Odds are you’ll have a few friends or family around this time of year. And, with the telly delivering nothing more than repeats yet again, you are probably looking for a fun diversion. Nintendo have got you covered with their brand spanking new Super Mario Party Jamboree. For those keeping count, this is the thirteenth instalment in the Mario Party series, and the third on Nintendo Switch alone.
Read More: Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD review – Blue Moon Game
Thirteen games proves the series is doing something right, but the pressure is on developers Nintendo Cube to differentiate Super Mario Party Jamboree from its previous lot.
Thirteen and Not Out
For a start, Jamboree boasts the largest cast of playable characters in the series long history, with 22 in total. Super Mario Party Jamboree also features a host of new maps and modes.
Seven boards in total is ample, and over 100 mini-games keeps the game fresher for longer than some previous Mario Party titles. A sweaty Pro Rules mode has also been introduced to take some of the chaos away in favour of skill.
Read More: Princess Peach: Showtime! review – Radiant, Sword and More
The online offering has been similarly bolstered. For the masses who struggle to get competitors to their couch, you can get some of the local multiplayer experience in online play as well as play some exclusive games to enjoy.
The new modes, mini-games and Pro Rules are welcome additions, but pure chaotic fun is the soul of the series. And, Jamboree has that joyous and frantic spirit in spades. Perhaps more importantly, the game still has the power to destroy friendships, controllers and families alike.
A Mario Story
Super Mario Party Jamboree‘s main mode, simply titled ‘Mario Party’, is where you’ll spend most of your time. There is a micron thin tale that holds the everything together, which explains why Mario and co are once again battling it out to become true superstars.
You probably won’t remember it once you are finished, all you’ll know is that it was loads of fun.
Board Count
The main draw will be the five new game boards. The new cohort include Goomba Lagoon, Roll ’em Raceway and King Bowser’s Keep. Each of the five have their own feel and theme throughout. On top of these five new boards, we also get two returning classic boards from the series past – Mario’s Rainbow Castle and Western Land.
Worth noting is that the classic boards are actually locked away to begin with. You will have to work your way up the rank system to unlock them.
Read More: Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door review – Traced to Perfection
A few of you will love that there is such a meaty prize for just playing the game as God intended. A few more might prefer having the whole lot available to play with your loved ones on day one.
Team Mode
Super Mario Party Jamboree features a roster of well-balanced mini-games that are largely fun and frantic. There over 110 to get stuck into. The quality is also excellent. There are far more bangers than duds. Plus, you can throw motion controls into the mix to spice things up too.
Returning fans will be happy to hear that the board mechanic of allies from Super Mario Party makes a revamped return in the form of ‘Jamboree Buddies’. Ten of the available player characters fill the roles of Jamboree Buddies. These appear on the board after a certain amount of turns and, when passed, will trigger a minigame seeing everyone battle it out to win them.
Read More: Charles Martinet – The Man Behind Mario
Jamboree Buddies last for up to three turns and will let you activate a board space effect twice making them an extremely powerful element in the game, as well as grant different abilities based on what buddy you have with you. So, they add an interesting spin on things and are well worth fighting to get.
If you are a hardcore fan who believes that Mario Party is serious business, a new Pro Rules option is available. This removes most luck-based aspects found in traditional play, meaning it’s all about the skills.
One Player
There is also a single-player offering within Super Mario Party Jamboree called Party Planner Trek. This sees you helping a number of the gang, by either talking to them, fetching an item or playing a minigame in exchange for Mini-Stars. In turn, these stars can be used to further progress in the mode, and unlock hub customisation options.
You can also jump online with few mates too. Super Mario Party Jamboree online features both the mini-game mode and the full-fat mode. Though, beware the connection can be a bit sticky, especially when playing with people in different regions.
Read More: Super Mario 3D All-Stars review – Who’s Luigi Again?
The two online-focused modes are also great fun. Koopathlon sees twenty different players battling it out on a large city board to complete a set number of laps around a board.
Players furiously collect coins in minigames, while dodging elimination from Bowser. Another mode, Bowser Kaboom Squad, has eight players race to defeat the Imposter Bowser by collecting bombs.
Feeling the Party
Super Mario Party Jamboree looks the part, carrying Nintendo’s signature look and charm. The presentation is full of character, with the sound is also carrying the quality you expect from the Big ‘N’. The music is upbeat and catchy, the sounds effects and voicework is laden with whimsy.
Super Mario Party Jamboree represents a high point in the Mario Party series. The game is highly polished, feels truly modern and is packed with meaningful content. Fans will relish the solid cast and the ample and excellent selection of boards.
Read More: Pikmin 4 review – Fun-Speckled Switch Seller
The game maintains that series’ philosophy of being the perfect, pick-up-and-play party game that practically anyone can enjoy. And yet, Jamboree also caters to those who have mastered some of its mechanics and want more skill-based play.
Super Mario Party Jamboree is mostly killer with very little filler, which would be impressive in any game of its type but is particularly amazing in a title crammed with so much to take in.