Super Mario Party Jamboree Review: A Party for All Ages
Read our Super Mario Party Jamboree review! Explore exciting new mechanics, minigames, and why it's perfect for friends and family fun.
Super Mario Party Jamboree begins with Kamek welcoming players to new and exciting Mario Party experience, and right from the start, it’s clear that this isn’t just flashy introduction. This latest game in Nintendo’s long-running Mario Party series is not only bigger but one of best in franchise’s 25-year history. Jamboree feels like true sequel to 2021’s Mario Party Superstars, giving players everything they loved about that game while building on classic Mario Party games from the Nintendo 64 and GameCube days. It’s as if Jamboree was pulled from a universe where Mario Party never lost its charm.
Mario Party Superstars was fantastic game but it mainly offered remakes of old boards and mini-games from the past. In contrast, Jamboree goes step further by offering five brand-new game boards and two returning classics, each filled with strategic mechanics that match up with best in the series. Game also introduces fresh lineup of mini-games, some of which pay tribute to Mario’s long history in fun and unexpected ways. What sets Jamboree apart from previous entries is its flexibility it caters to both players who enjoy luck and randomness Mario Party is known for as well as those who prefer a more competitive, skill-based experience.
There are some minor hiccups with the game’s extra modes, particularly when it comes to single-player content which doesn’t quite match fun of playing with others. However, Jamboree still stands out as a fantastic return to form for the series. It’s easily one of best multiplayer games available on Nintendo Switch and a game that will keep friends and family entertained for hours.
This might be best set of boards we’ve ever seen in Mario Party game. There are seven beautiful options to choose from which is a big improvement over Super Mario Party’s four and Superstars’ five. Each board is fun and unique, making every match with four players exciting. For example Rainbow Galleria is a shopping mall where flash sales lower price of items and Stars. Goomba Lagoon is set on a tropical island with changing water levels that open and close paths, sometimes leaving players stuck.
Return of board-specific items adds even more strategy. On Roll ‘em Raceway, for example you can get a Turbo Dice that lets you roll four Dice Blocks at once but you have to skip all stops even the Star. Every board’s mechanics make you think carefully about each move, keeping game fresh and fun.
Selection of items is also great. Classic items like Custom Dice Block give you control over your dice roll, while new items like Super Dueling Glove let you duel another player for a Star. With so many items and strategies, every game feels different. Even though some things are still left to chance like hidden blocks with Stars or Bonus Stars at end, game balances luck and skill perfectly.
In the end, Mario Party is all about having fun and Jamboree captures that perfectly. You might win games you shouldn’t and lose games you thought you had but that’s all part of the excitement.
Pro Rules: A New Way to Play
In Super Mario Party Jamboree, Pro Rules bring a whole new level of strategy to game offering a fresh take for players who want more control and less reliance on luck. These rules change how you play, making it feel more like competitive board game than usual chaotic Mario Party experience. For example item shops now have limited stock so you need to grab what you want before it’s gone. Bonus Star category is revealed before the match begins allowing you to plan your strategy around winning that particular star. Even Star Stops are shown on board, hinting where next Star might appear after current one is bought.
One of the biggest changes is how minigames are chosen. Instead of being randomly selected, all four players vote between three different minigame options. This adds more control and reduces randomness that some players might find frustrating. These changes make Pro Rules a more competitive and intense version of Mario Party, giving those who prefer skill over luck a chance to shine. Whether you miss unpredictability of the standard Party Rules or enjoy the control Pro Rules offer will come down to your personal preference. But if you’ve ever thought Mario Party was too random, Pro Rules is the answer you’ve been waiting for.
Customizable Options
Fun doesn’t stop with Pro Rules. Even in standard Party Rules, Jamboree offers a lot of flexibility. You can choose to play between 10 and 30 turns, decide whether to turn Bonus Stars off, set them to random or keep them in Classic mode. You can also select minigames by vote, similar to Pro Rules, or leave them to be picked at random. Motion controls can be turned on or off, depending on what you prefer. This level of customization lets you tailor game to the skill level and preferences of people you’re playing with.
Although the customization options are great, there are a few small things that could be improved. For instance if you want to play with three Bonus Stars, you’re limited to a 30-turn game which might feel too long for some players. However, system still gives you plenty of ways to make the game feel exactly how you want it to. Plus, Jamboree offers online play, so you can compete with friends or strangers and online performance was smooth during pre-launch test. If you don’t have enough friends to fill all four spots, CPU characters are decent alternative and when set to Hard, they can give you real challenge.
A Large Character Roster
With 22 playable characters, Jamboree keeps game feeling fresh by offering plenty of variety. Each character has unique interactions that add to fun. For example if you play as Boo and visit Boo character on board, they’ll comment that it feels like “looking in a mirror!” Bowser Jr. is even greeted as “Your Majesty” when visiting Koopa’s shop. These little details add a charming touch to game, making experience even more enjoyable.
Minigames: The Heart of Super Mario Party Jamboree
Of course, Mario Party wouldn’t be complete without its iconic minigames and Jamboree delivers impressive lineup. While game boasts over 110 minigames in total, it’s important to note that not all of them appear in the main Mario Party mode. There are just over 50 minigames that show up at the end of each turn, which is fewer than in Superstars, which featured over 80 minigames. This slight drop in number might be disappointing for players who enjoyed Superstars’ vast selection but quality of minigames in Jamboree makes up for it.
Some standout minigames include one where you work with a partner to cut steak in half perfectly, another where you try to snap a photo that matches an example and one where you dodge falling sandwiches for as long as possible. There are also a few returning minigames from previous games like Platform Peril and Jump the Gun. The motion-control minigames are surprisingly fun, though enabling them means you have to use single Joy-Con for entire match instead of Pro Controller.
Super Mario Party Jamboree Buddies: A Fun New Twist
In Mario Party Jamboree, the exciting new feature is Jamboree Buddies. These are special allies you can recruit during longer minigames called Showdown Minigames. These minigames are themed around Nintendo characters like Luigi exploring a mansion or Donkey Kong playing a rhythm game with bongos. Having a Jamboree Buddy doubles your actions on board, letting you do things like buy two stars in one turn. But there’s a catch—bad spaces like Bowser’s are also doubled, making it riskier. Since Buddies only stay for a few turns, you’ll need to use them wisely to maximize their benefits.
Showdown Minigames: Adding More Strategy
Showdown Minigames are one of the best parts of the game. Each one celebrates a different character and brings something fresh to the table. However, once you win a Buddy, you have to protect them because other players can steal them by passing you on the board. This adds extra strategy to game as you need to keep an eye on your opponents.
Longer Games, More Fun
Addition of these new minigames has made games in Jamboree longer. For example, a 15-turn game can take up to two hours, but that time may shorten as you get used to the boards and minigames. Despite the longer playtime, it’s a lot of fun, and if you run out of time, there’s option to save and continue later.
Solo Play: Some Hits and Misses
There are solo modes like Koopathlon and Bowser Kaboom Squad, but they’re not as fun as playing with friends. Koopathlon is a race where you compete in minigames against 19 other players, but it only has nine games, so it feels repetitive quickly. Bowser Kaboom Squad is a cooperative mode where you team up with other players to fight Bowser, but it also gets repetitive fast. These modes are fun for a while but main party mode is where the game really shines.
Story Mode: Simple and Skippable
Jamboree has a story mode called Party Planning Trek, but it’s not very exciting. You help Toad and Kamek set up new boards by completing simple quests and minigames. It only takes two hours to finish and it’s entirely skippable unless you want to unlock decorations for your party plaza.
Motion Control Modes: Mixed Results
There are three motion control modes in Jamboree and best one is Rhythm Kitchen where you shake your Joy-Con to fun, food-themed challenges. Toad’s Item Factory offers some co-op puzzles but Paratroopa Flight School is letdown with awkward motion controls. These modes don’t add much to game but they’re harmless enough.
Conclusion: A Great Party Experience
Mario Party Jamboree is fantastic addition to the series, bringing back classic Mario Party fun with new features like Jamboree Buddies and Showdown Minigames. Boards are well-designed and game offers plenty of ways to customize your experience. While the solo modes aren’t as engaging, main Party mode is a blast especially with friends or family. If you’re a fan of Mario Party, Jamboree is definitely worth playing!