Peach is the best Jamboree Buddy for most players, thanks to her ability to halve Star costs. Yoshi, Daisy, and Waluigi round out the top four with strong item, coin, or opponent-interaction effects. This is an editorial ranking of strategic usefulness—not an official Nintendo list or a win-rate result—and the best pick can change with your board position, resources, and rules.
How Jamboree Buddies work
Super Mario Party Jamboree has 10 Jamboree Buddies. When a player reaches a buddy, a Showdown Minigame begins; the winner recruits that buddy as an ally. Nintendo notes that the first player to reach a buddy has a slight advantage in the showdown. A recruited buddy can provide an ability, and some buddy effects let players perform certain actions twice, including buying two Stars. Nintendo’s official game page describes the buddy system, while Nintendo UK’s game page outlines the showdown and recruitment mechanic.
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The ranking below weighs potential impact on Stars, movement, coins, items, and opponents, along with how reliably an ability can help. Nintendo describes Party Rules as a more lighthearted experience and Pro Rules as putting less emphasis on luck and more on skill. The order is a reasoned tier list, not a measured result; board state and rules can change how useful any ability feels.
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1. Peach — halves Star costs
Peach ranks first because a discounted Star can create a major economy swing. Her ability is most valuable when you can reach a Star and have enough coins to pay the reduced cost. If neither opportunity is available, the discount cannot help immediately.
#1 Best Overall
- Get ready for the biggest party yet in Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch. From running through merry-go-rounds to motion-control minigolf, this jamboree is jam-packed with over 110 minigames – the most of any Mario Party game to date!
- With seven boards in all, you can go with the flow in Goomba Lagoon, search for stars in Rainbow Galleria, revisit the classics of Western Land and Mario’s Rainbow Castle from past titles and more.
- Race across the party board in Koopathlon, a series-first 20-player online competition to see who can rack up the highest scores in minigames like the fast-paced Lane Change. The higher your score in each round, the faster you’ll get to the goal. Koopathlon is just one of a slew of additional modes – there’s something for every kind of Mario Party player to enjoy!
2. Yoshi — copies items from opponents you pass
Yoshi can turn a route past an opponent into an item gain. That can be a strong, repeatable payoff when the opponent has a useful item, but the ability depends on passing someone who has an item worth copying.
3. Daisy — halves item costs
Daisy offers a flexible discount when you can shop and make use of items. Her value depends on access to a shop, your coin supply, and whether the available items suit your plans.
Rank #2
- This jam-packed jamboree just got even bigger—only on the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- With 22 playable characters, Pro Rules for more serious competition, and a local single player mode, there’s something for every kind of partygoer!
- Get hands-on with Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive features in Carnival Coaster and Bowser Live
- Take the fun online in Koopathlon and Bowser Kaboom Squad
- Get moving in Rhythm Kitchen, Toad’s Item Factory, and Paratroopa Flight School
4. Waluigi — steals 3–8 coins from any opponent you pass
Waluigi combines a coin gain for you with a loss for the opponent. The effect is bounded and requires you to pass another player, so his payoff depends on how opponents are positioned along your route.
5. Mario — adds a random 3–8 to the Dice Block
Mario supplies a substantial movement boost, but the extra amount is random. More movement can bring you closer to a target—or carry you past a useful space—so the value depends on where you are headed.
Rank #3
6. Wario — grants 3–8 coins before you roll
Wario’s listed effect provides an immediate coin gain before the roll. That makes him a dependable resource boost, though it is less transformative than a Star discount or an ability that can affect items or opponents.
7. Bowser Jr. — places a Half-Coins Steal Trap where you land
Bowser Jr. sets a trap on the space where you stop. It can disrupt another player, but only if someone lands there and triggers it; its impact therefore relies on future board traffic.
Rank #4
![Super Mario Party Jamboree Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WcytyKSsL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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. nintendo.com/switch-online. ** Joy-Con controller required for motion-control minigames. Motion-control minigames not compatible with online mode or Nintendo Switch Lite.
- Nintendo.
8. Rosalina — grants a free, cheap item before you roll
Rosalina provides an item without a purchase, which can be useful before you move. The item is described as cheap, however, so this ability should not be mistaken for a guaranteed high-value or premium item.
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9. Luigi — increases your chances of rolling a higher number
Luigi can help with movement by improving the chance of a higher roll. The ability description does not quantify that probability change, so its exact size—and how often it changes a result—is not established here.
Best Value
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Jamboree TV; upgrade details
- New way to play exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2: Jamboree TV; new modes that use mouse controls, microphone and a compatible USB-C camera (sold separately)
- Players appear within the game via CameraPlay using a compatible USB-C camera (sold separately)
- GameShare compatibility for local multiplayer; wQHD (1440p) resolution in TV mode, Full HD (1080p) in tabletop mode and handheld mode (Jamboree TV only)
- Visually enhanced with improved frame rate; requires a TV that supports the specified resolution
10. Donkey Kong — moves you to a random space before rolling
Donkey Kong’s relocation is the least predictable effect in this ranking. A random space may put you in a better position or disrupt your plan, which makes it difficult to rely on compared with more targeted benefits. Last place reflects predictability, not a claim that the result is always bad.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can change which buddy is best?
These abilities do not operate in a vacuum. A Star discount matters when a Star is reachable and you can pay; an item effect matters when you can access or use items; passing an opponent creates opportunities for Yoshi or Waluigi; and a trap needs another player to trigger it. Movement effects can also help or hinder depending on the spaces ahead.
As a result, this ranking is a useful default rather than a universal answer. Nintendo’s original Switch release date for Super Mario Party Jamboree was 17 October 2024, according to its UK game page. For the current match, prioritize the ability that best fits your position and available opportunities.
Quick Recap
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