Game: "Mario Party 8"

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Rated: Everyone

There has never been a better party-game console than Nintendo's Wii. There has never been a better party-game franchise than "Mario Party," so this first entry on Wii is a marriage made in mass-market heaven.

The format of "Mario Party 8" is unchanged from previous editions. Play revolves around a virtual game board; as many as four players try to collect coins, candy and stars with digital dice. The game's candy currency helps determine the game play. Bowlo candy turns your character into a ball that crushes opponents, and Bitsize candy shrinks your character and introduces new collectibles.

Never-ending mini games, randomly inserted throughout the board, are the heart of "Mario 8," presenting such challenges as free-for-alls, one against three and two versus two.

If you and your friends have four Wii remotes, this is a great party game.