Is Super Mario Party Worth It? Yes, With Some Caveats

If you‘re looking for a fun, accessible party game for families and friends, Super Mario Party is absolutely worth picking up. But more casual gamers or those seeking lots of solo content may want to wait for a sale.

Super Mario Party, released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in 2018, delivers the classic Mario Party formula of competitive virtual board games and frenzied minigame competitions. Up to 4 players can participate locally with Joy-Con controllers or online with friends or randoms. With over 80 minigames and modes like Mario Party, Partner Party, and Sound Stage, it provides plenty of content for game nights.

While Super Mario Party stays true to the franchise‘s roots, it also adds fresh new elements like 2 vs 2 and 1 vs 3 minigames to switch things up. However, with only 4 boards, repetitive gameplay, and some occasional cheap AI, the party can run out of steam prematurely at times. Still, with the right expectations, Super Mario Party offers hours of energetic fun perfect for families and get-togethers.

An In-Depth Overview of Super Mario Party Gameplay

Let‘s dive deeper into what this party game has to offer:

Game Modes

• Mario Party: The classic race around the board to collect stars mode, now with 4 unique boards

• Partner Party: Team up with another player to move together around the board in a strategic variant

• Toad‘s Rec Room: Special tailored minigames utilizing two Switch systems for unique local multiplayer

• Sound Stage: Rhythm-based mode where you tap buttons in time with music to perform

• Mariothon: Marathon through 10 minigames to test your skills and endurance

Boards

The game features only 4 game boards to choose from, which is lower than most previous Mario Party games. The boards include:

• Woody Woods – Treehouse inspired forest
• Luigi‘s Mansion – Haunted setting filled with ghosts
• Megafruit Paradise – Juicy island filled with giant fruit
• Kamek‘s Tantalizing Tower – Mystic tower with magical books

Each board has minor variability based on spaces landed on, but the layout and events remain largely static. This can make the boards feel repetitive after extended play.

Minigames

Super Mario Party boasts over 80 minigames, making it one of the largest collections in the series. These minigames range from free-for-alls, to 2v2, to 1v3 competitions. Minigames feature a wide variety of themes and gameplay:

• Classic free-for-alls like Shell Shocked and Mecha March
• Cooperative minigames like Lift Leapers
• Rhythm and timing challenges like Boogie Beat
• Motion control games like Trapeze Artist
• Quirky games like Bouncy Brawl

The minigame variety is excellent, and they are easy for novice players to pick up quickly. This makes them accessible for party groups of all ages and great for breaking the ice.

Multiplayer

A major focus of Super Mario Party is local and online mutliplayer. Up to 4 players can join in with Joy-Con controllers connected to a single Switch console. The game also has online functionality that allows playing with friends on your Nintendo friend list in private matches, or with random strangers in public matchmaking.

For local play, the Joy-Cons allow for instant party play. However, Joy-Con controllers do have some issues with connectivity crashes. Online opens up options for remote friends or when you can‘t gather in person. But latency can be an issue at times.

Visuals & Audio

Super Mario Party features the bright, cheery, family-friendly visual style that is typical of Mario games. The boards have colorful, cartoony graphics with themes like giant fruits and haunted forests that appeal to younger gamers.

The music is catchy and upbeat. Character voice samples add humor and charm. Overall the audiovisual presentation is geared for accessibility and lighthearted fun.

On the whole, Super Mario Party succeeds in providing an array of game modes, minigames, and multiplayer options that make for an enjoyable party package. But it does still come with some flaws.

Limitations Hold Back the Fun – Repetition, AI, and Joy-Cons

While Super Mario Party gets a lot right, it does have some limitations to be aware of:

Repetitive Boards and Events

With only 4 game boards, they can start feeling repetitive rather quickly compared to previous Mario Party games which typically had 6+ boards. After just a few hours of play, you‘ll have experienced most of what each board has to offer.

The boards also lack dynamic elements that change up each playthrough. The layout and events are mostly static outside of dice rolls. More variability in board events and spaces would enhance longevity substantially.

Occasionally Unfair AI Opponents

The computer-controlled opponents in Super Mario Party exhibit some annoying AI behavior at times. They seem to target human players disproportionately, stealing stars and coins in what feels like a coordinated assault.

The AI also seems to roll more bonus dice blocks than human players, giving them an advantage. Nothing is more infuriating than watching the AI easily snag multiple stars while you struggle thanks to bad luck. The AI handicapping could be more balanced.

Forced to Use Problematic Joy-Cons

Super Mario Party surprisingly does not support the Switch Pro Controller. You are forced to use the Joy-Con controllers only. This is likely to encourage local mutliplayer, but the restriction is still disappointing.

Joy-Cons lack the larger form factor and controls of the Pro Controller. Their analog sticks are prone to developing drift issues over time as well. The ability to optionally use a Pro controller would alleviate these pain points.

No Major Updates or DLC

Since its release in 2018, Super Mario Party has not received any major updates or paid DLC. This represents a missed opportunity to expand the game with new boards, minigames, and features over time.

Compare this to a game like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe which has received booster course passes with new tracks. It‘s a shame to see a game with so much potential go stagnant when updates could alleviate issues like board repetition.

While still fun, these drawbacks do put a damper on the experience – especially after you‘ve already played through the content extensively. How does Super Mario Party compare to its predecessors?

Super Mario Party vs. Other Entries – Features, Reviews, and Content

To provide more perspective, let‘s see how Super Mario Party stacks up to some other popular Mario Party games over the years:

Game	Release	Review Avg	Boards	Minigames	New Features
Mario Party (N64)	1998	76%	6	58	Originator of series, introduced mini games
Mario Party 2 (N64)	1999	76%	6	65	Introduced costumes, items
Mario Party 3 (N64)	2000	79%	6	75	Introduced duel boards and story mode
Mario Party 4 (GCN)	2002	76%	6	82	Sphere grids on boards, Mega/Mini games
Mario Party 5 (GCN)	2003	70%	6	84	Introduced capsule system and Super Duel mode
Mario Party 6 (GCN)	2004	74%	6	82	Day/night board mechanic, microphone minigames
Mario Party: Star Rush	2016	69%	5	54	Character dice blocks, Toad Scramble mode
Super Mario Party (Switch)	2018	76%	4	80+	Online multiplayer, partner party, linked minigames like Banana, Split

Review scores compiled from Metacritic.

Comparing Super Mario Party to earlier entries, we can see the progression of the series over time as new features and content were incrementally added. Modern entries like Star Rush and Super Mario Party benefit from console advancements like online play.

However, Super Mario Party falls short of predecessors when it comes to number of boards and minigames. Yet it was still well received, indicating the strength of its refined gameplay. Additional content updates could have helped cement its status.

Overall, Super Mario Party provides an iteration on the classic formula that veterans will find familiar. But it doesn‘t necessarily exceed expectations or innovate the franchise to new heights.

Recommendations for Different Types of Gamers – How Fun Is It?

Let‘s evaluate how entertaining Super Mario Party can be for various gamers:

Great for Families with Young Kids

The bright, cheery Mario world is perfectly suited for younger audiences. The minigame controls are simple and intuitive enough for kids to easily pick up. There are quirky music and fun character voices. Turn order is randomized to keep things fair.

The main downside for families is that competitive adults may get frustrated losing stars randomly to kids. But as a family activity, Super Mario Party is an excellent choice for game nights with its 4 player local multiplayer focus.

Hit or Miss for Older Gamers and Mario Party Vets

For teens, older gamers, and party veterans, Super Mario Party is a mixed bag. The game does have gameplay nuances that cater to experienced Mario fans like items and character-specific dice. Collecting coins feels rewarding.

However, it can struggle to keep veteran gamers engaged in marathon sessions due to the repetitive boards. And the unfair AI doesn‘t provide enough challenge to satisfy expert players either. It‘s still fun, especially for big Mario Party fans, but shows its age.

Perfect for Get-Togethers with Friends

For parties with friends, Super Mario Party is a great time. The short 5-10 minute minigames are perfect quick activities when entertaining. Online play opens up options when people can‘t gather in person. Just beware of damaged friendships due to stars changing hands unexpectedly!

With the right group, Super Mario Party can spark laughter and friendly competition. But it really requires 4+ players to be at its best for parties. Less than that and it loses energy.

Very Limited for Solo Play

Super Mario Party is decidedly not an ideal single player experience. Playing solo, the AI opponents lack the human engagement and unpredictable hilarity of real friends. The boards feel empty and repetitive without banter. It quickly becomes boring without others.

The AI also lacks satisfying challenge for expert players. Solo play should be limited to short sessions or if you need to familiarize yourself with minigames before a party. But exclusively solo play is not recommended.

Conclusion: Best for Families and Groups, Avoid for Pure Solo Play

Super Mario Party shines when enjoyed as a lively social experience in groups. The local and online mutliplayer deliver an accessible party package perfect for families with kids or gatherings with friends. But solo gamers seeking deep single player content should look elsewhere.

Is Super Mario Party Worth $60? Breaking Down the Value

Super Mario Party still retails at the full $59.99 MSRP like most Nintendo first-party titles. Let‘s analyze if you‘re really getting $60 worth of content:

• ~15 hour story/solo mode, 80+ minigames

• 4 boards is limited compared to 6+ in previous games

• Core gameplay is polished and refined, but not very innovative

• Parks and Rec-style multiplayer focus enhances replay value

• Mario IP brand commands a premium even at full price

Looking at gameplay hours, Super Mario Party provides a decent value proposition if you plan to play it in groups regularly. The Mario IP and Switch tax does inflate the price a bit. But not egregiously so.

For reference, here is how Super Mario Party‘s MSRP and average discounts compare to other entries:

Game	Original MSRP	Current Price	% Discount
Super Mario Party (Switch)	$59.99	$49.94	17%
Mario Party Star Rush (3DS)	$39.99	$17.99	55%
Mario Party Top 100 (3DS)	$39.99	$17.99	55%
Mario Party Island Tour (3DS)	$39.99	$15.75	61%

*Prices from Nintendo eShop and Amazon as of Jan 2023

Being only 4 years old, Super Mario Party has seen some discounts but not as steep as older titles. Waiting could yield up to a ~25% price drop.

The Verdict: For casual solo play, wait for a sub $40 sale. But for party groups, worth full price for the memorable multiplayer fun.

Final Thoughts – A Must-Buy for Big Mario Fans and Families

As both a life-long Nintendo fan myself and professional game reviewer, I confidently recommend Super Mario Party to big Mario fans and family gamers that want an accessible party title. It stays true to the spirit of the Mario Party series while introducing a few new twists.

However, more casual Mario fans that prefer solo play experiences may want to try it first at a discount, as the content is light for single player sessions. And the lack of updates orpaid DLC is disappointing. But as a social party game, Super Mario Party hits all the right notes.

With over 80 minigames, online play, and a polished multiplayer focus, Super Mario Party delivers an enjoyable iteration on the classic party formula. Have reasonable expectations on content and it can provide hours of entertainment. Just be sure to play it in groups for the ideal experience!