You know, I've been playing Mario Party Superstars lately, and something about those new maps got me thinking about the ultimate mythological showdown - Zeus versus Hades as war gods. Now, I know what you're thinking - aren't they usually portrayed as rulers of sky and underworld respectively? But stick with me here, because when you look at their domains through the lens of these Mario Party maps, their combat potential becomes absolutely fascinating.
Let me start with Zeus. Playing through Rainbow Galleria's three-story mall with those escalators moving characters between levels, I couldn't help but imagine Zeus commanding the battlefield. This god could literally reshape the terrain, much like how the escalators in Rainbow Galleria create dynamic pathways. I've counted at least seven different elevation changes in that map alone, and Zeus would exploit every single one. His lightning bolts would be like those stamp collection spots - sudden, powerful, and rewarding for those quick enough to seize them. Remember how in ancient texts, Zeus could throw lightning bolts that would make the ground explode? That's exactly like Goomba Lagoon's volcano eruptions creating dangerous spots, except Zeus could do it anywhere, anytime. I'd estimate he could call down about three to five lightning strikes per minute in battle - enough to keep any opponent constantly dodging.
Now Hades - he's the master of the underworld, and playing through King Bowser's Keep with those perilous conveyor belts gave me serious Hades vibes. Imagine fighting in territory that's constantly shifting against you, where the ground itself might open up beneath your feet. Hades wouldn't just fight you - he'd transform the entire battlefield into his domain. Those conveyor belts in Bowser's Keep? Child's play compared to what Hades could do. He could create pits that lead straight to the underworld, summon armies of the dead, and manipulate the terrain in ways that would make Mega Wiggler's tree-shaking antics look tame. I've always thought Hades gets underestimated in these hypothetical battles - people forget he's one of the three major Olympians, equal in raw power to his brothers.
The tide mechanics in Goomba Lagoon perfectly illustrate how these two would approach warfare differently. Zeus would be the erupting volcano - all explosive power and dramatic displays. Hades would be the tide - subtle, inevitable, gradually claiming more territory until you're backed into a corner. I've noticed in my gaming sessions that the tide actually covers about 40% of the map at its peak, and that's exactly how Hades operates - through gradual domination rather than flashy explosions.
Here's where I might surprise you - I'm actually leaning toward Hades in this matchup. Why? Because of how Roll 'em Raceway handles its racing mechanics. It's not about raw speed but strategic positioning, and Hades is the ultimate strategist. While Zeus is busy throwing lightning bolts and making noise, Hades would be undermining the very battlefield, creating traps and controlling the flow of combat. Remember how in mythology, Hades literally cannot be defeated in his own domain? That's huge. I'd give Zeus the advantage in an open field - maybe 70% chance of winning - but in any other scenario, Hades' tactical mind and control over the environment would prevail.
The retro maps in Mario Party Superstars with their minor tweaks remind me of how we often view these gods - we remember the classic versions but miss the nuances. Zeus isn't just thunder and lightning - he's the god of order and justice in warfare. Hades isn't just death and darkness - he's the master of resources and territory control. Watching Mega Wiggler get increasingly angry when you ring that bell? That's Zeus when you disrupt his battle plans. But Hades? He's like those dangerous spots created by the volcano - patient, persistent, and ultimately unavoidable.
In my estimation, based on both mythological sources and these gaming metaphors, Hades would win six out of ten confrontations. His control over the battlefield environment, combined with his strategic patience and the psychological warfare of his underworld domain, would eventually overwhelm Zeus' raw power. It's like choosing between the flashy but predictable volcano eruptions of Goomba Lagoon versus the subtle, ever-changing tide mechanics - the tide always wins in the long game. And honestly? That's why I find myself rooting for the underdog here. Hades has been underestimated for too long, both in mythology and in these hypothetical battles. Next time you're playing through King Bowser's Keep, pay attention to how those conveyor belts control your movement - that's Hades' battle strategy in a nutshell, and it's brutally effective.