Kotaku: mario party 8

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:40:00 MST

Here's something you might not have expected. Despite having debuted in the second week of November, Mario Party DS for the Nintendo DS tops this week's Japanese software sales chart. It beat out the recently released Wii Fit—now past the half-million mark—and new debut Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for the PlayStation 3. In fact, this past week represents Mario Party DS's best sales week ever. In general, software for Nintendo platforms was way up, with Wii Sports and Wii Play returning to top ten glory. Probably going to be a good week for the console.

What didn't perform too well? The long-awaited sequel NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, which, according to Media Create, charted at #27 in its first week. Poor Sega. I almost feel bad for them! I'll try to maintain a straight face while you check out the top ten for the week of December 10th to 16th. More after the jump.

01. Mario Party DS (DS) - 180,000 / 826,000
02. Wii Fit (Wii) - 124,000 / 535,000
03. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3) - 116,000 / NEW
04. Professor Layton and The Devil's Box (DS) - 74,000 / 444,000
05. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 74,000 / 550,000
06. Dragon Quest IV (DS) - 73,000 / 868,000
07. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) - 64,000 / 212,000
08. Wii Sports (Wii) - 55,000 / 2,341,000
09. Wii Play (Wii) - 55,000 / 1,921,000
10. Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: The Labyrinth of Forgotten Time (Wii) - 41,000 / NEW

11. World Soccer Winning Eleven 2008 (PS2)
12. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
13. Power Pro Kun Pocket 10 (DS)
14. Kirarin Revolution Tsukutte Misechao! Kime*Kira Stage (DS)
15. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)
16. Mario Kart DS (DS)
17. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS)
18. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)
19. Hot Shots Golf Portable 2 (PSP)
20. SD Gundam G Generation Spirits (PS2)
21. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
22. WarioWare Smooth Moves (Wii)
23. Tales of Innocence (DS)
24. Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (Xbox 360)
25. World Soccer Winning Eleven 2008 (PS3)
26. Sengoku Basara 2: Heroes (PS2)
27. NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii)
28. Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisecchi: Mina San Kyu (DS)
29. Nep League DS (DS)
30. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)

Looks like Mario Party DS will easily pass the 1 million sold mark by the end of the year, with Wii Play passing 2 million as well. Go mini-games!

Media Create Weekly Software Sales [Gpara]

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: King Wii Fit

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:30:00 MST

Last week, Professor Layton and his mystery solving skills stole Wii Fit's thunder, forcing it to settle for a number two debut. This week, however, Wii Fit reigns supreme atop its bloody Japanese throne, gazing down upon Professor Layton and the Devil's Box, Lost Odyssey and a trio of Mario games. While Mistwalker's latest latest RPG didn't have a first week showing on par with Blue Dragon, it did pretty well. Unfortunately for Suda 51 and the rest of the gang at Grasshopper Manufacture, seems sales of No More Heroes were, indeed, rather piss poor, as the game failed to crack the top thirty.

For the week of December 3rd through the 9th, the sales charts stacked up like so.

01. Wii Fit (Wii) - 150,000 / 411,000
02. Mario Party DS (DS) - 107,000 / 646,000
03. Tales of Innocence (DS) - 104,000 / NEW
04. Hot Shots Golf Portable 2 (PSP) - 87,000 / NEW
05. Professor Layton and the Devil's Box (DS) - 76,000 / 370,000
06. Dragon Quest IV (DS) - 63,000 / 795,000
07. Lost Odyssey (Xbox 360) - 55,000 / NEW
08. Power Pro Kun Pocket 10 (DS) - 54,000 / NEW
09. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 45,000 / 476,000
10. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) - 45,000 / 148,000

11. SD Gundam G Generation Spirits (PS2)
12. World Soccer Winning Eleven 2008 (PS2)
13. Gintama: Gin-Oh Quest (DS)
14. Wii Sports (Wii)
15. Wii Play (Wii)
16. Sengoku Basara 2: Heroes (PS2)
17. Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida (PSP)
18. Nep League DS (DS)
19. Silent Hill Origins (PSP)
20. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
21. World Soccer Winning Eleven 2008 (PS3)
22. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)
23. Mario Kart DS (DS)
24. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3)
25. MySims (DS)
26. Yakuza 2 (PS2)
27. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
28. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)
29. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PSP)
30. Haneru no Tobira DS: Tanshuku Tetsudou no Yoru (DS)

Media Create Weekly Sales [Gpara]

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 MST

Good news! Mario Party DS' success probably means there will be future Mario Party games! Thanks, God. We appreciate you answering our prayers. What didn't hold up as expected was Shin Sangoku Musou 5, also known as Dynasty Warriors 6, which certainly didn't sell as well as Mario Party and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Still, it's a fairly solid week for the underdog PlayStation 3, which charted with the aforementioned, Hot Shots Golf 5, Ratchet & Clank Future, and newcomer Heavenly Sword. Plus, folks bought Game Center CX. Good for them!

The following stuff sold pretty well in Japan for the week of November 12th to the 18th.

01. Mario Party DS (DS) - 116,000 / 350,000
02. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii) - 83,000 / NEW
03. Shin Sangoku Musou 5 (PS3) - 76,000 / 264,000
04. Pro Yakyuu Famista DS DS (DS) - 49,000 / NEW
05. Game Center CX (DS) - 46,000 / NEW
06. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 40,000 / 365,000
07. Heavenly Sword (PS3) - 15,000 / NEW
08. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 (DS) - 14,000 / 230,000
09. Wii Sports (Wii) - 13,000 / 2,211,000
10. Soukou Kihei Votoms (PS2) - 12,000 / NEW

11. Wii Play (Wii)
12. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
13. DS Nishimura Kyotaro Suspense Shin Tantei Series: Kyoto Atami Zekkai no Kotou - Satsui no Wana (DS)
14. My Housekeeping Diary (DS)
15. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
16. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
17. Hayarikami 2 (PS2)
18. Mario Kart DS (DS)
19. Shin Sangoku Musou 5 (Xbox 360)
20. DS Literature Collection (DS)
21. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)
22. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS)
23. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
24. Dungeon Explorer: Meiyaku no Tobira (PSP)
25. Kanji Brain Test 2.5M (DS)
26. Anata o Yurusanai (PSP)
27. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)
28. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
29. Ghost Squad (Wii)
30. Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3)

Week in Games: Drain Your Bank Accout Edition

fdemarco — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:00:00 MST

It's been a banner several weeks for new games and this one is no different. No matter what your taste there is a little something for everyone. Mass effect, Rock Band and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune will be on my holiday play list as I sit in my parents rec room after ingesting too much food. What will you be playing post-turkey time?

Mass Effect (X360)
Space, ho!

Rock Band (PS3, X360)
Rock out with more than just a guitar.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3)
Relive every great 80's adventure movie you ever saw.

Unreal Tournament 3 (PC)
Get real with Unreal..3!

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men (PC)
It's like a buddy movie with killing.

Ghost Squad (WII)
Fight the war on terror at home on your Wii

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS)
More Final Fantasy... more!!

College Hoops 2K8 (X360, PS3, PS2)
Next-gen college basketball.

Soul Calibur Legends (WII)
The Soul Calibur franchise tries a new style.

Time Crisis 4 (PS3)
Shoot those bad guys up. Now with scrolling.

Link's Crossbow Training (WII)
Test out the Wii Zapper Zelda style!

Circuit City Game Deals

fdemarco — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:00:00 MST

Man, the game deals are just coming out of the woodwork today. CheapAssGamer informs us that Circuit City has three deals going on this week in the games department. First, Save $20 when you purchase any two Wii games $29.99 and up (Not as good as the TRU deal but it's something). Second, get a $10 gift card with the purchase of Mario Party DS (Is it just me or does the concept of a party game on the DS seem a little odd?). And last but not least, get a $10 gift card when you buy Uncharted: Drake's Fortune for the PS3.

The Uncharted deal is probably the best one of the lot, but while you're there, you might as well peruse the Wii section as well. Never know what will be lurking around in there plus there's liable to be less screaming children there than in Toys R Us.

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 MST

Mario tops the charts again this week, with Mario Party DS selling close to a quarter million copies in its debut week in Japan. It's followed by the game that is sure to push tens of thousands of PlayStation 3s, Shin Sangoku Musou 5, to be known as Dynasty Warriors 6 in North America. Its Xbox 360 counterpart cracked the top ten, as did Insomniac Games' Ratchet & Clank Future, all of which should make for an interesting week in hardware sales.

Oddly enough, only one PlayStation 2 title appears this week and it's NBA Live 08. What a world...

01. Mario Party DS (DS) - 235,000 / NEW
02. Shin Sangoku Musou 5 (PS3) - 188,000 / NEW
03. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 74,000 / 325,000
04. Final Fantasy Tactics A2 (DS) - 23,000 / 215,000
05. Shin Sangoku Musou 5 (Xbox 360) - 22,000 / NEW
06. Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) - 19,000 / NEW
07. Wii Sports (Wii) - 15,000 / 2,197,000
08. DS Nishimura Kyotaro Suspense Shin Tantei Series: Kyoto Atami Zekkai no Kotou - Satsui no Wana (DS) - 13,000 / 129,000
09. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS) - 13,000 / 690,000
10. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3) - 12,000 / NEW

11. Wii Play (Wii)
12. Kanji Brain Test 2.5M (DS)
13. Mario Kart DS (DS)
14. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
15. DS Bungaku Zenshuu (DS)
16. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)
17. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
18. My Housekeeping Diary (DS)
19. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 (PS3)
20. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)
21. World Soccer Winning Eleven DS Goal x Goal! (DS)
22. Gundam Battle Chronicle (PSP)
23. Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (Xbox 360)
24. NBA Live 08 (PS2)
25. Brain Age 2: More Training In Minutes A Day (DS)
26. More English Training (DS)

Tomorrow, hardware sales figures hit later in the evening. It promises to be... interesting.
27. Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisecchi: Mina San Kyu (DS)
28. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
29. Dragon Tamer: Sound Spirits (DS)
30. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)

Mario Party DS Gameplay

Brian Crecente — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:00:44 MDT

Why Nintendo hasn't done a Mario Party for the DS yet is beyond me... I mean before now of course. It seems like a perfect match for the nifty portable system. I just wish it included online support.

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:40:16 MDT

We may be in Germany, but that doesn't mean we're going to ignore Japan's weekly soap opera of software sales. Most shocking? Mario Party 8 reclaims its number one position in the Media Create sales list for the week of August 13th to the 19th in a bloodless sales coup. Amazingly, Hot Shots Golf 5 is still hanging tough in the top ten, kind of impressive for a PLAYSTATION 3 up against 2006's New Super Mario Bros.

Sales sexiness continues after the top ten.

01. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 112,724 / 616,000
02. SD Gundam G Generation Cross Drive (DS) - 48,321 / 186,000
03. Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber (DS) - 47,730 / 93,000
04. Wii Sports (Wii) - 35,430 / 2,035,000
05. Wii Play (Wii) - 32,939 / 1,639,000
06. My Housekeeping Diary (DS) - 32,714 / 122,000
07. J.League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship (PS2) - 32,210 / 227,000
08. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) - 31,897 / 756,000
09. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 29,979 / 4,729,000
10. Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3) - 28,044 / 278,000

11. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
12. Mario Kart DS (DS)
13. More Brain Age (DS)
14. Final Fantasy XII: International Zodiac Job System (PS2)
15. It's A Wonderful World (DS)
16. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 14 (PS2)
17. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
18. Brain Age (DS)
19. Itadaki Street DS (DS)
20. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)
21. Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 5 (DS)
22. More English Training (DS)
23. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
24. Face Training DS (DS)
25. Zettai Onkan Otoda Master (DS)
26. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP)
27. Pokémon Pearl (DS)
28. English Training (DS)
29. Yoshi's Island DS (DS)
30. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Wii (Wii)

Media Create Weekly Sales

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:20:01 MDT

Forgive this week's late and incomplete Japanese software sales chart. It's not my fault! Japan decided to take a holiday and left us twisting in the wind. Yes, some of the weekly sales data may be slightly askew or completely UNKNOWN, but at least we know how well Mario Party 8 is doing in Japan. And that Wii Sports has passed the 2 million mark.

The rest of the top 30 is after the jump!

01. SD Gundam G Generation Cross Drive (DS) - 149,000 / NEW
02. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 102,000 / 504,000
03. Final Fantasy XII - International Zodiac Job System (PS2) - 66,000 / NEW
04. J. League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship (PS2) - 54,000 / 217,000
05. Donkey Kong Jungle Climber (DS) - UNKNOWN/ NEW
06. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) 27,000 / 734,000
07. Wii Sports (Wii) - 34,000/ 2,005,000
08. Wii Play (Wii) - UNKNOWN
09. Wild Arms XF (PSP) - UNKNOWN / NEW
10. Flash Focus: Vision Training In Minutes A Day (DS) - UNKNOWN

11. Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3)
12. Mario Kart DS (DS)
13. My Housekeeping Diary (DS)
14. More Brain Age (DS)
15. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
16. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 14 (PS2)
17. It's A Wonderful World (DS)
18. Itadaki Street DS (DS)
19. Hiiro no Kakera 2 (PS2)
20. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP)
21. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
22. Face Training DS (DS)
23. Wantame Fortune Telling Channel (DS)
24. Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 5 (DS)
25. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS)
26. Pokémon Pearl (DS)
27. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)
28. Brain Age (DS)
29. More English Training (DS)
30. Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 (Wii)

Japanese Software Sales [Dengeki Online]

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:40:11 MDT

In addition to loving the hell out of baseball, Japanese video game buyers also adore soccer to bits. Konami's sporty back up cash cow, the Winning Eleven series, took the number one sales spot, beating out Wii party retread Mario Party 8. A rare two-week appearance in the top ten for a PLAYSTATION 3 game rounds out the top three with Minna no Golf 5, Hot Shots Golf over here, pushing another 64,000 copies.

Here are the Media Create sales figures for the week of July 30th through August 5th.

01. J. League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship (PS2) - 150,000 / NEW
02. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 135,000 / 400,000
03. Hot Shots Golf 5 (PS3) - 64,000 / 216,000
04. It's A Wonderful World (DS) - 33,000 / 110,000
05. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) - 29,000 / 697,000
06. Wii Sports (Wii) - 28,000 / 1,971,000
07. Wii Play (Wii) - 27,000 / 1,579,000
08. Face Training DS (DS) - 22,000 / NEW
09. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 21,000 / 4,677,000
10. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS) - 21,000 / 476,000

11. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 14 (PS2)
12. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)
13. More Brain Age (DS)
14. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP)
15. Endless Ocean (Wii)
16. Mario Kart DS (DS)
17. Itadaki Street DS (DS)
18. Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 (Wii)
19. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
20. Brain Age (DS)
21. Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 5 (DS)
22. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS)
23. More English Training (DS)
24. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
25. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Wii (Wii)
26. English Training (DS)
27. Kanji Brain Test 2M (DS)
28. Pokémon Pearl (DS)
29. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
30. Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol (DS)

A rather uneventful showing for Endless Ocean (aka Forever Blue) for the Wii. It's got a long way to go before it reaches my estimate of 1 trillion copies sold in Japan.

Costco Offers Wii Bundles

fdemarco — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:00:00 MDT

Costco is currently selling Wii bundles that include the Wii, an extra Wii remote and a copy of Mario Party 8 for $329. If you're still looking to get a Wii and you have a Costco membership, this might be the perfect opportunity for you although you'll probably be wanting to pick up an extra nunchuk as well. The savings is minuscule at only $10, but it's better than nothing I suppose. Look at it this way, you'll finally have your long sought after Wii and while you're there you can use that extra ten bucks to buy a giant tub of Gummi Worms and a case of Mountain Dew. Let the good times roll!

Coscto Wii/Mario Party 8 bundles [GoNintendo]

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:40:21 MDT

Out with the old, in with the new... games. Japanese consumers are really mixing it up this week with a sales chart stuffed with newborn releases across a wide variety of platforms. Unsurprisingly, Mario Party 8 secured the ichiban spot during its first week with Minna no Golf 5 for the PLAYSTATION 3 coming in a respectable second. Check out this diversity!

01. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 265,000 / NEW
02. Everybody's Golf 5 (PS3) - 152,000 / NEW
03. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS) - 94,000 / NEW
04. It's A Wonderful World (DS) - 77,000 / NEW
05. Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 (Wii) - 46,000 / NEW
06. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP) - 45,000 / NEW
07. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Xbox 360) - 40,000 / NEW
08. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) - 37,000 / 668,000
09. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 14 (PS2) - 34,000 / 187,000
10. Wii Sports (Wii) - 32,000 / 1,943,000

11. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)
12. Flash Focus: Vision Training In Minutes A Day (DS)
13. Wii Play (Wii)
14. Metal Gear 20th Anniversary Collection (PS2)
15. Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 14 (PS2)
16. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
17. More Brain Age (DS)
18. Wangan Midnight (PS3)
19. King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation A (PS2)
20. Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Wii (Wii)
21. Mario Kart DS (DS)
22. Itadaki Street DS (DS)
23. Ikkitousen Shining Dragon (PS2)
24. Daito Giken Koushiki Pachi-Slot Simulator: Shake II (PS2)
25. Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 5 (DS)
26. Brain Age (DS)
27. More English Training (DS)
28. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
29. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
30. Chibi Robo Park Patrol (DS)

June Software Sales Rich With Mini-Games, Pokémon

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:20:43 MDT

The NPD Group's software sales estimates for June show that American gamers haven't yet tired of mini-games, Pokemon or Guitar Hero. Nintendo revealed earlier this month that over a half-million gamers had snapped up Mario Party 8, with the lion's share of sales happening in June. Wii Play saw similar hardcore gamer heart-stoppingly stellar sales. You know what that means? More mini-games!

Here are the top 8 games sold in the US for the month of June, with the rest of the top 20 following.

1. Mario Party 8 (Wii) - 426,600
2. Wii Play w/ Remote (Wii) - 293,200
3. Pokémon Diamond (DS) - 288,400
4. Pokémon Pearl (DS) - 214,700
5. Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360) - 197,400
6. Guitar Hero II w/ Guitar (PS2) - 197,350
7. Guitar Hero II w/Guitar (Xbox 360) - 177,600
8. Pokémon Battle Revolution (Wii) - 157,900

9. Resident Evil 4 (Wii)
10. The Darkness (Xbox 360)
11. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 (PS2)
12. Transformers: The Game (PS2)
13. Tenchu Z (Xbox 360)
14. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
15. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (PS2)
16. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
17. Transformers: The Game (Xbox 360)
18. MLB '07: The Show (PS2)
19. Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree (Wii)
20. Dirt (Xbox 360)

Gamers purchased a whopping $543 million worth of software in June, up 22% over June '06, resulting in year-to-date sales of $2.9 billion. Most impressive, you money spending freaks.

Mario Party 8 Is Great Success!

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:40:03 MDT

Nice going, Wii owners. You've made Mario Party 8 the fastest selling game in the Mario Party series thanks to your purchases over the last month or so. Word from Nintendo today is that the Wii entry has sold over 550,000 copies since its debut on May 29. Nintendo's George Harrison supposedly said that ""Wii users are keeping the Mario Party going strong" which I can only assume means everyone is thrilled to death with the mini-game collection status quo and that Mario Party 9 is probably only weeks away. I hope you're happy. You jerks better buy Zack & Wiki: The Quest for Barbaros' Treasure or I'm stealing the batteries from your Wii-mote.

Mario Party 8 (Wii)

Mark Wilson — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:30:01 MDT

There ain't no party like a Mario Party because a Mario Party don't stop!

Nintendo, you can use that. Gratis. On me. Really. It's cool. No one will know but us.

Mario Party 8 is the latest incarnation of the series, as well as its first appearance on the Wii. But as for its trademark minigames...those have seen more Wii than Paris Hilton. How does Mario Party 8 stack up against its predecessors? Hit the jump for our Frankenreview: (almost) every review presented in an (almost) funny way that (almost) makes sense. Look, at least we stopped rapping.

IGN
Mario Party 8 is a noteworthy arrival on Wii because it marks the first Nintendo-published project that does not run in 16:9 widescreen mode....To its credit though, the game's title screen and main menu both run in full widescreen, but as soon as any sort of gameplay begins, everything transpires in 4:3 with superimposed bars. Good stuff, and by that we mean just the opposite.

1up
"The Wii is made for a game like this!" True. A good portion of the minigames in MP8 use the Wii's motion controls, yes, and for the most part, they work well. Pump, lasso, point (and shoot), rotate, shake...several events use the Wii-mote exactly as you'd expect and they deliver. But they're only part of the library....The rest consists of old minigames redone with motion controls and old-style games that don't take advantage of the Wii whatsoever...It's just a waste...

The Wiire
Unfortunately, all of the games in "simple" mode were all of the games that our game testers had the most problems with...It's not that the controllers didn't respond, they responded perfectly, but players simply didn't know what they were supposed to be doing even after reading the instructions. Reason being: if the game is three versus one, the odd person out normally has a different control style and is looking at the others for guidance.

Wii Advanced Media Network
Mario Party 8 is a title that is all about multiplayer, and yet it does not support online play. Blame it on the yet-to-launch Wii online infrastructure if you will, but the lack of the mode really hurts the game's lasting appeal, and it might have been smarter to wait and do this game when it could be done right.

Yahoo
Sooner or later, this mini-game fad that's been all the rage on the Wii and DS recently is going to pass its sell-by date, and it's already starting to smell a bit off. While Mario Party has been doing this ever since the Wii was a glint in Shigeru Miyamoto's eye, this time it's unfortunately landing on a platform that's already replete with games in its style.

In other words, wait until Mario Party 9 comes out. Mark Wilson

Pictures Stolen From Here

Clip: Mario Party 8 Commercial

Kim Phu — Tue, 29 May 2007 10:40:00 MDT

Bake a cake and kiss some of your treasured porcelain dolls on the mantel near the television goodbye because today is the day that Mario Party 8 comes out. In celebration of such an occassion, I thought I would post the commercial so you could see for yourself the kind of damage you and your friends can potentially inflict in your living room, with multiple players. Jumping rope and paddling a boat sounds like a fun group activity on the Wii, but get too close to one of your friends and I am telling you some one is going to end up at the emergency room. If you're inviting people over to play, I suggest you get their blood types before they arrive and giving out goodie bags filled with gauze. Kim Phu

Mario Party 8 TV Ad [Codename Revolution]

Did You Know?

Nintendo's Mario Party 8 Brings the Carnival to Town

Nintendo is bringing the carnival to town, and this time the party is
going to get players up and moving. Mario Party(R) 8 is the first Mario Party
game for Wii(TM) from Nintendo, and the first in the series to incorporate
motion controls.

In this carnival-themed excursion, players might use the Wii Remote(TM) to
punch the air to chip away at a statue, point it at the screen to shoot at
targets or balance it like a tightrope walker's pole. The amazing functions of
the Wii Remote add a new level of hilarious competition. This new Mario Party
installment includes new boards, characters, moves and minigames.

Since the original Mario Party debuted in 1999 on Nintendo(R) 64, the
franchise has been a perpetual fan favorite, selling nearly 6.5 million in the
United States alone. It's the video game version of a board game, where each
player takes a turn moving spaces. Then everyone competes in a fast-paced
minigame at the end of the round. Its controls are fun and easy enough that
every member of the family can join in. Mario Party 8 lets players get into
the action like never before, and is a great follow-up for gamers and families
who had fun competing in Wii Sports(TM).

Mario Party 8, Rated E for Everyone, launches May 29. For more information
about Mario Party 8, please visit http://www.MarioParty.com.

Week in Games: Mario Party 8 Edition

fdemarco — Sun, 27 May 2007 16:00:00 MDT

As I depart the Big Apple (where I've been reporting from all weekend) I leave you with this list of games coming out this week. Mario Party looks like it might be some fun with the addition of the Wii remote mechanic and I'd like to see how the 2d to 3d Crush is for the PSP. Other than that, I can satisfy myself with finishing up Silent Hill 2 which for some reason I decided to haul out of the mothballs. Anyone going to round out a holiday weekend by picking one or two of these up? Flynn De Marco

Mario Party 8 (WII) It's the video game that's a board game with mini-games.
Halo 2 (PC)
Now with less ass.
Forza Motorsport 2 (X360)
The Xbox 360 gets it's dose of Forza racing.
Shadowrun (X360, PC)
Magic and guns, 360s and PCs join together for a new multiplayer experience
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (WII)
Nintendo brings Mortal Kombat to their console marking the beginning of the Wii bloodletting game parade.
Crush (PSP)
It's like Super Paper Mario on the PSP just without the paper or the Mario. The super remains to be seen.
Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm (PS2)
A little 2D old school PRG action. I really, really hope this has that silver ball that puts spikes in your brain.
Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia (X360, PC)
Fight for control of the suburbs against monster hordes. No, not soccer moms, actual monsters.

Gallery: Mario Party 8

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:57 MDT

It's Mario Party. Mario Party 8. If you've got the stomach for the eight iteration of Mario Party—now featuring Wii waggle and somehow incorporating candy—this is the game for you. I'd post impressions, but there was literally no one at the Nintendo Media Summit who wanted to Mario Party with me. Sad, isn't it? Michael McWhertor

The REAL Mario Party

fdemarco — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:00:00 MDT

Four year old George is one lucky kid. Not only does he get this kick ass invitation to his party (I love the thumbs up) he gets an entire Mario themed party done remarkably well. Highlights include the Chomp Chomp pinata, home made Mario and Luigi hats, and Piranha Plant decorations. Really great work by whoever put this together. Man, I wish my birthday parties had been this cool. It really makes my Ziggy themed party look like crap. Flynn De Marco

Mario Themed party [Flickr]
[via the Tanooki)

124 Nintendo Wii & DS Games In The Works

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:20:05 MDT

Nintendo prez Satoru Iwata told Japanese press yesterday that the company currently has 45 Wii games and 79 Nintendo DS games in development, with some of those titles scheduled for release this summer.

Following the release of the company's yearly financial results, Iwata told the gathered crowd that while in-house development teams have 124 projects spread across the console and portable platforms, not all of them will see release.

Guess that means no Wii drought, eh?

While we know a handful of the 79 titles already in development for the Nintendo DS, many of those are likely never to make it outside of Japan, as is currently the case with bestselling software like Kanji Training, Cooking Navi and English Training. Still to be released DS software includes North American release confirmed titles Chibi Robo: Park Patrol, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and DS Air.

On the Wii front, we have a better idea what to expect over the next year or two. The list of currently confirmed and rumored future Wii software includes:

1. Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
2. Mario Party 8
3. Pokemon Battle Revolution
4. Mario Strikers Charged
5. DK Bongo Blast
6. Super Mario Galaxy
7. Battalion Wars 2
8. Disaster: Day of Crisis
9. Project H.A.M.M.E.R.
10. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
11. Metroid Prime 3 Corruption
12. Wii Health
13. Wii Music
14. Mario & Sonic At The Olympics
15. Animal Crossing Wii
16. Forever Blue
17. Wii Motor Sports
18. The Legend of Zelda Wii
19. Fire Emblem Wii
20. Yoshi's Island Wii

Nintendo still has yet to announce Wii versions of successful series such as Pikmin, Wave Race, Nintendogs, Chibi Robo, Kirby, F-Zero, Pilotwings and Starfox. Add the typical Mario sports entries—golf, baseball, basketball—and there are still many possibilities for first-party projects.

Just to be on the safe side, I'll put money on those unannounced games to be Mario Party 9, Mario Party 10, Mario Party 11, Mario Party 12, Mario Party 13, Mario Party 14, Mario Party 15, Mario Party 16, Mario Party 17, Mario Party 18, Mario Party 19, Mario Party 20, Mario Party 21, Mario Party 22, Mario Party 23, Mario Party 24, Mario Party 25, Mario Party 26, and Mario Party 27. Michael McWhertor

Nintendo Develops 45 New Games for Wii, 79 Titles for DS Player [Bloomberg]

PS3 Still Ballin' Just Like Chad

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 19:40:06 MDT

PLAYSTATION 3 evangelist Chad Wardenn has released his latest expletive and epithet laden diatribe explaining why the PS Triple is still ballin' yet the Wii and Xbox 360 are decidedly lacking in the ballin' department. Chad's indefensible logic will illustrate why those without game, for instance that "mexican" plumber Mario, aren't foolin' Chad Wardenn (pronounced Chawawehhn now).

It may be loaded with foul language and sound more stream of consciousness than his last effort, but those of you still on the fence about what console to get may want to let Chad school you on the current systems.

WARNING: Not safe for brains. Michael McWhertor

Gallery: Mario Party 8 Screens

Brian Crecente — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 19:00:48 MST

Cubed3 got their paws on a bunch of new Mario Party 8 screens for the Wii. Here's just a taste. Make sure to hit up their site for the full run of images. Looks like it could be quite a lot of fun, blending the best of motion control with Nintendo's sense of gameplay and mini-games. Brian Crecente

Mario Party 8 Screens Blowout [Cubed3]

Kotaku Magu: Mario Party 8 Game Play Explanations

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 07:00:40 MST

The March issue of Nintendo Dream has a bunch of Mario Party 8 images and Wii-mote game play descriptions. Even if you don't read Japanese, they're pretty self-explanatory. So Kotaku-land, what do you think?

Hit the jump for another gallery of straight up screens. Brian Ashcraft

Mario Invades South Beach

fdemarco — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 13:40:15 MST

Mario has a penthouse in South Beach! Who knew? He wants to invite all you crazy kids down to his swinging pad for a night of Nintendo you won't soon forget!

There'll be Wii's to try out and lots of really cool hip people just like you! Just head down to the Tides South Beach Hotel Penthouse Suite at 1220 Ocean Drive on Saturday November 11 between 11am and 4pm. It's gonna be the rockin-est... wait... 11am to 4pm... invite only? What is this, some snobby kids birthday party at the local Chuck E. Cheese? I'll barely have awakened from my hangover by that time.

Ah well, if anyone thinks they can make it up that early on a Saturday and actually go, let us know. Flynn De Marco

[via Gamertag Radio Thanks, Godfree!]

Mario Spotted... In Italy!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 10:22:49 MDT

That Mario you see now is not the real Mario. He's a stand-in, a doppelganger. The true Mario fled sometime after the travesty known as Mario Party 4 was forced upon the general public. The question's been, where did he go? Reader Thanius found out:

Me and my girlfriend went to Calabria, Italy for our vacation this year. We were strolling around in the old parts of the town Tropea where we stayed, when suddenly we walk past this stand. It seems that Mario has retired from the plumbing-/salvation-/karting-/sports-/cameo-/whatever-business and started his own candy/crappy toy-stand.

I must congratulate Nintendo, because that new guy they got to replace Mario looks EXACTLY like him. Brian Ashcraft

A Nintendo Foam Rave

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 26 May 2006 11:22:37 MDT

Heads up Seattle! Today (yes, today), there is going to be a giant Nintendo rave at event space Studio Seven. The flier says:

• ALL stages will feature themed decorations such as Bobble Bobble Foam main stage, Mario World upper level, Donkey Kong Country side Room!!! • Nintendo themed decorations and dress!!! • Its a Webbwerx & Marble event so you know it will be done right!!! • 3 all ages rooms!!! • Foam!!!

Ah, people making money and doing designer drugs in the name of Nintendo. Anyone out there going? If so, send us pics. Brian Ashcraft

Forum Here [Sponkane Parties] Thanks, Chie!

Hands-On: Mario Party 7

lsmith — Sat, 05 Nov 2005 13:00:19 MST

I thought I was playingGemstone. The Mario Party games are supposed to be games, you know, where you push buttons and silly shit happens. That s how the party games genre should be. The action should escalate into yelling and hollering and arguing and a general good time is had by all. For whatever reason, there is so much text in Mario Party 7 that I felt like I was playing a MUD. Next time, streamline the storyline (as in get rid of it) reduce the game to a series of mindless party games and return the fun to the series. If I wanted to read a book, I would. Mario Party 7 isn t an RPG, someone should make sure Nintendo knows that next time around.

Eight Mario Clones Play GameCube

Brian Ashcraft — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:22:28 MDT

Nintendo bagged popular comedian Takashi Okamura for TV ads to hock the new Mario Party. I have a soft spot for Okamura. He's from the neighborhood where I live, extremely funny and a good breakdancer. That said, this ad totally creeps me out.

Mario Party Ad [IT Media]

Mario Party 7 Super Bundle

Brian Crecente — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 08:00:08 MDT

Nintendo's trying something a little different this time around with Mario Party. You can pick up a copy of Mario Party 7 on Nov. 7 for the retail price of about $50 or pony up another $50 for a pretty decent bundle.

The Mario Party 7 bundle comes with the game, two controllers and the Gamecube. (That's worth about $175 if you were stupid enough to pay full price for all of it.) Copies of the game also come with a microphone.

Mario Party 7 includes 80 mini-games and supports up to eight simultaneous players this time around.