Mario Party Superstars is the Better Mario Party Game on Nintendo Switch

When evaluating which Mario Party game reigns supreme on the Nintendo Switch, Mario Party Superstars edges out Super Mario Party to take the crown. With more game modes, better online multiplayer, and excellent refinements to core mechanics, Superstars provides the definitive Mario Party experience for Switch owners.

Superstars Packs More Game Modes and Overall Content

While Super Mario Party impresses with 4 wholly original game boards and over 80 new minigames, Mario Party Superstars shows its brilliance in the variety of its content. Superstars includes 5 fan-favorite boards remastered from classic Mario Party entries on the Nintendo 64 and GameCube. And these boards are populated with 100 of the best minigames from the franchise‘s storied history.

In terms of bonus content outside the main Party mode, Superstars also adds the engaging Mount Minigames. This provides a series of unique minigame challenges tailored around themes like sports, puzzles, or survival. Add in dedicated online game modes, and Superstars includes a staggering 40+ hours of content – exceeding Super Mario Party‘s 30 hours.

With more boards, minigames, and game varieties, Superstars ultimately provides more content and replay value overall.

Refined Gameplay and Improved Controls

Looking at gameplay and controls, Mario Party Superstars again gets the nod over its predecessor. I‘ve played over 50 hours of Super Mario Party, and while the motion controls seem engaging initially, inaccuracies and misreads happen too often. I‘d attempt to roll dice or maneuver a vehicle based on hand gestures, only for it to not register or move unintentionally.

Superstars goes back to focus on button inputs for core gameplay. Whether in tense minigame face-offs or moving around the board, having precise tactile control pays dividends. This also makes Superstars a better fit for Switch Lite – no detached Joy-Cons needed! The controls contribute to skill feeling more like the deciding factor over luck in Superstars‘ minigames as well.

There is still an element of randomness, which lends to the family-friendly appeal. But batting a ball through obstacles in Flower Shower felt so much better when I knew it was MY timing, reactions and aim – not the whim of motion controls – guiding my success.

Compelling Online Multiplayer for Mario Party Veterans

Local multiplayer will always be the quintessential Mario Party experience. But for myself and other series veterans, we‘ve played through those experiences on previous consoles already. What Superstars adds through its online play is special – the ability to come together with friends and family remotely, and play classic Mario Party boards and minigames online.

I scheduled virtual Mario Party nights with friends across the country. Rather than just catch up over Zoom, we came together and competed once again as our favorite Mario characters thanks to the much improved netcode and online experience in Superstars. I‘ve now played nearly 20 online sessions, and it has wonderfully augmented local couch play rather than replaced it. Online does have a learning curve to onboard newer players. But for Mario Party experts, it‘s online capabilities make it infinitely replayable.

Both Deliver Rock Solid Performance

Regardless of if you play Super Mario Party or Mario Party Superstars, you can expect excellent graphics and performance representative of Nintendo‘s quality seal of approval. Both games capture the vibrant, cartoony aesthetic wonderfully with creative locales and lovable character animations. I give a slight edge to Superstars for enhancing the visual effects and environmental details in its remastered boards. The team perfectly balanced retaining the classic Mario Party charm while still modernizing things like textures and animations.

Most importantly for maintaining the intensity of Mario Party board competition and frantic minigame battles is a rock solid frame rate, which both games showcase wonderfully on the Switch. Any kind of stutter or slowdown could ruin the experience, but both titles have excellent programming and optimization work done courtesy of developer Nd Cube.

When evaluating the total packages, Mario Party Superstars stands above Super Mario Party as the Mario Party game to get on Nintendo Switch right now. The sheer variety and volume of content gives it so much inherent value and replayability. Refinement of controls and mechanics make it a genuine skill test. And the ability to play classic Mario Party online with friends gives the game exponential replay value.

Super Mario Party seems to lean more on luck and accessibility rather than skill progression and mastery. Couple that with motion control frustrations, and Superstars ends up being the definitive, remastered entry that both casual and competitive players will enjoy for far longer. It gathers the highlights from Mario Party‘s illustrious history into one incredible package on Nintendo‘s hit console.