Mario Party 4

Game Overview

Mario Party 4 brings the classic board-game-meets-minigame formula to the GameCube with upgraded 3D graphics and new mechanics. Players choose from eight characters—Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Wario, Donkey Kong, Princess Daisy, and Waluigi—and compete across six themed boards hosted by Toad, Goomba, Boo, Shy Guy, Koopa Troopa, and (unlockable) Bowser. The goal is to gather the most Stars by the end of a set number of turns.

Each turn players roll a dice block to move around the board, landing on spaces that award or steal coins, trigger events, or offer Stars for purchase. At the end of every round a minigame is played; winners earn coins that can later be spent on Stars or items. The standout new system is the Mega and Mini Mushrooms: Mega Mushrooms let a player grow large, roll two dice, and crush rivals for coins, while Mini Mushrooms shrink the character, limit dice rolls, but open special pipes and shortcuts. Additional modes include a single-player Story Mode (collecting presents from each host) and a pure Mini-Game Mode for practicing or free play. The game supports one to four players and remains one of the most popular multiplayer experiences on the GameCube.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Mario Party 4
  
• Platform: Nintendo GameCube
  
• Developer: Hudson Soft
  
• Publisher: Nintendo
  
• Release Dates: North America – October 21, 2002; Japan – November 8, 2002; PAL regions – November 29, 2002
  
• Genre: Party / Board Game
  
• Players: 1–4 (local multiplayer)
  
• ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
  
• Notable Features: First Mario Party on GameCube, Mega/Mini Mushroom system, 6 boards, 50+ new minigames, Story Mode, fully 3D boards
  

Key Features

• Six fully 3D game boards with unique themes and host characters (Toad’s Midway Madness, Goomba’s Greedy Gala, Boo’s Haunted Bash, Shy Guy’s Jungle Jam, Koopa’s Seaside Soiree, and unlockable Bowser’s Gnarly Party).
  
• Mega Mushroom and Mini Mushroom items that change character size, movement options, and interactions on the board.
  
• Over 50 brand-new minigames across 4-player free-for-all, 1-vs-3, 2-vs-2, Battle, Bowser, and Story categories.
  
• Eight playable characters including Daisy and Waluigi.
  
• Party Mode for multiplayer competition, Story Mode for single-player campaigns, and dedicated Mini-Game Mode.
  
• Item shops, Happening Spaces, Reversal of Fortune events, and bonus Stars awarded at the end for various achievements.
  
• Support for up to four simultaneous players with team options.
  
• Progressive scan support for compatible displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mario Party 4?

It is the fourth main Mario Party game and the first released for the Nintendo GameCube. Players compete on board-game maps and in minigames to collect the most Stars.

Who developed and published the game?

Hudson Soft developed it and Nintendo published it.

What are the Mega and Mini Mushrooms?

These are new items. The Mega Mushroom makes a character giant, allows two dice rolls, and lets them steal coins by crushing others. The Mini Mushroom shrinks the character, restricts dice rolls to 1–5, but grants access to special pipes and shortcuts.

How many boards and minigames are there?

There are six boards (one unlockable) and more than 50 new minigames of various types (4-player, 1-vs-3, 2-vs-2, Battle, etc.).

Can I play alone?

Yes. Story Mode lets a single player compete against computer opponents while collecting birthday presents from each board host. Mini-Game Mode also supports solo practice.

How many players does it support?

The game supports one to four players in local multiplayer. Controllers can be shared or each player can use their own.

Is this the best Mario Party for GameCube?

Many fans consider Mario Party 4 one of the strongest early entries thanks to its polished 3D boards, the fun size-changing items, and a solid selection of minigames, though later GameCube titles (Mario Party 5–7) expanded the formula further.

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