Video game reviews: Mario Party 8 (WII) – Part 1

It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To

Publisher: Nintendo Rated: E

In the world according to Nintendo, all problems are solved through a rousing full-scale board game. Apparently, the previous seven epic board-based wars have ended in stalemate, and the battle is joined once more for Mario Party 8.

Now then, I've just made the game sound very exciting and involved, but it isn't. There's no story to speak of, just Mario and friends gathering at the "Star Carnival" to roll dice and play mini-games. As with all previous Mario Party titles, you collect coins and gather stars in hopes of being the Superstar, and making your friends refer to you as such. In this particular version of the game, there are six different boards to choose from, and each of them is just different enough to be interesting. There's the classic "collect coins and buy the star" board, a board where all the rooms are randomized and shuffled each time a star is found, and a setup in which you invest in hotels that produce more stars as you drop more cash. It's nice to have the variety, but if you've played the previous games, there's really not much new to see here.

After each thrilling turn of rolling dice and moving through squares, everyone comes together for a mini-game. Each game requires you to use the Wiimote in fairly creative and intuitive ways. Sometimes you point and shoot, other times you go with the old-school Nintendo grip, and occasionally you wave the controller wildly like a chimp with ADD. The controls are very tight, and I can't think of a single instance where I lost a game because I felt like the controller cheated me. The computer characters, yes, the controller, not so much. The games are fun when you start, but sadly they grow stale rather quickly. There aren't THAT many games to play, and when I've played the game has had a weird tendency to skew toward 3 vs. 1 match-ups. While you'll never play the same game twice in one go round, you'll likely get very familiar with about 6 games as you'll be seeing them come up over and over and over again. The core of the game is fun, but it seems like the developers stopped about 20 games too soon. However, if this is the core from which to build, I am very excited for the future installments.

One thing about the Mario Party series that desperately needs to be abandoned is the board game format. I know it's supposed to be the gimmick that holds the whole thing together, but it's just become entirely too cumbersome.

Video games: The pros and cons of innovation – Part 1

As video games have progressed so has the taste of the American mind. Everyone seems to love the Nintendo Wii, and I can truly respect the new features it supports. As time goes on everything gets bigger and better. The Wii is no different. The Wiimote as everyone calls it, is an innovation of greatness. Every single day people go on and on about the PS3 and how great it's going to be, well when is it going to get to the peak of "great". The Wii already is doing phenomenal in the market.

Nintendo is showing that they have not become that of Sega. They are here to stay, and they hope to stay for many years to come. The Wii brings a great innovative groove to the gamer, you feel as though your there and it actually gives you a little bit of a workout. If Nintendo gets more solid titles for the Wii, I can see it being on top like like Nintendo was way back when.

We all need to realise that gaming has changed and new innovative things are being done to re-create the gaming industry. Nintendo's Wiimote is changing the way we play. Sony is changing itself for the worse and Microsoft is doing one up on Sony. At the rate the Wii goes I don't see much of anything that will slow it down.

But of course there are the cons of innovation. How many games can the Wii support with it's wiimote? Could it truly last long enough and keep people excited? People might find the Wiimote as if it were just to much. People might drop gaming if they can't play their favorite games. Some people may never be able to pick up the new style of game play. We may be seeing a fall of gamers and a rise of new technology.

The Xbox 360 has progressed majorly since it's release in 2005. The Xbox 360 not only has created some fun entertaining features but their games have improved since that of the Xbox. The new controller is also one of the best controllers ever produced for man. The controller is so accessible that you can easily play a game without having to search for what button you have to push like with the Gamecube and Xbox controllers. The online has also improved. The new feature of the Arcade also give the gamer a choice to go back and feel as if they are young again. Microsoft has improved majorly in the gaming market, and at the rate they are going their bound to become the more powerful company in the gaming world.

But of course the Xbox 360 has it's flaws. From what I could tell is that it is somewhat bulky and when moving it makes a loud noise. Also the system

Is there any possible way to start super smash brawl on wii without wii mote?

A Nintendo Wii Bundle Is A One Stop Shop

By now you have certainly heard of the revolutionary new video game platform, the Nintendo Wii. Unlike anything that has come before it, the Wii makes the players part of the game with its revolutionary new control system. The Wii controller is a wireless remote control that senses movements in three dimensions. That remote sensing technology allows you to eschew the conventional buttons and joysticks that have been the standard for video games for decades. Instead, of pushing buttons or moving a stick, you move your arms; gesturing, swinging, poking, and sometimes flailing your way through the game! If you want to experience this amazing new game platform for yourself it can be difficult to know exactly what to purchase in order to have everything you need to enjoy the Wii experience. That is why the Nintendo Wii bundle is such an enticing option.

Purchased by itself, the Wii comes with a remote control – officially called a Wiimote – and a Nunchuk controller; an analog joystick that attaches to the Wiimote using a long cable. The Nunchuk also has the internal accelerometer that the Wiimote possesses, so it too is capable of motion sensing as well. The Nunchuk is to be used in conjunction with the Wiimote and it serves to enhance the game play experience. Further, the Wii includes all the power cords, audio-video cords, and the sensor bar and stands that you need to get started. Most important, the Wii includes Wii Sports, a game that lets you test your skills on the golf course, baseball diamond, bowling alley, boxing ring, and tennis court; it is the perfect platform to demonstrate the things the Wii can do. However, for those who want to see all the Wii is capable of doing, then you need more than the basic offerings, and a Nintendo Wii Bundle can deliver precisely that.

A Nintendo Wii Bundle is a package deal that is available at various retailers such as Gamestop, EB Games, and Wal-Mart. A typical Nintendo Wii Bundle includes all the basics that accompany a basic Wii purchase, but with many valuable extras. For example, the Nintendo Wii bundle available at Gamestop includes additional memory, an additional remote control, a twelve month product replacement plan, and 6 additional games; Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, Red Steel, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, and Madden NFL 2007. The Nintendo Wii Bundle from Wal-Mart, and other retailers, follows a similar vein, but the included games can vary. For example, Wal-Mart offered four additional games in their Nintendo Wii bundle, and at a lower price that reflects the fewer included game titles.

A Nintendo Wii bundle is the perfect way to begin experiencing the fun and excitement the Wii has to offer. If you are purchasing a Wii as a gift for someone else and you are not a game savvy person, a Nintendo Wii bundle is a very attractive option because you can be certain that the recipient will not only have all the hardware they need to play, they will have a great selection of games as well. Depending on where you shop you might find that the Nintendo Wii bundle has been a hot seller and is currently not being offered. However, careful and thorough shopping will let you find a Nintendo Wii bundle deal that is available and with a selection of games that fits your needs and budget.

Mario Kart Wii from E3

ticklemeozmo asked:

First look at Mario Kart for the Wii and the steering wheel add-on for the Wiimote. Try not to fall asleep with the sound of the guy's voice.

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