There's one mode in Jamboree's best quality is the sheer amount of content on offer for players to delve into. Beyond the typical Party Mode, players can engage in a variety of other modes with their own unique stages, minigames, and objectives that make each aspect of Jamboree distinct. All of these modes were heavily showcased by Nintendo prior to Jamboree's release - all except for one.

Party-Planner Trek's lack of promotion is initially surprising to see. As Jamboree's only dedicated single-player mode, it would be a no-brainer for Nintendo to showcase what the game can offer those unable to take full advantage of the multiplayer. However, delve a little deeper into Party-Planner Trek itself and the reasons for its exclusion become all the more clear. Playing through this single-player experience shows not all aspects of Jamboree were created equally, and it makes for a disappointing addition to an otherwise perfect Mario Party game.

Super Mario Party Jamboree's Party-Planner Trek Mode, Explained

There's Not A Whole Lot Going On

Jamboree's Party-Planner Trek mode sees the player assisting Kamek in setting up the party for Mario and friends. The player traverses through each of Jamboree's many minigames. Other tasks ask the player to find and deliver certain items, answer a series of questions, or gain the help of various allies for the Boss minigames at the end of each board.

The primary issue with Party-Planner Trek is that the gameplay quickly becomes stale. The constant fetch quests become very repetitive as Jamboree offers no variation between these tasks across the boards. Trek's main appeal comes in the opportunity for the player to partake in minigames. However, these minigames are already accessible at anytime through Jamboree's Minigame Bay, rendering this mode essentially pointless. The unlockable decorations for the Party Plaza serve as little justification for the Party-Planner Trek's inclusion, and the mode pales in comparison to the rest of what Jamboree has to offer.

Playing Party-Planner Trek can also help unlock more boards for Party Mode, but it's arguably better to unlock these by playing the more interesting game modes.

Party-Planner Trek Mode Doesn't Compare To Older Games

The Mode Feels Empty As A Result

Jamboree's lackluster solo campaign is made even more disappointing when considering the series' history of fun and engaging single-player modes. Previous Mario Party entries offer far more content and variety for players who choose to go solo. For example, Mario Party DS has players a party on each board against Us, culminating with boss minigames that must be won in order to progress. This campaign allows players to get a complete experience in the same way they would have playing with friends.

Other Mario Party titles took this a step further, offering something wholly unique for their single-player modes. Mario Party 7's Solo Cruise sees the player going toe-to-toe with another character across slightly altered boards from the typical Party Mode, asking the player to complete certain objectives to win. Solo Cruise shakes up the typical party gameplay to adapt to a single-player experience while still offering plenty for said player to accomplish. The solo content on offer from a title like Mario Party 7 simply outshines Jamboree's own Party-Planner Trek mode.

It's clear that Super Mario Party Jamboree's dedicated single-player experience leaves a lot to be desired. Party-Planner Trek's boring gameplay of meandering across boards simply has the player question why they don't just partake in Party Mode, proving the solo mode fails at justifying its own existence. It makes for a pretty noticeable afterthought in an otherwise perfect Mario Party game.

Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube