Recommended Wii U Accessories to Buy for Mario Party 10

Mario Party 10 Gameplay and Player Roles

Mario Party 10, released for the Wii U on March 20, 2015, was the first entry in the series for the console. The game builds on the franchise’s established formula, blending digital board game mechanics with a collection of over 70 unique mini-games. The primary appeal of the series has always been local multiplayer, and this installment was designed specifically for friends and family playing together in the same room, as it did not include an online multiplayer mode.

A significant addition to the gameplay was the introduction of Bowser Party mode. This asymmetrical mode allowed one player to take on the role of Bowser, using the Wii U GamePad to actively disrupt the other players’ progress. The other four players, as Team Mario, used Wii Remotes and worked together to reach the end of the board while surviving Bowser’s attacks. This innovative dynamic increased the maximum player count to five, a first for the series. The Bowser player’s actions were displayed on the GamePad’s private screen, creating an element of surprise for the other participants who watched the main television screen. Mini-games in this mode often tasked Bowser with using the GamePad’s unique features, such as the gyroscope and stylus, to chase, trap, or otherwise thwart the other players.

Beyond the new Bowser Party, the game included the more traditional Mario Party mode, where players competed individually. It also introduced Amiibo Party mode, which required Nintendo’s Amiibo figures to access. This mode offered a distinct experience, with gameplay and board aesthetics changing based on the specific Amiibo figure scanned into the game.

Essential Controllers: Wii Remotes for the Party

To accommodate a full five-player session in Mario Party 10, specific controllers are necessary. While the Bowser player exclusively uses the Wii U GamePad, the other one to four players in Team Mario must each use a Wii Remote. The game was designed for the simplicity of the classic motion controller, and the Nunchuk attachment was not required for gameplay.

This compatibility extended to all official versions of the controller, including the original Wii Remotes released with the Nintendo Wii and the later Wii Remote Plus models, which feature integrated MotionPlus technology. Since the mini-games in Mario Party 10 did not demand the enhanced precision of MotionPlus, owners of the older Wii console could reuse their existing controllers without any disadvantage. This backward compatibility provided a cost-effective way for longtime Nintendo fans to jump into multiplayer sessions without needing to purchase a full set of new controllers. For a four-player match against Bowser, four separate Wii Remotes were required. For those who did not own any, Nintendo sold the Wii Remote Plus controllers individually or bundled with other games and accessories.

Protecting the Wii U GamePad

The Wii U GamePad is the centerpiece of the Mario Party 10 experience when playing as Bowser. The controller’s touch screen, gyroscope, and microphone are all used in various mini-games designed to make the Bowser player feel powerful and mischievous. However, the GamePad was a unique piece of hardware that was bundled with every Wii U console and was not sold separately at retail. If it were to break, the only option was a potentially costly repair service through Nintendo.

Given the active and sometimes chaotic nature of party games, protecting this essential controller was a practical consideration. The Bowser gameplay in Mario Party 10 often required players to tilt the GamePad, tap vigorously on the screen with a stylus, or pass it around. To safeguard against accidental drops and scratches, several third-party accessories were available.

For screen protection, the Hori Wii U Precision Screen Filter was a recommended option. It was designed to prevent scratches on the GamePad’s resistive touchscreen without compromising sensitivity. Its application process was also noted for being straightforward, minimizing the risk of air bubbles that could interfere with gameplay. To protect the body of the controller, the Hori Mario Kart 8 Protector offered a durable plastic shell. This accessory snapped onto the GamePad, shielding it from dirt, scratches, and damage from minor impacts, ensuring the controller could withstand the excitement of a competitive multiplayer session.

Amiibo Integration and Collectibles

Mario Party 10 featured some of the most extensive Amiibo support of any Wii U title at the time of its release. The primary integration came through the dedicated Amiibo Party mode. Scanning a compatible Amiibo figure on the GamePad’s NFC reader would unlock a game board specifically themed around that character. Each board had unique features and events related to its corresponding character, adding significant replay value and variety.

The nine figures compatible with this mode were Bowser, Donkey Kong, Luigi, Mario, Peach, Rosalina, Toad, Wario, and Yoshi. Players could use these figures as their game pieces on the board, and the figure would also save tokens earned during play, which could unlock special in-game bonuses.

Coinciding with the game’s launch, Nintendo released a new “Super Mario” line of Amiibo figures. This series included a brand-new figure for Toad, who had not previously been available. It also featured new poses for established characters: Bowser, Luigi, Mario, Peach, and Yoshi. These figures were distinct from their “Super Smash Bros.” series counterparts but offered the same in-game functionality for Mario Party 10. For players new to the ecosystem, Nintendo offered a bundle that included a physical copy of Mario Party 10 along with the new Super Mario series Mario Amiibo. Any other Amiibo figures from different series could also be scanned in the game once per day to unlock Mario Party Points, the in-game currency used to purchase unlockable content like music, vehicles, and character models.