Mario Party 5

 GameCube
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 33
  3. Negative: 3 out of 33
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  1. Nintendophiles
    95
    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.
  2. VideoGamesLife
    89
    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’.
  3. Next Level Gaming
    88
    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.
  5. GamingTrend
    86
    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.
  6. Nintendo Power
    84
    Doesn't do anything to revolutionize the franchise, but it's still one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences around. [Jan 2004, p.155]
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  7. Armchair Empire
    83
    It may not replace traditional board games, but Mario Party 5 is another solid addition to the Mario Party franchise.
  8. Play Magazine
    83
    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]
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  9. GameNow
    83
    As far as party games go, this is still your best bet. [Jan 2003, p.49]
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  10. GMR Magazine
    80
    Minigames, as always, tread a fine line between clever and stupid. [Jan 2004, p.87]
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  11. Nintendojo
    80
    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.
  12. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    80
    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]
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  13. Deeko
    80
    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.
  14. IGN
    79
    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.
  15. GameCube Europe
    78
    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.
  16. GameSpy
    75
    Mario, get with it -- get hipper, get slicker, and get as good as you outta be. Right now, you're phoning it in.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best GameCube Game of 2003
14
#14 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
37
#37 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 110 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 110
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 110
  3. Negative: 9 out of 110
  1. nintendofan721
    May 30, 2023
    9
    Here is when the GameCube era of the Mario Party series really started to come along! We have some new characters this time around. While DKHere is when the GameCube era of the Mario Party series really started to come along! We have some new characters this time around. While DK has been relegated to a space on the board, Toad, Boo and Koopa Kid make their playable debut in the series. It’s too bad DK isn’t playable but it was an interesting experimental concept that worked well. The boards look much more different from each other and are a big step up from the previous game. They’re all very fun and interesting, such as Sweet Dream, Toy Dream and Pirate Dream. Team matches return from Mario Party 4 and every pair of characters has their own custom team name which was pretty funny. Items are replaced with capsules but they essentially work the same way. The difference is that you get them randomly, but they are free. I’d rather be able to choose which capsule I want sometimes but they don’t cost any coins which evens it out. Either way they are fun to use for messing up others! There are some extra modes which spice things up as always. The minigame selection is very good with some great stand out ones such as Coney Island, Pushy Penguins and Hotel Goomba. This was a great entry to the series, and it, along with Mario Parties 6 and 7, are what truly define the awesomeness of Mario Party to me!… Full Review »
  2. RonaldJohnson
    Feb 25, 2023
    9
    In my personal Opinion One of the best Mario Party's but not the best due to the fact that it's just not as good as Mario Party 7
  3. Webosxdxdxddd
    Dec 18, 2022
    10
    This Mario Party is way too overhated IMO, the soundtrack is amazing and the mini games are varied. The boards, well, they could've beenThis Mario Party is way too overhated IMO, the soundtrack is amazing and the mini games are varied. The boards, well, they could've been meter, but it's still a great game.… Full Review »
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