Super Mario Party Jamboree TV: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Expansion Review

Super Mario Party Jamboree TV: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Expansion Review Super Mario Party Jamboree delivered a breath of fresh air when it launched on Nintendo Switch in October, instantly garnering praise for revitalizing the beloved party series with its dynamic minigames and accessible multiplayer experiences.

Developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo, the game quickly claimed its place as the standout Mario Party entry for the Switch era.

Now, with the introduction of Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, Nintendo is aiming to extend the party’s lifespan across generations with an expansion tailored to Switch 2’s capabilities. Released as an upgrade for £16.99/$19.99, Jamboree TV delivers both new content and upgrades for existing players.

Upon launch, players can seamlessly choose between the new Jamboree TV mode—exclusive to Switch 2—and the original Switch version.

This update supports higher resolutions, offering crisp 1440p visuals in docked mode and 1080p in handheld, though legacy side modes must still be accessed via Switch 1 compatibility.

This move stands out, given that many recent Switch games have received updates enhancing not only resolution but also HDR support, which remains absent in Jamboree TV. The Mario Party board game mode in Jamboree TV retains the tried-and-true formula but introduces several compelling additions.

Notably, 14 new minigames leverage the Joy-Con 2’s mouse-style controls, delivering intuitive experiences ranging from air hockey to guiding Toads through electric mazes.

These minigames can be toggled to accommodate player preference for button or motion controls, though toggling both mouse and motion-based games is not currently possible, as some minigames require both input styles.

New rulesets also enhance replayability: "Frenzy Rules" condenses matches into a fast-paced, five-turn sprint with increased events and resources, while "Tag-Team Rules" allow for cooperative 2v2 matches with shared stars, coins, and items, introducing the Together Dice and Rally Space features for strategic movement. Multisystem play is streamlined with GameShare, letting players compete locally on various Nintendo Switch models with a single copy of the game, albeit with limited accessible content: only the standard Party Rules, Mega Wiggler’s Tree Party board, and a selection of 30 minigames are included. Jamboree TV capitalizes further on Switch 2’s hardware with CameraPlay, allowing players using a compatible USB-C camera, such as the official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, to project their faces into the game.

While it largely serves as a fun interactive overlay rather than impacting gameplay, CameraPlay is a unique way for players to see friends' reactions during online play, with manual face cropping and optional background keying.

Notably, screenshots are disabled during camera use to maintain privacy. Among the new modes, Carnival Coaster stands out as the highlight.

Here, players tackle cooperative versions of the mouse-based minigames, navigating themed coasters and accumulating extra time and points based on minigame performance.

This mode rewards both teamwork and competition, providing replay value through ranking and scoring mechanics. Conversely, Bowser Live, despite being prominently featured in Nintendo’s marketing, suffers from limited replayability.

The mode splits players into two teams, facing either camera-based or microphone-based minigames using Switch 2’s built-in microphone.

With only three minigames for each option and short five-minute rounds, the novelty wears thin after just a few sessions.

While microphone minigames are available in Free Play, camera minigames remain exclusive to Bowser Live. In summary, Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV provides worthwhile enhancements for dedicated fans looking to extend their Mario Party experience into the next console generation.

The higher resolution and creative new modes, especially the Carnival Coaster and mouse-controlled minigames, add meaningful value.

However, the omission of HDR, restrictions on legacy content, and underwhelming new modes like Bowser Live may give some players pause.

Ultimately, for the asking price, the expansion delivers enjoyable but not essential party content, making it best suited for superfans and multiplayer enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the series' next big leap. A review copy of Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV was provided by Nintendo UK.

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