controllers at a time, regardless of type (Joy-Con, Pro Controller, etc.). However, as already stated, each player needs their own controller.

15. Are there any Switch games that only support one Joy-Con?

No, there aren’t any Switch games that only support a single Joy-Con. While many games can be played with one Joy-Con, they also support other controller options such as paired Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers.

Conclusion

To sum it up, for Mario Party, you’ll need one Joy-Con per player. Whether you’re playing solo, with a friend, or with a full party of four, the number of Joy-Cons you need is straightforward. The series is designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that everyone can join in on the fun without the need for a complex controller setup. So, grab your friends, gather your Joy-Cons, and prepare for some chaotic and unforgettable Mario Party moments!