Review for Super Mario Party Jamboree

Initial release date: October 17, 2024

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Genres: Party video game, Platform game, Puzzle, Racing game

Developer: Nintendo Cube

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Publishers: Nintendo, Nintendo of America Inc.

Series: Mario Party

In my first twenty turn match of Super Mario Party Jamboree, I was four stars ahead at the midway stage. It will come as no surprise to series veterans that at the end of the final turn, I was dead last, outraged, and vowed to exact retribution on the gaming gods who had so cruelly humiliated me in front of actual people, despite my clear skill.

You see, normally I’d say something like “Super Mario Party Jamboree is not going to change the minds of people who already dislike the series,” but Nintendo has made genuine efforts to appeal to those who have complained about the lack of fairness and the board-game random dice nature of the series thus far. Don’t get me wrong, in ordinary mode you’ll still get robbed by an AI-controlled WaLuigi who swaps your four stars for his none and shatters your expectations on the penultimate turn, but this isn’t your typical Super Mario Party.

Fans should not worry, however, because the modes they may already enjoy are available. You can continue to play boards with randomised features, and the chuckles will flow freely. The “Pro Rules” feature, however, is new to Super Mario Party Jamboree. While not as adaptable as traditional board games, Nintendo has removed the randomness from Mario Party and reduced it to true mini-game ability. You’ll know right away that it’s a “12 turn” game, and you’ll even know which of the post-game bonus stars will be active. Chance spaces have essentially vanished, and the creator has truly thought of everything to make this competitive ruleset work for those who are tired of fate changing their fortune.

Regardless of the ruleset you choose, the boards are all excellent. From the verdant hills of the Wiggler-based area to the Mario-Kart-themed “Roll ’em Raceway,” where you’re in a Kart racing around a track and are even rewarded with cash for completing each lap. The Mall is a big board with a lot to accomplish, therefore it deserves a longer turn counter, but Mega Wiggler’s Tree Party, for example, may get by with a 10-turn limit. As always, each board is packed with surprises and interactivity, and no one in our home has grown tired of playing them yet. With online multiplayer match-ups available, the mix of the basic party mode and Pro Rules may feel enough to make it feel like a more expansive game than ever before.

But Nintendo wants everyone to know that Super Mario Party Jamboree is the series’ biggest game yet, and boy, is this ever a “everything but the kitchen sink” title. There are so many modes here. If you only want to play mini-games, you can. There is a mix of motion-controlled and traditional mini-games, and you may choose to eliminate motion-controller mini-games from the main party modes or play Jamboree’s rhythm-based motion-only component.

What about an online, nearly mini-Battle Royale mode called Koopathon. In this game, you compete against 19 other players in simplified mini-games while your avatar races around the track. Do well in a mini-game and you will move forward on the track, which is fantastic fun if you just want to sit down and have a brief blast. Then there’s Bowser Kaboom Squad, another bizarre concept that just works. Eight players must defeat the larger-than-life Imposter Bowser by destroying boxes with a hammer, collecting bombs that fall from them, and loading a cannon to blast at him. Oh, and there are mini-games between each attempt to acquire bonus things to help you, all while Bowser chases you across the map, stomping on you.

However, this does not imply that the main mode has been neglected. Jamboree Buddies each have their own unique set of mini-games for you to win, and they can significantly alter the flow of play by adding affects to the board-play, such as allowing you to buy two stars at once or double your money anytime you land on a space. They only last three turns, but if you win one, you can completely change the game. In typical Mario Party style, however, even if you land on their square, you must face off against your opponents in order to gather them on your journey around the board.

There is also a new single-player adventure called Party Planner Trek. You walk through the boards, gathering up stuff to help the occupants overcome their difficulties. It’s fairly basic; for example, someone will require a fishing rod, so you find one on the board and return it to them. The freeform exploration mode provides a more casual method to play mini-games and get to know the boards, and you’re rewarded with decorative items that allow you to customize the main menu, or hub area of the game itself. It’s a nice, uncomplicated distraction that I enjoyed more than I expected.

Ultimately, this is still a Super Mario Party game. That means there are over a hundred mini-games, boards to roll dice on, and plenty of laughs at each other’s expense in multiplayer mode. I still hesitate to say that if you dislike the series, this is the one for you, but I’m not sure what else Nintendo could have done with Jamboree to appeal to a wider audience. This is Mario Kart Deluxe from the Super Mario Party series. There are so many modes and ways to play, and the inclusion of Pro Rules allows you to eliminate chance and become extremely competitive. The mini-games are generally excellent, the boards are entertaining, and it’s a good time with friends and family: what more could you want for? Super Mario Party Jamboree is the biggest and finest game in the franchise to date, and it will remain on my Switch for quite some time.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 78%

Controls: 84%

Aesthetics: 90%

Content: 74%

Accessibility: 88%

Value: 80%

Overall: 82%

VERY GOOD

Summary: “Super Mario Party Jamboree” adheres to the popular formula that has made the series a fan favorite for years. It’s ideal for family gatherings and casual play, thanks to its brilliant and colorful design, amusing mini-games, and basic, easy-to-use controls. However, despite its charm and ease of play, the content can get repetitive after a while, and luck can occasionally play a too important role, diminishing the need for strategy. For Mario Party veterans, it’s a fine entry, but it might use more diversity to keep things interesting in the long run.