At this point in my life, it has probably been over 20 years since I last played a Mario Party game. Well, things change, and as life goes on, I find myself in a position where a Mario Party title may find a spot on my shelf. Enter Super Mario Party Jamboree. With over 110 different minigames, Jamboree could very well be the biggest Mario Party title yet. Additionally, with seven boards, two of which make their return from previous games, Jamboree is jam-packed with enough Mario Party for everyone.
A Board Game with Endless Fun
At PAX West 2024, I was able to go hands-on with Super Mario Party, sampling a variety of modes. Going through one of the boards was what you would expect from a typical Mario Party title. Players take turns “rolling” a dice, moving along and interacting with a map, and playing minigames for coins. While the mode’s formula remains mostly unchanged over the years, the overall unpredictable nature of the mode retains its charm, which makes it fun. I was also able to partake in the Koopathalon and Bowser Kaboom Squad modes.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is jam-packed with over 110 minigames, bringing back the chaos and fun fans love.
Introducing New Modes – Koopathalon and Bowser Kaboom Squad
The Koopathalon is a new mode for the series, putting players in a series of minigames in which collecting coins advances players across a map with the goal of completing a set number of laps. While the games repeat in a cycle, they continuously get more and more difficult or complex, requiring players to adapt to new factors in order to win. The mode was a lot of fun, pitting up to 20 players against each other. Along with some of the other participants in the hands-on session, Koopathalon was a personal favorite.
New modes like Koopathalon and Bowser Kaboom Squad add fresh layers of excitement to the classic Mario Party experience.
Bowser Kaboom Squad turns the competitive nature of Mario Party upside down, pitting a team of players against Bowser. In this mode, players attempt to bomb Bowser into submission, playing minigames to earn power-ups to make the task easier.
Expanding the Cast
Super Mario Party Jamboree does exactly what it sets out to do: provide fun-filled entertainment for groups of people in a variety of modes. The minigames have clear instructions and a practice screen to ensure all participants are ready. This is an especially nice touch, knowing that coins, stars, and bragging rights are on the line every time. It’s also important to touch on the familiarity of it all. The game is quintessential Mario Party, full of chaos, competition, and relatively good-natured fun.
With an ever-expanding cast of characters, Jamboree ensures everyone can find a favorite.
Verdict: A Mario Party Classic for Everyone
Lastly, the game’s cast of characters continues to grow, allowing players to select the character they resonate with the most. In addition to the classic characters ranging from Mario to Donkey Kong to Shy Guy, Ninja, and Pauline will also join the crew as new playable characters. Personally, Monty Mole fit my vibe during the hands-on portion of the game, though Shy Guy is another favorite.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is set to release for the Nintendo Switch on October 17, 2024.
