"Mario's Lucky Number 7"

The Mario Party series has been around since 1999. Each year, Mario and friends have another party, each one adding more spice than the last. With this being Mario's seventh party, you would think it would be his best, right?

Right. Mario Party 7 has a lot to offer, once again proving that nothing can stop this long-running series. From fun, to variety, to eight-player, this is the largest step for Hudson's brilliance.

Graphics: The visuals are bright and cheerful, as usual. The character models are perfect, if a little stiff when walking, and the boards are very detailed. The special effects are more improved, as well. From fire to explosions, they can't get any better.

Sound: I love how the music matches the mood of the board. The theme for each board is different, and the music is parallel with the theme.

Character voices aren't half bad. Charles Martinet, Jen Taylor, and others do the same good job of supplying the voice of everyone's favorite characters... well, the default ones. The hidden character's voices sound a bit off. I'm familiar with their voices, believe me, and they sound very different in this game. But as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't detract from the game.

Gameplay: This game, unlike previous ones in the series, are good for a wide variety of players. When you take consideration of the innovative eight-player mode, any number of players from one to eight can play. It's unfortunate you can't watch the computer players destroy each other, but it's probably for the best.

You can pretty much guess that this game is best suited for two or more players. But if you don't have any friends, then you can give Solo Mode a shot. Basically, you play as one person competing against a computer player to do a certain goal. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it isn't, but either way, it's always fun.

One thing I should add that I never add in most other games is humor. The various minigames, the tradition of the Mario Party series, can provide some pretty humorous results. A primary example of this is the Deluxe, or eight-player, minigame Rope A Dope, in which you and a partner have to walk on two different catwalks attached to the ends of a rope, and have to walk across. What's funny is that if one slips, they both fall off.

I got a little side-tracked, didn't I?

Overall: With well-done graphics, great sound, and fun gameplay, and hint of humor, the game is ideal for a fan of the Mario Party series, or Mario in general, for that matter. If you are get it, call over your friends, and let the games begin!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/13/06