Skeleton Key

“Hi! I'm the Skeleton Key! Shall I use my skills to open this gate?”

—Skeleton Key, Mario Party 3

The Skeleton Key is a key in the Mario Party series. It is named after an actual kind of key used on some types of locks. The Skeleton Key can unlock special doors throughout the various boards, usually for opening up secret paths or shortcuts. In order to use a Skeleton Key, a player must reach a door and choose to use it. The item is replaced by the Mini Mushroom in Mario Party 4, which allows partiers to access new paths via gates.

History

Mario Party 2

In Mario Party 2, the Skeleton Key has a golden bow on its head and is Luigi's favorite item. It is always for sale at Item Shops, regardless of whether or not Toad or Koopa Kid is running it. The exception to this rule are the shops in Bowser Land where Baby Bowser forces players to buy a particular item, though he can force a player to buy a Skeleton Key. The only way to discard an unwanted Skeleton Key is by using it on a door, even if the player does not wish to travel through it.

Mario Party 3

In Mario Party 3, the Skeleton Key was redesigned to have big black eyebrows instead and continues to be Luigi's favorite item. Unlike Mario Party 2, it is possible for players to "use" a Skeleton Key on their turn like a normal item, which gives them the option to throw it away.

Mario Party Superstars

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In Mario Party Superstars, the Skeleton Key, after a long absence, returns with its Mario Party 2 design.

Gallery

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  Super Mario-Kun

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  Mario Party 2

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  Mario Party 3

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	アカズキーちゃん (Mario Party 2) Akazukīchan キーマン(Mario Party 3) Kīman[?]	Little Key Riding Hood (pun of 開かず (akazu, do not open), キー (kī, key) and 赤ずきん (Aka Zukin, Little Red Riding Hood)) Keyman
Italian	Schelechiave[?]	Skele-key
Spanish	Llave Esqueleto[?]	Skeleton Key