While the game received mediocre reviews all across the board, Nintendo today announced that Mario Party 8, the first game (though undoubtedly not the last) in the series for Wii, has also become the fastest-selling game in the franchise’s entire history. Since its release in the U.S. on May 29^th, the game has sold more than 550,000 units. Unfortunately, Nintendo didn’t provide the sales numbers for the other games during a comparative time period, but we’re willing to believe them...for now. Fore more information on Mario Party 8’s record-breaking sales on the Wii, you’ll find the official press release included below:

July 2, 2007

Mario™ and his pals have plenty to party about: Mario Party® 8 has become the all-time fastest-selling title in Nintendo's popular Mario Party series. As the first Mario Party game created exclusively for Wii™, this new installment has sold more than 550,000 copies in the United States during the weeks following its May 29 launch.

Enlivening Mario Party's fun-filled formula with a carnival theme, the latest version of this virtual board game allows players to use the Wii Remote's unique motion controls while navigating new boards, meeting new characters and going head-to-head in new minigames. Kids and adults can easily pick it up and start playing together.

"The overwhelming response not only reminds us how much fans absolutely love the Mario Party franchise but also proves the unmatched ability of the Wii system to attract new players," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Wii users are keeping the Mario Party going strong."