Cardiators

Cardiators is a Duel minigame that appears in Mario Party 8. Its name is a portmanteau of "card" and "gladiators."

Introduction
The two players enter a gladiator-like stadium from gated entranceways on opposite ends and face each other in the middle of the stadium.

Gameplay
Three facedown numbered cards appear, each with a number from one to three. Both players select a card, and the player whose number is higher goes first.

The players compete in an RPG-style card battle, with 20 Health Points each. A set of numbered cards from one to twelve is displayed facedown on a nearby table. Each player has ten seconds to pick a numbered card, which will also have a character on it; if they do not make a selection, the card their cursor highlights is automatically picked for them. The character is summoned to attack the opponent and deal damage equal to its value. The first player to reduce their opponent's HP to zero wins.

Ending
The camera zooms in on the winning player, who stands behind the table of cards and does their victory pose as the losing player remains sitting on the ground behind them, still dazed from the last attack.

Controls

 * Wii Remote: Hold sideways
 * Buttons
 * – Move cursor/player
 * – Choose card

In-game text

 * Rules – "Take turns selecting cards that launch attacks on your rival. Reduce your rival's life meter to zero to win!"
 * Hint – "There's no way to know what a card will do until you've selected it. Good luck!"