New Mario game kept me up until 1am – it's a perfect multiplayer title for kids this summer or late nights with pals

The Sun

a day ago

Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science
Published: Invalid Date,
A GREAT measure for a game is when it's so fun, you completely lose track of time.
Ticking that box is Nintendo's revamped Super Mario Party Jamboree, which kept not only me but six pals awake until 1am. If you've got kids, this is an absolute dream family title.
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The game actually came out in October 2024, but it's just been upgraded for the new Nintendo Switch 2.
WHAT IS SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE?
This new version has some extra modes and mini-games, but it's largely the same game.
Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo Switch 2), £66.99
Buy at John Lewis
And it really is a good game.
If you're new to the Mario Party franchise, it's basically a giant collection of mini-games with very low barriers to entry. You can just pick it up and play.
It's fine to play solo, although it's way better if you've got someone else with you.
We had friends visit recently, and it kept us up late into the night. It's moreish, like spicy crisps. Or most other Mario games.
If you've ever played Jackbox Games, Mario Party serves a similar purpose.
It's packed with loads of Mario-themed mini-games.
Some of them demand speedy reactions, while others will challenge your memory.
And some even involve physical movement – like flapping your arms in the air while holding the Joy-Con controllers to fly.
If you're alone then you'll play against the computer.
The Sun tries new Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart before it's out
But with friends, you can take on each other – or even team up – in a bid to win.
SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE GAMEPLAY
The good thing is that all of the games are very simple.
There are dozens on offer, and you'll easily pick any of them up in seconds.
And they're all bright, colourful challenges where you'll play as (and alongside) iconic Mario characters.
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One fun game saw me collecting coins on shifting sands. Spiky bars rolled right at me, so I had to quickly sidestep or leap in the air to dodge them.
Another had me yanking bread out of an oven – but only once it had baked to perfection. Too soon? No coins!
You can enjoy a sort of 'Grand Prix' of mini-game series, so you'll earn points after a few rounds – and then see who came out on top.
If you've got four people playing at once, it's very high energy. This is great for a child's party, or an adult's party for that matter.
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The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game has some clever upgrades.
They're mostly tucked into a new section of the game called Jamboree TV.
One of the main differences here is a set of games built for mouse-style controls.
That's made possible by the Switch 2's upgraded Joy-Cons, which can be placed on a surface to work just like a computer mouse.
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But it's worth noting that mouse control games require a single Joy-Con per person and a surface. Oh, and you can't use the Pro Controller for those games either, as it doesn't have mouse functionality.
If you have the Nintendo camera accessory (keep in mind, this is £50!), you can play three games that make use of it.
It's a bit like the old Xbox Kinect camera system. One involves following physical commands, which is fun if you like moving around.
Probably the best is Goombalancing Act, where you try not to drop Goombas balancing on top of your head.
So what's bad? Well, there are a few downsides.
It took me quite a while to actually get playing. I'd say there's a good five minutes of unskippable content before you can start. It's not the end of the world, but I'd rather have just been able to get going right away.
As well as that, the game has a £66.99 price tag attached. So you'll want to make sure you're going to get enough use out of it.
IS SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE WORTH BUYING?
It's always tempting to just stick on Mario Kart. And the new Mario Kart World is very good.
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In fact, it's probably enough reason to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 alone.
But Super Mario Party Jamboree is a great alternative with loads of variety, and sparks a bit more chat than a regular Mario Kart game.
You're also far less likely to see major skill differences on this versus Mario Kart.
Rather than one person always winning, you might be good at one mini-game and rubbish at the next.
There's loads of variety so you won't get bored.
And it's simple enough for basically anyone to play – even people who aren't used to holding game controllers.
This really is as close as it gets to "fun for the whole family".
It's not exactly cheap at £67, but if you snap it up now, you'll probably get loads of play-time in over summer. And then again at Christmas.
The Sun says: One of the best "family" games out there – but it's perfect for a night with friends too. A mini-game treasure trove that will hook Mario fans, and convert everyone else. 4.5/5
Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo Switch 2), £66.99
Buy at John Lewis
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All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Always do your own research before making any purchase.