Cardinal Rule

Cardinal Rule is a 2-vs.-2 minigame in Mario Party 7. The term "cardinal rule" is used for the most fundamental and important rules in a code of conduct.

Introductions
Four Shy Guys toss 18 cards onto the carpet and the four players fall from the top of the screen onto the carpet.

Gameplay
Both players on two teams have to ground-pound the card pair that matches the one shown in the large mirror at the back of the room. However, many cards can be variations of one card. For example, there can be a Bob-omb, Koopa Troopa, and Goomba card with their eyes open or closed. The first team to get three pairs wins the game.

Ending
The winning and losing team perform their victory and losing animations respectively, while the Shy Guy on the winning team's side cheers and the one on the losing team's side holds its head in disappointment.

Controls

 * – Move
 * – Jump
 * → – Ground Pound

In-game text

 * Rules – "Look at the card in the center of the screen, then Ground Pound the matching card pair."
 * Advice – "The first team to win 3 times takes the match. Watch out, however! Many cards look alike."