In early 1999, Nintendo and Hudson Soft released the very first Mario Party entry. In the nearly 30 years since its inception, the longstanding franchise brought a staggering 19 titles to Nintendo handheld and home consoles (including compilation releases). The family-friendly — and sometimes rage-inducing — Mario Party remains one of the most globally recognizable and beloved party games ever created. Play structure mirrors tabletop games, with players navigating their chosen Nintendo character around countless quirky and challenging boards. Each go-’round ends with a minigame wherein gamers battle for coins as well as recognition.

These wildly creative minigames have become the franchise’s meat and potatoes. Since the first game’s release almost three decades ago, the Mario Party franchise has introduced competitive players worldwide to more than 1,200 bite-sized battles. We revisited all 16 entries to find our favorites, presented here from No. 15 to No. 1.

Bowser’s Big Blast (Mario Party 2)

Pure luck. No skill. All the anxiety. In “Bowser’s Big Blast,” originally featured in the franchise’s second entry, players alternate pressing multicolored detonators, hoping theirs is a dud. When players’ buttons kickstart the Bowser bomb’s oddly frightening countdown, they’re launched off the platform.

Face Lift (Mario Party 2)

Perfectionists rejoice at the sight of “Face Lift.” In this four-player minigame, gamers grip various Mario characters’ features, pulling and dragging until their mustachioed canvas matches the expression in the center. Those meticulous enough to masterfully mimic the example walk away with the minigame’s winnings.

Hot Rope Jump (Mario Party)

If you didn’t have heart palpitations before “Hot Rope Jump,” you do now! Time your character’s jumps just right to ensure you’re the last one standing in this high-stakes (and high-temp) game of jump rope.

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Eatsa Pizza (Mario Party 3)

This game pits a pair hungry, hungry players against another two-person team. The challenge? Scarf down as much pizza as your player character possibly can. The first twosome that makes it to the Clean Plate Club takes the prize. This one’s time-sensitive, so hurry up!

Mushroom Mix-Up (Mario Party)

In this four-person Simon Says-like minigame, players push competing Nintendo characters off color-coded toadstools to remain the last person afloat. Follow Toad’s lead as he flashes colors quickly, letting you know just where to go. Players can hop and punch one another off their respective rainbow fungi, so make sure you’re standin’ still!

Crazy Cutter (Mario Party)

In “Crazy Cutter,” competitive chislers man hard-to-handle jackhammers, doing their best to carve characters out of stone as cleanly as possible. The most accurate handyman wins it all, walking away with a handful of coins that puts them one step closer to the coveted Star.

Look Away (Mario Party 2)

This challenging music minigame pits three players against one. In a stressful version of Musical Chairs, the solo player (shown in the top of the frame) faces any random direction once the music stops. The three players on the bottom get just five attempts to avoid matching their movements. Watch carefully!

Bumper Balls (Mario Party)

“Bumper Balls” couldn’t be a more fitting name. The most aggressive rollers ride off into the sunset with all the marbles (or coins, rather) once they’ve knocked the other three players from the platform. Your character’s bumper ball is heavy and hard to handle, making this one a lot more difficult than it looks.

Crane Game (Mario Party)

The claaaaaaaaaaaw! This 3v1 claw machine challenge pits one against the other three as they work to pick up all the goodies they can. Originally featured in the first installment, this one required players to pluck one other player to receive one-third of their coins. Its return to Mario Party 2 revamped the rules a bit, requiring the solo player to drop all three opponents into the pipe. Snag those treasures for added time.

Snow Brawl (Mario Party 6)

Snowball fight! This competitive minigame requires players to lob snowballs across a dividing line, with each successful shot freezing its recipient for the remainder of the challenge. The last team with snowballers still standing takes the W.

Honeycomb Havoc (Mario Party 2)

“Stress: The Game.” This minigame relies largely on chance as players alternate pressing “1” or “2” on a block. Press “1,” and one item falls from the fruit queue overhead. Press “2,” and two come down. Mixed in with produce and coins, however, are some seriously sinister beehives. Catch one in your basket and you’re a goner! Last player standing sting-free wins.

Cookie Cutters (Super Mario Party Jamboree)

Channel your inner pastry chef in this 3v1 challenge. On the left, a solo player stamps their way through cookie dough sheets. On the right, the other three players alternate and wisely time their cookie cutting. While the solo player might move slower, too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the broth — or dough, in this case.

Sizzling Stakes (Super Mario Party)

Saute your way to victory in “Sizzling Stakes.” Use your JoyCon’s motion controls to jostle your meat cube side to side to ensure an even and speedy sear. The first chef to finish takes the top prize. Don’t get too heavy-handed — one wrong flick of the wrist can launch your steak across the room, requiring you to start from scratch.

Shell Shocked (Mario Party 2)

Maneuver around pipes and players at a fittingly slow pace in “Shell Shocked,” a minigame that tasks turtle tanks with taking down one another. Launch bombs over obstacles to nail your opponents. Players must strike their enemies twice to knock them out of the competition, but that also means they’re out after getting hit twice, too.

Shy Guy Says (Mario Party)

This infuriating minigame takes the top spot, and for good reason. In a maddening game of Simon Says, players wave white and red flags using their A and B buttons. Cap’n Shy Guy will stop at nothing to maroon each player, cutting ropes as gamers mistakenly raise the wrong flag. Watch carefully — Shy Guy will change his choice in the blink of an eye. Only your reflexes stand between you and the 10-coin treasure.

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