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Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Hudson Soft Genre: Simulation Origin: Japan Number of Players: 4 Rumble Pak: YES Expected Release Date: ? (Japan Only) October 23, 1998 18:00 Earlier in 1998, Nintendo and Hudson announced a strategic partnership to jointly design and develop games for both Nintendo 64 and Game Boy. So when I was on the Nintendo of Japan web site when I saw Mario Party and below it it said in English copyright 1998 Nintendo and Hudson I wasn't supprised. Mario Party, a strange mixture between puzzle, board games, racing and action, is only the first of a number of games to be released between the end of 1998 and 1999. Before you get your hopes up and think this game is Mario 64 2, think for a moment what Hudson is best at. That's right, making cool little mini-games, like bowling, shooting, or multiplayer battles a la Bomberman. Unfortunately, most of the time, these mini-games don't add up to a satisfying whole -- but under the tutelage of Nintendo, Mario Party looks a whole lot more interesting. Like in most videogame versions of board games like Monopoly, players move on a 3D board and trigger certain events. But instead of cards telling you you have inherited a pig farm, Mario Party throws players into a whopping 50 different mini-games, ranging from racing to shooting. Up to four-players can go head-to-head at the same time. Expect Nintendo regulars, such as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Donkey Kong, as well as stars and mushrooms galore. The game features different maps/scenery reminiscent of Nintendo's classic games: -Donkey's Jungle Adventure -Peach's Birthday Cake -Yoshi's Tropical Island -Wario's Battle Canyon -Luigi's Engine Room -Mario's Rainbow Castle And here are some of the mini-games: -Mario Orchestra: Like Simon Says. Follow the music notes played by the orchestra. -Ball Battle: Balance on top of rubber balls on a floating island and push the others off -Bowling: I'm sure you can figure this one out... -Bobsled Race: Two-player splitscreen races with bob sleds, much like Mario Kart. Nintendo says the game is very simple to pick up and should delight little kids and grown-ups alike. Outlook While Nintendo of America hasn't announced whether Mario Party will come out in the US, the prospect of Mario-themed races and multiplayer battles is pretty cool. It remains to be seen if the game is technically on par with Nintendo's first-party offerings, but judging from the graphics, it certainly looks like it. More soon.
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