Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV Edition - Switch 2 Review
"A wonderful expansion pack, but not without some growing pains"
This one is a bit of a tricky one to review, as we posted our original Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch review back in November 2024, so we’re just going to focus on what this new upgrade pack provides, and for our thoughts on the base game, I’d encourage you to read the original review. That being said, Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV Edition is more than just a title that resembles a uni student’s essay trying their best to reach the word count; it features the base game with a slew of upgrades and new Nintendo Switch 2-specific content. But not without some growing pains...
The Good
If you played Super Mario Party Jamboree on the original Nintendo Switch, you’ll immediately see the graphical improvement when you jump into the Jamboree TV mode. And if you don’t notice it, you only have to select the base version from the home menu (more on that later) to notice. It’s not so much a graphical overhaul; rather, it simply takes advantage of the HDR and colour depth of the Nintendo Switch 2. Sure, some models look a tad wonky when the smoke and mirrors dissipate, but regardless, the upgrade makes everything (from the environments to most character models) pop so much nicer.
This upgrade pack adds an additional option immediately when booting up the game. By selecting Jamboree TV, you’ll be greeted by a charming game show layout, complete with a Toad host and an audience packed full of Yoshis, Koopas, Boos, Goombas, Shy Guys, Bob-Ombs and even the talking flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder. From this menu, you’re treated to new modes that add Nintendo Switch 2-specific features. Bowser Live is your first option, treating you to mini-games that take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, feeling very reminiscent of the Xbox Kinect. Then you have the Carnival Coaster, which has everyone on the same cart (uh oh, Mario Party 9+10 flashbacks) packed full of arcade-style rail-shooter gameplay and mini-games that are all also controlled with the mouse; this mode is probably the best addition, as it feels like a classic in-person arcade experience that gets everyone involved. And the last mode is simply the base game (for the most part) but visually upgraded. For an additional AU$30, it all adds some decent value, especially if you play it regularly with friends and family.
Coming back to Carnival Coaster, the 14 new Mouse Mode mini-games are certainly the best new addition in terms of new content. If I had to pick a favourite new addition, it’d be these, providing new (but not-so-new) experiences like Domino Effect, where you need to lay down a series of dominos to go from one side to the other whilst avoiding hazards quicker than your opponents; Toad-ally Electric Escape, where you need to pick up and carry a Toad through a course without it touching the edge, like the classic Steady Hand Testers; and Shell Hockey, which is basically just air hockey with Mario characters piloting the paddles. It’s all simple fun but a great way to introduce Mouse Mode Controls (better than Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, anyway).
This one is a bit of a silly addition but adds a lot more than I initially expected; having the camera capture each player’s face is surprisingly perfect. Once of the wonderful things about playing board games with friends and family is everyone sitting around a table and looking at each other, so when something surprising happens, you can see their reactions. With Mario Party, everyone is looking at the screen, but with the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, you can see everyone’s reactions right there. It adds a level of personalisation that I just love and is a perfect example of how the camera adds more value to previous titles.
TL;DR
- The updated visuals are beautiful
- New modes provide more multiplayer fun
- Mouse Mode mini-games are a lot of fun
- I actually love the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera now
The Bad
As I alluded to in The Good section, when you first enter the game, you’re greeted with a menu to select either your standard Super Mario Party Jamboree to the left or Jamboree TV to the right. In the top-left of the screen, it shows that the latter shows the Nintendo Switch 2 logo, whereas the former is the original Nintendo Switch’s, and it’s here where the AU$30 price tag stings a little. Essentially, the Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade pack doesn’t upgrade the base game, and while you can play the boards by selecting Jamboree TV, considering there are two ways to play the main boards but one is upgraded and one is not feels clunky, confusing and just straight up odd.
Furthermore, there are some odd omissions in Jamboree TV mode that haven’t received the upgrade treatment. The most notable is the lack of Pro Rules in it, and while I’m not a developer in the slightest, why would that be something you can’t include? And while many new mini-games have been added to the existing roster, the fact that you can only play these mini-games with Party Rules is just an odd choice and adds to the confusion.
Lastly, the camera mini-games… they’re just a little silly and lacklustre. Of course, I’m probably not the target demographic because they seem overly simplified and a fun time for kids to punch an imaginary coin block, but it just gave me flashbacks to the eye rolls during the Xbox Kinect era. So yeah, the camera is fantastic for the base Mario Party boards but not as much for the camera-specific mini-games.
TL;DR
- Confusing home menu
- Odd omissions in Jamboree TV mode
- The camera mini-games feel lacklustre
Final Score: 9/10
Despite its convolution with the integration of the Upgrade Pack, at the end of the day, Super Mario Party Jamboree is arguably the best Mario Party entry ever, and the Upgrade Pack is exactly that, an Upgrade Pack that adds more. The base game is still here completely untouched, and now we have more; what could go wrong?! Well, Nintendo said, "Hold my beer," and made some odd omissions and convoluted integration choices. It's a wonderful expansion pack, but not without some growing pains.
Thank you for checking out our Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV Edition Switch review, thank you to Nintendo AU/NZ for providing the review code and thank you to our Patreon Backers for their ongoing support:
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