Mario Party

It's an interactive board game and an adventure all in one! Play as one of 6 characters - Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Wario or Yoshi. They all claim to be the Super Star! Toad challenges them to prove it by going on an adventure via the Warp Pipe in Mushroom Village. This is a multiplayer game with up to 4 human players, each with their own controller.

Start by practicing on Mini-Game Island. There are about 40 mini-games, e.g. Piranha Pursuit (race a piranha over rocks and fallen trees, but don't let him catch you!) or Coin Shower Flower (catch falling coins on a moving flower). You can also buy mini-games and toys in Mini-Game House - the shelves are empty in our version as my son has them all!

Then play on one of 6 adventure boards, such as the Jungle Board or the Rainbow Board. Toad explains the rules - gain coins on blue spaces, lose them on red, with special ? and ! spaces and the possibility of meeting various characters. Watch out for Bowser as he plays tricks! A mini-game is played after each round, the team set-up depending on the colors of squares the players are on.

Win coins on the games, lose them on the Board, and buy stars whenever you can - coins and stars end up in the Mushroom Bank. Collect the most stars to become the Super Star! And 1000 coins lets you buy the key to the extra stage Bowser's Magma Mountain.

This is a non-violent multiplayer game, and there aren't a lot around, aside from the different racing games. I especially like the fact that the kids play in teams and that the teams change depending on the board layout - keeps it friendly! This is my 9 year old's favorite game. My 10 year old likes it, especially the touches of humor, but prefers the role-playing adventure games. Reading is required, but a beginning reader could manage with help from other players.

This is one of the best for family fun or a kids' party!