Nintendo is bringing 1990s gaming vibes to its classic title online subscription service. The Nintendo Switch Online bundle adds “Mario Party” from 1999 and its direct sequel, “Mario Party 2,” to the Nintendo 64 collection of classics. “Mario Party” debuted on the Nintendo 64 console, with a cast of six classic playable characters including Mario, Wario, Donkey Kong, Princess Peach, Luigi, and Yoshi. The games’ centerpiece is Party Mode, in which players compete in a virtual board game and a variety of mini-games between rounds.
The original “Mario Party” game has around 50 mini-games, while “Mario Party 2” has 65. Players compete to earn Stars while playing a “Mario Party” match, and the player with the most Stars at the end of the game wins. It’s a simple concept with legs, given that “Mario Party” has been a staple franchise on Nintendo consoles for more than 20 years.
More classics inbound for Nintendo Switch Online
Mini-Game Island, which acts as a mini-game gauntlet, is also available in the original “Mario Party.” “Mario Party 2” distinguishes itself with its own in-game item shop and a wider variety of mini-games. Starting November 2, both games will be available through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
However, “Mario Party” is not the only classic game making its way to the service. “GoldenEye 007” will be re-released on Nintendo Switch Online soon, and Xbox players will be able to play it as well thanks to Xbox Game Pass. Meanwhile, “Pilotwings 64” was added earlier this month, and games like “Mario Party 3,” “Pokemon Stadium,” and “Pokemon Stadium 2” will join Nintendo Switch Online in 2023.
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“Mario Party” and “Mario Party 2” will be available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass subscribers for $49.99 per year. The Expansion Pack is more expensive than a standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription ($19.99 per year), but it does include libraries of select N64 and Sega Genesis titles, as well as access to DLC for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” and “Splatoon 2” for as long as users remain subscribed.
