- Search: More on Mario Party 8

When Hudson Soft first introduced Mario Party for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, it brought forth the interesting party concept for the system, one that players of all ages could enjoy. However, since its inception, the series has been on a downhill slide. The games remained mostly the same (move players around a square, acquire stars and coins), with the only changes involving board design and minigames. By the time Mario Party 7 surfaced on the GameCube, many players had already moved on to more multifaceted multiplayer efforts. Well, the developer reintroduced the fun again with Mario Party 8.

Rather than use the same control set-up as previous games, Mario Party 8 makes use of the Wii remote. In one stage, players hold it sideways like they would in a driving game, while another minigame requires an oar-like rowing motion to move a boat closer to shore. Even simple movements rely on the remote. To hit a dice block to determine the number of steps moved on the board, the player has to jerk upward to strike it.

Hudson Soft hasn't just made changes to the controls -- it added several options that give the game some much-needed depth. The Party Tent holds the traditional Mario Party boards, with six in all. Each board has multi-colored pieces scattered about that change location depending where the player's character ends up. Along the way, they acquire different pieces of candy with different power-ups, each affecting the flow of the game. One can even turn the character into a ball, letting them roll over competing characters for extra coins. Most of the candy can be picked up along the way, although extra pieces can be bought through scattered shops. A number of multiplayer contests let up to four people jump into a contest.

Partiers can also try their luck in the Star Battle Arena. Here, players go solo against computer-controlled opponents to earn the rank of Superstar. This mode seems ideal for those looking to get practice with Mario Party 8's minigames, a mixture of old (some taken from previous games, mostly involving bombs and selecting certain paths) and new (arena-based shooting).

Three other rooms can be visited on the main board. The Minigame Tent lets players practice a number of minigames, although some of the content does require unlocking. The Extras Zone lets players select a member of the Mario Party cast or one of their own Miis, taking part in one of eight "extra-large" minigames against the competition. The insertion of Miis offers a welcome change-up from the usual cast of characters, although they're not available in the other modes.

Finally, the Fun Bazaar's items can be unlocked over the course of the game. Players check specific records for each minigame, along with acquiring new minigames, both easy and hard. Small figurines can be purchased for display purposes (a move straight from the Super Smash Bros. Melee formula), along with special sound effects and tunes straight from the Mario universe. Most of the extras will probably interest Nintendo fans, but its inclusion adds replay value.

Outside of all this, the game carries the traditional Mario Party design. The graphics look better than previous entries, but unfinished animations and uninspired board designs materialize from time to time. In the sound department, players hear the usual cheery soundtrack, accompanied by cute little sound effects and voice acting. Overall, it stays true to the series' theme, but a little more effort would've been nice here.

Online play, or lack thereof, casts a dark shadow over the game. Nintendo doesn't have its online plans laid out yet (and probably won't until Mario Strikers Charged arrives this summer), but it would have enhanced this game.

Despite these complaints, Mario Party 8's motion controls, fresh new options and accessible bonus content make it a party that shouldn't be missed -- not even by those who thought that the series' best days were already long gone.

Final Score: 7 (out of 10)