Super Mario Party Jamboree
{{Short description|2024 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Super Mario Party Jamboree
| image = File:Super Mario Party Jamboree cover art.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Nintendo Cube
| publisher = Nintendo
| director = Takeru Sugimoto
| producer = Toshiaki Suzuki
Shinya Saito
Kenji Kikuchi
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer = Shigenobu Okawa
Yuta Yamaguchi
| series = Mario Party
| engine =
| platforms = Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2
| released = Nintendo Switch: {{vgrelease||October 17, 2024{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=2024-06-18 |title='Super Mario Party Jamboree' Rolls Onto Switch This October |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/06/super-mario-party-jamboree-rolls-onto-switch-this-october |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Nintendo Life}}}} Nintendo Switch 2: {{vgrelease||July 24, 2025}}
| genre = Party
| modes = Single-player, Multiplayer
}}
{{Nihongo foot|Super Mario Party Jamboree|スーパー マリオパーティ ジャンボリー|Sūpā Mario Pāti Janborī|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2024 party video game developed by Nintendo Cube (previously known as NDcube) and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the thirteenth home console installment in the Mario Party series, and the third on the Nintendo Switch, following Super Mario Party, and Mario Party Superstars.
Like most installments in the Mario Party series, the main gameplay loop features players, either human or computer-controlled, using characters from the Mario franchise to compete in a board game with minigames after each turn. The game features a single-player mission mode as well as several other game modes, some of which require the use of motion controls. Typically up to four human players can compete at a time, but depending on the game mode, up to twenty human players can compete via online matchmaking.
Super Mario Party Jamboree received positive reviews, with general praise for its game board selection, multiplayer functionality, and general polish, but criticism for some of its game modes. Some have considered it to be one of the best Mario Party games to date. An upgraded port for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring new modes and minigames, is scheduled for release on July 24, 2025.
Gameplay
{{Section citations needed|date=October 2024}}
Super Mario Party Jamboree{{'}}s gameplay is split between numerous different modes, most of which require the usage of Joy-Con controllers and all of which can be accessed in the game's hub area called the "Party Plaza". In the hub, the player can access their game data and settings, listen to the game's selection of music, customize different aspects of the hub and change their player character. The game boasts 22 playable characters (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Wario, Waluigi, Yoshi, Toadette, Toad, Rosalina, Donkey Kong, Birdo, Bowser, Goomba, Shy Guy, Koopa Troopa, Monty Mole, Bowser Jr., Boo, Spike, and newcomers Pauline and Ninji{{Cite web |last=Seedhouse |first=Alex |date=2024-08-30 |title=Pauline and Ninji Join Super Mario Party Jamboree {{!}} Nintendo Insider |url=https://www.nintendo-insider.com/pauline-and-ninji-join-super-mario-party-jamboree/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831072506/https://www.nintendo-insider.com/pauline-and-ninji-join-super-mario-party-jamboree/ |url-status=live }}) which makes for the current largest roster of playable characters in the Mario Party series.{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Jacob |date=October 17, 2024 |title=All Super Mario Party Jamboree characters and how to unlock them |url=https://readwrite.com/super-mario-party-jamboree-characters-how-to-unlock/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=ReadWrite}} These characters can be controlled by human players as well as artificial intelligence (AI).
Much like other games in the Mario Party series, Super Mario Party Jamboree's main mode, dubbed simply "Mario Party", is an interactive board game that allows up to four players, human or computer controlled, to compete to collect the most stars by the end of a set number of turns (ten through thirty), with different items and board mechanics that either help or harm the players chances of success. After each turn has ended the players play a minigame. A majority of minigames use motion controls, though it is possible to turn off the motion-controlled minigames to allow for minigames only using button controls. The board mechanic of allies from Super Mario Party makes a revamped return in the form of "Jamboree Buddies". Modeled after ten of the available player characters, Jamboree Buddies appear on the board after a certain amount of turns and, when passed, will trigger a minigame to see which player will obtain them. Jamboree Buddies last for up to three turns, activate a board space effect twice and grant players different abilities that vary depending on the one obtained. For example, Waluigi steals coins from opponents that he passes. Alongside the traditional set of rules, a more competitive ruleset called "Pro Rules" is available to select which is designed to remove most luck-based aspects found in traditional play.
Super Mario Party Jamboree contains a single-player mission mode called the "Party Planner Trek", in which players help various NPC's by either talking to them, fetching an item or playing a minigame in exchange for Mini-Stars which are then used to further progress in the mode and unlock hub customization options. After collecting a certain number of Mini-Stars in an area, the player must complete a boss minigame in order to progress to the next area. In Boss Minigames, the players goal is to deplete a large enemy's health bar in a similar style to traditional video game boss fights. In the "Minigame Bay" mode, players can freely play any of the minigames or play a set number of minigames that are pre-selected based on their specific type or theme, such as 1 vs 3. A Boss Rush sub-mode, which is unlocked after earning thirty in-game achievements, makes players compete in every boss minigame with the final goal of having the highest score by the end.
Three motion controlled modes are present and require the usage of singular Joy-Con controllers to function. "Rhythm Kitchen" lets players work together in rhythm based minigames themed around cooking. "Toad's Item Factory" is a ball physics-based puzzler which tasks players to work together in moving different contraptions to get a ball to a goal to create thirty items. "Paratroopa Flight School" requires players to use two singular Joy-Con controllers in order to mimic flapping wings and flight. Paratroopa Flight School has three sub-modes which allow players to compete in time-based collection matches, cooperate in carrying characters to destinations or freely fly around a map without any predetermined objective.
Two multiplayer-focused modes are present. "Bowser Kaboom Squad" is a cooperative mode where eight players race to defeat Impostor Bowser by collecting bombs, occasionally playing a minigame to obtain items which help the players defeat him quicker. "Koopathlon" is a race where twenty different players compete to complete a set number of laps around a board via collecting coins in minigames. After three minigames, a themed Bowser minigame will be played where if a player loses, they will be sent backwards a different number of spaces, the number of spaces being determined on their current position.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
The game supports both local and online multiplayer, with most modes being able to support the former or the latter in some capacity. Players can set up private online lobbies protected by a passcode in order to play with friends. The game also contains an online leaderboard where minigame high scores are logged.
= Nintendo Switch 2 Edition =
On April 2, 2025, during a Nintendo Direct, Super Mario Party Jamboree was announced to have an upgraded port on the Nintendo Switch 2.{{Cite web |title=Learn About Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/featured-games/switch-2-edition/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-US}} The port includes enhanced graphics and frame rate and new modes that utilize mouse controls, a motion sensing camera and the microphone built into the Switch 2's Joy Con 2 controllers. It is scheduled for release on July 24, 2025.{{cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2025-04-02 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Everything Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-direct-everything-announced |access-date=2025-04-02}}
Development
Super Mario Party Jamboree was first announced on June 18, 2024, during a Nintendo Direct.{{Cite web |last=Higham |first=Michael |date=2024-06-18 |title=Super Mario Party Jamboree Revealed - Nintendo Direct 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-party-jamboree-revealed-nintendo-direct-2024 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619012430/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-party-jamboree-revealed-nintendo-direct-2024 |url-status=live }} Described to be "the biggest Mario Party to date", the presentation announced 112 minigames, seven boards (including Mario's Rainbow Castle and Western Land, which previously appeared in Mario Party and Mario Party 2, respectively), and thirty-seven items. Also announced during the presentation was the online twenty-player "Koopathlon" mode.{{Cite web |title=Join the latest Mario Party for a jamboree of seven boards and over 110 minigames! |url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Super-Mario-Party-Jamboree-2591147.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Nintendo of Europe |language=en-GB |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618231531/https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Super-Mario-Party-Jamboree-2591147.html |url-status=live }} An overview trailer, released on September 24, 2024, showed off all the motion-based modes (Paratroopa Flight School, Toad’s Item Factory, and Rhythm Kitchen) and the online eight-player "Bowser Kaboom Squad" mode.{{Cite web |title=Super Mario Party™ Jamboree for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/super-mario-party-jamboree-switch/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-US}}
This is the first time that Kevin Afghani voices Waluigi, as Charles Martinet had stepped down from voicing the character, along with Mario, Luigi and Wario.{{cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|date=October 18, 2024|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/10/random-marios-new-voice-actor-says-its-surreal-to-hear-his-voice-in-mario-party|title=Random: Mario's New Voice Actor Says It's "Surreal" To Hear His Voice In Mario Party|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=October 22, 2024|archive-date=November 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108234938/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/10/random-marios-new-voice-actor-says-its-surreal-to-hear-his-voice-in-mario-party|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|MC=82/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-party-jamboree/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=December 11, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211191020/https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-party-jamboree/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|url-status=live}}
|Destruct=8/10{{cite web|last=Handley|first=Zoey|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-super-mario-party-jamboree/|title=Review: Super Mario Party Jamboree|website=Destructoid|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=November 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117175029/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-super-mario-party-jamboree/|url-status=live}}
|DT=3.5/5{{cite web|last=Colantonio|first=Giovanni|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/super-mario-party-jamboree-review/|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree review: party staple takes its Switch victory lap|publisher=Digital Trends|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=December 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202235251/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/super-mario-party-jamboree-review/|url-status=live}}
|EuroG=2/5{{cite web|last=Castle|first=Katharine|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/super-mario-party-jamboree-review|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree review - how to lose friends and alienate people|website=Eurogamer|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=November 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117190127/https://www.eurogamer.net/super-mario-party-jamboree-review|url-status=live}}
|GSpot=6/10{{cite web|last=Ryckert|first=Dan|author-link=Dan Ryckert|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-party-jamboree-review-this-party-is-too-crowded/1900-6418300/|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree Review - This Party Is Too Crowded|website=GameSpot|access-date=October 15, 2024}}
|IGN=9/10{{cite web|last=Plant|first=Logan|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-party-jamboree-review|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree Review|website=IGN|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=December 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202233059/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-party-jamboree-review|url-status=live}}
|NLife=9/10{{cite web|last=O'Reilly|first=PJ|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/super-mario-party-jamboree|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree Review (Switch)|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=November 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128231532/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/super-mario-party-jamboree|url-status=live}}
|PCM=3.5/5{{cite magazine|last=Minor|first=Jordan|date=October 23, 2024|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/super-mario-party-jamboree|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree Review|magazine=PCMag|access-date=October 26, 2024|archive-date=December 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204044939/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/super-mario-party-jamboree|url-status=live}}
|SN=8/10{{cite web|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|date=October 15, 2024|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/141803/super-mario-party-jamboree-review-score|title=Super Mario Party Jamboree review: Party favors|website=Shacknews|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=December 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201025126/https://www.shacknews.com/article/141803/super-mario-party-jamboree-review-score|url-status=live}}
}}
Super Mario Party Jamboree received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic, and is currently the highest rated Mario Party game on the website.{{cite web|last=Guner|first=Ediz|date=October 18, 2024|url=https://gamerant.com/super-mario-party-jamboree-review-scores-past-games-compared/|title=How Super Mario Party Jamboree's Review Scores Compare to Other Games in the Franchise|website=Game Rant|access-date=October 22, 2024}} IGN{{'}}s Logan Plant lauded the game as "an amazing follow-up to Mario Party Superstars and easily one of the best games in the series". Nintendo Life{{'}}s PJ O'Reilly likewise praised Super Mario Party Jamboree as "the best Mario Party to date". Ozzie Mejia of Shacknews agreed that the game is "one of the most polished entries in the series yet". Writing for GameSpot, Dan Ryckert complimented the game boards, though criticized some of the game modes and minigames. In a more critical review, Eurogamer{{'}}s Katharine Castle wrote that Super Mario Party Jamboree "has the misfortune of not being very fun, and mistakes the volatility of chance and happenstance for being the same thing as competitive satisfaction that comes from playing a good game well".
=Sales=
The game performed well commercially, debuting atop the charts in Japan with retail sales of 227,569 copies.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-24 |title=Famitsu Sales: 10/14/24 – 10/20/24 [Update] |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/famitsu-sales-10-14-24-10-20-24 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110111203/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/10/famitsu-sales-10-14-24-10-20-24 |url-status=live }} It also debuted atop the charts in the UK, enjoying opening week sales that were 35 percent higher than that of Mario Party Superstars.{{Cite web |last=Parijat |first=Shubhankar |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Super Mario Party Jamboree’s Physical UK Launch Sales Are 35 Percent Higher Than Mario Party Superstars |url=https://gamingbolt.com/super-mario-party-jamborees-physical-uk-launch-sales-are-35-percent-higher-than-mario-party-superstars |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=GamingBolt |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110111148/https://gamingbolt.com/super-mario-party-jamborees-physical-uk-launch-sales-are-35-percent-higher-than-mario-party-superstars |url-status=live }}
On January 16, 2025, it was reported that the game had sold over one million copies in Japan.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=January 16, 2025|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/01/famitsu-sales-1-6-25-1-12-25|title=Famitsu Sales: 1/6/25 – 1/12/25 [Update]|publisher=Gematsu|accessdate=January 19, 2025}}
=Awards=
Super Mario Party Jamboree was nominated for "Best Family Game" and "Best Multiplayer" at The Game Awards 2024,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/the-game-award-nominations-2024-1236180078/ |title=The Game Award Nominations: ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ Slices Its Way To Victory With Seven Nominations |date=18 November 2024|first=Destiny|last=Jackson|work=Deadline |access-date=18 November 2024}} as well as "Family Game of the Year" at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. {{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/awards/506810/dice-awards-nominations-2025 | title = Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a GOTY front-runner at the DICE Awards | first = Oli | last = Welsh | date = January 10, 2025 | accessdate = January 10, 2025 | work = Polygon }}
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Notes
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References
{{reflist}}
{{Mario Party}}
{{Nintendo Cube}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|2020s}}
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games