Story Mode:
The game will feature a Story Mode!
Gameplay:
Maze Race:
Taking place in a grid-like map. Mario or his friends travel in a pod and traverse a maze trying to find a Super Star somewhere on the map. Occasionally, two players will appear on the board, however certain stages will allow up to four. Players move one at a time and have three basic actions: Move, Item and Skip.
The player can Move up to, but not exceeding, the amount of squares their pod allows.
Players can choose to use their Item to advance themselves or hinder other players.
If a player still has an action, yet cannot make one, they can choose to Skip their turn onto the next player.
If a player uses up all their actions (Move and Item), then the turn is passed onto the next player.
The player who reaches the Super Star wins!
Battle Mode:
On a giant battle map, players will use Items to try to weaken their opponent's pod and deplete their HP in order to win. Like Maze Race, the players have three basic actions: Move, Item and Skip. Unlike Maze Race, however, only two players can compete in this mode. The first player to reduce their opponent's pod down to zero wins.
Maps:
Maps are playable worlds where gameplay usually takes place. Each board has a separate ranking depending on difficulty, ranging from 1 to 5 Star ranking. 1 Star ranking are easier courses while 5 Stars are much harder.
Mushroom Fields - A grassland stage - 1 star
Sweet Sweet Desert - A desert stage - 1 star
Boo Mansion - A spooky mansion stage - 1 star
Cheep Cheep Island - An island stage - 2 stars
Tick-Tock Clock - A stage in a clock tower - 2 stars
Bob-omb Warehouse - A factory stage - 3 stars
Shivering Peaks - A frozen tundra stage - 3 stars
Stone Mountain - A rocky mountain stage - 4 stars
Kamek Airship - An airship stage - 4 stars
Bowser Labyrinth - A stage resembling Bowser's Castle or a volcano - 5 stars
Characters:
Playable:
Unlock Criteria:
Dry Bones - Win 50 Maze Race matches!
Shy Guy - Free him from Lord Byrinth's control in Story Mode!
Kamek - Win 50 Battle Mode matches!
King Boo - Defeat him at Bowser Labyrinth in Story Mode!
Non-Playable:
Bosses:
Lord Byreach
Items:
Items in this game are divided into three different categories: Assist, Attack and Defense. Assist Items allow the player to boost their movement, Attack Items can cause negative effects on opponents, and Defense Items can be used to block certain Attack Items. A player can carry up to three items at a time. In Battle Mode, Assist Items do not appear.
Assist Items:
Coin - Use this to allow your pod to advance one extra square.
Super Mushroom - Use this Item to make your pod advance three extra squares
Penguin Suit - Allows the player to move across water squares. This effect ends when the player reaches land once again.
Bullet Bill - A rare Item that blasts you closer to the Star by 1 to 8 squares before allowing the player to use the Move action.
Attack Items:
POW Block - Shocks every opponent and sends them three squares back to their starting point. In Battle Mode, this Item does 25 damage.
Blooper - Inks up another player, cutting their pod's movement in half. In Battle Mode, this Item does 10 damage, and prevents the opponent from using Defense Items for 1 turn.
Fire Flower - Burn another opponent, destroying their Items! In Battle Mode, this Item does 10 damage, and hits 3 times, resulting in a total 30 damage.
Bob-omb - Explodes on a player, destroying their pods engine and preventing them from using the Move action for one turn. In Battle Mode, this Item also deals 15 damage.
Defense Items:
Amp - If you are holding an Amp, it takes the hit and cancels out an opposing Attack Item
Double Cherry - While you hold this Item, if you are targeted, it creates a double for you and the double takes the hit instead and protects you
Boo - Boo steals one of an opponent's Items and gives it to you. In Battle Mode, a Boo will appear around your pod and block Attack Items.
1-Up Mushroom - Makes the player invincible for the turn, preventing Attack Items from taking effect on the player
Story Items:
Pods:
Standard Pod - Movement: 3 squares, HP: 50
Koopa Clown - Movement: 3 squares + Number of Held Items, HP: 75
Bulldozer - Movement: 2 squares + Number of Players, HP: 100
Bullet Train - Movement: 4 squares, HP: 50
Bowser Tank - Movement: 1 square + Map Difficulty, This pod can move over lava and water, HP: 100
Lakitu Cloud - Movement: 4 squares, This Pod can move over water and lava, HP: 75
Landship - Movement: 4 squares, This pod can move over lava and water, HP: 80
Trivia:
This game marks the first playable appearance of a Mechakoopa and a Whomp!
The Landship is the only Pod that does not have HP that is a variable of 25.