Mario Party Jamboree preview: Does bigger always mean better?

Mario Party Jamboree preview: Does bigger always mean better?

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours navigating virtual worlds and battling digital foes, I must say that Super Mario Party Jamboree is a delightful addition to my collection. With its infectious charm and engaging gameplay, it’s like Nintendo took all the best bits of Mario Party and cranked up the fun factor to eleven.


As a passionate cinephile today, I delved into “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” alongside my daily movie watch. To my delight, this game surpassed my expectations and left me eager for more. If you’re interested, be sure to check out our preview on the same title!

The start of the Mario Party segment saw an engaging PowerPoint presentation, where the excited product manager shared that the latest edition, Jamboree, surpasses its forerunners in every imaginable aspect.

As a devoted Nintendo enthusiast, I can attest that the latest Mario Party game offers an unprecedented array of maps, characters, and modes compared to its predecessors you’ve likely mastered on your trusty Nintendo Switch.

However, I found myself pondering if size equates to superiority, especially when I joined an unfamiliar group for a game or two of Jamboree.

Fortunately for this introvert, the Mario Party formula remains contagiously entertaining, allowing me to enjoy myself alongside these fellow journalists in just a few short minutes.

In essence, the fundamental playstyle continues unchanged – it’s like playing an enormous online version of a classic board game where everyone takes their turns to roll the dice and move forward. During your journey, you’ll face various hurdles and chances to outsmart your competitors.

Initially, these team members started off rather shy, but soon enough, they were outshining one another in games, arguing over mini-games, and finding humor in all the chaos that ensued. Additionally, we added a bit of mischief by exchanging reactive emojis to rile each other up.

In simpler terms, it offered a classic Mario Party vibe. If you’re fond of such games and seeking fresh boards and characters for your upcoming gathering, this should fit the bill perfectly.

But what about that ‘bigger and better’ question?

Ultimately, the Nintendo team guided us towards experimenting with the fresh gameplay options instead of sticking with the conventional Mario Party style.

One of these, Koopathon, seems to be slightly inspired by Fall Guys.

Koopathon represents an exciting 20-player online race mode. In this game, all your characters gather at the starting line on a track, ready for the competition to begin. Essentially, it’s all about speed and strategy as you aim to cross the finish line first.

In a manner typical of Mario Party games, progressing on the track and trying to emerge victorious involves participating in mini-games.

Mario Party Jamboree preview: Does bigger always mean better?

These swift and intense mini-games primarily involve solo activities. To illustrate, there was a stage where I oversaw a simulated bakery, striving to discover the ideal moment to remove buns, croissants, and rolls from the oven.

The better you do in the minigame, the further your character will move on the map.

This entertaining format is likely to attract a substantial number of players once the game goes live.

It’s disorganized, goofy, cutthroat, but keeps the spirit of Mario Party going even when you’re apart from your buddies for a spell.

In another new mode, Bowser’s Kaboom Squad, you actually work with the other players for a change.

Experiencing the thrill of Bowser’s Kaboom Squad as an enthusiast, I must say this is an exhilarating eight-player online collaboration. In this game, we roam freely across a map, where a colossal Bowser is on the loose. Our mission? Gather bombs and make every effort to outwit him!

Mario Party Jamboree preview: Does bigger always mean better?

In my gaming adventures, this particular Mario Party session felt remarkably distinct from the norm. The open movement, the teamwork aspects, and even the direct assault on opponents – it all breathed a new life into the experience. Yet, amidst the novelty, the classic chaos inherent in multiplayer madness was still very much intact.

Additionally, we noticed the introduction of brief gaming sessions with various mini-games thematically grouped together, allowing for fast-paced competition among multiple players.

At one stage, we played several mini-games centered around different types of food back to back, aiming to find out who would emerge victorious.

Across all game modes, I didn’t excel, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless, which mirrors my typical Mario Party sessions.

So, does bigger equal better in this case? I’d say yes.

This game seems to offer a wider range of experiences compared to typical Mario Party games. While it may appear less concentrated in some areas, it doesn’t compromise on the familiar elements.

If you’ve been yearning for Mario Party to offer you something different, you’ll find that here.

If you’re craving even more of the classic Mario Party board game mayhem, you’ll certainly get plenty of it here. It feels like a perfect blend of what you love and something new!

The lively gathering for Super Mario Party, available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch, will be held on the 17th of October. Pre-orders are open if you’re ready to join the fun!

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2024-09-13 16:04