Review
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour: a successful Switch 2 tutorial that really should be free
by Domagoj Belancic
"Super Mario Party Jamboree" - Switch 2 upgrade in focus
23/7/2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Michelle Brändle
Super Mario Party Jamboree" for the Switch 1 was already Nintendo's biggest Mario Party game to date. However, the Switch 2 edition goes one better: with a wealth of additional mini-games and possibilities.
Nintendo is giving many Switch 1 games paid Switch 2 upgrades. Now it's the turn of «Super Mario Party Jamboree». Find out here whether the expensive upgrade is worth it thanks to new modes and mini-games.
For newcomers: «Mario Party» briefly explained
«Mario Party», Nintendo's digital board game, has become one of my absolute favourites over the years. The principle is always the same: I collect coins on different game boards, buy more stars than the competition and win in fast-paced mini-games.
In the latest version, «Super Mario Party Jamboree», I am also supported by a Jamboree partner - a character from the Nintendo world who gives me advantages after successfully completing mini-games.
In this article, I'm focussing exclusively on the new features of the Switch 2 edition. If you missed the comprehensive review of the Switch 1 version, you can read it here:
What's new in the Switch 2 edition
The new functions of «Super Mario Party Jamboree» are clearly organised in a separate start window. At the beginning, I choose whether I want to play the regular Switch 1 version or the Switch 2 version. Nintendo refers to this as «Jamboree TV» and offers four modes, which I take a closer look at:
- Mario Party: The classic board game with the new team mode
- Bowser stage: Selected camera and microphone mini-games in party mode
- Jubelbahn: Race as fast as possible through various roller coasters
- Free choice: Choose yourself from all available mini-games
In addition to new content, Nintendo is also focusing on better graphics. In TV mode, the resolution is now 1440p, and in handheld mode it is 1080p. The game already looked great on the Switch 1. I certainly didn't notice the improved quality on my 27-inch monitor. Colleague Domi with his 83-inch home cinema probably sees things differently.
«Mario Party» New team play: collect stars together
The Switch 2 edition expands the party rules with two new sets of rules. The Lightning Rules catapult you straight into the final spurt - the last five special final rounds with special rules: Here, for example, twice as many coins are distributed on the fields or deducted, and all players start with a star and 50 coins.
My personal highlight is the team rules. Here I compete in pairs against another runner-up team. The most important rules at a glance:
I think this is a nice change from the classic everyone-against-everyone party rules. You only get 2 vs. 2 mini-games here, which limits the game selection of the Switch 1 edition. In return, Nintendo provides you with a few completely new games, as the Switch 2 now allows the use of a mouse and microphone.
In «Mario Party» mode, I can now also connect a camera to the Switch 2 and bring my friends into the game in pictures. I can only imagine this being useful when I'm playing online with my friends - unfortunately, I wasn't able to test it in advance. However, when my colleagues are sitting next to me on the sofa, I find the camera superfluous.
For security reasons, screenshots are not possible in camera mode. However, to demonstrate this mode to you, I have captured it photographically. The pixelated, poor quality of the Nintendo camera actually brought a smile to my face.
Overall, I still see room for improvement in camera mode. I have to recalibrate the camera too often because my face is out of the frame. I also can't simply plug the camera in or out during the game: Because then it isn't recognised properly and blocks the screenshots anyway.
«Bowser stage»: a good roar is half the battle
In one of the camera games, I am given a Mario or Luigi cap and have to follow the instructions of the chatterbox. I either have to stretch or squat. However, the camera doesn't always interpret my movements correctly. In another mini-game, I have to hit the iconic question mark blocks with my head or fist to collect as many coins as possible. This, in turn, is very funny and works well.
In microphone mode, there's a game where I have to shout «Los» to make Bowser Junior rise in his hot air balloon at the right moment. In another game, I clap to the specified beat. While the shouting can be a bit exhausting, the clapping works much better.
The games themselves are amusing - but I doubt whether the simple game mechanics will be fun in the long term. In addition, the games are interrupted by far too many cut-scenes. For just a few seconds of fun, I have to endure three times the amount of Bowser's chatter. Perhaps a more patient audience will find this more appealing.
The «cheering track»: aim at opponents in mouse mode
In the «Jubelbahn» mode, the aim is to clear a rollercoaster of baddies. To do this, I explore one of five virtual tracks with my character: Creepy Coaster, Cloud Coaster, Master Coaster, Cheer Coaster and Brodel Coaster are available to choose from.
During the ride, I fend off my opponents. To do this, I move the Joy-Con on a flat surface like a computer mouse and point the scope at my opponents. If I press the shoulder button, I throw balls at them. The aim is to spend as much time as possible on the tracks. I earn valuable bonus seconds in mini-games. These are often combined with mouse control.
The game demonstrates well how a Joy-Con can be used as a mouse. It works quite well on my sofa or trouser leg, even if a little sensitivity is required.
The built-in vibration motors in the Joy-Cons create a rattling sound like on a real rollercoaster in the ride sequences - funny and well implemented! The rest of the mode offers me little motivation for more than two or three laps. By then at the latest, I find it monotonous.
«Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV» was provided to me by Nintendo for testing purposes. It will be available from 23 July 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2.
In a nutshell
Great, but also expensive
With "Jamboree TV", the already extensive "Mario Party Jamboree" also does justice to the new Nintendo console. Although the camera and mouse are well integrated, some of the new game modes look more like tech demos of the new Switch 2 functions. The new duel mode and some of the new mini-games provide lasting fun.
A surcharge of 20 francs or euros on the regular version seems a little high to me. However, the 80 francs for the complete package are within the usual Nintendo range and are justifiable for the scope of the game on offer. If you mainly play "Mario Party" online with friends, the upgrade could be worthwhile due to the camera integration. Otherwise, you can go for the regular Switch 1 version without hesitation and consider an upgrade later if necessary.
Pro
- Additional mini-games with camera and microphone
- New duel mode for teams of two
Contra
- Bowser and rollercoaster mode rather boring
- Surcharge set high
Header image: Nintendo
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
Review
Which films, shows, books, games or board games are genuinely great? Recommendations from our personal experience.
Show all
