The players must say "Bigger" into the Mic in order to inflate the balloon or "Stop" to end the turn. If the game is played without a Mic, they can use the button to open a menu for two options: "Bigger" to inflate the balloon or "Stop" to end the turn. Players can inflate the balloon up to five times per turn, and they must put in at least one breath before they can opt to stop. If the timer runs out during a player's turn, they automatically blow into the balloon the maximum number of times. When the balloon gets near bursting, the players will begin to cringe, and the character who blows in will run much faster when their turn is over. The last player to inflate the balloon without bursting it wins.
In Mario Party: The Top 100, there are three rounds, and only one player is knocked out each round. The controls are different as well — instead of saying "Bigger," the player blows on the 3DS mic or presses , and they can press to stop. Popping the balloon ends that round, and the player that burst it is eliminated. Another balloon inflates, starting a new round, until the last player remaining wins.