Introduction: Unlocking the Mario Party Roster

Welcome to the definitive guide on unlocking characters across the Mario Party series. A common point of confusion for players is that not every game handles its roster the same way. This guide will clarify exactly how character unlocking works in the two most recent mainline games—Mario Party Superstars and Super Mario Party—to ensure you can play as your favorite characters without the guesswork.

Character Unlocking at a Glance

The table below shows the fundamental difference between the two games, which is the key to understanding what you need to do.

Game Title (Release Year) Default Starting Characters Unlockable Characters? How to Unlock
Mario Party Superstars (2021) All 10 characters (Mario, Luigi, Peach, etc.) are available immediately. No. There are no secret characters to unlock. Not applicable. All playable content is available from the start.
Super Mario Party (2018) A starter roster of 16 characters. Yes. There are 4 secret characters. Complete specific in-game challenges and modes.

Unlocking Characters in Super Mario Party (2018)

If you’re playing Super Mario Party on Nintendo Switch, you can expand your roster by earning four special characters. Here is the exact step-by-step method for each one.

1. How to Unlock Donkey Kong

  • Method: Complete the River Survival co-operative game mode.

  • Steps to Unlock:

    1. From the main menu, select the River Survival mode.

    2. You must successfully complete the mode three times, making sure to finish at a different exit gate each time.

    3. After your third successful run, Donkey Kong will appear cheering on the riverbank. Return to the Party Plaza, and he will be there waiting for you to recruit him.

2. How to Unlock Diddy Kong

  • Prerequisite: You must first unlock Challenge Road. This is done by playing and completing every single minigame in the game at least once.

  • Method: Defeat Diddy Kong in Challenge Road.

  • Steps to Unlock:

    1. Unlock Challenge Road by clearing all minigames.

    2. Enter Challenge Road and progress through World 2 until you reach the boss.

    3. Defeat Diddy Kong in the boss challenge. After winning, return to the Party Plaza to find and unlock him.

3. How to Unlock Pom Pom

  • Method: Complete Challenge Road: World 5.

  • Steps to Unlock:

    1. Progress through Challenge Road until you reach World 5.

    2. Successfully clear all stages in World 5.

    3. After completion, Pom Pom will be waiting for you in the Party Plaza.

4. How to Unlock Dry Bones

  • Method: Random appearance in the Party Plaza.

  • Steps to Unlock:

    1. Dry Bones has a random chance to appear in the central Party Plaza after you complete any game session (a Mario Party board, a round of River Survival, etc.).

    2. There is no specific task to trigger this. You simply need to check the plaza regularly by returning to the main hub area after playing.

    3. When you see Dry Bones, simply walk up to him to unlock the character.

Mario Party Superstars Has No Unlockable Characters

A major source of confusion is Mario Party Superstars. This game has no unlockable characters. All ten characters—Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Wario, Waluigi, Yoshi, Rosalina, Donkey Kong, and Birdo—are available from the moment you start the game. The “unlockables” in Superstars are cosmetic items, music tracks, and stickers that you can purchase from the in-game shop using coins earned by playing.

Understanding Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (A Different Game)

Your original article mixed in information about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It’s important to clarify this for your readers:

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game, not a Mario Party game.

  • In the Nintendo Switch version, all characters, karts, and courses are unlocked from the beginning. The “unlocking” it refers to is for vehicle parts, which are earned automatically by collecting coins during races.

Answers to Common Player Questions (FAQ)

Q: I have Mario Party Superstars. Why can’t I find unlockable characters?
A: As outlined above, Superstars does not have unlockable characters. The full roster is available immediately. The progression comes from unlocking other items in the Toad’s Shop.

Q: Is Dry Bones really just random in Super Mario Party?
A: Yes. Unlike the other three characters, Dry Bones’ appearance in the Party Plaza is based on chance after completing games. Keep playing and checking the plaza.

Q: What’s the fastest way to unlock all characters in Super Mario Party?
A: Focus on the three characters with clear goals first: Donkey Kong (River Survival), Diddy Kong (Challenge Road World 2), and Pom Pom (Challenge Road World 5). Play normally and check for Dry Bones after each session.

Conclusion and Pro Tips for Your Mario Party

  • For Super Mario Party: Target the character-specific challenges. Playing through Challenge Road is key for both Diddy Kong and Pom Pom.

  • For Mario Party Superstars: Enjoy the full cast from the start and spend your coins on fun extras in the shop.

  • General Tip: The heart of Mario Party is in its minigames and unpredictable board action. Unlocking characters is a fun side goal, but don’t forget to enjoy the chaotic fun with friends and family!

By following this guide, you should have no trouble building the perfect roster for your next Mario Party session.