If you don't mind that this cart isn't full of new surprises, and you're looking for more four-player party game goodness, then by all means, get it. Arcade Spot brings you the best games without downloading and a fun gaming experience on your computers, mobile phones, and tablets. Even though Mario Party 2 should probably be called Mario Party 1.5, or Mario Party: Director's Cut, it still provides a decent time. I'm also bummed the longer-term goals are gone (saving coins to buy new boards, trying to earn 100 stars, etc.)-they provided some fun, extra incentives to keep playing new games. It also doesn't help that 20 of the 64 competitions come from Mario Party 1 (that's almost a third.you'll feel like you're playing the original game a lot of the time). Problem is, all of these improvements are minor, at best. And with 44 new mini-games, you have what seems like the perfect recipe fora worthy sequel.

One-on-one duels and battle mini-games add spice to the mix as well (see this issue's MP2 preview for more details).

All of the boards are more interesting with the addition of Koopa Banks, Item Shops and events that can steal your coinage or toss you around the map like a rag doll. Now that the sequel's here, I'm both happy and disappointed. Even when the rest of the staff grew up and moved on, I was still playing it one-player.

I'm probably as big a Mario Party fan as they come.