Skeleton Key
| Skeleton Key | |
|---|---|
 The Skeleton Key as it appears in Mario Party 2  The Skeleton Key as it appears in Mario Party 3 | |
| First appearance | Mario Party 2 (1999) |
| Latest appearance | Tetris 99 (27th Maximus Cup, cameo) (2021) Mario Party Superstars (2021, Mario franchise) |
- “Hi! I'm the Skeleton Key! Shall I use my skills to open this gate?”
- —Skeleton Key, Mario Party 3
The Skeleton Key is a key in the Mario Party series. It is named after an actual kind of key used on some types of locks. The Skeleton Key can unlock special doors throughout the various boards, usually for opening up secret paths or shortcuts. In order to use a Skeleton Key, a player must reach a door and choose to use it. The item is replaced by the Mini Mushroom in Mario Party 4, which allows partiers to access new paths via gates.
History
Mario Party 2
In Mario Party 2, the Skeleton Key has a golden bow on its head and is Luigi's favorite item. It is always for sale at Item Shops, regardless of whether or not Toad or Koopa Kid is running it. The exception to this rule are the shops in Bowser Land where Baby Bowser forces players to buy a particular item, though he can force a player to buy a Skeleton Key. The only way to discard an unwanted Skeleton Key is by using it on a door, even if the player does not wish to travel through it.
Mario Party 3
In Mario Party 3, the Skeleton Key was redesigned to have big black eyebrows instead and continues to be Luigi's favorite item. Unlike Mario Party 2, it is possible for players to "use" a Skeleton Key on their turn like a normal item, which gives them the option to throw it away.
Mario Party Superstars
In Mario Party Superstars, the Skeleton Key returns with its Mario Party 2 design.
Gallery
Mario Party 2
Mario Party 2
Mario Party 2
Mario Party 3
Mario Party Superstars
Mario Party Superstars
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | アカズキーちゃん (Mario Party 2) Akazukīchan キーマン(Mario Party 3) Kīman[?] |
Pun on「開かず」(akazu, do not open),「キー」(kī, key), and「赤ずきんちゃん」(Akazukin-chan, Little Red Riding Hood) Keyman |
|
| Dutch | Hoofdsleutel[?] | Main key or Head key | |
| German | Skelett-Schlüssel[?] | Literal translation of "Skeleton Key" | |
| Italian | Schelechiave Chiave (MPS)[?] |
Skele-key Key |
|
| Portuguese | Chave mestra[?] | Master Key | |
| Russian | Мастер-ключ[?] Master-kluch |
Master Key | |
| Spanish | Llave maestra Llave Esqueleto[?] |
Master Key Skeleton Key |
| Mario Party 2 | |
|---|---|
| Main characters | Mario • Luigi • Princess Peach • Yoshi • Wario • Donkey Kong |
| Other characters | Bowser • Toad • Goomba • Boo • Koopa Troopa • Thwomp • Kamek • Whomp • Big Boo • Mr. I • Mushroom Genie • Steamer • Snifit Patrol • Shy Guy • Sushi • Baby Bowser • Woody • Professor Fungi • Battle T. • Totem Bros. |
| Items | Mushroom • Skeleton Key • Plunder Chest • Dueling Glove • Warp Block • Golden Mushroom • Magic Lamp • Boo Bell • Bowser Suit • Bowser Bomb |
| Spaces | Blue Space • Red Space • Item Space • Happening Space • Battle Space • Bowser Space • Star Space • Chance Time Space • Bank Space |
| Boards | Pirate Land • Western Land • Space Land • Mystery Land • Horror Land • Bowser Land |
| Other | Crazy Counting • Dinky Rinky • Goodness Rakes • Melon Mayhem • Nomiss • Rules Land • Gallery • Mario Land • Media • Minigames • Pre-release and unused content • Quotes • Sound test • Staff |
