UNO Super Mario is a fun, Mario-themed twist on the classic UNO card game. This version of UNO adds extra excitement to every round with familiar characters, power-ups, and new special cards inspired by the Mario universe. Whether you’re a UNO player or a Super Mario fan, this version brings a fun and chaotic energy to the table. Let’s dive into the rules and see how you can become the ultimate winner!
What is UNO Super Mario?
UNO Super Mario is a special edition of the classic UNO game featuring characters and items from the Mario franchise. In this version of UNO, the deck is filled with characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Princess Peach, as well as power-up cards from the Super Mario games. These cards introduce new actions and twists that add more strategy and fun to the classic game.
Setting Up UNO Super Mario
To play UNO Super Mario, you’ll need the UNO Super Mario deck, which includes 112 cards. Here’s how to set up the game:
- Shuffle the deck: Mix the cards well.
- Deal the cards: Each player gets 7 cards.
- Place the draw pile: Put the remaining cards face down in the middle.
- First Player: The player to the left of the dealer goes first, and the play continues clockwise.
- Start the Discard Pile: Turn over the top card of the draw pile to start the discard pile.
Rules for Playing UNO Super Mario
UNO Super Mario follows the basic rules of regular UNO but with exciting new action cards inspired by the Mario universe.
Check out our guide on UNO Game Rules to get a better understanding of how the game works.
Matching Cards
On your turn, you try to match the card in play by either color or number. If you can’t match, you draw a card from the deck. If the card you draw can be played, you can place it immediately. Otherwise, your turn ends.
Special Mario Action Cards
The special action cards set UNO Super Mario apart. These cards introduce unique abilities that can turn the tide of the game. Here’s a look at some of the most important cards:
- Super Mushroom: This card lets you draw 2 cards and skip the next player’s turn. It’s a great way to stop your opponents from making progress while you stack up on cards.
- Fire Flower: The Fire Flower card allows you to discard a card from any opponent’s hand. This is a strategic move to disrupt your opponent’s strategy, especially if they are holding important cards.
- Star Power: When you play this card, you can change the current color in play to any color you choose. It’s perfect for controlling the flow of the game and making sure your cards match the new color.
- Thwomp: The Thwomp card causes the next player to lose their turn. It’s a fun way to slow down an opponent who’s getting too close to winning.
- Wild Card: Just like in classic UNO, the Wild card allows you to change the color in play. It’s versatile and a great way to take control of the game when you’re down to one card.
- Wild Draw 4: This card forces the next player to draw 4 cards and skip their turn, adding chaos and preventing your opponents from catching up.
Special Cards in UNO Super Mario
UNO Super Mario introduces several exciting new cards that are inspired by the Super Mario universe. These special cards add more strategy and fun to the game:
1. Super Star Card
The Super Star card is one of the most powerful cards in the game. When you play it, you become “invincible” for the next turn. This means no Draw Two or Draw Four cards can affect you until your next turn.
Play the Super Star card when you’re about to be targeted with a penalty card or when you’re close to winning and want to avoid being interrupted.
2. Mario’s Fireball Card
The Fireball card acts like a Draw Two card for your opponent. When you play it, the next player must draw two cards and lose their turn.
Use this card when you want to disrupt an opponent who is close to winning or to slow down someone who has a small number of cards left.
3. Princess Peach’s Charm Card
When you play the Princess Peach card, you can choose to reverse the direction of play or skip the next player’s turn. This adds an extra level of strategy, as you can control the turn order.
Use this card to change the flow of the game in your favor. If you’re about to be targeted by an opponent, reversing the direction can force them to waste a turn.
4. Yoshi’s Egg Card
The Yoshi Egg card allows you to swap hands with another player. If you think you have fewer cards or a better combination than someone else, this card can turn the tide in your favor.
Use the Yoshi Egg card strategically to gain control of the game. This is especially useful if another player is close to winning and you want to slow them down.
5. Wild Mario Card
Like the regular Wild card, the Wild Mario card allows you to change the color of the discard pile to any color of your choice.
This is a great card to play when you need to adjust the game to suit your hand or disrupt your opponents’ strategies.
6. Wild Luigi Card
The Wild Luigi card works like the regular Wild Draw Four card. When you play it, the next player must draw four cards, and they must also skip their turn.
Use this card when an opponent has only a few cards left and is about to win. It’s a powerful way to stop them and delay their chances of winning.
Scoring in UNO Super Mario
Just like regular UNO, the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. After each round, players count up the points for the cards left in their opponents’ hands. Here’s how scoring works:
- Number Cards: Cards with numbers are worth their face value (For example, a 4 card is worth 4 points).
- Super Mushroom: Worth 20 points.
- Fire Flower: Worth 25 points.
- Star Power: Worth 50 points.
- Thwomp: Worth 30 points.
- Wild Cards: Wild and Wild Draw 4 cards are worth 50 points
The game continues until one player accumulates 500 points and wins!
Expert Tips for Playing UNO Super Mario
UNO Super Mario adds a layer of strategy with its unique action cards. Here are a few tips to give you an edge:
- Save Your Star Power: Don’t waste your Star Power card too early. Hold on to it for when you need to change the color to match your remaining cards or disrupt an opponent’s progress.
- Use Fire Flower Strategically: The Fire Flower card can throw off your opponents, especially if they have a powerful card like a Wild card. Use it when you know your opponent is close to winning.
- Swap Hands with the Yoshi’s Egg Card: Swap hands with someone who has fewer cards, especially when they are close to winning.
- Manage Your Wild Draw 4: The Wild Draw 4 is a game-changer, but don’t overuse it. Playing it at the right moment—like when someone is close to finishing—can have the most impact.
- Timing is Everything with Thwomp: Use the Thwomp card when your opponent is close to playing their last card. This can stall them and give you more time to win.
For more in-depth strategy tips, check out UNO tips for beginners where you can learn about tactics to win in both classic and variant versions of the game.
Conclusion
UNO Super Mario brings all the fun of the classic UNO game and adds an exciting Mario-themed twist. With new action cards and power-ups based on the Super Mario universe, every round is packed with surprises and strategy. So, grab your UNO Super Mario deck, spin those power-ups, and get ready to play!
Check out the Uno Game Variations & Special Editions guide to explore all the exciting game variations of UNO
FAQ
Can I play UNO Super Mario without the special deck?
No, UNO Super Mario requires a special deck that includes Mario-themed cards like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower.
Can I challenge another player for a ‘Mario Battle’ when both of us are close to finishing?
Yes, if two players are down to their last two cards, they must declare ‘UNO!’ and enter a Mario Battle. The winner of the battle gets to play their final card and win the game. The loser has to draw an additional card as a penalty.
What happens if two players declare ‘UNO’ at the same time?
If two players say ‘UNO’ when they have one card left, the player who said it first gets to play their last card. The other player must draw two cards as a penalty for not saying it on time.
How do score points work in UNO Super Mario?
At the end of each round, players score points based on the cards left in their opponents’ hands. Number cards are worth their face value, while special action cards like Super Mushroom (20 points), Fire Flower (25 points), and Star Power (50 points) are worth more.
Are the special Mario action cards reusable?
Yes, you can play the special Mario action cards such as Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and others any time they match the rules for play, just like regular UNO action cards. Their effects only last until their action is completed, and they can be used repeatedly during the game.