Super Mario Party Bash – Switch 2 & Jamboree TV Edition

Super Mario Party Jamboree made its debut in 2024 as the most ambitious installment of the series on the Nintendo Switch. It featured around 78 mini-games, 5 brand-new boards, and robust multiplayer, offering the best from previous titles. In summary, it was Mario’s strongest card in the race for modern party games.

Now, with the arrival of the Switch 2, Nintendo is introducing an updated edition that is compatible with the console’s features and includes exclusive modes on Jamboree TV.

This review will focus solely on this additional content. Whether you’ve played the original or are considering jumping into this new version, here’s what you can expect.

The Bowser Show: mini-games, microphone fun, and your face on screen

One of the standout features of the new content is Bowser. In The Bowser Show, take a seat (literally) in front of the camera to participate in an event straight from the Mushroom Kingdom‘s television. The king of the Koopas and his son steal the show with a brief introduction, followed by 3 consecutive mini-games that decide the winner.

The interesting part is that these games utilize both the microphone of the Switch 2 and its external camera. And yes, it works well. From 2-3 meters away, my voice was recognized effortlessly, and the sound was captured clearly. The best part was seeing my face on screen, competing, while Bowser hurled taunts and even fire.

The downside? The camera angle was unpredictable. I had to adjust it several times during one session to get the right shot. Sometimes, this disrupted the game’s pace and could be annoying if you just want to play quickly. Nevertheless, the idea is fantastic, and hopefully, Nintendo will develop it further in the future.

Frenetic Fair: roller coaster + mini-games = shooter with potential

This mode was the most fun for me, even though it was a bit short. Frenetic Fair is essentially a roller coaster that combines on-rails shooting with quick mini-games. You and a friend shoot enemies along the way, and when you enter tunnels, you tackle mini-games with skill and speed.

The challenge is intriguing: if you score well, you achieve a high rank to gain time and continue advancing towards the end of the course, creating a genuine cooperative experience. I loved the dynamic, the action integration with classic Mario Party challenges, and the constant sense of movement.

The issue is that the ride ends too quickly. Just as I was getting into the rhythm, it was over. Additionally, the enemies along the way were scarce, and at times, it felt more like a tutorial than a complete experience. With a couple more sections, this mode would be spectacular. On the bright side, it has 5 different scenarios, each with a unique feel.

Classic Mario Party, but with cameras and new strategies

While the Mario Party mode was already enjoyable in the base game, this new version adds some intriguing adjustments. One of them is the ability to team up with another player, leading to more strategic turns and shared decisions. In a short, 5-turn session, everything becomes a fast-paced frenzy with Bowser, who adds more chaos spaces.

The camera shines here too. Seeing other players’ reactions when you steal a star is priceless. It adds a personal dimension to the experience and, of course, material for lots of laughs.

The weak point? No new boards or characters were added. While there are already many available, given the potential of this edition, I expected some new additions.

Free Play: fun on demand with limitations

As is tradition, the Free Play mode allows you to access all available mini-games. Here, I tried out those using the microphone, camera, and new mouse controls. It was well-implemented, and I’m grateful Nintendo lets you play all this without restrictions.

However, you will notice that the new content is quite limited: only 3 mini-games use the microphone, a few take advantage of the camera, and although there are more with the mouse (14 in total), variety is still lacking. One of my favorites with this control was Robotic Climb, where each player controls a robot arm to climb a wall. Coordination is everything, and we had a great laugh over our mistakes.

The only thing I did notice was that after a while, the Joy-Con 2 in mouse mode can strain the wrists a little. Nothing serious, of course, but it’s a heads-up for anyone who might need to prepare.

On the other hand, I enjoyed other games that utilize the features of the Joy-Con in general, and there are no complaints there. The entire session felt very fun, with a great challenge when playing with someone else. Admittedly, the friend I played with had never touched a Mario Party game before, and he said it felt good and was enjoyable for him, which adds extra points to the title. The downside for me was that, I’m not sure if it was beginner’s luck or something, but my friend humiliated me in more than one mini-game, and that can’t be left like that.

A step forward with room for improvement

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is an intriguing proposition for the Nintendo Switch 2, including several new features that enhance the base game. Although few, the mini-games that utilize the microphone, camera, mouse, and HD vibration of the Joy-Con 2 showcase the potential of the new hardware and offer moments filled with entertainment.

My sessions felt dynamic and somewhat distinct from what the base game offers. However, there’s still room for growth: more mini-games with microphones and cameras, a more extensive frenetic fair, and an extra board wouldn’t be amiss.

In case you missed it: Nintendo Switch: Here’s the updated release calendar

Whether you’re a fan of the series or even looking to try it for the first time, this installment has everything needed to ensure a good time in sessions with up to 4 people or even alone.

Are you excited about this new content for the game’s Switch 2 version? Let us know in the comments.

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