《瑪利歐派對 星星衝刺》（Mario Party: Star Rush）是由NDcube開發、任天堂發行的3DS遊戲，於2016年推出。作為經典派對遊戲系列《瑪利歐派對》的延續，本作嘗試打破傳統遊戲模式，提供更快速且更具互動性的遊戲體驗，並以適合單人與多人遊玩的特色吸引廣大玩家。

不同於傳統的《瑪利歐派對》系列以輪流行動為核心機制，《瑪利歐派對 星星衝刺》改採同時行動的方式，所有玩家在每回合中可以同時擲骰子並自由選擇移動路徑。這種改變大幅減少等待時間，使節奏更加緊湊流暢，也讓每個回合更具策略性與緊張感。

玩家的目標仍然是收集最多的金幣和星星來贏得比賽。在挑戰過程中，可以在地圖上的各種格子中移動，這些格子可能帶來金幣、道具、迷你遊戲或其他意想不到的事件。此外，還能招募來自《瑪利歐》系列的經典角色作為同伴，比如瑪利歐、路易吉和碧姬公主等。這些同伴不僅能在移動時提供額外的骰子點數，還能在迷你遊戲中提供幫助。

遊戲內含多種模式，每個模式都賦予傳統派對遊戲全新的玩法與挑戰：

「Toad Scramble」模式是本作的核心玩法，扮演頭戴紅點蘑菇帽的奇諾比奧（Toad），在地圖上探索並競爭收集星星。地圖中還會出現需要擊敗的頭目角色（例如庫巴），這些頭目戰兼具合作與競爭，既需要合力擊敗敵人，又要爭奪更高的得分。

「氣球對戰」模式是更接近傳統《瑪利歐派對》的模式，在地圖上移動並以收集氣球觸發迷你遊戲。透過這些迷你遊戲賺取金幣，最終用金幣購買星星。

「金幣短跑」模式是將焦點集中在收集金幣上，通過連續的迷你遊戲快速獲得最多的金幣。節奏極快，適合喜歡即時挑戰的玩家。

「節奏表演」模式則是一個偏休閒的小遊戲，玩家需要隨著音樂演奏不同樂器。這個模式雖非主要內容，但增添輕鬆有趣的元素。

「挑戰塔」模式是單人挑戰，要攀登一座充滿敵人和陷阱的塔樓，過程中需要避免各種危險，展現耐心與智慧。

迷你遊戲一直是《瑪利歐派對》的核心，本作也不例外，從N64的初代《瑪利歐派對》到Wii U的《瑪利歐派對10》，挑選出100種不同的迷你遊戲。包括反應挑戰、合作遊戲、競速比賽和邏輯解謎。透過迷你遊戲，不僅可以賺取金幣，還能感受到派對遊戲的多樣樂趣。本作的設計簡單易上手，適合不同年齡層的玩家。然而，一些資深玩家認為遊戲的挑戰性稍顯不足，缺乏更深層次的策略與技巧需求。

《瑪利歐派對 星星衝刺》在上市後獲得褒貶不一的評價。一方面，許多玩家對遊戲的即時行動機制表示讚賞，認為這種改變有效提升整體的節奏，讓遊戲更加緊湊而不拖沓。同時，多樣化的模式選擇與多人連線功能也提供豐富的重玩價值，尤其是透過3DS的「下載遊玩」（Download Play），多名玩家只需單片遊戲卡即可同樂。

另一方面，一些評論指出，遊戲在玩法深度上有所欠缺，迷你遊戲的難度偏低，較無法滿足尋求挑戰的玩家。此外，對於習慣系列傳統玩法的粉絲來說，缺乏完整的經典回合制模式可能是一大遺憾。

《瑪利歐派對 星星衝刺》以其創新的遊戲機制與多樣的模式設計，為系列注入了新活力。雖然它在深度與挑戰性上可能不如某些前作，但其快速的節奏、適合家庭同樂的設計，以及充滿趣味的迷你遊戲，讓它成為一款輕鬆且令人愉快的派對遊戲。對於喜歡多人合作或對戰的玩家來說，本作絕對是值得嘗試的佳作。

Mario Party: Star Rush is a 3DS game developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo, released in 2016. As a continuation of the classic Mario Party series, this installment breaks away from traditional gameplay mechanics to offer a faster-paced and more interactive experience. Designed for both single-player and multiplayer enjoyment, it aims to captivate a broad audience.

Unlike the traditional turn-based gameplay of previous Mario Party titles, Mario Party: Star Rush introduces simultaneous movement. In each round, all players roll dice and choose their movement paths freely. This change significantly reduces waiting times, creating a smoother, more dynamic pace while adding strategic depth and excitement to each turn.

The goal remains to collect the most coins and stars to win the match. Players traverse various spaces on the map, which may reward coins, items, minigames, or trigger unexpected events. Additionally, classic characters from the Mario series, such as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, can be recruited as allies. These allies provide extra dice rolls during movement and offer assistance in minigames.

The game includes a variety of modes, each presenting unique challenges and reimagining traditional party gameplay:

Toad Scramble: The core mode of the game, where players take on the role of Toads exploring the map and competing to collect stars. The map features boss battles, such as against Bowser, blending cooperation and competition as players must work together to defeat the boss while vying for the highest score.

Balloon Bash: A mode closer to the classic Mario Party formula. Players move around the map, collecting balloons to trigger minigames, earning coins through these games to purchase stars.

Coinathlon: Focused on coin collection, this mode involves a rapid series of minigames to gather as many coins as possible. It’s fast-paced and ideal for players who enjoy quick challenges.

Rhythm Recital: A more casual mode where players perform music by playing various instruments in sync with the rhythm. While not a primary focus, it adds a lighthearted and fun element to the game.

Challenge Tower: A single-player mode where players climb a tower filled with enemies and traps. It requires patience and strategy to avoid dangers and progress.

Minigames, a hallmark of the Mario Party series, play a central role in this installment. Drawing inspiration from previous games, Mario Party: Star Rush features 100 diverse minigames, including reflex challenges, cooperative games, races, and puzzles. These minigames offer a variety of experiences, from earning coins to enjoying the fun and competitiveness of party gameplay. While the game's design is accessible to players of all ages, some experienced players feel that the challenges lack depth, offering limited strategic and skill-based gameplay.

Upon release, Mario Party: Star Rush received mixed reviews. On the positive side, many players praised the real-time movement mechanics, which enhanced the game’s overall pace and eliminated downtime. The wide range of modes and multiplayer functionality, particularly the 3DS "Download Play" feature that allows multiple players to join with a single game card, added significant replay value.

However, some critics pointed out a lack of gameplay depth and the relatively low difficulty of the minigames, which may disappoint players seeking more challenging experiences. Additionally, the absence of a traditional turn-based mode was seen as a drawback for fans of the series' classic format.

Overall, Mario Party: Star Rush breathes new life into the series with its innovative mechanics and diverse mode selection. While it may not match the depth or challenge of earlier titles, its fast-paced gameplay, family-friendly design, and engaging minigames make it a fun and enjoyable party game. For fans of cooperative or competitive multiplayer experiences, this title is well worth trying.