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Mario Party 5 cube Game Reviews
Mario Party 5
Critic Score
Metascore: 69 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
7.3 out of 10
based on 33 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 13 votes
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Mario Party 5 takes the Mario Party series to the next level with new game boards, more than 60 new minigames, new playable characters, an expanded single-player mode and, of course, more multiplayer madness than you can handle! Change the location of event spaces on the virtual game board to get a leg up on your competition. Race to collect more Stars than the other players! Duke it out in new duel, traditional or everyone-vs.-Bowser minigames. Compete against the Koopa Kid Brigade -- a trio of Koopa Kids who take their turns simultaneously. This cuts down significantly on the wait time and lets you get back to the action more quickly. Play Card Party, Ice Hockey or Beach Volleyball in Bonus mode! [Nintendo]

PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Hudson Soft
GENRE(S): Party, Puzzle
PLAYERS: 4
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: November 10, 2003

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

95
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.
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89
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’.
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88
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.
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86
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.
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84
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]
83
Armchair Empire
It may not replace traditional board games, but Mario Party 5 is another solid addition to the Mario Party franchise.
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83
GameNow
As far as party games go, this is still your best bet. [Jan 2003, p.49]
83
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]
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.
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80
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.
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80
GMR Magazine
Minigames, as always, tread a fine line between clever and stupid. [Jan 2004, p.87]
80
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]
79
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.
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78
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.
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75
GameSpy
Mario, get with it -- get hipper, get slicker, and get as good as you outta be. Right now, you're phoning it in.
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72
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.
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71
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.
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70
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]
70
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.
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69
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.
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65
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.
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62
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.
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60
1UP
What "Made in Wario" makes drastically evident is just how slow-paced Mario Party 5 is.
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60
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.
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60
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.
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60
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.
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60
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.
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50
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.
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50
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.
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50
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]
42
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.
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35
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.
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20
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]
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Solomon R. gave it an8:
When i got bored of mario party 4, i found mario party 5, i didn't even know how to feel when i started playing, it was like a new experience, 3 more playable characters in 'party mode', all these different capsules, in fact i barely even play mario party 4 anymore, it was also smart that DK had became an ally instead of a playable character and helps you (especially in story mode) when you step in a 'DK space' which was new to mario party and it also reminds me of mario party 2 on the N64 with the past items like golden mushroom and normal mushrooms. Story mode isn't much of a letdown and at least it is not overly as long as mario party 4 story mode is, thank heavens.

Eduardo R. gave it an8:
Nice game to play with friends. Most mini-games are fun easy.

Julian R. gave it a 10:
Das ist ein Super-Spiel!!!!

Mario luigi gave it a 5:
This game looks great from the pics i seen but i have not played it but i will soon i just can not wait:)

Ryan M. gave it an 8:
This game has NO 1 player fun. You CANNOT play this game by yourself. Most of the time your waiting for computers turns to go by, and this is like in all Mario Party games. It's a multi-player experience, and with that alone this game can be fun.

Starwarsspiderman gave it a 10:
This game is totally amazing! There is so much packed into such a small disc! This one is so much better than Mario Party 4! There are so many mini extras to enjoy when you and your friends want to play!

Brayn G. gave it a 10:
This game RULEZ !!!

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