Super Mario Party Jamboree Review: The Biggest Mario Party Hits Nintendo Switch

Super Mario Party Jamboree Review: The Biggest Mario Party Hits Nintendo Switch When it comes to party games, few franchises enjoy the legacy and fan devotion of Mario Party.

Nintendo’s long-running series began on the Nintendo 64 over 25 years ago and remains a staple for group fun.

With Super Mario Party Jamboree, the developers at NDcube deliver the grandest installment yet for the Nintendo Switch, blending innovation with the series' classic formula.

Available now via Nintendo Switch and the eShop, this title promises the strongest Mario Party experience to date, but does its sheer size equal quality? Super Mario Party Jamboree stands as a loving synthesis of the series so far.

Where 2018’s Super Mario Party pushed new gameplay concepts and Mario Party Superstars revisited nostalgic favorites, Jamboree masterfully fuses fresh ideas with classic gameplay.

The result is a mode-rich, minigame-packed release that both modernizes the franchise and honors its roots.

Classic Party Mode returns, allowing up to four players to take turns moving around vibrant, sprawling boards, collecting coins and vying for the all-important Stars.

The core mechanics—rolling dice, encountering chance events, and battling for supremacy in quick-fire minigames—remain as engaging as ever.

The characteristic swings in fortune, sudden betrayals, and laughter-inducing twists encapsulate everything fans love about Mario Party. Jamboree introduces a series of thoughtful improvements to classic play.

Enhanced features include the buddy system, where characters encountered on the board join your party, offering gameplay perks like discounted items or surprise board movements.

These buddies can also trigger board events twice, adding new strategy.

To recruit them, players participate in inventive multi-stage minigames—medium-length competitions that quickly become game highlights.

The selection of boards is both innovative and diverse.

From the race circuit of Roll 'em Raceway, which rewards risk-taking with massive dice rolls, to the dynamic Mega Wiggler’s Tea Party and the return of Mario Party 2’s Western Land, every board delivers unique challenges and opportunities. For more competitive audiences, the all-new Pro Rules strip away many of the luck-based elements, such as random Chance spaces, and increase the impact of Bowser spaces (now costing at least a Star).

This refined rule set doesn't fully transform Mario Party into a skill-based contest but brings balance for those seeking a fairer fight. Among Jamboree’s standout additions are Koopathlon and Bowser Kaboom Squad—two modes emphasizing larger player counts and online play.

Koopathlon pits up to 20 players in a fast-paced race, progressing through a split-screen view of town, with each minigame pushing participants closer to victory or elimination.

While a wider minigame variety could be welcome, the unique presentation and new format inject notable excitement. On the cooperative front, Bowser Kaboom Squad challenges eight players to work together against a giant imposter Bowser, combining action sequences and collaborative minigames for valuable rewards.

This cooperative dynamic is a refreshing contrast to Mario Party’s usual competitive chaos and highlights the series’ flexibility. Other modes include Paratroopa Flight School, which adds motion-controlled flying (albeit less compelling), Toad’s Item Factory—a shorter, teamwork-focused obstacle course—and the return of rhythm-based action in Rhythm Kitchen.

Not only do these modes diversify gameplay, they also showcase the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con motion capabilities. Minigame Bay offers over 100 minigames, spanning fan-favorite activities from across the franchise and new ideas.

The lineup draws praise for high quality; activities like Three Throw pay homage to classics, while innovative challenges create new highlights.

Multiplayer remains central, though a solo mode offers a unique if less essential way to explore the game’s five new boards. Visually, Super Mario Party Jamboree is a standout, featuring the series’ signature bright, colorful style, and detailed environments that delight at every turn.

Despite its scope—this is the largest Mario Party title to date—some noticeable character omissions remain, including the absence of Diddy Kong.

The built-in achievement system, mostly rewarding cosmetic stickers, could be more rewarding, but does little to dampen overall enjoyment. Super Mario Party Jamboree offers something for every Mario Party fan.

With engaging minigames, creative boards, and a mix of enjoyable competitive and cooperative experiences, Nintendo continues to set the gold standard for party games on Nintendo Switch.

After dozens of laughter-filled hours, Jamboree not only delivers the series’ biggest entry—it may well be one of its very best.

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