Many people will ask themselves what the point is in playing a computer game that mimics a real-life board game. Its certainly true to say that games like Risk and Cluedo are much more fun to play with a board and pieces that you can actually touch. The likes of Snakes and Ladders, The Game of Life and other dice rolling games would similarly suffer from computerisation. With Mario Party 2 though I was surprised, largely due to all the innovative and addictive mini-games that are integral to the gameplay.
Like its predecessor, Mario party 2 is a multiplayer game. OK, so you can play as a single player against 3 computer guys, and that’s certainly better than playing against yourself in a conventional board game (this is no fun, believe me I’ve tried). The thing is, watching the other computer players move around the screen whilst waiting for your own turn can get very tiresome. So – this is not a game for people with just one controller, no mates and also those with Mario Party 1 – unless you are a huge fan (its very similar).

There are several game boards to choose from, ranging from pirate and space to mystery. It’s a simple affair of stopping the revolving dice and moving the number of squares that it rests on. The boards themselves are cluttered with interactivity, but the main aim is to attain as many coins and stars as possible, within the turn limit desired. There are a huge amount of customisable options to suit every type of player. There are items to be gained that will help you take shortcuts, chances to steal from the other players and arrange mini-games. Mini-games are a major part of the game and your performance in them will ultimately play a large part in your overall standing at the end of the game. Sound is the usual tinky style, while the graphics are a little disappointing, considering the game doesn’t require much processor power. The boards almost look like they’ve been taken out of a pas
tel drawing, but they’re colourful enough.

In typical Nintendo style longevity is increased through the ‘unlocking’ feature. Coins earned in playing the main boards can be spent on buying mini-games outside of the board so that you can play them whenever you want. There are also areas of the game unreachable at first. With all of the mini-games that are there to be played, Mario Party 2 made me put my foot in my mouth over board game computerisation. Well worth a place in your collection, but as previously stated, only if you’ve got mates to play against.