Mario Party 5

Nintendophiles

Adds a few nice modes to the Mario Party series, but if you already own "Mario Party 4" there is absolutely no reason to upgrade.

VideoGamesLife

Waking up bleary eyed the next day, our mouths taste like dry Toads and the room smells of Peach. But that won’t stop us going to Mario’s for another party, with so much to do if he threw a party every day of the week we still wouldn’t get ‘board’.

Next Level Gaming

The added Super Duel Mode (which would also be good online) brings a new aspect to the title. Bottom line, despite its shortcomings, Mario Party 5 proves once again why the Nintendo Gamecube is the system to own for multiplayer fun.

GamingTrend

Probably the biggest step in making improvements than any of the other sequels has made. Bottom Line: If you're a fan of the series, you won't be disappointed.

Nintendo Power

Doesn't do anything to revolutionize the franchise, but it's still one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences around. [Jan 2004, p.155]

Armchair Empire

It may not replace traditional board games, but Mario Party 5 is another solid addition to the Mario Party franchise.

GameNow

As far as party games go, this is still your best bet. [Jan 2003, p.49]

Play Magazine

The real draw here are the minigames, and as always, they are all new. Of course, some are variations on themes passed down, but there are more than enough that surprise and delight to no end. [Dec 2003, p.80]

Deeko

Another solid game from Nintendo – it features a few new tweaks on the old formula but it’s more or less the same game with new boards, new mini-games and a few new characters.

Nintendojo

Easily the greatest party game on the market today. While that isn’t saying a whole lot since anything that isn’t Mario Party is usually schlock and unworthy of anything but the bargain bin, it still proves that there’s plenty of spunk within the series.

GMR Magazine

Minigames, as always, tread a fine line between clever and stupid. [Jan 2004, p.87]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Some of the new minigames are a little stale, and some concepts are recycled, but the new capsule system functions well as the necessary fresh coat of paint. [Jan 2004, p.159]

IGN

On the one hand, it's filled to the brim with imaginative mini-games and modes, on the other it still suffers from the same baffling waiting times in the board-based modes.

GameCube Europe

It’s definitely the Mario Party title you’ll want to buy if you’re new to the series, since it has the most minigames and the best boards of the Cube iterations.

GameSpy

Mario, get with it -- get hipper, get slicker, and get as good as you outta be. Right now, you're phoning it in.

Inside Gamer Online

The control scheme changes during each minigame, so unless you know already know how to play it, you should read the directions and the controls that go with it.

GameBiz

If you don’t intend to play with friends or family that much don’t bother with the title unless you haven’t played a Mario Party title before.

games(TM)

The biggest enhancements come in the single-player experience - always the worst part of the previous games. This time, Nintendo has clearly put some thought into it and come up with a story mode that actiually has a point, rather than being a player-vs-computer rehash of Party mode. [Jan 2004, p.113]

GamePro

There’s nothing wrong with Mario Party 5 as it stands, but the next installment sure could use an overhaul to freshen the formula.

GameSpot

The new single-player story mode and bonus games add a little more longevity to the game, the fundamental experience is still largely the same as that offered in previous Mario Party games. If you bought "Mario Party 4" last year, Mario Party 5 is hard to recommend.

NintendoWorldReport

If you just got your GameCube at the reduced price and demand Mario Party action, please buy this game instead of "Mario Party 4." Otherwise, stick with the Party you’ve got.

netjak

If you’ve already played Mario Party in any of its other incarnations, there’s really nothing new for you here. The mini-games and boards may be different, but the game’s the same.

1UP

What "Made in Wario" makes drastically evident is just how slow-paced Mario Party 5 is.

GameSpot AU

Mario Party 5 isn't badly made or put together, but it also doesn't offer all that much that hasn't been seen before, and certainly it isn't a game for you if you don't have a ready supply of other human players on hand.

Ferrago

Put simply Mario Party 5 is nowhere near as good as either of the "Super Monkey Ball" games for single or multiplayer. It's not even in the same league.

Yahoo! Games

Gamers who tend to fly solo won't find much to appeal to them in Mario Party 5, nor will the hardcore crowd.

G4 TV

And on a rare personal note, this is the only game other than "Dance Dance Revolution" and "Animal Crossing" my wife has wanted to play. That has to count for something.

Eurogamer

In my mind, said mixed bag, when emptied onto the table, would yield all manner of mostly shiny looking baubles, most of which have some redeeming features but very few of which are worth pursuing for longer than a couple of minutes.

NTSC-uk

And so Mario Party 5 continues the series’ yearly update without breaking the mould. A few extras here, a lick of paint there, a fresh repertoire of minigames and that’s about it.

Edge Magazine

Were spirits to play a game while they waited in Purgatory, surely it would be Mario Party. It can take an age to get to the end, and the minigames are interspersed with a turgid board game section that tests the patience to its limits. [Jan 2004, p.109]

Gaming Age

I was hoping that Mario Party 5 would be better than last year’s effort. While certain aspects of the game are a move in the right direction, the overall game fails to please.

BonusStage

I am convinced that eventually, somewhere in the world, Mario Party 5 will provide proof that a person can die from boredom while playing a video game. The single player mode has essentially no value.

Game Informer

The only laughs come from knowing your friends are suffering the same punishment you are...They're cursing this to anyone within earshot, just like you. [Dec 2003, p.154]