SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Mario Party Superstars’ Review, Plus Today’s New Releases and the Latest Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 3rd, 2021. Today is a national holiday in Japan, but while others are decorating their… *checks notes* Culture Day Trees, I am here bringing you the latest games and sales that hit the Nintendo eShop today. Since things were looking a little light, I also have a Mario Party Superstars review for you. How about that? Let’s get to the party!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Mario Party Superstars ($59.99)

The Mario Party series made its debut almost twenty-three years ago on the Nintendo 64, and has since been a staple of Nintendo home consoles. The handheld versions have been more sporadic, but no Nintendo handheld has been without a Mario Party game since Mario Party Advance came out on the Game Boy Advance. Unlike with many of Nintendo’s first-party franchises, Mario Party often makes multiple appearances on each console. Party games tend to rely on novelty to keep players interested, after all.

And so here we are with Mario Party Superstars, the second Switch Mario Party game. It does not seek to present novelty in either its general structure or format of its minigames. Indeed, the minigames in this game are all drawn from previous Mario Party games. They’re given a new coat of paint at the very minimum, and sometimes make bigger changes. But they are certainly familiar sights. The boards are also reappearing from previous games, pulling five favorites from the Nintendo 64 trilogy of Mario Party games. Suffice it to say that if you’ve found the last few Mario Party installments to be too “out there”, you will find this entry quite cozy.

If there’s one area where I feel like Mario Party Superstars doesn’t quite bring its A-game, it’s in that selection of boards. With such a wide array to choose from, it’s disappointing that we only have five to play here. I understand that’s one more than Super Mario Party and the same amount seen in Mario Party 10, but those games had completely new boards. The “Best Hits” approach Mario Party Superstars is taking really could have come through better in this regard. That said, the boards that are here are rebuilt fantastically. You get two boards from Mario Party, two boards from Mario Party 2, and a board from Mario Party 3. You can set a few different options and rules before jumping in, but as always you should expect to be playing for about an hour by default.

One important feature is that right from launch you are able to play Mario Party Superstars online. It was such a strange feature to be missing from Super Mario Party, and though it was eventually added in, it’s confusing that it wasn’t there at the start. No worries here. You can play online, you can play local multiplayer on one system, or you can play locally with each person on their own Switch. That means you can get your party on even if your usual crew can’t come over. Granted, the length of the games mixed with how frustrating the twists and turns of each play can be may lead to strangers dropping out before the game is over, but having a wide array of options hurts no one.

Speaking of Mario Party-related injuries, Mario Party Superstars actually brings back some of the stick-spinning minigames from the first Mario Party game. Please play responsibly. It feels like they’re tuned to require a lot less vigor, and the game clearly warns you not to use your palm. I suppose if you still have your little glove from the settlement, you could use that. I wouldn’t risk it. All joking aside, the selection of minigames is quite solid, with lots of favorites available. With one hundred in total, you’ve got a wider selection here than you could find in Super Mario Party.

If you want to play them on their own, the minigames are available for Free Play in their own section called Mt. Minigames. But Mt. Minigames is more than just Free Play. There’s a Daily Challenge where you play against others online in pre-set packs of games, a Tag Match where you only play 2-on-2 minigames, a Trio Challenge with just 1-on-3 minigames, a Sports and Puzzles mode where you play against others online to improve your skill level, a Survival mode where you try to rack up as many wins in a row as you can, and a Coin Battle where you compete to see who can grab the most coins. It’s quite substantial, and ultimately this is the section where you will probably spend the most time between gatherings with friends.

No matter what you’re doing, you’ll find yourself earning coins and leveling up. The coins are used to buy various knick-knacks in the game’s shop such as stickers you can use to emote, encyclopedia entries, and so on. Your player level will determine exactly which things are available in the shop, adding a pleasing meta element to the game. There are also achievements to earn, each bringing a new title you can add to your online profile. While Mario Party games are clearly intended to be enjoyed with friends, it’s nice that there is a fair bit here to do when you’re on your own.

You could probably try to push the line with every Mario Party game that it’s exactly what you would expect it to be, but I think that is truer here than it is for most games in the series. This is a deliberate throwback to the earlier years of the series, and I think a lot of people are really going to like that. While I would have liked to have seen a couple more boards, the amount on offer here is quite substantial in all other regards. Just keep in mind that this is indeed a throwback, so those looking for a more novel take on Mario Party will probably want to look into Super Mario Party instead.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

New Releases

Bloodshore ($14.99)

Wales Interactive has another FMV adventure for us, and it’s as corny as what they’ve put out before if not more. It’s kind of similar to the premise of The Running Man, where you play as a participant in a deadly game show trying to win big money, big prizes, at the potential cost of your life. It’s already strange enough on its own, but this latest season of the show seems to have something even fishier going on. Make your choices, follow the story branches, and try to find a good outcome for the hero.

Handpan ($9.99)

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to say this. Here we go. Aw heck, it’s Sabec. It’s amazing how they used to be my go-to example of Switch shovelware, but things are so much worse now. Sabec at least seems to make their own stuff, however weak it may be. Anyway, this is one of their music instrument apps. It lets you play virtual handpans (sometimes known as hang drums), with either button or touch controls. Probably not worth ten bucks. Good thing it will be on sale for two bucks before long.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The outbox is obviously of greater concern today than the inbox. Some great deals like Blasphemous, Touhou Luna Nights, Kentucky Route Zero, and Owlboy are expiring very soon, so get while the getting is good. Shoot-em-up fans should take note of Gemini Arms and Missile Dancer in the list of new sales, while those looking for something fancy may want to bite on Crysis Remastered or NEO: The World Ends With You. Check those lists carefully, as there are plenty of goodies to be found.

Select New Games on Sale

Bear With Me: The Lost Robots ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/9)
Ninjin: Clash of Carrots ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/9)
Skully ($7.49 from $29.99 until 11/9)
Ary & the Secret of Seasons ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/9)
Remothered: Broken Porcelain ($9.89 from $29.99 until 11/9)
Perfect Traffic Simulator ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/9)
Fantasy Tower Defense ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/9)
Royal Tower Defense ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/9)
Among Pipes ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/9)
Gangsta Paradise ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/9)
Colorfall ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/9)
Fantasy Checkers ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/9)
AnimaLudo ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/9)
Zoo Dentist ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/9)
Checkers for Kids ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/9)
The Legend of Ninja ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/9)
Fall Gummies ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/9)

Gemini Arms ($7.59 from $9.49 until 11/17)
Missile Dancer ($7.99 from $9.99 until 11/17)
GRIP ($7.19 from $39.99 until 11/17)
Tiny Troopers Joint Ops XL ($3.24 from $12.99 until 11/17)
Vostok Inc. ($3.29 from $14.99 until 11/17)
NEO: The World Ends With You ($41.99 from $59.99 until 11/20)
Crysis Remastered ($14.99 from $29.99 until 11/23)
Croc’s World 3 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/23)
Poker Champion: Texas Hold ‘Em ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/23)
Road Racing: Highway Car Chase ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/23)
InfiniteCorp: Cyberpunk Card Game ($3.99 from $7.99 until 11/23)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Thursday, November 4th

#Funtime ($5.18 from $14.99 until 11/4)
1979 Revolution: Black Friday ($2.99 from $11.99 until 11/4)
39 Days to Mars ($10.04 from $14.99 until 11/4)
A Normal Lost Phone ($2.39 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Almost There: The Platformer ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Alphadia Genesis ($9.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Alt-Frequencies ($3.19 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Amnesia: Collection ($2.99 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Anarcute ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Another Lost Phone: Laura’s Story ($2.39 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Antiquia Lost ($6.49 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Apsulov: End of Gods ($25.49 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Aquatic Adv. of the Last Human ($3.89 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Ashen ($15.99 from $39.99 until 11/4)
Assassin’s Creed III Remastered ($14.99 from $39.99 until 11/4)
Assassin’s Creed Rebel Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 11/4)
Astrologaster ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Atomicrops ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Away: Journey to the Unexpected ($3.39 from $16.99 until 11/4)
Azure Reflections ($12.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Bad North ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
BAFL Brakes Are For Losers ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
BallzOut ($2.00 from $2.50 until 11/4)
Balthazar’s Dream ($2.40 from $8.00 until 11/4)

Before I Forget ($5.99 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Best Friend Forever ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Blasphemous ($8.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Bleed ($3.59 from $11.99 until 11/4)
Bleed 2 ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Bombslinger ($2.99 from $11.99 until 11/4)
Bonds of the Skies ($7.14 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Boom Ball: Boost Edition ($1.99 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Brain Meltdown: Into Despair ($7.19 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Breakpoint ($2.39 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Burly Men at Sea ($3.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Bury Me, My Love ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Byakko-tai Samurai Boys ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Cake Laboratory ($1.99 from $2.99 until 11/4)
Children of Zodiarcs ($7.19 from $17.99 until 11/4)
Chroma Squad ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Cozy Grove ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Creature in the Well ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Creepy Road ($3.89 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition ($5.24 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Dead in Vinland: True Viking ($11.19 from $27.99 until 11/4)
Deadlings ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Deleveled ($3.91 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Diamond Girl ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)

Disney Tsum Tsum Festival ($19.99 from $49.99 until 11/4)
Donut County ($3.79 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Double Kick Heroes ($13.19 from $21.99 until 11/4)
DragoDino ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Dungeon Nightmares 1+2 ($1.99 from $12.00 until 11/4)
Dungeon Rushers ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Evil Tonight ($13.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Family Feud ($14.99 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Faraday Protocol ($19.99 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Fault: Milestone Two Side Above ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Flaskoman ($3.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Flipon ($3.59 from $5.99 until 11/4)
Florence ($2.99 from $5.99 until 11/4)
Fort Triumph ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Fracter ($3.34 from $6.99 until 11/4)
Frane: Dragon’s Odyssey ($7.14 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Galactic Defense Squadron ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Geki Yaba Runner ($1.99 from $2.99 until 11/4)
GensokyoDefenders ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Gensou Skydrift ($14.39 from $23.99 until 11/4)
Ghost of a Tale ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Glass Masquerade ($3.59 from $11.99 until 11/4)
Glass Masquerade 2 ($5.99 from $11.99 until 11/4)
Goblin Sword ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Golf With Your Friends ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)

Gone Home ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
GoNNER ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
GONNER2 ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Gorogoa ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Greak: Memories of Azur ($14.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Gurgamoth ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Healer’s Quest ($9.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Hextones ($2.39 from $2.99 until 11/4)
Hover ($7.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
I Am Dead ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
If Found… ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Immortals Fenyx Rising ($23.99 from $59.99 until 11/4)
inbento ($2.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Infernium ($2.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Iris & the Giant ($8.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
It Came From Space ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Jurassic World Evolution ($26.99 from $59.99 until 11/4)
Karma Knight ($3.59 from $8.99 until 11/4)
Keen: One Girl Army ($2.49 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Kentucky Route Zero ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Kill The Bad Guy ($2.09 from $6.99 until 11/4)
King of Seas ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Knights of Pen & Paper 2 ($3.89 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Kuukiyomi 2: Consider It More! ($3.74 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Last Stop ($19.99 from $24.99 until 11/4)

Lethis: Path of Progress ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Linelight ($5.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Little Racer ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Lost in Harmony ($2.09 from $6.99 until 11/4)
Magic Potion Millionaire ($11.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Mario + Rabbids KB Gold Edition ($19.99 from $79.99 until 11/4)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ($14.99 from $59.99 until 11/4)
Melbits World ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Metamorphosis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Miden Tower ($9.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Momonga Pinball Adventures ($1.99 from $5.99 until 11/4)
Monopoly ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/4)
Monster Boy & the Cursed Kingdom ($9.99 from $39.99 until 11/4)
Monster Prom XXL ($6.39 from $15.99 until 11/4)
Monster Sanctuary ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Mosaic ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
My Arctic Farm 2018 ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
My Bewitching Perfume ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
My Exotic Farm 2018 ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
My Farm ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
My Jurassic Farm 2018 ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
My Time at Portia ($7.49 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Narita Boy ($12.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Neon Abyss ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
NeuroVoider ($4.19 from $13.99 until 11/4)

Night Call ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
NoReload Heroes ($2.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Oceanhorn 2: KotLR ($22.49 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Oceanhorn: MoUS ($5.24 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Old School Musical ($5.19 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Omega Strike ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Omvorm ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Out of Space: Couch Edition ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Out There: The Alliance ($5.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Overcooked! All You Can Eat ($23.99 from $39.99 until 11/4)
Owlboy ($12.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
PictoQuest ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Piczle Cells ($2.49 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Piczle Colors ($3.00 from $12.00 until 11/4)
Piczle Cross Adventure ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Piczle Lines DX ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Piczle Lines DX 500 More Puzzles ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Piczle Lines DX Bundle ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Piczle Puzzle & Watch Collection ($3.99 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Princess Closet ($17.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Princess.Loot.Pixel.Again ($4.24 from $4.99 until 11/4)
Qube Qross ($4.99 from $6.99 until 11/4)
Quest Hunter ($8.99 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Red Wings: Aces of the Skies ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Revenant Dogma ($6.49 from $12.99 until 11/4)

Revenant Saga ($6.49 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Complete ($13.49 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Rollin’ Eggz ($1.99 from $2.99 until 11/4)
Roundguard ($8.65 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Sayonara Wild Hearts ($7.79 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/4)
ScourgeBringer ($10.99 from $16.99 until 11/4)
Seek Hearts ($8.24 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Sephirothic Stories ($8.24 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Shape of the World ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
She Sees Red: Interactive Movie ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Shikhondo: Soul Eater ($4.19 from $13.99 until 11/4)
Signs of the Sojourner ($14.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Skelittle: A Giant Party! ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Skul: The Hero Slayer ($17.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Slayin 2 ($2.99 from $11.99 until 11/4)
Soulblight ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Space Cows ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Space Otter Charlie ($10.46 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Splasher ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Star Renegades ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Steredenn: Binary Stars ($5.19 from $12.99 until 11/4)
Struggling ($6.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Sunless Sea: Zubmariner Edition ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)

Super Rocket Shootout ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Tamashii ($5.99 from $11.99 until 11/4)
Telling Lies ($7.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
The Ambassador: FT ($5.87 from $14.99 until 11/4)
The Bridge ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
The Last Door: Complete ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)
The Next Penelope ($2.59 from $12.99 until 11/4)
The Procession to Cavalry ($11.24 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Tools Up! ($3.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Touhou Hyouibana ($26.24 from $34.99 until 11/4)
Touhou Luna Nights ($12.05 from $17.99 until 11/4)
Tower of Time ($16.24 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Transcripted ($1.99 from $7.99 until 11/4)
Tumblestone ($1.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Uncanny Valley ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Underhero ($10.19 from $16.99 until 11/4)
Unto the End ($17.49 from $24.99 until 11/4)
Uurnog Uurnlimited ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
Venture Kid ($2.50 from $10.00 until 11/4)
Waifu Discovered 2 ($7.99 from $9.99 until 11/4)
West of Dead ($11.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
What Remains of Edith Finch ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
White Night ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/4)
Worms W.M.D ($7.49 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Yono & the Celestial Elephant ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Yooka-Laylee & The Impossible Lair ($7.49 from $29.99 until 11/4)
Yumedori Nostalgia ($13.99 from $19.99 until 11/4)
Zombie Night Terror ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/4)

That’s all for today, friends. Tomorrow we’ll have the usual deluge of new games, though perhaps not quite as many as the last two weeks. We’ll also have whatever sales come along, and if there is any major news that may make the cut as well. I hope you all have a great Wednesday, and as always, thanks for reading!

Source: https://toucharcade.com/2021/11/03/switcharcade-round-up-mario-party-superstars-review-plus-todays-new-releases-and-the-latest-sales/