Lego Party Fixes Mario Party’s Biggest Pain Point

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Mario Party is a popular game enjoyed by many players, yet it occasionally draws mixed feelings. The main criticism leveled against the series is its unpredictable events in later stages, which can drastically alter the outcome by causing significant shifts in rankings, regardless of consistent play throughout. Distributing bonus stars reminiscent of Oprah giving away cars to her audience seems out of place and disrupts the balance of a well-designed board game experience.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the unpredictability of the various mini-games in a Mario Party finale can sometimes make it less enjoyable, even if the rest of the gaming session is fun. However, Lego Party, a game similar to Mario Party but with a focus on eliminating the frustration for players, offers a more strategic experience. This allows us to plan our moves more effectively throughout the game, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

In the creation of LEGO Party, the development team opted to exclude the feature of bonus stars (or gold bricks) from their adaptation of the party minigame genre. This decision was made because the team recognized that incorporating late-game rewards that can undermine the importance of strong early-game performance isn’t a pleasant gaming experience. As SMG Studio’s project director, Mark Fennell, straightforwardly stated to me: “I simply don’t find them enjoyable.” It seems that this omission was well-received during my demo of LEGO Party at Summer Game Fest 2025, as it appeared less random and more balanced.

In addition to other issues it aims to resolve, Lego Party, as a board-style game, also resembles games like Mario Party in allowing players to seize items, such as valuable gold bricks, from each other under specific circumstances. However, unlike Mario Party where you can’t refuse a steal when you land on a space that requires it (either stealing stars or coins), Lego Party provides flexibility by not forcing players to take from one another. This adjustment is intended for the game to appeal to a diverse range of players, including those who may be new or less experienced, as well as parents playing with their children, allowing more skilled or mature players to demonstrate kindness towards the less experienced.

In response to over 100 playtests where children would cry upon losing in the game, a developer made adjustments to Lego Party. Now, players who opt to steal gold bricks have the choice to back out of this action if they wish to avoid upsetting younger players. This feature provides a parental control option to prevent upsetting their child during gameplay, making the game more kid-friendly. However, players can still choose to compete fiercely against others if they prefer.

Making a minor adjustment to the rules significantly alters the flow of games in this new party game. Unlike Mario Party where player order is set at the start, the sequence changes based on the outcome of each mini-game here. For instance, if you were almost grabbing a star in Mario Party and you’re first in line, you can expect to secure it after the next mini-game, regardless of any subsequent events. Conversely, in Lego Party, victory in a mini-game grants turn priority, allowing the winner to potentially reach the gold brick before your team moves again on the board, so keep a sharp eye!

At the upcoming Lego Party event, there will be four game boards featuring more than 60 mini-games. The variety of play styles and objectives I observed made for an enjoyable experience. One game that particularly caught my attention was one where players had to climb onto a moving platform, which resembled a small dancefloor, by grappling, earning points for staying on it while dancing. Other games included a racing competition, a memory challenge, and a familiar title where participants vie for colored space on the ground, each attempting to cover their opponents’ paint strokes.

The Lego Party gains appeal due to its recognizable nature; it can be likened to “Mario Party with LEGO,” generally speaking. While this comparison is entertaining, the true value of the game may lie more in its unique aspects and enhancements over Nintendo’s classic party game series.

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2025-06-10 16:40