It's that time again for a new episode of Chichuki Plays, the show where I go hands-on with upcoming games and show them off. Usually it's about an hour or so but I don't want to spoil too much of the game for you. This time,we're checking out Super Mario Party Jamboree for the Nintendo Switch. I'd like to thank Nintendo for the review code so without further delay, lets get right into it.
Right off the bat, there is a lot to explore in Super Mario Party Jamboree. It really reminded me of all the game modes from Mario Party 1 way back on the Nintendo 64. Modes like a regular Mario Party game, online matches, motion games, and much much more. This hands-on will be just a routine game of Mario Party to get your feet wet into the newest installment of the Mario Party series.
There are a lot of quality of life improvements in Super Mario Party Jamboree. For example, being able to speed up the actions of the computer characters as well as text speeds. On the Mega Wiggler's Tree Party board, you'll be able to move Mega Wiggler from one side of the board to the other when you land on "Happening Spaces." That being said, you'll be able to speed up the action of said Wiggler moving and that's a nice touch. The ten turn game was supposed to take about 90 mins but when it was all said and done, it was barely just over an hour so things are actually faster.
The routine things are back in Super Mario Party Jamboree but there are some interesting add-ons. One of which is the Jamboree Buddies system. During a game, you will have the option to recruit a Mario character to your cause and have them on your team for three turns.
Win the recruitment mini game and the Jamboree Buddy joins your team. Whoever wins the recruitment game gets dibs on the buddy and has them on their team. The player who initiated the recruitment mini game gets bonus in said mini game. It could be a speed boost at the start of a race or something that will give you the advantage.
Each Jamboree Buddy has an ability that they can use to help you take down the competition. Rosalina, for example, gives you a cheap, random item at the start of every turn. I liked that you don't lose the top item in your inventory, you get to pick which one to replace it with. In prior Mario Party titles, you would have just had it thrown into your item slots and lost an item in the process.However, one added bonus to the Jamboree Buddy is that they can help you buy two stars when you get to Toad. It doesn't stop there as you can use your buddy to buy two of everything at every opportunity.
For example, you can steal two stars from Boo if you can afford it. You can buy two items from the item shop. However, if there is a negative event on the board, like a Piranha Plant bite to steal coins, you will have that event happen twice so be prepared. If an appointment walks by you on the board when you have a buddy, they will steal said buddy and they become their buddy. It really adds a layer of strategy to the tried and true Mario Party formula.
The reactions are a nice touch to allow players to vent their frustrations out during other players turns. I thought I was going to get a star but the Mega Wiggler changed direction and then changed direction again. So many emotion highs and lows during Mario Party games that the reaction stickers were always a welcome addition and nice to see them back. It also felt like there were quite a few call backs in terms of mini games and that isn't a bad thing. Some of the best mini games are the older generation of Mario Party mini games.
Another homage, if you will, to classic Mario Party is the ability to collect Party Points to spend on all kinds of stuff in the game. This is very similar to the coin and bank system in Mario Party 1 where you would collect coins and stars during gameplay and use them to buy all kinds of fun stuff in other game modes like dice blocks and the sound effect parrot. This time around, you can buy reaction stickers, post cards to decorate your profile, music from the game and more. I really like the achievement system where you can get party points, unlock new items in stores, and increase your gameplay rank. Be on the lookout to unlock all 50.
Super Mario Party Jamboree feels like one of, if not, the best Mario Party game in the franchise. It adds plenty of Quality of Life changes and brings a whole slew of fun game modes and mini games. It's these reasons and more that I'm giving Super Mario Party Jamboree a 9/10. Make sure you chek out the hands-on/opinions video below.