5. Mario Party (N64)

The game that started it all! The series got off to a raucous start with Mario Party, and without it, we wouldn't be able to keep holding the most almighty of Nintendo parties at NL Towers. Conspiracy theories that Nintendo created this game solely to force the purchase of additional controllers after Aunt Susan and Uncle Stan destroyed your analogue sticks are spurious, and feuds that have lasted a lifetime may have spawned from this very day in 1998. It's an all-timer for those things alone.

But Mario Party's slate of minigames truly shines, with Bumper Ball, Face Lift, and Mushroom Mix-Up helping to cement a legacy. No one knows how to party like Mario, and they never have done, as proven right here.

4. Mario Party 6 (GCN)

Remember the GameCube microphone? Mario Party 6 was the first game to use that peripheral, but besides shouting into this little white stick (and it often not working), the third GameCube instalment brings a fresh batch of boards and games, and an interesting day-and-night system just like in Mario Party 2's Horror Land board.

While the series may have comfortably settled into the formula by this point -- perhaps a bit too much -- there's no denying this is a highly polished title with that day/night twist affecting board layouts and minigames. It kept us coming back for just another bite or two, and sits up there as one of the most fun multiplayer experiences on the GameCube.

3. Mario Party Superstars (Switch)

Mario Party Superstars is a love letter to the parties you remember attending 20 years ago. A disappointingly slim selection of boards takes the shine off things somewhat, but it’s hard to argue that this is the best Mario Party has been in over a decade. While there aren't many new ideas here, we much prefer to have all these classic ideas intact rather than potentially tainting them with unwanted and unnecessary inclusions only added for the sake of being new. This is how you do a compilation of minigames, and with online play, there are even more opportunities to claim victory. Grab a can of Tango and a fistful of 10p Freddos — you’re going to party like it’s 1999.

But really, Nintendo, where's the DLC?

2. Mario Party 3 (N64)

The third and final fiesta thrown by Mario on the Nintendo 64, the Mario Party formula had been well-established by this point. Hudson Soft saw no reason to change it in any way or kick it up a gear beyond a new influx of minigames, but that doesn't stop Mario Party 3 from being a quintessential entry in the series: a riot with multiple friends, and a soul-crushing grind for a lonely single player... but why would anyone play Mario Party on their own? Well, for the brand-new story mode of course!

We all know the real reason this places as high as it does in our list — no, it's not the fact you can hold three items, but that Daisy and Waluigi make their polished party debut. As the final Mario game to release on the N64 (except in Australia), it's a darn good send off.

1. Mario Party 2 (N64)

There ain't no party like a Mario Party, although he sure has thrown a lot of them over the past couple of decades.

Of the three Hudson-developed minigame bonanzas that came out on N64, Mario Party 2 is arguably the fan favourite. This is where Battle, Item, and Duel minigames got their start, and you could spend all the time in the world practising the minigames before you start, so you can ensure you're perfect for party play. Obviously, you'll need three friends to get the most out of this, but the first sequel built on the foundation of the original and steered the series on a steady course which now extends well into double figures. Even two decades later, it stands as one of the best party games ever, and it's available on Switch via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

Just watch those Joy-Con analogue sticks — they're fragile at the best of times!

See, all of that was fair, wasn't it? No coin-nabbing or star-snatching. Just how we like it.

If you feel like your favourite Mario Party game has been robbed just like the times we've seen multiple stars get nicked from our pockets, don't forget this list is subject to change according to each game's User Ratings on the site. So go on, have your say and give the games you want to see higher up a personal score out of ten and watch the rankings (potentially) change before your very eyes.

Feel free to let us know your thoughts and share a comment about your personal favourites below.