Random Ride

Random Ride is a battle minigame found in Mario Party 5.

Gameplay
The mini-game is mostly luck-based. The audience consists of Goombas and Koopa Troopas sitting on pink and yellow bleachers. According to the Koopa Troopa (host), each player has to pick a name from a list of competitors for a race (randomized). Generally, the more positive a machine's name, the better the chance that a player will win the race. When played in a board game, the player in last place picks their machine first, with the player in first place picking last; in Free Play mode, the players pick their machine in a random order. Players who choose early gain an advantage, and vice versa.

After everyone has chosen their machine, the players race. There is nothing players can do at this point; it is all up to chance. The competitors soar across the ocean; they pass through blue, pink, yellow, and orange striped hot-air balloons with Whomps, Shy Guys, Goombas and Koopa Troopas cheering for them. Players get eliminated throughout the race through various misfortunes, such as engine blowouts or collisions with Banzai Bills. Eventually, one player is left; that player is declared the winner.

Some examples of names for the machines include:


 * General Long Shot
 * Totally Terrible
 * At Its Best
 * Nothing's Right
 * Fate's Decision
 * Perfect Conditions
 * Miracles Do Happen
 * Daily Routine
 * Almost-Guaranteed Victory
 * So-So, I Suppose
 * Feeling Good
 * Difficulties Ahead

Controls

 * – Move Cursor
 * – Confirm

In-game text

 * Rules – "Select the machine you think will reach the finish line. Use the names as best as you can to predict the winner."
 * Advice – "Any machine with a positive name has a better chance at winning the race than a machine with a negative name."