Mario Party 3

About Mario Party 3 (N64)

Mario Party 3 is a party game developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Released in Japan in 2000 and in North America in 2001, it was the final Mario Party game on the system and a fan favorite for its polished boards, large minigame set, and memorable new mode. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Wario, Donkey Kong, and their friends compete to earn stars and coins across themed boards.

The story mode centers on the Millennium Star, a guardian of the stars who must find a worthy successor. Mario Party 3 is also famous for introducing Waluigi and Daisy as playable characters, two faces that soon became regulars in the series.

Detailed Gameplay

Each party round follows a simple loop: roll a dice block, move around the board, trigger events, and then play a minigame.

Party Boards and Stars

• Roll the dice block and move around themed boards filled with shops, item spaces, chance events, and hidden shortcuts.
• Collect coins in minigames and spend them to buy stars, which matter far more than coins when the final results are tallied.
• Use items such as dice modifiers and traps to help yourself or slow down a rival who is racing toward the next star.
• Watch the board events closely, since some spaces steal coins, move players, or trigger battles that can change the lead instantly.

Minigame Variety

• Play solo, paired, and four-player minigames that test timing, memory, aiming, racing, and button-pressing speed.
• Learn each minigame in a few seconds, but master its trick: the best players win by reading the pattern, not by mashing blindly.
• Earn coins in almost every minigame, so even a player in last place can rebuild and fight back before the final turns.
• Try the minigame-only modes for quick sessions when a full board game is too long for the time you have.

Duel Mode

• Challenge a single rival in Duel Mode, a one-on-one board battle where two players fight for stars with a partner character at their side.
• Choose a partner with useful abilities and protect them, since losing your partner can cost you the duel.
• Place traps and plan routes carefully, because a small board leaves little room to hide from a determined opponent.
• Use Duel Mode to settle a rivalry quickly, without the chaos of a four-player board getting in the way.

Game Highlights

• First party for Waluigi and Daisy: Two future series regulars made their playable Mario Party debut here.
• Dozens of minigames: A wide mix of short, easy-to-learn contests keeps every round feeling different.
• Duel Mode: One-on-one board battles add a focused, tactical twist to the usual party chaos.
• Classic N64 party feel: Bright boards, lively music, and sudden reversals make it perfect for friends and family sessions.

Controls

On the Nintendo 64 controller, most actions use the stick and the main face buttons, while some minigames ask for quick or precise inputs.

• Analog Stick: Move your character and aim in most minigames.
• A Button: Confirm a choice, jump, or perform the main action.
• B Button: Cancel a choice or perform a secondary action.
• Start Button: Pause the game and check the current standings.
• C Buttons: Control the camera or give extra inputs in certain minigames.
• Z Button: Use a special action in minigames that call for it.

Tips and Strategies to Win

Mario Party rewards players who think one turn ahead and never give up after a bad roll.

• Buy a star as soon as you can afford one, since a lead in stars is much harder to overturn than a lead in coins.
• Save powerful items for the late game, when one stolen star or forced move can decide the whole party.
• In minigames, watch what the game asks for before acting, since many contests punish the fastest finger rather than the slowest.
• Target the leader with traps and duels, but keep an eye on quiet players who may be saving coins for a late star rush.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How many players can play Mario Party 3? A: Mario Party 3 supports up to four players on the main boards, with computer-controlled rivals filling any empty seats.

Q: Is Mario Party 3 a good first Mario Party game? A: Yes.

Q: Can I play Mario Party 3 online for free? A: Yes, you can play Mario Party 3 online for free on RiveGame.