The best Mario Party game yet!
By Paul Hunter
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the latest addition to the fan-favourite Mario Party series, developed and published by Nintendo. Released on October 17, 2024, this game is a celebration of fun and friendship and is perfect for family gatherings and parties.
Jamboree arrives in the seventh year of Nintendo Switch and proves that there's a lot left in the tank for Nintendo's popular game console. With two previous entries on the Switch, Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars, expectations were high for this latest release Mario Party release, but in every way, Jamboree exceeds expectations and is arguably the best entry in the series yet.
What sets Super Mario Party Jamboree apart is its commitment to innovation while retaining the core elements that fans love. The game features an impressive roster of 22 playable characters, including two newcomers, Pauline and Ninji. Popular characters from previous games are also back, like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Toad, Bowser and more.
You can expect a variety of game modes, including the classic Mario Party mode, which has been expanded with new boards and mini-games. Nintendo also focused on enhancing the multiplayer experience, with both local and online play, allowing you to play with family and friends or other players from around the world.
Turning our attention to the traditional Mario Party boards, the variety available is quite impressive. There are seven boards in total, five of which are brand new, while two are refreshed versions of classic boards. This mix of old and new allows you to experience nostalgia while also enjoying fresh designs and mechanics. Four boards are available right as you start—Mega Wiggler's Tree Party, Roll 'em Raceway, Goomba Lagoon, and Rainbow Galleria—while an additional three can be unlocked as you play: Western Land, Mario's Rainbow Castle and the treacherous King Bowser's Keep. As you'd expect, each board has its unique theme and layout, which adds fun and variety to each gaming session.
The gameplay mechanics remain true to the series, with you rolling dice to move around the board, collecting coins and stars, and engaging in mini-games at the end of each turn. However, Jamboree introduces new features like Jamboree Buddies that add an exciting twist. These special characters appear randomly on the board, triggering unique mini-games when you collect them. They also grant you special abilities, like Mario who adds 3 to 8 to the dice roll or Waluigi who steals 3 to 8 coins from opponents you pass.
The mini-games themselves are another highlight of Jamboree. With over 110 mini-games available, there’s a vast array of challenges to tackle. These mini-games range from simple, easy-to-learn tasks to more complex challenges that require skill and strategy. Some of my favourite mini-games include Camera-Ready where you need to take photos of Mario characters and Hot Cross Blocks where you need to choose the right blocks to cross over a lava pit. Like in previous Mario Party games, mini-games come in a variety of styles including 4-player, 1-vs-3, 2-vs-2, Duel mini-games and more. The sheer variety of mini-games available ensures that every match feels fresh and engaging, regardless of how many times you play.
Another awesome aspect of Jamboree is the number of game modes beyond the core Mario Party boards. There's Minigame Bay where you can play any unlocked minigame, Motion Island filled with three motion control games, Bowser Challenges where a large number of players can play at once, and Party-Planner Trek, a single-player mode where you travel around new boards while talking to NPCs, collecting items, and fulfilling requests to acquire Mini Stars.
Super Mario Party Jamboree's presentation is vibrant and draws you into its whimsical world. Like past Mario Party games, the graphics are bright and colourful, showcasing the iconic characters and settings that fans have come to love. Each game board is uniquely designed, featuring distinct themes that reflect the playful nature of the Mario universe. From lush forests home to a Mega Wiggler to a bustling rainbow-coloured city mall, every board is filled with intricate details that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The character models are well-crafted, with smooth animations that bring them to life. Each character has their own personality, which shines through in their movements and expressions, like how Mario does his 'yahoo' jump while hitting the dice block while Wario does his iconic muscle flex pose. The attention to detail in this game is superb and a major highlight of the whole package.
Accessibility is at the forefront of this game, with a user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. Menus are clearly laid out, allowing you to quickly access different game modes and options. This streamlined design means less time fumbling through menus and more time enjoying the game.
The sound design in Super Mario Party Jamboree is equally impressive. The soundtrack features a mix of upbeat tunes that perfectly match the energetic gameplay. Each board has its own theme music, which enhances the mood and keeps the excitement level high. The sound effects are also excellent, whether it's the satisfying sound of collecting coins to the cheerful jingles that play after winning a mini-game. Voice acting in Super Mario Party Jamboree is minimal but effective with each character having their classic catchphrases and sounds, which fans will instantly recognize.
Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Party
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the latest addition to the fan-favourite Mario Party series, developed and published by Nintendo. Released on October 17, 2024, this game is a celebration of fun and friendship and is perfect for family gatherings and parties.
Jamboree arrives in the seventh year of Nintendo Switch and proves that there's a lot left in the tank for Nintendo's popular game console. With two previous entries on the Switch, Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars, expectations were high for this latest release Mario Party release, but in every way, Jamboree exceeds expectations and is arguably the best entry in the series yet.
What sets Super Mario Party Jamboree apart is its commitment to innovation while retaining the core elements that fans love. The game features an impressive roster of 22 playable characters, including two newcomers, Pauline and Ninji. Popular characters from previous games are also back, like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Toad, Bowser and more.
You can expect a variety of game modes, including the classic Mario Party mode, which has been expanded with new boards and mini-games. Nintendo also focused on enhancing the multiplayer experience, with both local and online play, allowing you to play with family and friends or other players from around the world.
Turning our attention to the traditional Mario Party boards, the variety available is quite impressive. There are seven boards in total, five of which are brand new, while two are refreshed versions of classic boards. This mix of old and new allows you to experience nostalgia while also enjoying fresh designs and mechanics. Four boards are available right as you start—Mega Wiggler's Tree Party, Roll 'em Raceway, Goomba Lagoon, and Rainbow Galleria—while an additional three can be unlocked as you play: Western Land, Mario's Rainbow Castle and the treacherous King Bowser's Keep. As you'd expect, each board has its unique theme and layout, which adds fun and variety to each gaming session.
The gameplay mechanics remain true to the series, with you rolling dice to move around the board, collecting coins and stars, and engaging in mini-games at the end of each turn. However, Jamboree introduces new features like Jamboree Buddies that add an exciting twist. These special characters appear randomly on the board, triggering unique mini-games when you collect them. They also grant you special abilities, like Mario who adds 3 to 8 to the dice roll or Waluigi who steals 3 to 8 coins from opponents you pass.
The mini-games themselves are another highlight of Jamboree. With over 110 mini-games available, there’s a vast array of challenges to tackle. These mini-games range from simple, easy-to-learn tasks to more complex challenges that require skill and strategy. Some of my favourite mini-games include Camera-Ready where you need to take photos of Mario characters and Hot Cross Blocks where you need to choose the right blocks to cross over a lava pit. Like in previous Mario Party games, mini-games come in a variety of styles including 4-player, 1-vs-3, 2-vs-2, Duel mini-games and more. The sheer variety of mini-games available ensures that every match feels fresh and engaging, regardless of how many times you play.
Another awesome aspect of Jamboree is the number of game modes beyond the core Mario Party boards. There's Minigame Bay where you can play any unlocked minigame, Motion Island filled with three motion control games, Bowser Challenges where a large number of players can play at once, and Party-Planner Trek, a single-player mode where you travel around new boards while talking to NPCs, collecting items, and fulfilling requests to acquire Mini Stars.
Super Mario Party Jamboree's presentation is vibrant and draws you into its whimsical world. Like past Mario Party games, the graphics are bright and colourful, showcasing the iconic characters and settings that fans have come to love. Each game board is uniquely designed, featuring distinct themes that reflect the playful nature of the Mario universe. From lush forests home to a Mega Wiggler to a bustling rainbow-coloured city mall, every board is filled with intricate details that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The character models are well-crafted, with smooth animations that bring them to life. Each character has their own personality, which shines through in their movements and expressions, like how Mario does his 'yahoo' jump while hitting the dice block while Wario does his iconic muscle flex pose. The attention to detail in this game is superb and a major highlight of the whole package.
Accessibility is at the forefront of this game, with a user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. Menus are clearly laid out, allowing you to quickly access different game modes and options. This streamlined design means less time fumbling through menus and more time enjoying the game.
The sound design in Super Mario Party Jamboree is equally impressive. The soundtrack features a mix of upbeat tunes that perfectly match the energetic gameplay. Each board has its own theme music, which enhances the mood and keeps the excitement level high. The sound effects are also excellent, whether it's the satisfying sound of collecting coins to the cheerful jingles that play after winning a mini-game. Voice acting in Super Mario Party Jamboree is minimal but effective with each character having their classic catchphrases and sounds, which fans will instantly recognize.
The Verdict
Super Mario Party Jamboree is the best Mario Party game yet, offering a fresh and exciting experience for both new and returning players. This latest entry stands out for its impressive content, including 22 playable characters, seven game boards and a whole host of extra games and mini-games to keep you entertained. Also notable is its focus on multiplayer, allowing you to challenge family and friends, or players from around the world. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, Jamboree offers a party experience that is hard to resist.Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Super Mario Party Jamboree details
Platform: Nintendo SwitchDeveloper: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Party
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
A key was provided by the publisher.