Super Mario Party Jamboree Review

Gameplay: Familiar Fun with a Sprinkle of Newness

Super Mario Party returns to the formula that made the franchise a hit—board game mechanics mixed with quick-fire minigames. You take turns rolling dice, moving across brightly themed boards, collecting coins, and, of course, ruining friendships in the process. The core appeal is still there, but with a few welcome tweaks.

The game adds character-specific dice, giving each player a bit more strategic depth. Want to roll with Bowser’s high-risk, high-reward dice block? Go for it—just don’t cry when you lose 3 coins instead of moving. Or play it safe with Daisy's steady dice, and watch your friends' chaotic decisions blow up in their faces.

Minigames are the star of the show, as always. From smashing each other in food fights to competing in rhythmic gymnastics, the minigames are varied, fast, and mostly easy to pick up, making them perfect for any party setting. But let's be honest: winning a game of "Trike Harder" by pedaling furiously on a Joy-Con might leave you questioning your life choices. Still, it's all in good fun, and for the most part, the 80 minigames are well-designed and responsive.

Graphics and Sound: Polished, But Safe

Visually, Super Mario Party is the Mario game you've come to expect. It’s vibrant, polished, and full of life, with each board looking like a postcard from the Mushroom Kingdom. The boards aren't as large as in some previous iterations, but they are detailed and charming, with themes ranging from a tropical island to spooky ruins.

The soundtrack is upbeat, adding to the festive atmosphere. While not every track will be memorable, they do the job of keeping the energy high without getting in the way. After all, who has time to focus on the music when you're plotting to steal a star from your best friend?

Multiplayer: A Mixed Bag (of Dice)

Mario Party games have always shined in multiplayer, and this one is no different. Local multiplayer is an absolute blast, allowing up to four players to duke it out in mini-games, navigate boards, or try out the various side modes like River Survival and Sound Stage.

But here’s where things get dicey (pun intended): online play. Nintendo’s online infrastructure still feels like it’s stuck in 2002, and while it's nice that you can compete with friends remotely, don’t expect a seamless experience. Lag can be an issue, and there’s the occasional dropped connection, especially when you’re in the heat of battle. Also, there's a glaring omission—why can’t you play full board games online? You’re restricted to mini-game challenges, which feels like a missed opportunity​.

RNG: Roll of the Dice or Fist to the Face?

Here’s the elephant in the room—or should I say, the Chain Chomp in the room. Super Mario Party, like its predecessors, relies heavily on RNG (random number generation), and this might make or break your experience.

On one hand, that element of luck keeps things exciting. You might be losing horribly, and then—bam—you land on a lucky space, steal a star, and laugh maniacally as you go from last place to first. But on the flip side, skillful play can often be undone by a single unfortunate roll, or worse, an opponent’s random item usage. It’s the classic Mario Party dilemma: fun for casual players, frustrating for the competitive ones.

If you’re someone who despises losing due to bad luck, prepare yourself for some rage-quits. This game doesn’t care about your feelings. It’s here to sow chaos, and it does that exceptionally well​.

Modes: Variety is the Spice of Life

Beyond the traditional board game mode, Super Mario Party introduces some cool new features:

• River Survival: A cooperative mode where you and your friends paddle down a river while completing challenges. This one’s a blast for more casual, teamwork-focused fun.

• Sound Stage: A rhythm-based mode that tests your Joy-Con shaking skills. It’s surprisingly addictive and a great way to break up the board game grind.

• Partner Party: A two-on-two mode that adds a layer of strategy to the usual chaos, as you work with a partner to collect stars on a grid-based board.

These extra modes help break up the gameplay and keep things fresh, which is a nice touch if you find yourself getting tired of the core mode.

For and Against

For:

• Diverse and fun mini-games

• Character-specific dice blocks add strategic depth

• Perfect for local multiplayer with friends or family

• Visually polished and energetic

• New modes like River Survival keep things fresh

Against:

• Heavy reliance on RNG can be frustrating

• Online play is limited and occasionally laggy

• No full board game mode for online multiplayer

• Boards are smaller than previous iterations

Final Verdict: 7.5/10

Super Mario Party is an excellent return to form for the series, offering plenty of fun and chaos in a polished package. The new character dice blocks add a fresh layer of strategy, and the mini-games are as addictive as ever. However, the reliance on luck can be a major turn-off for more competitive players, and the online multiplayer feels undercooked. If you’re looking for a party game to play with friends or family, Super Mario Party absolutely delivers. Just be ready to let go of any grudges—or else that next Joy-Con toss might not be so metaphorical.