The match was a repeat of their classic quarter-final encounter back in 2008, which Part won 5-4 before going on to claim his third World title, and lived up to its billing throughout a dramatic two hours
Wade led the match 3-1 in the early stages, taking nine of the first eleven legs of the match to establish early control.
However, Wade missed a chance to move 4-1 ahead, and the three-time World Champion threw superb darts to take the next three sets and lead 4-3.
Wade won the eighth set before edging a dramatic deciding set in a sudden-death shoot-out, which he won with an 85 finish to reach the World Championship semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
"The 85 finish was fantastic, and I'm delighted to have hit that treble 15 under pressure to leave the opportunity at double top," said a delighted Wade, who will now face either Adrian Lewis or Terry Jenkins.
"I had a great start to the match and felt like I had established control, but before I knew it, John was 4-3 ahead and I was struggling.
"I did recover from that and I'm delighted to be in with a chance of becoming World Champion."
Wade, who had dropped just one set in his previous three matches, made a quickfire start to the game by taking the first set without reply.
The seven-time major champion hit double ten at the first attempt to take the opening leg, and followed that by breaking throw in the second.
Wade took the third leg to claim the set before Part managed to get off the mark at the start of set two by landing double top to hold throw.
Wade hit double top to claim the second leg, but missed two darts at the same double in the next, which Part edged on double five.
The world number three hit an 82 finish to win the fourth leg before the Canadian ace took out a fantastic 167 checkout to win the set and the match.
Wade won the first leg of set three on double ten, and then claimed the second against the darts by taking out 65.
The Aldershot star then produced a confident 13-dart finish, which was completed by hitting double ten for the second time in three legs, to lead 2-1.
Wade made an excellent start to the third set by taking out finishes of 108 and 140 to claim the opening two legs.
Wade continued the high standard by landing double top at the first attempt to win his sixth successive leg and move 3-1 up.
Wade, who won a second UK Open title in June, hit a 103 finish to take the first leg of set five, before Part landed double ten in the next to win his first leg in eight.
Wade took out 84 to win the third leg, but missed a dart at the bullseye to take the set in the next, with double five from part forcing a fifth leg.
The deciding leg saw Part hold his nerve to convert a 97 finish, landing double top with a pressure third dart whilst Wade was waiting on the same double.
The Canadian made an excellent start to the sixth set by taking the first leg and then hit a 116 checkout, capitalising two missed darts at double ten from Wade.
Part kept up the momentum by taking out 75 to win the set and leave the match finely balanced at three-all.
The opening two legs of the seventh set where shared after both players hit double top, before Wade won the third with an 82 finish, which included a maximum.
Part hit a 180 of his own in the process of taking the fourth leg, before a dramatic deciding set saw both players miss a dart for the set, before the Canadian returned to hit tops to lead the match for the first time.
Wade made a good start to the eighth set by taking the opening two legs, which included an 81 finish in the second.
Part hit double top to win the third, but the Canadian missed two darts at double 16 in the fourth, and Wade took the chance to hit double top to send the match into a deciding set.
Wade missed two darts at doubles to win the opening leg, but Part missed one chance at double 16, allowing him to return and hit double five.
Part hit double 16 to claim the second before a tense third leg saw the three-time World Champion miss four chances to break throw and Wade hit double two.
Part posted back-to-back maximums in the process of taking the fourth leg, before Wade hit a fantastic 124 checkout to win the fifth.
The sixth leg saw Wade agonisingly off-target with two darts to win the match, and Part kept his composure to hit double two.
The Canadian secured a vital break of throw by taking out 64, only for Wade to hit back superbly and take the eighth leg with a 108 finish.
Wade fired in back-to-back 180s in a 12-darter to move a leg away from the match, but Part hit double top at the first attempt to force a sudden-death shoot-out.
Wade won the advantage of throw but consistent scoring from the Canadian saw him 40 after 12 darts, having left the double when he was unable to finish 128.
Wade, though, stepped up to take out 85 for a 14-dart finish to end an enthralling contest and seal a place in the last four.
"It was a great standard from both of us, said Part. "I live to play games like this and I give great credit to James for the way he played.
"Without question, this is the greatest game I've ever lost!"
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