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Last year, Super Mario Party Jamboree came and went without much fanfare, delivering a solid but not game-changing entry in the long-running series. The announcement that it would be one of the first Nintendo Switch titles to receive a major paid upgrade for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 was somewhat surprising. However, the laboriously-titled Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV shouldn’t have been too unexpected, as Nintendo is using this version to showcase the new features and peripherals of the Switch 2, such as Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.
Does the Switch 2 version take the festivities to the next level? Or should we leave this party in the past? Read on for my impressions…
Note: This is an opinion piece rather than a detailed, scored review.
From the title screen, you can access most of Super Mario Party Jamboree’s new Switch 2 content by selecting Jamboree TV. It includes a couple of new game modes that provide quick access to about 20 new minigames.
The “Bowser Live” mode uses the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and the console’s built-in microphone for three camera or microphone-focused minigames. Two teams compete, with the winner being determined by their performance across all three games. The loser gets roasted alive by Bowser. It’s simple but provides a few laughs.
The Switch 2 camera is functional but not particularly exciting. Minigames that involve basic actions like punching upwards to bash coin blocks or doing Simon Says-style poses work, but the experience isn’t thrilling. My family members’ low-quality images captured by the game were of poor quality and often included large chunks of background or cut off limbs. The camera/game also struggled with players of different sizes.
Minigames based on the microphone are similarly functional but not impressive. Background noise easily confuses the game, and Bowser Live was good for a few chuckles, particularly when my seven-year-old discovered he could stick his butt into other players’ sections of the screen.
Significantly more successful is the new “Carnival Coaster” mode, which utilizes the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality. Players team up to complete one of five on-rail rides within a time limit. Successfully shooting down enemies nets bonus time, and you’ll play mouse-controlled minigames that add further time if done well.
The shooting aspect is simple but works well, and these minigames are almost all winners – some of the best in Jamboree. While some games involve simple tasks like sorting mail or scooping ice cream cones, others use simultaneous mouse and motion controls to build towers or manipulate blocks.
The Switch 2’s built-in features bring added functionality. Players can capture a live image for personal touches, GameChat makes online games more lively, and GameShare support allows both Switch 2 and OG Switch owners to test Jamboree with non-owners. The resolution has been bumped up, though graphical fidelity isn’t the focus.
With all these additions, the Switch 2 version of Super Mario Party Jamboree is probably the most feature-rich entry in the series to date, at $80 for those who don’t already own the Switch version (upgradable for $20). Whether you’re willing to pay that much depends on your enthusiasm.
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is an interesting showcase of Nintendo’s latest hardware features. The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera feels like a late retread, but Joy-Con 2 mouse controls work well. The asking price may be hard to justify for some, but if you’re looking for a single product that shows off all of the Switch 2’s unique abilities, this multi-talented upgrade might be worth an invite.
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV launches on July 24. Those who already own the Switch version can upgrade for $20, or buy the original game and upgrade together for $80.
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