Super Mario Party received positive, though not unqualified, reviews in the two critic examples covered here. Nintendo Life scored it 8/10, praising its return to competitive board play and range of modes; GameSpot scored it 7/10. Both reviews point to appealing variety, while Nintendo Life noted that some ideas felt underdeveloped.
What were the review scores?
| Outlet | Score | Review context |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Life | 8/10 | Alex Olney reviewed the European version on October 3, 2018. |
| GameSpot | 7/10 (“Good”) | Jordan Ramée’s review page lists the score and an October 5, 2018 first-release date. |
GameSpot’s page also displayed a Metacritic score of 76 when accessed. That is a page-displayed aggregator value, not a fixed score or a complete measure of critic opinion; aggregate scores can change as reviews are added or updated.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Super Mario Party - US Version | $59.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch (International Version) | $57.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Super Mario Party - Nintendo Switch (Renewed) | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Super Mario Party Jamboree for Nintendo Switch | $52.79 | Buy on Amazon |
What did critics think of the gameplay?
The return to competitive board play
Nintendo Life’s review welcomed the return to the series’ traditional competitive party-board format. Olney’s conclusion called the game “on the whole … a true return to form.” GameSpot’s lower score still falls on the favorable side, but the two reviews should be read as a small sample rather than a consensus across all critics.
Variety across boards, minigames, and modes
Nintendo advertises 80 minigames. The game also offers formats beyond the main Mario Party board mode, including Partner Party, River Survival, Sound Stage, Challenge Road, and Toad’s Rec Room. The range gives players different ways to use the minigames, although having many modes does not mean every mode received equal praise.
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- Outwit friends and family as you race across the board; whoever gets the most stars wins.
- Play the original 4-player Mario Party series board game mode locally or online
- Character-specific Dice Blocks with alternate numberings add another level to your strategy
- Dozens of exciting minigames packed with wildly different challenges—now with newly-added online play
- Pair two Nintendo Switch systems, lay them flat, and creatively combine both screens to enjoy a different, interactive style of tabletop gaming in Toad’s Rec Room mode
Where the extra ideas were less convincing
Nintendo Life’s positive verdict came with a reservation: some ideas felt underdeveloped. The useful distinction is that the review praised the return to classic competitive play and the overall variety, without suggesting every addition was equally polished or fully realized.
Is Super Mario Party good for two players?
The cited reviews and Nintendo’s product information establish support for multiplayer, but they do not provide a specific critic verdict on the two-player experience. Nintendo Canada lists one-system play for 1–4 players. For local play, Nintendo says each player needs a compatible controller, so check the controllers available before starting; extra controllers may be needed.
Rank #2
- International Version. ESRB rated. This game is tied to the USA region and any DLC content is available on the USA regional Nintendo eShop. Works on all systems worldwide. (Middle East / Southeast Asia -- Official Nintendo Product).
- Outwit friends and family as you race across the board; whoever gets the most stars wins.
- Play the original 4-player Mario Party series board game mode locally or online
- Character-specific Dice Blocks with alternate numberings add another level to your strategy
- Dozens of exciting minigames packed with wildly different challenges—now with newly-added online play
What can you play online?
Nintendo says a free update added online play for Mario Party and Partner Party, as well as online minigames. Online play requires internet access, a Nintendo Account, and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Service availability varies by country.
Online support does not cover every part of the game. Nintendo Canada’s regional product listing names these modes as unavailable online: Sound Stage, Toad’s Rec Room, Challenge Road, and River Survival. It also lists ten minigames that do not support online play:
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Rank #3
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only.
- Up to four players* take turns rolling the dice, and individually race across the board searching for Stars.
- In Toad’s Rec Room Mode, new gameplay links two Nintendo Switch systems for side-by-side fun.;Genre: Action and Adventure
- Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description:Mild Cartoon Violence
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Check Nintendo’s current terms for your country before relying on online availability, since service rules and regional support can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the game, and which version did critics review?
Super Mario Party is a Nintendo Switch party game published by Nintendo and developed by Nd Cube. Its first release was October 5, 2018. Nintendo Life’s 8/10 review was specifically of the European version and was published two days before that listed release date; GameSpot’s review page lists the 7/10 score and October 5 release date.
Rank #4
- 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!
Nintendo Canada lists a physical Nintendo Switch edition and says the game is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, with behavior consistent with Nintendo Switch. That is a regional listing, so confirm current availability and compatibility details in your market.
How should you interpret these reviews?
These scores support a straightforward conclusion: the sampled critics liked the return to competitive board play and the breadth of modes, while at least one review found some additions underdeveloped. Nintendo Life’s 8/10 and GameSpot’s 7/10 are two reviews, not an exhaustive survey of critic opinion. The Metacritic figure cited above is the value displayed on GameSpot’s page when accessed, not a permanent rating.
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