In the late 90’s, Nintendo and Hudson Soft got together and decided to have party. A Mario Party, to be precise. In 1999, Mario Party for the Nintendo 64 game console was released on US shores, and players would go head to head on game boards stylized after various locations famous to the Nintendo universe. Through the years, more and more Mario Party games have been released, and this year, we’re up to lucky number 7.

The story, as little story as there is, goes as follows: One morning, Mario is out wandering aimlessly in an open field, surely intent on savoring what little freedom Princess Peach spares him. Moments later, Toadsworth walks swiftly toward Mario, offering him a fabulous cruise vacation for him and all of his friends. Mario accepts the invitation without so much as batting an eyelash and he rushes off to tell his compatriots and pack his bags. And what good is a cruise around the world if you don’t sight-see at various beautiful locales? And what do you DO at said beautiful locations..? You party like no tomorrow! Meanwhile, Bowser, feeling livid that Mario conveniently forgot about him since he hadn’t kidnapped Peach at that particular instant, swore to make Mario’s little cruise party one he’d never forget.

Features

• 6 new game boards.
  
• 2 new playable characters, Birdo and Dry Bones.
  
• 86 all new mini-games, including 11 mic games.
  
• Up to 8 players at once via shared controllers.
  
• Rated E for Everyone.
  

Party Time
Mario Party 7 offers 4 new gameplay modes, Solo Cruise, Party Cruise, Deluxe Cruise, and Mini-game Cruise.

In Solo Cruise, players may go head-to-head with a computer or a friend, battling it out over 6 different maps: Grand Canal, Pagoda Peaks, Pyramid Park, Neon Heights, Windmillville, and Bowser’s Enchanted Inferno. When players first start out, only Grand Canal is available. Themed after Venice, Italy, players will have to clear this map before the next one becomes available. Each one unlocking the next until players have all 6 in their possession.

To make things interesting, each map has a specific objective. For instance, while playing in Grand Canal, players compete to get two stars to win. In order to get these mystical stars, 20 coins will need to be paid to Toadsworth, who is holding the star at a random location on the map. When a star is purchased, Toadsworth will make a star available at another location. More often than not, these stars seem to be summoned in the most inconvenient location for another player, such as right behind them.



Mario Party 7

The map we thought was going to be our favorite, Pagoda Peaks, turned out to be our least favorite. Pagoda Peaks’ objective is a simple one. Collect 100 coins and get to the end before anyone else. However, due to an array of things that can go wrong and send you spiraling down to the beginning again, this is by no means an easy task. While getting 100 coins in itself is relatively simple, players will find that the numerous traps and things placed along the map will give them difficulty. And if they manage to roll high enough to evade the traps, they will find themselves at the end of the level without enough coins, and be sent back by a Koopa hermit.