Bonus Star

“You may have chased Stars earlier! But these Bonus Stars come to you! Each counts toward your Star total!”

—MC Ballyhoo, Mario Party 8

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Wario receiving a Bonus Star.

Bonus Stars are Stars that are given out at the end of a Battle Royal map in each mainstream Mario Party game. They are last-minute bonuses given to players (or teams) who've excelled in a particular field of gameplay during the game itself. So to say, the player who appears to be in first place at the end of the final turn may ultimately lose if an opponent receives enough Bonus Stars to surpass them. So far, there are eleven Bonus Stars in the series.

Although Bonus Stars are optional, one must play with them during the Story Modes of Mario Party 3 and Mario Party 4. There are always three Bonus Stars to be handed out, and while they remained the same for the first six games, later games have mixed things up a fair bit. Starting with Mario Party 7, games have had six potential Bonus Stars that could be awarded, although only three would ever be chosen, and it was random as to which ones would get picked.

In the event of a tie for a Bonus Star, both (or all three) players would receive one, while a four-way tie meant that no one would get a Bonus Star, although the four-way tie rule was eventually dropped after a while. In Tag Team Mode, no one would get a Star in the event of a tie. The same goes for Duel Mode in Mario Party DS.

At first, Bonus Stars were identical in appearance to standard Stars. However, starting with Mario Party 5, each Bonus Star was given a unique look, with its own color and emblem on it.

Introduced in Mario Party

Mini-Game Star

This Bonus Star has appeared in every Mario Party game to date. It is awarded to whomever collected the greatest amount of coins in every mini-game altogether. Coins won from Battle, Duel and Game Guy mini-games are not accounted for. In the DS version, whoever won the most mini-games will also receive this Bonus Star.

Coin Star

This Bonus Star first appeared in Mario Party and appeared in every subsequent game until Mario Party 5. It is awarded to whomever held the greatest number of coins at any one time during gameplay.

Happening Star

Also known as the Event Star, Green Star or ? Star, the Happening Star has appeared in every Mario Party game to date. It is awarded to whomever landed on the most ? Spaces during gameplay.

Introduced in Mario Party 6

Orb Star

Appearing in Mario Party 6 and Mario Party 7, this Star is given out to whomever used the most self Orbs during gameplay.

Introduced in Mario Party 7

Running Star

So far, this Bonus Star has appeared in Mario Party 7, Mario Party 8 and Mario Party DS. It is given to whomever moved the most spaces altogether by rolling the Dice Block.

Shopping Star

This Bonus Star appeared in both Mario Party 7 and 8. It is given to whomever spent the greatest amount of coins at either Orb Shops or Candy Shops, depending on the game.

Red Space Star

This Bonus Star appeared in both Mario Party 7 and 8. It is given to whomever landed on the most Red Spaces during gameplay.

Introduced in Mario Party 8

Candy Star

Appearing only in Mario Party 8, this Bonus Star is given to whomever ate the most Candies during gameplay. It essentially serves the same purpose as the Orb Star.

Introduced in Mario Party DS

Item Star

Appearing only in Mario Party DS, this Bonus Star is given to whomever used the most items throughout the course of the game.

Hex Star

Appearing only in Mario Party DS, this Bonus Star is given to whomever threw the most Hexes.

Friendship Star

Appearing only in Mario Party DS, this Bonus Star is given to whomever landed on the most Friend Spaces during gameplay.

Introduced in Mario Party 9

(These stars, with the new coinless and starless mechanic of Mario Party 9, give the player 10 mini-stars instead).

Spin Star

Appearing only in Mario Party 9, this Bonus Star is given to whomever landed on the most Spin Spaces throughout the course of the game.

Dice Block Star

Appearing only in Mario Party 9, this Bonus Star is given to whomever landed used the most special dice blocks throughout the course of the game.

Minus Star

Appearing only in Mario Party 9, this Bonus Star is given to whomever hit the most Ztars (or Z-Bananas, in DK's Jungle Ruins) throughout the course of the game.

Far Star

Appearing only in Mario Party 9, this Bonus Star is given to whomever had the highest total from hitting dice blocks throughout the course of the game. (This is similar to the Running Star, but has a description to fit the new vehicular movement mechanic).