Publisher: Nintendo
Ages:
six and up.
Family
Rating:
Parental
Advisory:
None
Long a staple on the N64 and GameCube, Nintendo's Mario Party Advance takes the fun party experience on the road. This GBA version features all-new mini-games and fun "gaddgets," but the multi-player activities lack the depth of those found in the console versions.
The game serves some 120 entertaining mini-games. Some 60 support single play, while others require each player to wait and take a turn at an activity. Some, perhaps only ten, support four at the same time. While the game does offer a Mario party-style experience, the fact that players have to wait for turns is a disappointment. Despite its name, Mario Party provides a stronger single, rather than multi-play experience.
Players roll a virtual dice and move around a board. When they meet with characters, they are given a mini-game to beat. Beat a mini-game and earn coins. And use the coins to unlock Gaddgets and link up with friends to compete in a two-player battle game. Or, trade Gaddgets, mini-games and coins.
In addition to the mini-games, the title comes with a host of fun Professor E. Gadd's Gaddgets -- trinkets, toys, detectors and tricks like the Lip Disguise-o-matic to test compatibility and more. Gaddgets don't contribute to the game, but are simply fun devices to play with.
The graphics are adequate, but we've seen stronger graphics on the GBA. The game features the usual Mario-style violence that is bloodless. Overall, Mario Party Advance is an enjoyable game that sounds like a natural for the family. However, those who are familiar with the console versions will be disappointed.
4/5/05 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
