The Wii effect boosts sales of Mario Party 8 in America to a series high!

No franchise divides the opinions of Nintendo fans more. On the one hand, many see the never-ending stream of yearly sequels a step too far down the EA route. Others, however, find fun in the often enjoyable mini-games the series provides, and note the reason Nintendo have kept this long-running series going - it sells remarkably well.

And the eighth incarnation, the first to land on the Wii, has been no exception. Released in the States five weeks ago on May 29th, the title has already clocked up over 550,000 copies sold, giving it the honour of being the all-time fastest-selling title in the Mario Party series.

Roll on Mario Party 9...