MC Ballyhoo

"On to the race to the Star Space! Where can it be? I'm crazed with anticipation!"

- MC Ballyhoo

MC Ballyhoo is a major character from Mario Party 8, in which he hosts the various game modes as the self-proclaimed "master of catastrophes." He and his hat, Big Top, are the driving force behind the annual Star Carnival, hosting all of the attractions. While MC Ballyhoo is very extravagant and energetic in both speech and manner, Big Top is much calmer. Although the two rarely separate, they are separate entities capable of independent thought and action.

MC Ballyhoo is the creator of the Star Carnival. Ever since its conception, the MC has devoted each year to planning the next year's carnival. The winners of the main attraction, the Star Battles, can receive a year's supply of Candy and the title of Superstar. Despite Bowser's interference, the MC still manages to keep the carnival running with the help of his guests.

MC Ballyhoo's name is based on the word "ballyhoo," meaning "great noise or commotion." This term is often applied to carnival audiences. The abbreviation "MC" traditionally stands for the title "master of ceremonies," but with MC Ballyhoo, it stands for "Master of Catastrophe."

MC Ballyhoo and Big Top appear together as a single novice class spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Equipping them allows the player to start off each fight with a Star Rod, a reference to the Star Rod from Mario Party 8 that is used to fight Bowser. In Mario Party Superstars, MC Ballyhoo makes a minor cameo appearance in the box art for Mario Party 8, which can be viewed in the library.

Personality and speech
MC Ballyhoo is highly energetic, often flailing around with excitement. He even goes so far as to characterize his excitement for the Star Carnival's events as madness. He speaks with satirical, ringmaster phrasing while introducing the various events at his carnival. He is always happy for the winning players yet sad for the losers. This makes it seem as though he values fairness.

Physical appearance
MC Ballyhoo is the only known member of an unnamed humanoid species. He has teal skin, large orange lips, and small yellow eyes. His bottom row of teeth is never seen, but he does have a large hot pink tongue. Without Big Top, he is a little taller than the average Toad and is dwarfed by most humans. His legs are much shorter and smaller in comparison to his large, lanky arms. He has no visible toes; rather, his feet appear similar to shoes. The top of MC Ballyhoo's head is pointed, and his head appears to be black-and-teal-striped. However, this feature is usually hidden by Big Top.

MC Ballyhoo wears a magenta suit and pink cufflinks with gold-colored trim and buttons. He also sports a prominent red bowtie. MC Ballyhoo wears white gloves on his five-fingered hands. His suit wraps around his underside like the pants of a Toad, but he wears neither traditional pants nor shoes. MC Ballyhoo is never seen without his microphone or Big Top. Although the mic does not appear to be connected to a speaker, it seems to be effective for amplifying the voices of both Big Top and MC Ballyhoo. When activated, Big Top's propeller allows MC Ballyhoo to hover in midair with MC Ballyhoo somehow attached, despite Big Top jumping seemingly unattached otherwise.

MC Ballyhoo also slightly resembles Chuck Quizmo from Paper Mario.

Mario Party: The Top 100

 * MC Ballyhoo and Big Top: "MC Ballyhoo is on the mic, while Big Top is on his head. Together, they act as guides at the Star Carnival."