Review – Super Mario Party Jamboree

Developer: Nintendo Cube | Publisher: Nintendo

Mario Party is one of Nintendo’s most iconic and beloved series, known for its chaotic minigames and competitive board game action. However, recent entries have struggled to recapture the franchise’s former glory. Enter Super Mario Party Jamboree for the Nintendo Switch—a fresh take that aims to bring back the series’ classic charm. But does this latest instalment live up to the hype, and is it worth accepting the invite?

Super Mario Party Jamboree offers numerous modes, both online and offline, and is easily one of the most captivating entries in the series. It features a variety of seven boards, each with unique quirks and gimmicks, and boasts over one-hundred and ten minigames.

The game encapsulates everything I look for in a Mario Party title, though it’s undoubtedly best enjoyed with friends. While playing single player mode, although it can be rather snappy on the boards, I couldn’t help but wish there was a way to fast-forward the CPU turns. Of course, Mario Party games are designed to be played with friends and other “real” people, so playing with CPU is not the optimal way to play, nor is it likely the way the developers intended for it to be enjoyed.

The gameplay across the seven boards is straight forward enough for anybody to pick up, but is full of charm that only Mario and friends can bring to the table. Landing on certain spaces on the board grant the player coins, or the chance to shop for items, while other spaces deduct coins or trigger adverse effects, depending on the board’s gimmicks or traps set by your opponents.

The aim of the game is to collect as many Stars as possible. Stars are dotted around the board and require a cost of twenty coins. If you don’t have enough coins, you” have to pass the Star by. At the end of the game, the player with the most Stars wins. Sounds simple, but it’s not always as it seems. Players earn coins by competing in minigames at the end of each turn with their opponents, and utilising that opportunity to prevent other players from earning coins while you rake them in can be absolutely miserable for them. Luck does still play a part, however.

Few moments are more satisfying than landing on a space and Boo suddenly popping out, offering you the opportunity to steal coins or potentially a Star that somebody else has worked their joy-cons off to earn. First place is always in contention, regardless of bad starts or early luck. It’s not a race to the finish, nor is it always better to roll high. The game thrives on the unpredictability of landing on the right spaces at the right times.

A new feature of the latest addition to the Mario Party series is the “Jamboree Buddy” system. Jamboree Buddies can be any of the main characters from the game and are activated by passing them on the board. A competitive minigame determines who will have the privilege of a little help as they traverse the board. Jamboree Buddies have limited time on the board but they lend the player the benefit of double coins and the potential to purchase two Stars at once. it’s not all sunshine and roses, though. If anyone passes you on the board, they can take the Buddy and benefit from their presence. The Jamboree Buddy adds an exciting element to keeping the game alive, even in the dying embers when players may think their luck has ran out.

At the end of each game, Toad evaluates the scores and dishes out last minute rewards. The twist shines when the player with the fewest Stars suddenly finds themselves back in the running. Just because you’ve been bad at minigames, or landed on the spaces with the worst luck, doesn’t mean you’ve lost. Toad may reward the player who’s had the worst luck, meaning the dynamic can suddenly shift. This inclusion ensures that everyone, regardless of skill or experience, can feel included. It’s the perfect party game for pulling out the Switch at Christmas, where even your gaming-averse grandma might snag a cheeky win.

There is a different ruleset for players who want to take Super Mario Party Jamboree a bit more seriously and would rather rule out those contingencies of someone stealing the win. The best part about this game is how it offers the player to choose their experience, rather than feeling like you’ve arrived at someone else’s party.

Another stand-out feature, in my opinion, is the ability to toggle motion controlled minigames as part of any board. If you’re only playing with a pro-controller, or simply don’t enjoy the gimmick of motion, just turn them off and have a classic Mario Party experience.

Beyond Party Mode, there’s plenty more to keep players entertained. If you don’t want to commit over an hour on Party Mode, which admittedly can feel a bit long at times, the other modes offer more of a snapshot experience into the world of Super Mario Party Jamboree. You can select what minigames you want to play for fun, simply practice for enjoyment. There’s also the Koopathlon which offers a completely different experience in the form of a race. In this mode, players compete in minigames for coins to move forward. The Koopathlon acts as a race with a minimum of three laps. It’s perfect for a shorter and varied experience with this title which is full to the brim of ridiculous party gameplay.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is packed with so much content that it’s hard to do it justice in a single review. It’s the ultimate party game that I would argue can be played with anybody with any level of experience in gaming. It’s best enjoyed in-person with friends but offers a perfectly good online experience. Whether it’s your first time playing Mario Party or you’re a veteran of the series, this game is a must-have for your game nights in with friends.

8.5 out of 10

Review code provided by Publisher | Tested on Nintendo Switch