Spike Strike

Spike Strike is a boss minigame in Mario Party 9.

Introduction
The players are on a lava flow, standing near the bottom of a stone platform with four ramp-like slopes. A couple of seconds later, Spike drops on the round top of the platform and spits out a Spiked Ball at the top of each ramp.

Gameplay
The players have a short time to pick one of the objects shown on the screen to defend themselves from Spike's spiked balls. If players choose a regular hammer, they will bat the spiked ball back at Spike, dealing damage and earning one point. The golden hammer has the same effect, but gives the player three points and deals more damage. If the players end up picking a branch or do not end up choosing anything before the allotted time is spent, the projectile will flatten their characters, costing them a point.

The number of items varies depending on how many players are present, but during the very first round, there will always be enough hammers for everyone (albeit with only one golden hammer). As Spike's health drops, however, the amount of hammers to choose from will start to decrease, ensuring that at least one player will lose a point per round. In a 2-player game, there will always be enough hammers for both players during the first half of the mini-game.

When Spike's health reaches its midway point, the rising lava will force the players to move closer to Spike, giving them less time to choose an item. Additionally, the amount of hammers to choose from will decrease even further, being reduced to only one hammer in a 2-player game, and two hammers in a 4-player game. In a 3-player game, only one hammer is present when Spike has less than a quarter of its health left.

As usual, players who deliver the finishing blow to the boss will receive three points, and the winner is the player with the most points after the battle.

Ending
The Spike falls on his back and explodes, revealing Mini Stars.

In-game text

 * Rules – "Grab a hammer as fast as you can to knock the rolling Spiked Balls back at Spike! Gold hammers are worth 3 points, Iron hammers are worth 1, and branches aren't worth anything!"
 * Controls – "Hold the Wii Remote vertically. Quickly point at a hammer, and press to choose it. Be careful you don't choose a branch by mistake!"