As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Nintendo has once again managed to bring something fresh and exciting to the table with Super Mario Party Jamboree. After attending PAX West 2024, I had the chance to get my hands on this latest iteration of the beloved series, and it’s safe to say that it doesn’t disappoint.
As a long-time fan of the Mario Party series, I’ve been playing these games for a quarter of a century now, and one thing that hasn’t changed much is the core gameplay formula. Essentially, four friends gather on a massive board, take turns for around 10 to 20 rounds, win coins by participating in mini-games, then spend those coins to buy Stars for 20 coins to ultimately win the game. Super Mario Party Jamboree doesn’t alter this timeless recipe, but Nintendo has cleverly introduced new game modes that allow even more friends to join the fun via online multiplayer. I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at PAX West!
In Super Mario Party Jamboree, there are some notable enhancements, but it remains a typical Mario Party game, where four players gather on fresh boards to collect Stars. Despite the familiar structure, the game has never looked more appealing. Each board is bustling with activity, offering an immersive experience. At the Mega Wiggler’s Tree Party, for instance, you’ll find various characters from the Mushroom Kingdom having a picnic, surrounded by lively green landscapes, with a sluggish Wiggler resting in the center of the board.
Activities associated with the game can be found in multiple areas. Some of these spaces are at the upper level, where a Beekeeper Spike invites players to dig for coins within honeycombs. Notably, one of these honeycombs is teeming with bees. Additionally, events can be set off by the various items in the game. The standard item stores typically offer common Mario Party goods like Pipes and Boo Bells, but there are also unique shops that cater to the current board. For instance, the Wiggler Bell can move Wiggler around, potentially causing trouble for players trying to pass over him.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m super pumped about the upcoming Mario Party! This time around, it’s set to break records with the largest character lineup in its history – a whopping 22 playable characters! That means some fresh faces are joining the fun this time, like Pauline, who just killed it in Super Mario Odyssey, and Ninji, the baddie from Super Mario Bros. 2. The reason for such an expansive roster? To fuel the exciting new Koopathlon mode! Can’t wait to see what these fresh faces bring to the table!
Koopathlon essentially functions as an enormous, entertaining race set within the Mushroom Kingdom. In this digital mode, 20 competitors engage in a speed contest to reach the end, with the victor being determined after five circuits. Throughout the event, participants will take part in four rotating mini-games, and one of these games will always involve Bowser. The remaining three mini-games are solo challenges. During these stages, players can move closer to the finish line by gathering coins. The more coins a player accumulates, the greater distance they’ll cover.
In the mini-game featuring Bowser, it’s a unique challenge where all 20 participants engage in a simultaneous elimination round. If a player fails, mischievous King of the Koopas, Bowser, will kick out the losing players from the back. Interestingly, those at the front are more susceptible to severe consequences due to Bowser’s whimsical nature.
Some players might feel that four players aren’t enough while 20 players might be too much. For a game that hits the middle ground more, there’s the online-only Bowser Kaboom Squad mode for eight players. This is where players look to defeat an Impostor Bowser within five rounds by loading cannons and firing away at him. In the Chargin’ Chucks map, players were tasked with breaking nearby boxes with hammers and escorting the bombs inside to the nearest cannon. Of course, the players need to be wary of both the football-addled Chargin’ Chucks and the Impostor Bowser himself, who will look to get in the way.
In Bowser Kaboom Squad, the mini-games function distinctly compared to other modes. Here, the games are designed more as team endeavors, where several teams’ efforts contribute to the squad’s overall score. Unlike competing to be the last person standing or gathering coins, the goal is to achieve an S-rank. This will reward the entire group with items useful for battling Impostor Bowser.
The Mario Party series has been slow to adopt online gameplay, but it appears that Super Mario Party Jamboree is going to embrace this concept more than its earlier versions. Modes like Koopathlon and Bowser Kaboom Squad are intriguing additions that bring a fresh twist to the classic Mario Party experience, though we’ll have to wait and see if they can maintain the same level of popularity. For now, these new modes offer an enjoyable change of pace. We’re excited to see what other features Super Mario Party Jamboree has in store when it launches on Nintendo Switch on October 17th.
This sneak peek comes from an exclusive Nintendo Switch version developed for PAX West 2024, encompassing the open-floor demonstration as well as a hidden portion unveiled outside of the event. Please note that the completed game may still undergo changes.
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2024-09-09 16:28