Mario Party 7 (Nintendo GameCube, 2005)

The Title of this review is absolutely true. Mario Party 7 is truly as good as, if not better than, a real cruise. I've enjoyed all of the Mario Parties ever made, but I must say that this is one of the best. Mario Party is loads and loads of non-stop fun. I could probably play it forever. I haven't told you anything except that Mario Party 7 is fun, haven't I? Well I'd better start explaining my reasoning. If you've ever seen the commercial for Mario Party 7, you'll know that it's cruise themed. I'll give you the story behind the game: Mario runs into Toadsworth (the new host) and Toadsworth offers him a deluxe vacation in the form of a cruise. Mario can't wait to go because he needs to take a break from saving the Mushroom Kingdom over and over and over and over... Anyway Mario is really excited and he goes back to tell his friends the good news. They all pack and then set sail for an amazing adventure. Now, leave it to Mario Party to have Bowser try to foil their plans. When the Koopa King realizes that Mario didn't ask him to come along, Bowser gets angry, and by angry I mean amazingly outrageously crazily stupendously angry! Bowser is one mad turtle! So of coarse Bowser swears that he'll make sure that Mario and his friends have no fun at all on their little trip.

Now then, with the main story out of the way I can tell you about the highlights of the game. One of the cool things about this game is that it is similar to Mario Party 6 in most ways, but it still has all sorts of new twists. One of these twists is the Koopa Kid Orb. If you end up with this orb Koopa Kid will put it on a space against your will. Now, when someone lands on this space you can be sure that something terrible will happen. And to make things worse, Bowser puts three of these orbs on the board at the beginning, but don't worry, you can put your own orbs that you purchased, picked up, or stole over a Koopa Kid space. You can also do this to your opponent's character spaces.

Since I'm running out of room, I'll get to the next highlight. That would be the boards. All of the boards have different ways to win. My personal favorite is Windmillville where you can put money down on a windmill. Whoever has the most coins down on a windmill at the end of the game gets to keep the stars that come with it. Are you confused? Good. You'll just have to buy the game.

On to the next highlight. That would be all of the new stuff. There are two new characters, Birdo and Dry Bones, who can be unlocked along with new mini-games, secrets to the game, new mini-game options, other options, and souvenirs from the places that you visit on you cruise. There's also something special that can be done with the souvenirs. Sorry, but I'm not telling you this. (I'm running out of room.)

The next highlight is the eight player mode. This is where two people can share a controller, one using the control stick and the "L" button, the other with the "C" stick and the "R" button. Eight people sharing and you can do eight player mode on the boards or on special eight player mini games.

The mic would be the next highlight. Although it's copied from Mario Party 6, there are now four player mic mini-games and 1 vs. 3 mic mini-games where the computer can control the mic. This is a very nice new feature.

I have always enjoyed Mario Parties. I especially like this one. Mario Party 7 is similar, unique, and fun. As soon as you've played it, I know you'll agree with me. Mario Party 7 is stupendous!

Now in its seventh year, Nintendo's Mario Party series has found itself locked in to the sort of annual rhythm usually reserved for sports game. The core formula never changes, but you can always expect a new conceptual gimmick, some minor gameplay tweaks, and a fresh batch of minigames. And this remains the case with Mario Party 7. It's not dramatically different from Mario Party 6 or, frankly, any of the other Mario Party games, but as a cheery collection of simple pick-up-and-play minigames that's well suited for younger and more-casual players, it still works.

They should really just start calling it Mario Theme Party. Last year saw Mario and company partying with celestial bodies, but this year things are a little less high concept: Mario needs a vacation, so he grabs all his buddies and takes them on a cruise. Curiously, Mario brings Wario and Waluigi along for the ride...but not Bowser, who is rather incensed at the snubbing. So, naturally, Bowser sets out to ruin the fun for everyone else.

That "fun," of course, involves loads and loads of minigames that have been couched in a board-game format. The inclusion of the Nintendo GameCube Mic marked the most significant addition to last year's Mario Party, which returns in Mario Party 7, and remains a fun little novelty. More importantly, Mario Party 7 introduces a dozen or so eight-player minigames. And since there are only four controller ports on the GameCube, players have to work in teams of two, each person holding one side of a controller. These minigames only ever require the use of an analog stick and a shoulder trigger, though the simplicity of the controls belies the challenge of having to cooperate on an almost intimate level with another player.

There are 86 minigames in all, and though there are more than a few "mirror" games (where the rules of a particular game have simply been reversed), as well as slightly revamped minigames from past Mario Parties, it's actually kind of surprising how Hudson has managed to maintain a relatively consistent level of quality with its minigames after all these years. The actual depth and complexity of the minigames, however, is a bit broader, though most only require you to use the analog stick, a single button, or a combination of the two. A lot of them are simple action games--drive a race car around a dirt track, navigate an inner tube down a serpentine river, pop balloons with a helicopter, and so on. Others are a bit more cerebral, requiring you to quickly match sets of images or play Simon-style color-matching games. Though there is a mode that lets you cut and paste the board-game stuff so you can go straight to the minigames, the minigames really do benefit from the context.

As mentioned earlier, Bowser is rather steamed about all this party business, which figures in to the game with the addition of "Bowser time." In the standard, four-player party format, there's a Bowser-shaped meter that slowly fills up after each full rotation of turns. Once filled, Bowser will do something nasty, such as steal coins, stars, or times--or he'll possibly force you to purchase worthless items from him. It ultimately adds more weight to the already heavy role that luck plays in the game, and as an aside, it makes Bowser seem more petty than actually evil.

By:Ryan Davis, GameSpot.com

Mario Party 7 for Nintendo Gamecube - Mario Party 7 A+

In to video games? A Nitendo fan or Nintendo Gamecube System owner? Do you play video games with lots of friends? If so - Gamecube's newest blockbuster game is perfect for you - its Mario Party 7 and is currently the highest selling game for Gamecube. It is the latest installment of the Mario Party series and similarly features a series of mini-games that are designed for party / multi-player gameplay. There are 86 new mini-games and the graphics look fantastic. The gameplay is fantastic and plently of fun for multi-player play... now up to 8 people!

If you are looking for a great video game gift to give that is wholesome and doesn't feature gore and blood - get Mario Party 7!

Explore the world with six brand-new game boards. As Mario and friends embark on an around the world cruise, each board serves as an exotic port of call China, the Netherlands, Egypt, Venice, the United States and Bowser World!

Each one is a lovely vacation spot in the real world but bowser has other plans; up to eight players can participate in the action-four more than the previous Mario Party titles! In a four-player game, each participant will have his or her own controller. In an eight-player match, two players will share one Controller; 86 all new mini games, 10 of which use the GCN microphone; exchange your mileage points and items for awesome unlockables and other fun prizes.

* The entire Mario gang is back for the seventh installment of the incredibly popular Mario Party franchise

* Players everywhere will set their controllers to fun as they run, jump, swim and fly through more than 80 new mini games

* The party’s about to get a lot bigger because 8 people will now be able to battle each other at one time

* New Mic Grand Prix mode for plenty of voice-over madness for everyone and 2 new playable characters (Dry Bones and Birdo)

Details
Players: 1-8 Players
Controller: Gamepad, Joystick
Memory Card: Yes (6)

We purchased the Mario Party 7 Gamecube bundle after we couldn't get our hands on an XBOX 360. The deal was unbelievable. We are very happy with our purchase.

This game is geared toward children, but can be a fun experience for the entire family. The game is slow moving and will keep kids busy for hours at a time.

This game brings in a new peripheral to the Gamecube lineup. This game comes with a microphone that plugs into a memory icard port. It is pretty simple to use and very responsive. This is not just typical "blow into the microphone" type mini-games, but you acutally say specific words into the microphone and it recognizes them easily.

Being that this family is geared toward families, we give it a 4 out of 5. The only reason that it doesn't score perfectly is that there is not enough innovation in this title. Nintendo is all about innovation and the formula they used to design this game is the same they have used since the first one. That is not a bad thing, but not as new as Nintendo is trying to be lately.

I always loved Mario Party. I grew up playing it with my friends. It was the best for Nintendo 64, so I got it for the Wii...bad idea.
I needed a game to play on the Wii, & decided to wait for it to come out on the shopping channel, still no luck
Then I came across this. I was so happy I decided to get this game.
My wii Mario Party sucked, but this one did not
It is called Mario Party, so it is best played with more than one person. The more people, the better. It is more fun when there are all people, & no computers.
Of course, there is the chance part of the game, but when there Are multiple people playing this game, it makes it fun. I'm 20, & I like playing this game, so as long as there are a few people playing, anyone can enjoy it.
Children will love it. It's a fun game to play with your friends. Up to 8 people can play, so no sitting around waiting to take turns.
I haven't used the mic part yet, so there are no feedbacks for that, but my 3-yr-old cousin actually plays it with me. She usually has a short attention span when it comes to games "can you change it?" "Let's play something else" "Ok, another Game" But with this one, since even she can win games (without me letting her) she likes it more.
This is a very fun game... if you have friends or family. I stress the multiplayer part, because if you play alone, you will grow bored of it.
Mario Party is just like all of the others, but they change the game up a bit. You will find the same things you did in many of the other games, but introduced in a different way.
It is still a great game.
Bowser seemed kind of childish(You didn't invite me on your cruise, I'm hurt, now I'll get you back)
but he needs to be in the game, or there's no twist or villain.
This is a good overall game. If you're playing Mario Party for the first time, read reviews & more reviews, then get together your gamers, & have fun.
Remember, the more people you play with, the more fun the game gets. No computer = more fun. One person = fun, but quick boredom. There's something about having a real person to compete with that makes playing more fun..Not to mention the fact that you are spending time with, & laughing at each other.
Just make sure that if you get this game, & you want to play it over & over again, that you have someone to play it with. If you want to get your money's worth, find someone.
Kids will always want to play with you, so hey, even the little ones can play & have fun.
This game works on Gamecube, and the Wii.
I stress the extra people, because there is no new plot.
Same board game design, same hitting the die, same play minigames after turns, same most stars win, so once you beat the actual game, there's nothing to do by yourself. It's a Party Game, so The more the merrier.
(That is the MOST important part of the game, the fun! & the extra People.)
This is recommended for all ages, there is nothing that you would find scary for little children. Bowser is a funny looking villain, not scary, so no nightmares there.
If you don't have someone else to play with, this game will be fun until you beat it.
If you have someone to play with, this game will be fun always!
Hey, I play this game so much because of the fun I have playing with my Friends & Family. It is a GROUP game, NOT a SOLO game, though you will have fun playing it by yourself.
It is not too bad when you play it by yourself, but it's just too easy for you to have fun, the ease makes playing with groups & young children fun & easier!!