Running of the Bulb

Running of the Bulb
Appears in	Mario Party
Type	4-Player mini-game
Music track	Full of Danger
Music sample

Running of the Bulb is a 4-Player minigame in Mario Party. Its name is most likely derived from the name of the traditional Spanish event called a running of the bulls. This is one of the two Mario Party minigames requiring four-way cooperation, the other being Key-pa-Way.

Introduction

The minigame takes place in a fortress or castle, notably a hallway, where oil torches hanging on the wall are lit. The player who holds the lightbulb is positioned at the front, while the other three players stand beside the front player. The minigame then starts.

Gameplay

The objective of the minigame consists of all four players working together to reach the socket at the end of the hallway, with one player holding the lightbulb while the other three players act as bodyguards for them. The hallway is full of Boos, which attempt to engulf and hypnotize the players. The Big Boo makes things difficult by slowly chasing all the players down the hallway, consuming those who fall behind. The Boos can be eliminated by punching them when they get close enough, but if they get too close to a player, they become possessed by the Boos. Players under the control of the Boos usually attempt to retrieve the bulb from its current holder. Alternatively, if the possessed player has the lightbulb, they walk into the Big Boo, forfeiting the minigame for the players. Either situation is easily remedied, however, as a punch from an ally snaps a hypnotized player back to reality. Players must also be aware of Thwomps, which appear as obstacles and attempt to fall on players, stunning them and opening them to attack from a Boo. If the player with the bulb reaches the end of the hallway, all players who survive win ten Coins as the bulb illuminates the room and eradicates the infestation of the Boos. Players who did not make it to the end do not win or lose Coins. However, if the Big Boo consumes the player with the lightbulb, all players lose and they each must forfeit five Coins.

The minigame can be purchased from the Mini-Game House for 400 Coins when it is available for purchase.

Controls

• – Move
• – Jump
• – Attack

In-game text

• Game Rules – "Run the bulb down to the socket. Punch the Boos before they grab you."
• Game Rules (Mini-Game Island) – "Carry the light bulb all the way to the socket. Put the bulb in the socket to clear the game."
• Advice – "If somebody gets caught by a Boo, attack to free them."

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	てらせ！テレサのやかた[?] Terase! Teresa no Yakata	Illuminate! Boo's Mansion
French	Course allumée[?]	Can both mean "Lit race" and "Crazy race"
German	Glühbirnen-Tanz[?]	Light Bulb Dance
Italian	Running of the Bulb	-