Addictive Group Activity (Mario Party (N64))

Member Name: reg_scrat

Product:	Mario Party (N64)
Date:	21/04/01 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Addictive, Group Fun

Disadvantages: Injury? Not Good in Single Player Mode

This game kept us busy at university while we should have been studying for our exams. Great concept, but as others have mentioned, it is best played in groups of 3 or 4.

The minigames are of varying quality - but some, such as Castaways (where you use a fishing rod to catch coins floating across the screen) and the Bobsled Run (no explanation needed) are major points of competition.

The gamesboards are beautifully designed, with all kinds of twists and turns. Before you start a new game, you can choose a gameboard which most suits the length of game and difficulty you prefer. Some boards are well suited to a short game, some you will want to devote a couple of hours two to get the most out of. The game itself is as good as any boardgame and will appeal, after a short period of acculturation, even to video-game skeptics.

A few downsides: some minigames require you to use your palm to spin the jockstick as fast as possible. While I've heard you can send away for a special glove from Nintendo at no cost, odds are, like me, you won't be bothered. As a result, you will develop blisters on your palms. Try to avoid the predicament some of my classmates got into - permanent scars - yuck! Also, the game will eventually lead you to the purchase of extra controllers (to make a total of four) - and a few you replacements if you knacker them 'spinning the joystick'.

But don't let this deter you - great game and very addictive if introduced to a group!

Summary: