Mario Party 4 (Nintendo GameCube)

The popular characters of Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi were introduced in the original Mario Party and have been faithfully brought back in every version since. The game is based on the board game model of play, and you compete by forming teams with other players to compete in a series of Mini games, with 50 games in all to choose from.

Styles of games vary from racing to games of chance, where each player moves across a 3D "board" with game pieces. The ultimate goal of the Mini games is to win each contest in order to collect the "birthday prize".

None of the games is particularly difficult to figure out in terms of how to play, but they are challenging enough in terms of skill to keep even teenagers happy, especially if they are competing with another player or, better yet, three other players. Even though there's little complexity involved in terms of character or skill acquisition, the fun of playing in groups, either as teams or in a free-for-all, more than makes up for the rather simplistic story line and characters.

This is not a game for serious thinkers who like lots of interesting visuals and story line, but as far as having fun with other players goes, it's unbeatable. If you are looking for a way out of the often isolating routine of role-playing games, MARIO PARTY 4 is the way to go.