Mario Party has always been one of my favorite series, since the release of Mario Party 1 I buy all of them, the only version I'm missing is the 5th one but I plan to get it soon. Many people complain that the series has gotten dull because the game doesn't present major gameplay changes since Mario Party 2 that introduced Items, Battle-Games, Item-Games and Duel-Games.

After Mario Party 2 all the installments have presented the same formula with only some minor graphical improvements, new boards and new Mini-Games, I actually don't care much as I still have lots of fun playing Mario Party when my friends drop by. Yet the games have been increasingly chastised by many gamers, just by checking the reviews you can easily notice what people think of the game's lack of change.

Mario Party 8 seems to be arriving in order to make people think differently about this series. The first and more obvious thought is how amazing will it be to control Mario and his friends using the Wiimote on outstanding mini-games. The graphics have gone through great improvements and by looking some of the images of the game I can already tell that board design has also been renewed with boards that take place even inside a train. I'll just miss online play, but I guess they will add it to one of the next games.

With so many changes Mario Party 8 not only will bring new life to the franchise but new fans too, and some of the people disappointed with what the series has became may give it a try. As for me I have very little doubts that this game is going to be the best Mario Party ever, and I'll be eagerly waiting for Mario Party 9.