Mario Party games have long been a recurring fixture at the Senses editorial office. Since transitioning from the sadly underrated Wii U to the Switch, we’ve awaited a new Mario Party title. Now, the eleventh installment in the series arrives, presented with significant resources. Nintendo has opted for the straightforward title of Super Mario Party. The question is whether this constitutes a true reboot while preserving the core gameplay experience. The answer, unfortunately, is no. Let’s delve into why.
Stylish, but courses lack a certain dynamism.
The fundamental gameplay of Super Mario Party remains consistent: a digital board game where players navigate using dice rolls, aiming to collect stars and coins while avoiding unfavorable spaces. The roster includes classic Mario characters, each possessing a unique die. For example, Yoshi’s die features only odd numbers, with seven as the maximum roll, but also carries the risk of rolling a zero—a significant setback in the pursuit of stars. A new addition is the ability to acquire companions along the way, reminiscent of Talisman. These randomly selected companions grant access to their special die and contribute additional steps to your roll through their own rolls. The established mechanic of purchasing a star for 10 gold coins persists, alongside opportunities to steal stars, although these are less engaging than in previous iterations. The game features only four boards, which unfortunately feel somewhat small and lack excitement; the star tends to appear within a confined area, discouraging strategic player dispersal.
Veterans of the Mario Party series will find the core experience familiar. While the vehicles from 9 and 10 are absent, each round culminates in a skill-based mini-game, typically pitting all players against each other, dividing them into pairs, or setting up a one-versus-three scenario. Victory in the mini-game yields the most coins. At the conclusion of the game, two bonus stars are awarded, based on various criteria, such as the most steps taken, most mini-games won, most coins earned, or even most coins lost. As in previous titles, luck continues to play a substantial role in Super Mario Party.
While luck and chance are inherent to the dice-based board game genre, their impact feels particularly pronounced in Super Mario Party. It can be frustrating when a player consistently excels in mini-games yet rolls low numbers, ultimately finishing last despite accumulating a substantial number of coins, unable to acquire a star. The absence of a duel mode, triggered when two players land on the same space, is a notable omission. Previously, this would initiate a mini-game with a star or coins at stake. Now, the encounter yields no consequence. Furthermore, the dice rolls seem disproportionately low for the mini-game leader. The game has also altered the handicap mechanic in the last three rounds. In past titles, the player in last place would receive a boost. Now, the boost is seemingly awarded randomly by an “expert figure” who comments on who they think will win and can arbitrarily award a bonus to the one who is in second place. The seemingly random distribution of bonus stars further amplifies the element of chance. Securing a guaranteed victory necessitates dominating the mini-games and consistently rolling high dice rolls (which is only achievable through bonus items like gold mushrooms).
Super Mario Party boasts enhanced visuals compared to its predecessors, featuring a blend of classic arcade mini-games (some exceptionally enjoyable, such as paddling and Zorbing) alongside motion-based elements, such as cycling, which may feel less inspired. The implementation of a “training round” before each mini-game is commendable, allowing players to practice beforehand, a significant improvement over the time-consuming trial rounds of previous titles. The game includes a total of 80 mini-games, representing the most in any Party title to date. While the overall quality is high, with no outright poor games, there are few truly innovative experiences. Coupled with the somewhat small and static courses, and the significant influence of luck (rolling low can be particularly frustrating due to the extended wait for another turn), the game feels less complete and varied than earlier iterations.
Nintendo’s aesthetic consistently promotes themes of friendship and fun.
Summary: Super Mario Party is a worthwhile consideration for enthusiasts of the series seeking a Switch version. However, its lack of innovation prevents it from being a true “reboot.” It adopts a conservative and broadly appealing approach, potentially catering to even casual gamers by emphasizing luck. The game offers engaging moments, particularly when enjoyed with four players, making time pass quickly. While a different balance and alternative features would have been appreciated, preference is subjective. We encourage you to acquire a copy and share your thoughts.
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