Jam-Time #2
Written: Feb 11 '00 (Updated Feb 15 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Loads of options, variety,& fun Made for Multi-Player
Cons: Poorly themed BackGround Music (BGM)
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| JeA_Roy's Full Review: Mario Party 2 for Nintendo 64 |
Tired of the old board games? Want to really challenge those group of three people who continually beat you at Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and/or Risk? Then the sequel the the world first video board game can help you out easily!
For those of you who missed the first Jam Session, Mario Party has four players(some human, others CPU controlled) battle it out on one of several game boards in search of the ever mysterious power stars. The space you land on determines wether you get(or lose) coins, compete for an item, play a game by yourself, play a roulette chance game, or any of several actions depending on the space and the board.
Then, after everyone "rolls" the "dice" (or "die") then heart of the game, the mini-game, starts. After the teams are decided, and the roulette selects the game, the the action begins as the four players vie to haul the largest coin bounty from that game. Why? With the coins(at a little help from Toad, everyone's favorite mushroom retainer) you can uncover those important power stars. When the previously determined number of turns elapses, the player with the most power stars(or, in the case of a tie, the most coins) is the superstar and wins the game!
Sound easy? It's not! Some of the mini-games are tough and one bad "roll" or event can knock you from the top to dead last in fourth place. But, enough descriptions. Let's get down to it and see how Mario Party 2 rates with the GamePro(TM) category standard:
GRAPHICS: 4.0 The animation is the clear standout of the party, but, have we forgotten that the N64 is supposed to be the 3-D system? Even a 3-D game board would have easily scored it an extra .5. There is, however, some great use of lighting techniques. But other than the lack of 3-Dness, the video board game is good to look at.
SOUND: 3.5 The only weakness of the game, the BGM just doesn't suit a "party" atmosphere. Sometimes, the BGM doesn't even suit the game(mini- and otherwise) It chimes in too much at the fantasy genre for a party, but the excellent voice sampling (Which Nintendo excels at) saves the score from 3.0 mediocracy.
CHALLENGE: 5.0-PERFECT The mini-games very greatly it terms of difficulty, and with a kitchen sink-full of options, you will probably find the level of challenge that's right for you! But, do not underestimate the power of luck. It will keep you on your toes!
FUN FACTOR: 4.5 the .5 was lost with a combination of the BGM problem and the sub-par 1-player mode. With unimpressive(but adjustable) AI, It's just not a party by yourself. Make sure you have at least one other person for Jam Time.
With an affordable price (MSRP $49.95), and pick-up-and-play controls, this game excels as a rental, or, if you have a constant supply of fellow party jammers, a perfect purchase. Just pop your party CD in the stereo, hit repeat, play, then start for Jam Time.
Are you ready to "roll"?
CLOSE
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
JeA_Roy
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Location: I live in one of those small states you've never heard of(hint: it's on one of the state quarters!)
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 1 member
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