In late 2024, the latest game in the Mario Party series, Super Mario Party Jamboree, arrived on Nintendo Switch, bringing the party home once again with loads of new content, minigames and extras. With the recent release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Super Mario Party Jamboree gets an exciting update as Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is ready to party even harder exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

With possibly the longest title in Nintendo history, Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is technically split into two games. On the title screen, Super Mario Party Jamboree and Jamboree TV are displayed side by side, and players can choose which version they wish to play. Super Mario Party Jamboree is identical to the original game released on Nintendo Switch in October last year, with only a few patch updates. Given our previous review of the game, this review will focus on Jamboree TV. To read our original review of Super Mario Party Jamboree on Nintendo Switch, click on the following LINK.

Jamboree TV is an upgrade pack to Super Mario Party Jamboree, with all-new modes and minigames. Four modes are included, such as Mario Party, Free Play, Bowser Live, and Carnival Coaster. The Mario Party mode is almost the same as the original Super Mario Party Jamboree, which is odd because, as mentioned above, that’s also included in this as its own game. It skips the main hub and goes straight into the board selection, which has a nice variety of different themes and is the same as the original version.

The main difference is that certain rulesets are unavailable, and other modes such as Paratroopa Flight School, Toad’s Item Factory, Rhythm Kitchen, Koopathlon, and Bowser Kaboom Squad are all removed, but of course are available to play in the original game.

Mario Party mode in Jamboree TV features all the minigames in the original version, as well as many new ones that make great use of the Switch 2’s mouse controls. When prompted, the player will use a single Joy-Con as a mouse to point and click on a flat and smooth surface. The mouse control minigames will have you sorting mail, setting up domino pieces, catching fish, playing air hockey, scooping ice cream, spray painting Bob-ombs and more.

Hopefully, more mouse control minigames will be included, as the ones currently available are fun, addictive, intense, and competitive. The minigames, new and old, can all be played on their own in Free Play mode.

Adding to the fun is being able to use the Switch 2’s camera to have yourself and up to three friends appear in the game. Having yourself on camera doesn’t interact directly with the minigames, but more like play along with them. Sometimes you see yourself beside your character or rolling next to the ball you’re trying to get into the hole, which can be distracting but hilarious to watch. Being on camera works both offline and online.

If you and your friends are physically in the same room, you can play on the one Switch 2 with a camera and easily set up each player’s face before the game begins. Playing online with friends who live further away or even across the world also works just as well, with barely any lag. As long as each player has their own Switch 2 console, camera and copy of the game, you can not only play together but also see each other’s faces and reactions while also speaking with others via the built-in microphone.

While this is also possible with Discord or Zoom, having everything on one screen and seeing each other in the actual game is hilarious to watch and adds significantly to the game’s fun. Even if living far apart, it almost feels like you’re playing together in the same room.

GameShare is also an option for local multiplayer, allowing each player to play the game on their Switch 2 or any original Switch console, provided one player has a copy of the game and is playing it on a Switch 2. Unfortunately, GameShare removes features that use the camera, microphone, and mouse control, and everyone is limited to playing in handheld mode. Then again, if everyone is together, you may as well just play on a TV using a single Switch 2, but GameShare is still a nice option to have if a TV isn’t available.

Bowser Live features Bowser hosting his own rock concert and encourages you to get up and rock out, literally. This mode splits you into teams of two and specifically requires the use of the Switch

2’s microphone and camera, as you’ll need to use your voice and body movements to play the minigames included. When Bowser tells you to rock out, you need to fill a meter by actually screaming and moving your body, and the team with the higher meter wins. You’ll also use your voice to yell “GO!” to move a car as far as possible, but without touching Bowser or controlling Bowser Jr. to collect coins.

The camera minigames will have you stand or squat when told to and balance Goombas on your head. This mode is a bit short, however and doesn’t have as many minigames, so it’s over pretty quickly, but it’s certainly fun and entertaining to rock out together and hopefully not upset the neighbours. The Switch 2 camera in Bowser Live works similarly to the old PS2 EyeToy and Xbox Kinect.

Carnival Coaster will have you and up to three friends team up and ride through a selection of different themed rides and play a set of minigames along the way. This mode mainly uses the mouse controls, and the camera will have you and your friends appearing in the game, riding the coaster together. During the ride, you’ll have to shoot enemies on the screen, solve puzzles along the way and make it to the end of the ride.

If you’re on camera, you can raise your hands in the air to speed up the coaster. Carnival Coaster is surprisingly feature-rich and addictive to play, offering tons of replay value as each ride can be a whole new adventure.

Graphics-wise, it doesn’t look too different from the original game, just a little smoother, even when playing in 4K. Even if there wasn’t any improvement to the graphics, it still retains the same colourful art style and presentation that Mario games are known for. There are a lot of new tracks to go along with new minigames featured, and all have that signature Mario feel. The tunes featured in Bowser Live are certainly something you can rock out to.

For those who already have the original game, Jamboree TV can be purchased as DLC for $30 AUD, which does seem a bit high, because although there is a lot of new fun and entertaining content, it doesn’t feel like it should be $30, but that’s up to each individual to decide. For those who don’t already have the original game, everything can be purchased together, both physically and digitally.

The original Super Mario Party Jamboree was already a fun-filled way to play with friends and family, both offline and online. Jamboree TV is a solid upgrade pack and makes great use of the Switch 2’s camera, microphone, and mouse controls to provide new and creative minigames that are fun, hilarious, intense, and addictive to play. Seeing you and your friends appear in and be part of the game is incredibly entertaining and will always be a good time. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is jam-packed with new features and minigames that are only possible on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Written by: Sammy Hanson