Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

As a seasoned gaming enthusiast who has spent countless hours rolling dice and battling friends in the colorful world of Mario Party, let me tell you about my experiences with Super Mario Party Jamboree.


Nintendo has arranged a fresh gathering on the Switch, inviting all players – it’s the latest installment of the beloved Mario Party series!

Featuring fresh boards, novel mini-games, diverse game modes (like multiplayer party games online), and additional content, this latest edition aspires to shine like a superstar. However, let’s discuss how it compares to its predecessors.

If you and your group of friends are already fond of a specific version of Mario Party, is it essential to have Jamboree? Could it spark the same friendly rivalries as timeless board games such as Monopoly?

Let’s fly over to Party Plaza and find out!

A Rockin’ Party

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

In the lively gathering known as “Super Mario Party Jamboree“, you’ll find a stunning selection of eight distinct game modes. However, if you’ve ever played previous “Mario Party” games, you’ll quickly realize that the original “Mario Party” experience lies at the core. It’s like slipping back into a familiar pair of shoes.

As a die-hard fan, I can tell you that the heart of the gameplay remains consistent across the series – it’s all about giving a good roll to the dice block and speeding around the board. The goal? Gathering Coins and Stars as you go! Each turn ends with an exciting minigame. At the final bell, whoever has accumulated the most Stars emerges victorious.

You currently have seven boards to choose from, but only four are immediately accessible. Moreover, you’ll find an impressive variety of 22 characters spanning Mario’s journey, with two fresh additions: Ninji and Pauline.

As a gamer, I’ve stumbled upon an exciting new feature called the “Jamboree Buddy” system. It’s somewhat similar to having an ally in another game, where additional characters can join me, offering perks if I manage to win their mini-game challenges. These pals of mine come with abilities that vary from subtly helpful to downright overpowered.

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review
Peach’s ability is insanely strong, because a Jamboree Buddy also doubles the number of Stars you can buy. So yes, you can get 2 Stars for only 20 Coins.

Having Jamboree Buddies in the game introduces an energetic, “swingy” dynamic that goes beyond the typical randomness found in Mario Party, as these characters not only have unique abilities but also double all actions taken, such as the acquisition of Stars.

Fundamentally, Jamboree Buddies represent a refreshing twist on a well-known concept. The mini-games during Showdown are undeniably the standout feature in Jamboree, and triumphing in one provides a genuine opportunity to close the gap with or pull ahead of your competitors.

Pros At The Party

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

In the case of Buddies, they bring variation to the Mario Party gameplay, but Jamboree takes it a step further by incorporating Strict Rules to minimize randomness and limit settings, ensuring a uniform gaming experience. Interestingly, while these rules might seem competitive in nature, I’ve discovered that they still work wonderfully for casual multiplayer fun.

In this game, players can choose which mini-game to play by voting, and each game begins with a bonus item. This is what makes the Pro Rules engaging because the choices made by players become more significant. Although there’s still a fair amount of unpredictability—it’s Mario Party, after all—having more decisions gives you a greater sense of accomplishment when you outsmart your friends.

As a gamer, I find myself yearning for more flexibility when it comes to setting up the Party Rules in this game. It’d be great if I could tweak the settings to suit my gaming style better, but unfortunately, the options are quite limited. This is one aspect that leaves me wanting a bit more in Jamboree!.

At the Jamboree, you’ll find not only casual play but also competitive matches following the Pro Rules as well. While traditional Mario Party gameplay leans more towards relaxed and friendly competition, the fact that ranked play is popular suggests there must be a crowd who enjoys it. It may seem unusual to include ranked play in this genre, yet it doesn’t take away from the overall experience of the game.

Variants On The Classic

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review
Battle against Impostor Bowser in Bowser Kaboom Squad.

In the lively gathering known as Super Mario Party Jamboree, there are multiple options to engage in the fun. However, it’s debatable to categorize Minigame Bay as a variant because an individual play mode has been part of the games right from their inception.

In this fresh update, you’ll find a variety of choices, such as battling against Impostor Bowser in PVE mode or competing with other players in the Koopathlon racetrack. Each game type incorporates unique mini-games. I must say, I was quite impressed by the games—most are enjoyable, even if they sometimes draw inspiration from familiar themes like Tetris.

Among the various modes available in Super Mario Maker 2, I particularly enjoy Kamek’s Party-Planner Trek the most. This mode is entertaining as it allows me to uncover decorations, achieve milestones for awards that help unlock fresh stages and cosmetics. Additionally, it grants access to exclusive mini-games.

Providing gameplay lasting between 4-8 hours, this engaging supplement manages not to outstay its charm. It served as an enjoyable introduction to the novel gameboards during single player sessions, yet upon completion, there was little incentive for me to continue playing.

Instead, while other game modes within Super Mario Party Jamboree are enjoyable, they essentially provide a similar experience upon multiple plays.

Although these games offer enjoyable mini-games, I find that the fundamental concepts behind these modes become monotonous over time. However, what sets the Pro Rules apart is the variety they introduce, enhancing the game’s appeal by maintaining a consistent level of engagement rather than diminishing it.

Motion Control Mayhem

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

In the lively gathering known as Super Mario Party Jamboree, three extra play styles emphasize interactive fun through motion-sensitive Joy-Con controls.

Given about half the mini-games in this game rely on motion control, it’s no wonder that we’ve incorporated more game modes taking advantage of that feature.

Although motion controls have fallen out of favor, even on the Switch, they remain an excellent choice for party games. This was evident in the unexpectedly enjoyable Wii Sports.

I find it appealing that every motion-controlled game mode offers a unique experience. The gameplay differs not only in the kind of physical movement needed, but also in the objective or idea behind each game. This applies to the motion-controlled mini-games found in the regular game as well.

That said, these modes still feel a lot like “gimmicks.” Their replayability is limited, with only Paratroopa Flight School having any real depth.

Wonderful Blend of Novelty And Nostalgia

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

All of these options and alternatives are lovely, but they mean very little if the core game doesn’t hold up. After all, no one grabs a Mario Party game anticipating a flight simulator—we’re here for the digital board game!

It’s fortunate that the new version of “Super Mario Party Jamboree” holds up quite nicely compared to its predecessors. While this game may not bring anything particularly new to the table when it comes to the fundamental structure of the franchise, introducing significant changes wasn’t necessarily needed or welcome.

Instead of significant changes, we’ve made minor enhancements and user-friendly modifications, such as the Pro Rules or the option to speed up event animations, to make gameplay more enjoyable. The new boards are a fun addition and seamlessly complement previous Mario Party games.

In order to provide a more authentic Mario Party experience, we limit comprehensive testing only to new game modes. This means that when you join us, you can be certain of enjoying the classic Mario Party gameplay.

As a gamer, if you’re craving something new and diverse, there’s plenty more to explore beyond the main game. Although these extra game modes may not be as powerful as the core experience, they don’t have to be the centerpiece of my enjoyment. Frankly, I can roll with whatever they throw at me, even if it feels a bit generic.

Closing Comments

The Super Mario Party celebration is a fantastic party game that holds its own against past installments in the series. It maintains the classic formula while making subtle adjustments and enhancements, as well as introducing new game modes. These changes elevate it above other recent entries in the franchise, making it truly shine like a supernova. If you already own one or both of the Switch’s previous Mario Party games, Jamboree is still worth taking a second look at.

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2024-10-25 14:39