Mario Party 8 (Wii) Review (2)
Posted by Cory Moore on 06.19.2007
Mario Party brings its mini-game action to the Wii with lofty expectations from the media and Wii owners alike. Does it live up to the hype, or is it just another title that fails to deliver a fresh experience on Nintendo's "new-gen" system?
Title: Mario Party 8
Publisher: Nintendo
Type: Party
Players: 1-4
Mario Party has been around since 1998, originating on the Nintendo 64. Now in its eighth home console installment, the wackiness finally arrives on the Wii. The media has hyped up the title as one that must bring innovation to Nintendo’s latest system, so there has been a lot of anticipation for Mario Party 8’s “new-gen” take on the party game. Does it deliver the goods, or does it feel like another rehash in a series that lost its luster almost five years ago? Let’s find out…
Graphics:
Mario Party 8 relies on the simple, cartoonish characters of Nintendo’s premiere franchises. Each party board has its own unique style, and is rich with color and flashy effects. With that said, the series has not seen a significant graphical enhancement since Mario Party 4, the first installment on the Gamecube. Even then, the improvement was only a refinement of the Nintendo 64 titles. For its purpose, though, Mario Party 8’s visuals are acceptable. Lack of a true widescreen presentation for mini-games – bars fill in space to present the action in a 4:3 ratio – is a letdown, though.
The game boards are clever and energetic, but fail to provide much originality from previous titles.
Gameplay:
Mario Party 8 continues the tradition of combining the fun of board games with the frantic nature of mini-games. Each player takes a turn rolling a die and hops the assigned number of steps. Collecting gold coins help to achieving your goal of capturing (and sometimes maintaining) stars, which are your key to victory. Some game boards employ survival techniques (be the last to own the most hotel properties/stars in Koopa’s Tycoon Town), while others are straightforward in their gathering approach (being the first to obtain the star at the end of Goomba’s Booty Boardwalk).
The Wii remote gives Mario Party 8 some variety that wasn’t possible before. The four standard mini-game control schemes rely on tried-and-true methods gamers have been using for years; this time they congregate in the same game. The “classic” way of holding the remote like an NES controller is hardly original, but is necessary for the platforming and side-scrolling minis. The point-and-click method found in light-gun games of yesteryear return in situations such as uncovering ghosts with a searchlight. Another scheme is the point-and-tilt, found in minis that have you guiding vehicles through tricky situations. The only rotten apple of the bunch is the tilt-to-steer control, which is clunky and unreliable in crucial junctures.
All of these schemes are fine and dandy, but the game really shines when it takes full advantage of the Wii remote’s capabilities in its Wario Ware-like levels. For example, one situation has you shaking the Wii remote up and down in order to make a can of cola explode; another has you saw, hammer and paint a wooden structure through intuitive motions. Sadly, the game doesn’t possess near enough of these games to be an outstanding title. But on the first attempt, I can’t fault the developers too much for trying to incorporate some proven elements in order to make a smooth transition to future games in the series.
Games that make good use of the Wii remote’s capabilities - like building this construction project - are a lot of fun, but few and far between.
Sound:
Games starring Nintendo characters are usually accompanied with the same musical energy as the gameplay, but that charm has been lacking in the last few Mario Party games. The background music of Mario Party 8 is way too mellow and doesn’t add to the frantic nature of the mini-games. The lack of plentiful voiceovers is disappointing, as every wail and cheer sounds the same after a while. Nintendo characters have never been blessed with a huge vocabulary, but they’ve seemed to slack off even more in this series. If there’s one thing that is impressive, though, it’s the signaling of turns using the Wiimote’s built-in speaker. It’s simple, but makes you feel more involved in the action. All in all, the sound in the game won’t blow you away, but when you have friends yapping the whole time, you won’t even notice.
Lasting Appeal:
Like every other title in the Mario Party line, the eighth installment excels at what it does best, but fails to fix the lingering problems. There is a nice variety in mini-games and their functions, but most are not worth returning to once you’ve played them a few times. The single-player story/competition hybrid mode can be completed in a matter of hours. The Miis could’ve added a lot to the package, but eight games are simply not enough to satisfy the appetite. Still, the Party Tent is a lot of fun with four friends, record keeping always ensures healthy competition, and the collectibles will keep any Nintendo diehard busy for a while.
Fun Factor:
Mario Party’s appeal lies within its multiplayer experience, hence the series’ name. Having four friends join in is truly a blast because the game’s formula is fairly easy to grasp if you pay attention to directions. The balance of strategic and off-the-wall mini-games encourages friendly competition (and sometimes teamwork), and the unpredictability of the board game’s fortune will keep players in check with their smack talking. The only real problem here is the steep cost of the Wii’s controllers (a combined $60 for a remote and a nunchuk). For those with deep pockets, the cost would pay off in the short-term and serve as an excellent investment for the future. This title alone, however, isn’t enough incentive for a casual gamer to lay that much dough down right now.
Some mini-games - like rowing a boat - require teamwork and a grasp of the Wii remote’s motion controls.
The 411:
Mario’s party isn’t the hoppin’ event in town anymore, but Mario Party 8 delivers enough to be considered a decent game. The series has always had its ups and downs. Love it or hate it, the same formula is back in Mario Party 8. This installment seems more like a transition game to see what works and what doesn’t, but a well-executed transition game nevertheless. Check it out if you:
A) Have access to four Wii remotes
B) Can’t wait until late July for the online-compatible Mario Strikers Charged, and/or
C) Don’t own another Mario Party game.
If you come into the experience with low expectations, you’ll most likely have a blast. After all, it’s the only acceptable multiplayer alternative to Wii Sports right now.
Graphics
6.0
Rich in presentation. Last-gen graphics do not show off the Wii’s power. Frames during mini-games diminish the game’s Widescreen presentation.
Gameplay
7.5
Mini-games use the Wii remote in a variety of ways, but few use it to its full potential. Some are fun, some lose their luster after the first play-through.
Sound
5.0
In-game music is forgettable. Repeated character chants can get old after a while. Use of the Wiimote’s speaker to signal turns is a nice touch.
Lasting Appeal
6.0
Single-player is still flawed and the Mii characters aren’t used to their potential. The party tent and tons of collectibles to unlock can keep you busy for a while.
Fun Factor
7.5
Playing with four friends is a no-brainer here. Unpredictable and zany action at its best.
