Popular Series Introduces Awesome Eight-Player Action and a Bundled Value.

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine your closest friends embarking on a cruise ship to some of the most awe-inspiring destinations around the world and the great times they surely have in store for themselves.

Now, imagine you get left behind. As the story goes, Toadsworth invited Mario and all his pals to take a luxury voyage aboard the MSS Sea Star. Bowser finds himself absent from the guest list and begins conniving to ruin their excursion. After all -- if he can't have fun, no one should have fun. With the Nov. 7 launch of Mario Party 7 for Nintendo GameCube, see what trouble he stirs up.

The Mario Party series has sold more than 5 million copies in the United States, putting it in the ranks of the most popular video game franchises of all time. Playing like a virtual board game, it has also been highly popular among college students. And now, for the first time ever, with Mario Party 7, it can bring an entire family together with its eight-player action. The game promises to be a great value with a special offer for the holidays. A bundle will be available for a limited time that includes a Nintendo GameCube, two controllers and Mario Party 7, all at an MSRP of just $99.99.

Two new characters, Birdo and Dry Bones, join the party, while the video game features 86 new mini-games, 11 of which use the included Nintendo GameCube Mic that allows players to control the action with their voices. It's like 86 games merged into one, with playable characters that include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Daisy, Wario, Waluigi, Boo, Toad and Toadette.

Players explore the world with six new game boards that serve as exotic ports of call, including Pyramid Park, Pagoda Peak, Grand Canal, Windmillville, Neon Heights and Bowser World. Bowser has made a mess of traditionally lovely vacation spots, as he has other plans for his friendly sightseers while he turns the vacationing paradise into a tension-filled madhouse.

As the vacation goes awry, players find themselves leaping over electrified hurdles and avoiding a mole with a giant hammer. Cranky Goombas market their power-ups and persuasive Shy Guys offer players auditions for an action movie or big-league contract.