The novelty value of slow motion has worn off and it's not implemented here with enough panache to make it stand out. On the odd rare occasion you may find everything comes together to create a bit of excitement but these moments are too few and far between.

Ultimately though the shallow game play means that this is one present that, unlike the puppy, is just for Christmas.

It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.

Put simply Mario Party 5 is nowhere near as good as either of the "Super Monkey Ball" games for single or multiplayer. It's not even in the same league.

It ticks a number of very basic and previously-defined boxes with unbending efficiency, throwing in a few commendable moments of surprising fun, drenched in the usual superficial fineries (the visuals, recognisable characters, plotlines, set-pieces, et al) with which many an EA game has plied its trade in the past.

Yet another example of the dangers of one publishing company gaining a monopoly over a particular genre. The experience becomes homogenised and the resulting games become soulless products devoid of any indication.

Yet another example of the dangers of one publishing company gaining a monopoly over a particular genre. The experience becomes homogenised and the resulting games become soulless products devoid of any indication.

If you're a fan of the genre, then you'll find plenty to get your teeth into, but after several hours even the most ardent fan will be forced to concede that this is by no means an original, immersive or hugely fun first-person shooter. Starts well - fades - then crumbles, if you'll pardon the pun.

It comes nowhere near Top Spin or Virtua Tennis, and what with the confusing control-system thrown-in, it can become annoying.

Whilst Carve isn't bad in any sense at all, then, it isn't particularly inspiring either and sometimes this can be more disheartening than a daring title gone-awry.

It is not that the game doesn't have its fun moments, because it can be that, it is just that they are very short-lived and don't really go any further than the first level. Disappointing.

Mario Party though is not a particularly good game and it's up against much better titles like "Super Monkey Ball" that manages to bridge this age gap by having inspired game play and a quirky feel. Most Nintendo games have this quality but it is sadly missing here.