Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV Review

Gameplay

Graphics

Audio

Value

Summary: The new games delight, but the split between Jamboree and TV dulls the fun.

4

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Super Mario Party Jamboree is one of the best games in the series since its N64 heyday; Feature-packed and busting at the seams with modes, features, and those all-important mini games.

If you want to know more, you should check out Tim’s Super Mario Party Jamboree review here.

However, I’m here to talk Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, Nintendo’s first Switch 2 upgrade with added DLC bundle, thing.

It’s a strange package that combines Super Mario Party Jamboree (Which has had absolutely nothing done to it whatsoever, not even a resolution bump), and is purely the Switch 1 version as noted by the logo in the top right corner, and the new Jamboree TV mode, which is included as a completely separate entity and contains all the Switch 2 bells and whistles.

Picking Jamboree TV whisks players away to a gameshow hosted by Toad. If you have a webcam connected, this is when it tries to capture the gurning faces of your slightly inebriated friends as they wait for the games to begin.

Like I said, it’s a strange package, especially when you consider that it has its own, slightly stripped-back version of Mario Party (with no pro rules, and everything unlocked from the off) that uses a mix of old and new minigames, and introduces a couple of new rulesets to the mix. (Though unfortunately, no new boards)

First up are Frenzy rules that speed up the action considerably by cutting the game down to five turns, hand each player 50 coins, a double dice, and a star, and let them duel each other from the get-go. It’s a much more frantic way to play, and makes each roll count since you don’t have half as much time to consider your next move, and pulling away from the pack early is vital in the race for that all-important second star.

Then there are tag-team rules. This pits two teams of two against each other and sees each team pool their coins, items, and stars as they try and defeat the other team by working together to grab as many stars as possible. This is made easier if you have the new together dice that lets you warp to your teammate’s position, especially handy if they happen to be right next to a star, as it gives you the chance to nab twice as many.

The main draw, though, is the new games and modes that revolve around using the Switch 2’s mouse, microphone, and, if you have a compatible one kicking around, camera features.

The clear winner here is the 14 new mini games that use the Switch 2’s mouse controls, with highlights including a game that has players attempt to make the tallest tower out of blocks and Yoshi plushies, a surprisingly decent recreation of air hockey and a delightful game that sees you trying using the joy con like a push pull car to land points by successfully crossing a bridge without bashing into your opponents.

Each of the games is a two vs two game, which means you’ll be playing plenty of them in the new Tag Mode and Carnival Coaster, which sees players whisked along a roller coaster shooting down boos and other beasties for points in between playing mini games to extend the in game timer and hopefully get to the end of the ride. It’s a fairly simple idea, but the idea of being able to use mouse controls for light gun games on the system makes me particularly excited, considering the mountain of arcade ports that could now be possible with the tech.

Then there’s Bowser Live that uses the Switch 2’s built-in microphone and optional camera to put you into the game eye toy style. There’s a weird sense of nostalgia in playing these controller-free mini games that have you balancing Goombas on your head or seeing who can roar the loudest to impress Bowser. But ultimately, it feels like a bit of a novelty, and one that wears off fairly quickly at that.

However, Gameshare is probably the best technical new feature, since it ultimately allows you to play a full four-player game of Mario Party on the go with only one copy of the game ( so long as everyone has their Switch on them). Admittedly, it’s only one mode and a handful of games, but if you’re riding along on a plane or a train and need something to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours, it’s perfect.

Final Thoughts

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is a hard package to recommend.

Jamboree TV feels like a stand-alone DLC, which, if you already own the original, it is. For $30, you get Jamboree TV, which isn’t a bad price if you want a little more Mario Party in your life. Moreover, it’s a much more fun showcase of the Switch 2’s new features than the rather dry Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

The divide between Jamboree and TV, that nothing crosses, including progress and achievements, is an absolute headscratcher, that only harms the presentation and gates off both technical and gameplay improvements from the main bulk of the game.

If the two had been properly integrated, it would be an easy yes for me since Jamboree is still one of the best entries in the series in years, and the Switch 2 additions and improvements would simply be the cherry on a very delicious cake.

But as it stands, I have to say you’re better off just getting Super Mario Party Jamboree by itself and consider the upgrade later if you enjoy the base game.

About the Author

Gareth Newnham

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV Review