First Mario Party 8 Details Emerge

By Shawn White / Monday, 18 December 2006

The latest issue of Nintendo Power magazine revealed first details regarding Mario Party 8 for Wii, expected to release in Q1 2007.

Like its predecessors, Mario Party 8 will feature a relatively large number of mini-games, which will use the Wii's controller for balancing, raising objects and racing vehicles, among other game mechanics. The title will also include six new playing boards; some, like "DK's Treetop Temple" and "Goomba's Booty Boardwalk", will be comprised of multiple levels.

Mario Party 8 will feature 14 playable characters, with Blooper and Hammer Bro. being new additions to the roster. Additionally, "Candy Power-Ups" will transform characters into vampires, bowling balls, springs and other objects during gameplay.

Say hello to the new party animals.

Nintendo Power also revealed that the Wii Remote's internal speaker will be used to inform a player when his/her turn is, as well as what to do at certain times while playing (you might hear "shake the controller", for instance).

While Mario Party 8 isn't expected to utilize the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for online play, the game will feature two-on-two, three-on-one and free-for-all multiplayer modes.

The Wiire will have more on the latest installment in Nintendo's party franchise as information becomes available.