MC Ballyhoo

MC Ballyhoo
Artwork for MC Ballyhoo and Big Top from Mario Party 8
Full name	Master of Catastrophe Ballyhoo
First appearance	Mario Party 8 (2007)
Latest appearance	Mario Party Superstars (cameo) (2021)
Latest portrayal	Steven Weyte (2007)

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

—MC Ballyhoo, Mario Party 8

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 Super Star. 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 are a novice class spirit in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Equipping him allows the player to start off each fight with a Star Rod.

General information

Personality and speech

File:MP8 ss Star Carnival.jpg

MC Ballyhoo introduces his Star Carnival in the Japanese version.

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 unattatched otherwise.

MC Ballyhoo also slightly resembles Chuck Quizmo from Paper Mario.

Profiles and statistics

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Trophy

Name	Image	Appearance(s)	Description
Ballyhoo & Big Top		Wii Mario Party 8	The two emcees of the Star Carnival, an event held once a year to determine the biggest superstar. Big Top (on top) and Ballyhoo (on bottom) provide all Star Carnival commentary, and while Ballyhoo is energetic and over the top, Big Top provides a reserved counterpoint to his partner's antics. Despite their conflicting personalities, they're inseparable.

Sticker

Image	Game	Effect
	Mario Party 8	[Head] - Attack +10

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirit

Name	Image	Series / game	Type	Class	Strength / effects	How to obtain	Spirit battle
							Opponent(s)	Battle conditions	Stage	Song
MC Ballyhoo & Big Top		Mario Party Series	Support (1)	Novice	Star Rod Equipped	Spirit Board	Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach	Rule: Item Tidal Wave Certain items will appear in large numbers after a little while	Mario Circuit	Pandemonium

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."

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	コンドゥ[?] Kondu	Both this and Big Top's Japanese name「トーレ」(Tōre) are from "conduttore" (Italian word for "host")
German	Billy Balla-Balla[?]	Balla-balla colloquially refers to a person who is "nutty"
Italian	Sir Baraonda[?]	Sir Hubbub
Korean	반가[?] Banga	From "Bangaowe(Nice to meet you)"
Russian	Т. Мада[?] T. Mada	From Тамада (Toastmaster)
Spanish (NOA)	C.O. Mentarista, or simply Mentarista[?]	Spoofs the word comentarista (comentarist), Ballyhoo's job
Spanish (NOE)	Gundimero el Pregonero or simply Gundimero[?]	Gundimero the Town Crier