When Super Mario Party Jamboree launched on the original Switch, it genuinely surprised me. What looked like another family-friendly board game romp turned out to be one of the most fun and fully-realised party games Nintendo has ever made. Fast-forward to its new incarnation on the Switch 2, bundled with the shiny new Jamboree TV mode, and I’m very happy to report: it still slaps.
Let’s not beat around the Warp Pipe, this is the best Mario Party game yet.
Back to the Party
For those unfamiliar with the base game, Super Mario Party Jamboree delivers a tried-and-true board game format, complete with dice rolls, chaos, sabotage, surprise comebacks, and minigames galore. It’s classic Mario Party formula done right, and with seven expansive boards and a whole mess of modes, it was already a massive offering. You can read my full review of the original Switch game here
The boards aren’t just flat playing fields either; they’re dynamic, with trains, race cars, and moving parts that keep you engaged and guessing. You’ve also got fun chaos like Bowser’s Kaboom Squad and the gloriously messy Kooplathon, all bundled into a game that’s big on laughs and even bigger on replayability.
The minigames? Excellent. There’s a fantastic spread of button-mashing chaos, quick reflex challenges, and skill-based tests that keep things competitive but welcoming. There’s even an option to filter out games you’re not into, which helps tailor the experience to your group.
Rounds can run long—up to 90 minutes—but they’re so well-paced that it never drags. That’s Nintendo’s secret sauce: momentum. And with local and online multiplayer, plus accessibility features like handicaps for younger or newer players, it’s a game designed for everyone in the room.
Enter: Jamboree TV
Now the big new flashy feature on the Switch 2 version is of course Jamboree TV, the new expansion made possible by the Switch 2’s hardware. Using the console’s new camera, microphone, and mouse support, Jamboree TV adds a layer of personality and silliness that feels fresh and wonderfully chaotic.
From the jump, it feels like a brand-new experience. The TV-show format is a clever move, transforming the party into a zany game show with your friends and your own face pasted into the action via the camera above the Mii-bodies. Watching your own mug emerge from green pipes into a Mushroom Kingdom soundstage is hilariously engaging and somehow doesn’t get old. The camera setup is surprisingly breezy. Plug in, sit in front of it, and the game automatically maps each player’s face to their character. It even adjusts positions so you don’t all have to cram together awkwardly. Your face gets used in minigames, reaction shots, and goofy animations. It’s a riot in local multiplayer and offers surprisingly heartfelt moments when playing with friends and family remotely via Game Chat.
New Tech, New Toys
The new mic-based minigames are just the kind of silliness Mario Party thrives on. Clap to a rhythm, yell to boost a kart, or inflate balloons with your voice, it’s the sort of ridiculous interactivity that works best when you’re not taking things too seriously. And yes, you can say absolutely anything instead of what’s on screen. Chaos reigns.
Then there’s Mouse Mode, which, despite sounding like a gimmick,is genuinely a highlight. The Switch 2 mouse is responsive, and the games built around it (think air hockey, bomb tosses, domino stacking, mail sorting, and wire maze puzzles) are great fun. They’re intuitive enough for kids but nuanced enough to keep adults engaged. Watching everyone’s oversized heads floating around while battling it out is peak Mario Party energy.
New Ways to Play
In addition to all this, Jamboree TV brings in new rulesets to shake things up. Tag Team mode sees players pair up to share coins, stars, and items, while Frenzy Mode is a shorter, more intense version of the traditional board game that injects extra duels and opportunities for dramatic upsets. Both modes feel fresh and well thought out.
There’s even more content packed in, like Carnival Coaster, a light-gun-style ride shooter that works especially well in co-op, and Bowser Live, a bonkers mini-event where you shout compliments at Bowser himself. Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s delightful. Carnival Coaster in particular, was what I played the most. Your character sits on various rollercoasters, and you can move around and have that reflected on screen to gain extra coins. You can also use the mouse controls to shoot down enemies, when you enter a warp pipe in the rollercoaster, you will jump into a mini-game. Various coasters and tracks keep the challenge interesting and keep you coming back for more.
Tech Talk
Jamboree TV also looks the part. With sharper visuals, slicker animations, and what seems to be a visual upgrade via lighting and reflections, it outshines the original mode—which oddly hasn’t been given the same polish. It’s a noticeable gap and one of the few drawbacks here. It doesn’t make the base game unplayable, but switching between the two modes does highlight the visual leap the Switch 2 is capable of.
It’s worth noting there’s no “Pro Mode” or difficulty ramp in this expansion, so hardcore players looking for a real strategic edge might not find the extra challenge they’re after. But this is Mario Party. It’s not about winning—it’s about stealing a star from your friend and watching the world burn, often times this happens right at the end of the game when the would be winner is sure they have won. There is something so incredibly satisfying and fun about this twist that will keep you coming back for more.
Final Verdict
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is a brilliant evolution of a great game. The new tech additions aren’t just tacked on—they meaningfully enhance the party vibe. Whether you’re playing in-person or online, this feels like the most social Mario Party yet.
With a truckload of boards, a ridiculous amount of minigames, and enough charm to keep your whole family grinning, this is Nintendo doing what it does best: bringing people together through joyful chaos.
Is it perfect? Not quite. But it’s the closest the series has come, and an absolute must-own for party game fans.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Massive collections of minigames, Face cam, mouse and mic integration is easy to setup, Jamboree TV is fantastic
Lowlights: Lack of visual update in the base game is a minor letdown
Developer: Nintendo Cube
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: Now
Review conducted on Switch 2 with a release code provided by the publisher.
