Latest news with #JamboreeTV
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo Download: Party and Friendship
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week's Nintendo Download includes the following content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV – Become the Superstar of the show in Jamboree TV, a game show hosted by Toad that is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the Super Mario Party Jamboree game. Throw an even bigger bash with minigames that use the Joy-Con 2 controller like a mouse 1 and the Nintendo Switch 2 system's built-in microphone to respond to your sounds. There are new festivities to join as well: Put yourself right into the action with CameraPlay 2, enjoy two new rulesets in Mario Party Mode, get loud and excited in Bowser Live, and lock-in for the co-op Carnival Coaster. Party on with the Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV game – available now! Pokémon Friends – Unwind with puzzles in the Pokémon Friends game! Solve sets of three random puzzles to help untangle your mind. Then, place the yarn you obtain into the Plush-O-Matic: a special machine that creates in-game Pokémon plush. As you try to make them all, you can track your crafted plush in the catalog. You can also mark your calendar with a stamp each day you play, and then go back and practice the puzzles you played on those days. Complete friend quests for folks around town to earn rewards, including furniture which you can use to decorate your in-game plush rooms. You can also expand your catalog of plush with DLC 3 packs, including the Puzzle On! Pack #1 and Puzzle On! Pack #2. Pokémon Friends is available now on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems, as well as mobile devices 4! WWE 2K25 – Rule beyond the ring anytime, anywhere! WWE 2K25 brings you an unparalleled lineup of Superstars, Legends and Hall of Famers spanning generations. Take control of your Superstar from the women's or men's divisions in a single multi-gender MyRISE storyline where Bayley, Kevin Owens and other Superstars infiltrate NXT to take control of the WWE universe. The game features new brawl environments, unlockable arenas, characters and more — plus new ally storylines involving Jey Uso, Bianca Belair and other WWE Superstars! WWE 2K25 is available now on Nintendo Switch 2. No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – As Kaname Date – a special agent with an AI partner embedded in his left eye – your mission is to track down Iris, an internet Idol trapped in a mysterious escape game. Conduct interviews to investigate her whereabouts, dive into a subject's dreams to reveal clues hidden in their psyche and solve mind-bending puzzles to learn the truth. No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch July 25. Pre-order is available on Nintendo eShop. WILD HEARTS S – As a hunter, face off against beasts that have endured the blazing lava, raging blizzards and rising miasma plaguing the harsh lands of Azuma. These beasts, known as Kemono, embody the very essence of nature in all its beauty and ferocity. The key to surviving the fight lies in joining forces with comrades and wielding Karakuri technology. Hunt giant beasts using a variety of Karakuri tech, now with up to three teammates 5! WILD HEARTS S launches on Nintendo Switch 2 July 25. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop. Monument Valley 3 – Set sail for adventure in this brand-new story in the award-winning Monument Valley series. Monument Valley 3 takes you beyond the monuments and into the open sea. Play as Noor and navigate gorgeous, ever-changing environments, solve mind-bending puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the Sacred Light. When her village is threatened by rising tides, Noor must chart her own course and discover her strength in this stunning, emotional adventure. Monument Valley 3 is available now! Nintendo Music: Activities: My Nintendo – Donkey Kong Bananza Rally Towel – Cheer on Donkey Kong and Pauline during their adventure in the Donkey Kong Bananza game with the Donkey Kong Bananza Rally Towel, a physical reward available only from My Nintendo! My Nintendo members can redeem 650 My Nintendo Platinum Points 7 for this spirited towel while supplies last. My Nintendo x Donkey Kong Sweepstakes – Oh, Banana! Enter the My Nintendo x Donkey Kong Sweepstakes 8 for a chance to win a bunch of goodies featuring Donkey Kong and his buddy Diddy Kong! My Nintendo members can redeem 10 My Nintendo Platinum Points to enter up to 5 entries total. For more information, visit My Nintendo Gear Up With Nintendo Switch Online Sweepstakes – Time is running out to enter the Nintendo Gear Up With Nintendo Switch Online Sweepstakes 9 for a chance to win a collection of gaming goods inspired by classic games, the Nintendo Music app and more! Hurry – this sweepstakes ends July 31 at 11 p.m. PT. For more information, visit Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Check out the full list of deals available this week at Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch: For news and updates on all things Nintendo, you can also check out the free Nintendo Today! smart-device app. Whether it's news about games, info about your favorite characters, or videos and comic strips — you'll get personalized fun every day. 1 Attach the Joy-Con 2 strap and hold the controller firmly when using mouse controls. 2 Additional games, systems and/or accessories may be required for multiplayer mode. Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Compatible USB camera (sold separately) required for video features. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. Games, systems, memberships, and some accessories sold separately. Until March 31, 2026, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not needed to use GameChat. After the GameChat Open-Access Period has ended, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required. Games, systems, memberships and some accessories sold separately. 3 Basic Pack required to use DLC. Sold separately. 4 Mobile version is free to start; optional in-game purchases available. Persistent internet and compatible smart device required. Data charges may apply. 5 Additional games and systems may be required for multiplayer mode. Any Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. Games, systems, and Nintendo Switch Online memberships sold separately. 6 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet and compatible smart-device required to use app. Data charges may apply. Terms apply. 7 A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( 8 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 13 years old or older. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 p.m. PT on 7/16/2025 and ends at 11:00 p.m. PT on 10/1/2025. To enter, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account you can register for one at (2) visit (2) visit (3) sign in to your Nintendo Account, and (4) redeem 10 Platinum Points per entry at the My Nintendo x Donkey Kong Sweepstakes page ( as stated in Official Rules. There will be three (3) winners. Each winner will receive one (1) Donkey Kong Rematch ™ Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch ™ (ARV $59.99 USD), one (1) Donkey Kong Bananas Hawaiian Men's Shirt (adult sizes XS -3XL) (ARV $39.99 USD), one (1) Donkey Kong & Diddy Kong Pin Set (ARV $30.00) USD), and one (1) Donkey Kong Beach Towel (ARV $24.99 USD). Total ARV of all prizes: $464.91 USD. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Details and restrictions apply. For Official Rules, visit Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. 9 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years old or older. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 PM PT on 3/31/25 and ends at 11:00PM PT on 7/31/25. To enter, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account you can register for one at (2) have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership; (3) visit (4) sign in to your Nintendo Account, and (5) redeem 0 Platinum Points per entry at the My Nintendo Gear Up With Nintendo Switch Online Sweepstakes page ( as stated in Official Rules. Limit 1 entry per person. To enter via the alternate method of entry, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account, you can register for one at (2) include the required information on a 3' x 5' card or postcard and (3) mail in postcard as stated in Official Rules. There will be ten (10) winners. Each winner will receive one (1) metal panel featuring Nintendo Switch Online artwork (ARV $149.99 USD), one (1) personalized Nintendo Switch Online jacket with hood (sizes adult XS – 5XL) (ARV $79.99 USD), one (1) Nintendo Switch Online stainless-steel water bottle ($56.95 USD) and one (1) Nintendo Music branded gaming headset (ARV $33.81 USD). Total ARV of all prizes: $3,207.40 USD. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Details and restrictions apply. For Official Rules, visit Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. MORE ABOUT… NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership service that allows members to team up or face off online in compatible Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Splatoon 3, and Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. Members also enjoy a curated library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, among many others. Nintendo Switch 2 players can use the GameChat feature to connect with friends through voice, video or screen sharing (terms and requirements apply, visit Those without a Nintendo Switch Online membership can still join the fun during the Open-Access Period, ending March 31, 2026. Additionally, members can access the Nintendo Music smart-device app to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create playlists, browse music by different categories and more. To find out more about the benefits that come with Nintendo Switch Online, to view membership options and to learn about a free seven-day trial for new users, visit NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE + EXPANSION PACK With a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, players get access to even more benefits, including a library of Nintendo 64 games with added online play for up to four players (additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode; sold separately), a library of select Game Boy Advance games, retro SEGA Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC (full version of game required to use DLC for that game; sold separately). Nintendo Switch 2 players can also access a library of classic Nintendo GameCube games, enhanced features for compatible Nintendo 64 games and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (full version of games required to use content for that game; sold separately). NINTENDO eSHOP Nintendo eShop is a digital store that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2. Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2 both on-device and from the Nintendo website. PARENTAL CONTROLS AND MORE Remember that Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 both feature parental controls that let adults manage the content and features their children can access, including GameChat. Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players who register a Nintendo Account gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about parental controls and other features, visit or Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site.
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV review
Nintendo has remastered Super Mario Party Jamboree for the Switch 2 and added a bunch of new game modes but is the new content worth it? The Switch 2 isn't even two months old yet, but it's already become the fastest-selling console of all-time in the US and Japan, which means that Nintendo is going to have to put in a lot of effort to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They've got it in them to do that but hopefully that won't prove to be the Switch 2's destiny. The long-term future for its games line-up remains largely a mystery at the moment and now that Donkey Kong Bananza is out it's going to be October before Pokémon Legends: Z-A becomes the next major first party release, and even that's only a cross-gen title. In the meantime, Nintendo is going to be relying on smaller titles like Drag X Drive and more Switch 2 Edition games. Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles have taken the role of Wii U ports on the Switch 1, which is to say they're ready-made filler content that's nevertheless perfectly welcome if you've never played them before. Super Mario Party Jamboree is an excellent game and you can read our review of the original Switch 1 version here. Literally nothing has changed about it on the Switch 2, so the question here is whether the new content adds anything of value. In their simplest forms, Switch 2 Editions are essentially remasters. Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom added no extra content, beyond a shared mobile app, but upped the resolution and frame rate to create the definitive version of the games. If you own the originals you can upgrade to the Switch 2 Editions for a surprisingly reasonable £8. But if you want to upgrade your Switch 1 copy of Super Mario Party Jamboree it'll cost you £17. That's because Mario Party (and the upcoming Kirby And The Forgotten Land) includes substantial new content, that also isn't available via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The new content is called Jamboree TV and also includes improved visuals. Mario Party is not a game that relies on complex graphics but somewhat shamefully these improvements are not carried through to the existing content. Sort of… it's all very complicated, with some bits left out but not others, to the point where it surely would've been less trouble to just up the frame rate and resolution on everything, all at the same time. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Jamboree TV is an entirely separate menu option, when you start the game up, where the original game has a little Switch 1 icon next to it, to denote it's unchanged Switch 1 content. Nintendo isn't trying to hide what they've done but it's a peculiar approach given you can still play the original six boards from within Jamboree TV and enjoy the improved visuals that way. However, ancillary modes like Bowser Kaboom Squad and Paratroopa Flight School are stuck in the original game, with no visual upgrades. Equally, options like Pro Rules, and other customisation features and all the unlockables, are not available in Jamboree TV. Nothing is shared between the two games at all, including the minigame records, to the point where they might as well be two separate cartridges or downloads. The conceit for Jamboree TV is that Bower is hosting a TV show, in which you and up to three other friends or family can compete. If you have a camera plugged in then your face and body appears onscreen, but if not you play as one of the standard Mushroom Kingdom characters. There are a range of new minigames and these are all orientated towards showing off either mouse controls or the camera – so if you don't have a compatible webcam (it doesn't have to be the official Nintendo one) you're already missing out on some of the new content. The 14 new mouse games are all 2v2 but there's some very clever ones, including one where you're aiming wind-up cars, that you have to pull back with the mouse; another where you're spray-painting different bob-ombs; and another that involves climbing a wall in tandem with the other player, while you're both sat in a weird looking sci-fi machine. Bowser Live is a separate mode used to play camera games, involving minigames where you have to move your head or make a noise. One is literally just screaming and moving around as much as possible but others are more nuanced and include things like balancing Goombas on your head or moving a remote control vehicle with the power of your voice. As well as the new mouse and camera based minigames you can also play the standard board game mode with new rules: the self-explanatory Tag-Team, where you share your pool of coins and stars with a teammate, and Frenzy Rules . The latter is a welcome new option, to play a more fast-paced game that only lasts around 30 minutes, rather than the usual 90 minutes or so, although that does mean there isn't much time for many minigames. More Trending Finally, there's a new co-op mode called Carnival Coaster, which is a very literal on-rails shooter. You're co-operating with other players though, rather than competing, and while it's fairly well orchestrated it's not something you'll want to return to often. Although we gave the Switch 1 version of the game a 9/10 we're not going to for the Switch 2 Edition, for the simple reason that it's £20 more expensive, which makes no sense given the upgrade is only £17. We're long term defenders of the Mario Party concept and Jamboree is the best modern interpretation of the formula, but this somehow manages to make it worse, not better. Some of the mouse and camera minigames are fun but they're not really worth the upgrade price and if you don't own the base game already you're better off just buying that on Switch 1 and playing it via backwards compatibility. Jamboree TV is a competent tech demo, for some of the Switch 2's new features, but as Mario Parties go it's one you'll want to leave early. In Short: The original game remains the best entry in the series but Jamboree TV on its own adds little of value and isn't worth the upgrade. Pros: Super Mario Party Jamboree is great and still the best entry in the series. The mouse minigames are all very good and so are most of the camera games. Cons: The graphical improvements only apply to Jamboree TV, not the main game. Party mode in Jamboree TV is missing a lot of options and there's not really that many new minigames. Score: 8/10 Formats: Nintendo Switch 2Price: £66.99 or £16.99 upgrade packPublisher: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo CubeRelease Date: 24th June 2025 Age Rating: 3 Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Weirdly Mario Kart World is only the third best selling Switch 2 digital game MORE: Fan plays video game for 35,000 hours and then demands a refund MORE: Lego Game Boy is so accurate even the advert is the same
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I played Super Mario Party Jamboree on the Switch 2 — and it's the best reason yet to get a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera
Unlike the PS5 or the Xbox Series X, the original Switch and now the Nintendo Switch 2 is a console that's even better when played with friends and family, especially when you're all in the same room together. Whether you're racing through the latest tracks in Mario Kart World or working your way to the planet's core in co-op mode in Donkey Kong Bananza, there's something special about games with local multiplayer or couch co-op support. That's why Nintendo fans have been playing Mario Party together for over 25 years now. With the Switch 2 though, Nintendo has taken things up a notch by adding camera support to Mario Party. While Super Mario Party Jamboree was a lot of fun on the Switch, the new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game and its Jamboree TV expansion add some unique additions to the core Mario Party gameplay. Not only can you literally put yourself in the game with the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and even play some minigames using full-body motion controls, but you can also play other ones using Mouse Mode with the Switch 2 Joy-Cons. I got to try out Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV back in April when I first went hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2 and I've been thinking about it ever since. This week though, I got to play the full game from the comfort of my own home — mostly at my desk since my toddler was sick all week — and it's definitely worth picking up a Switch 2 Camera for or seeing if one of the best webcams you already own will work with it. Whether you're new to Mario Party or are a seasoned player that still remembers getting Mario Party Palm back on the N64, here's why I strongly recommend plugging in a camera while playing Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV on the Switch 2. This full HD camera features a USB-C port for easy connectivity and is designed to work perfectly with your Nintendo Switch 2. It works across every Switch 2 game for GameChat and is fully integrated in some titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV. The Switch 2 camera also features a privacy shutter and the included stand makes it easy to get the perfect angle. Additional retailers: Walmart, GameStop After adding my Switch 2 to the black and white desk setup I recently put together, I plugged in the Switch 2 Camera Nintendo sent over alongside Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV for me to check out. One thing that I immediately liked about this camera is that it doesn't have a hardwired cable which let me use a much shorter one for simpler cable management. I also found the included stand to be really helpful when finding the perfect angle for playing with it at my desk. With the Switch 2 Camera set up, it was time to dive into Nintendo's new Jamboree TV expansion for Super Mario Party Jamboree. Right from the start, you need to position yourself within a red circle so that your live video feed can be displayed next to your character as you play through the game. If you're worried about being too far from the camera, don't be, as you can zoom in closer using the triggers on your Joy-Cons or on the Switch 2 Pro Controller. Once you and everyone else you're playing with has their faces in the game, you're ready to start playing Mario Party. One thing that really fascinated me back when I first saw Nintendo's new Jamboree TV expansion in action is that even though you only have one camera, the game and your Switch 2 is able to zero in on each person's face. Just like in Mario Kart World when playing with the Switch 2 camera, this is a live video feed instead of a static image. In Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, you get to see the faces of everyone you're playing with (either online or on the same couch) as you make your way across the game's various boards. I really think this is a game changer in Mario Party as when something big happens like another player getting a star or making it to the end of a board, you don't have to look over to see everyone else's reactions. Instead, you can see them right on your TV, so you're not taken out of the action. Alongside seeing your friends and family as you play, there are also several minigames that are played using full-body motion controls. From balancing Goombas on top of your head to punching question blocks to get rings, I had a lot of fun playing all of these different minigames, even when I was paired up with three strangers at the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience in New York earlier this year. Now I can't wait to play them with my friends and family once I can finally have people over again. Given that I was playing on my own instead of with a full house, I decided to work my way through Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV's various minigames. While I've played some of them before on the original Switch, this was my first time playing them on the Switch 2 with its larger Joy-Con controllers. I also tried out some of the new minigames that are only available in the Jamboree TV expansion. First off, the game runs even better on the Switch 2 and its visuals look absolutely gorgeous on the MSI QD-OLED monitor I have set up in my office. I'm sure it would look just as good on one of the best OLED TVs out in your living room though. While jumping into minigames took a bit longer in the original Super Mario Party Jamboree, they opened almost instantly on the Switch 2. I started out playing some of the minigames with motion control support as I'm a sucker for flailing my Joy-Cons around. With a Joy-Con turned sideways, I played through a few rounds of Tilt-a-Golf before moving on to the Roll with It minigame. As expected, this was a lot of fun but it was also more comfortable with the Switch 2's larger Joy-Cons in hand. From there, I wanted to test out some of the new Jamboree TV exclusive minigames, specifically the ones that use the Switch 2's Mouse Mode. Of the ones I tried, What's the Scoop? was my favorite as who doesn't like quickly putting together ice cream cones? Even on my own with a CPU-controlled Monty Mole, we still managed to make quite a few ice cream cones and even some multi-flavored, triple-decker ones. Growing up I always enjoyed playing air hockey, so the next Mouse Mode minigame I tried was Shell Hockey. It starts off slow with you and another player trying to send a turtle shell over to the other team's net. However, after a bit, multiple turtles and their subsequent shells show up on screen and things get more chaotic which was a lot of fun. I have to admit, I've only scratched the surface when it comes to all that Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV has to offer. The original game was packed with loads of boards and minigames, so if you enjoyed it, the new Jamboree TV expansion is a no-brainer. However, if you haven't played a Mario Party game on the Nintendo Switch yet, this new version of Super Mario Party Jamboree is easy to recommend, especially if your board game nights have turned into mini LAN parties. If you aren't fully sold on the Switch 2 yet or you haven't managed to get one yet even after following our Nintendo Switch 2 restocks live blog, a game like this is the perfect example of what Nintendo's follow-up to its first hybrid console offers. Sure, there are definitely similar experiences to what was possible on the original Switch. However, there are also plenty of new ones like Mouse Mode, Game Chat and games like Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV with Switch 2 Camera integrations. This is just the start though and I can almost guarantee that Nintendo is likely cooking up new ways to use the Switch 2 Camera. What impressed me the most back when I first played this game was that even though we were just using a standard webcam, myself and those strangers I played Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV with were getting a Kinect-like experience. When I jumped up and punched question blocks for coins, I really had that feeling as if I was actually in the game and not just playing it. The same was true when we were on a TV show hosted by Bowser and what I was doing in real life — like moving my head, laughing or even talking to the other players — showed up in the game even though I was just another person in the crowd since it wasn't my turn. I'm definitely going to try out Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV with some supported webcams besides the official Switch 2 Camera but at $54, it's a reasonably priced accessory that can add a lot to your Switch 2 experience right now and I'm betting even more as the new console matures.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jamboree TV makes Super Mario Party Jamboree even better – providing you have the Switch 2 camera
Existing Super Mario Party Jamboree owners can inject new life into the game with the Jamboree TV upgrade pack as long as you don't mind overcoming certain financial barriers. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV requires a lot of investment to enjoy fully, but it's a mostly great way to utilise your Nintendo Switch 2 camera. When I reviewed the original Super Mario Party Jamboree last year I called it 'the definitive entry on Nintendo Switch ' for all the ways it effortlessly blended creative mini-games with the franchise's trademark sense of randomisation and competition. In other words, whereas the likes of Super Mario Party and Mario Party Superstars previously failed, Jamboree was pretty much perfect thanks to some great boards and its all-new Jamboree buddy system. The latter being a genuinely welcome addition to the game's typical chaotic formula as opposed to an annoying disruption. Not content with this, however, Nintendo has sought to try and improve on such perfection with Jamboree TV – an upgrade pack exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. The new games and modes it introduces are just as gimmicky as you'd expect for an add-on specifically designed to take advantage of the sequel console's new features like mouse controls and built-in microphone. And yet, at least for players with a Switch 2 camera wanting a fun afternoon in with friends, Jamboree TV is just about worth the upgrade. The good news is that the same great original Jamboree game is here for Nintendo Switch 2 owners. Players willing to upgrade will find the game's previous home screen icon warped into one that suddenly reads 'Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV', which when selected offers you the choice to jump into the vanilla version of Jamboree or the shiny new Jamboree TV mode. So far, so simple. The latter's goal, in contrast to the original game, though, is to put you in the centre of the action, and for this to work fully as intended you better hope to have purchased the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory. This high barrier to entry is my major problem with the overall value proposition that Jamboree TV offers. Because sure, while players who already own Super Mario Party Jamboree only need pay £16.99 / $19.99 / AU$30 for the additional modes, this doesn't take into account the price paid for the Nintendo Switch 2 camera. Do you absolutely need the camera to enjoy some of what Jamboree TV has to offer? Probably not, but you definitely will in order to enjoy it fully. That said, if you bought into the Switch 2 camera knowing it was an investment, there's some pretty great ways that investment pays off here. One of the biggest examples is the simple fact that everyone's face can now appear in a bog-standard game of Mario Party Jamboree. Much like as was the case with its integration in Mario Kart World, the camera can capture the faces of all four players on screen at once with relative ease, appearing above your chosen player-character in key moments, such as game-winning podium screens as well as when you're performing a dice roll. You're the star More substantial are two new Mario Party rule sets, with Tag-Team forcing the group into two teams of two to work together, while Frenzy living up to its name by gifting all players overpowered items from the start to see how far they can get in just five turns. Both are perfectly fine ways to shake up the usual pace of a traditional Super Mario Party Jamboree game and work across all included boards, but don't seem deep enough to tempt me away a from how I enjoy playing Jamboree the conventional way. I t's also a bummer that Tag-Team and Frenzy are both exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 instead of also being available to original Switch owners as a free or paid-for update, since neither require any of the new sequel console's exclusive features. Luckily, Jamboree makes the most of the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, built-in mic, and Joy-Con mouse controls elsewhere in the form of Bowser Live and Carnival Coaster. These are two totally new game modes played outside of the core Super Mario Party Jamboree experience, and as such, make the most of putting you into the actual game the most. My favourite is undoubtedly Carnival Coaster, which moves the franchise's chaotic antics away from the board game style in favour of a team-based gauntlet presented in the style of a light-gun shooter. The idea is that you and friends hop on board a rollercoaster together, using the Joy Con's mouse controls to take shots at flying enemies in order to build up extra time to reach your final destination. When riding the Haunted Coaster this means defeating ghosts, shooting bats on the Volcano Coaster, shooting Koopas on the Sky-High Coaster, and so on. Between these bouts of riding are a handful of mini-games sprinkled in, all of which are totally new and designed to utilise the Switch 2's mouse controls – with mostly great results. From an air hockey style game where your Joy-Con is the pusher to a mail sorting game that sees you dragging letters into different folders, Carnival Coaster plays host to some of Jamboree TV's best mini-games – and there are 20 to enjoy in total. Not quite as successful is Bowser Live, pitched alongside Carnival Coaster as an interactive versus mode (of sorts) where two teams of two compete to appease the titular Mario baddie. You do this via two ways centred around the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, movement and/or sound, with mini-games that have you making as loud a noise as possible or using your body to, say, balance a set number of Goombas on your head. Bowser Live isn't without Nintendo's usual charm, but it all feels superfluous compared to the more refined, complete feeling ideas Carnival Coaster presents. Not helping Bowser Live more so is just how much it put me in mind of the Kinect era of Xbox One, where dancing in front of your console was demanded regularly. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV isn't a bad way to enhance the overall Jamboree experience, but it is an imperfect one that sadly touts quite a large barrier to entry in terms of price. There were times while playing when I wondered why both Bowser Live and Carnival Coaster were tied into the Super Mario Party brand at all, rather than treated as their own separate experiences that could be fleshed out further. Jamboree TV feels like a halfway house between being a worthwhile add-on and missed standalone opportunity. As it stands, it's not quite either. But then, Jamboree TV ultimately only succeeds because of the more successful refined package its bolted onto, perfectly ideal for party game fans hungry for new ways to play in a group.
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition release date and what's new
The Super Mario Party Jamboree TV upgrade is launching for the Nintendo Switch 2 in just a few days' time, so here's everything you need to know about its release date One of the best Super Mario Party gamed is getting a refresh soon, with the impending release of the Jamboree TV upgrade for Nintendo Switch 2. Hype for the Nintendo Switch 2 is still going strong in the weeks post-launch, between the software launch line-up, first-and-third-party games coming thick and fast, and of course, a ton of upgraded versions of existing games exclusive to the new hardware. The list is pretty extensive, with the recent Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster giving popular games a second wind on the Nintendo Switch 2. And up next is Super Mario Party Jamboree. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is an improved variant of the original Super Mario Party Jamboree that released last year, and incorporates all-new modes, game types, and rules sets that specifically make use of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive features. Most of these utilise the Switch 2 camera, putting you and your friends in the game itself, hence the 'TV' part of the title, giving reality show vibes. You'll be able to try it out for yourself soon enough when Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV launches later this week. Here's what you need to know about the upcoming Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV release date. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV release date The release date for the Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV is set for Thursday, July 24. Although Nintendo has not yet confirmed an exact release time, it's expected to follow the pattern of other first-party Nintendo Switch games like Donkey Kong Bananza, becoming playable around 12am EDT on 24 July, which equates to 9pm PDT / 11pm CDT on Wednesday, July 23. For players in the UK and Europe, that's 5am BST / 6am CEST. Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV represents the first significant upgrade for an existing Nintendo Switch game exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, featuring entirely new content. Until now, games have either received free patch updates to enhance visuals and performance, as seen with Super Mario Odyssey and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, or minor paid-for upgrades, as demonstrated by both open-world The Legend of Zelda games, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which required a modest £10 / $10 /AU$20 fee. This game, along with the forthcoming Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World, are the first original Switch games to introduce substantial content exclusive to the new console with a dedicated 'Nintendo Switch 2 Edition' upgrade. The upgrade pack fee for existing owners will be £16.99 / $19.99 /AU$30 according to the game's official Nintendo site listing. It might be a bit baffling, but hopefully, immersing yourself in Super Mario Jamboree's various games (and starring in brand-new ones) will make it worthwhile.
