Nintendo Switch owners can now test the limits of their friendships by playing Mario Party's surprise patch might seem like it came out of the blue, but now friends and family observing social distancing protocols can play the Switch game during their virtual game nights.
Previously, Super Mario Party was primarily an offline co-op game and only allowed s to play ten mini-games in a roulette-style online mode. Now, gamers can use the internet to play full rounds of its Mario Party mode, which pits four players against each other, and Partner Party, a two-versus-two variant of the title's classic game mode. Only 70 out of 80 of Super Mario Party's mini-games can be played online, but that's more than enough to make the game an alternative option to online party games, like Jackbox and Among Us.
To get started, players will need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Once that's set up, they can or host a public game where anyone can or set up a -protected lobby for private sessions. This is the first time in 's 23 years of existence that it has become fully playable online, which is a major enhancement in a time when in-person gatherings have become more difficult.
Why Super Mario Party's Switch Update Is Great
Games focused on socialization, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, have allowed millions of people to safely keep in touch with loved ones for most of the COVID-19 pandemic. Super Mario Party is a perfect candidate to the ranks of social-distancing-friendly games because of the fond memories long-time Nintendo fans have of playing the beloved Mario Party 3 on the Nintendo 64. The Nintendo Switch entry of the franchise sorely lacked online connectivity at launch, but it can now realize its full potential as an online behemoth.
The wild popularity of New Horizons throughout 2020 seems to have piqued Nintendo's interest in developing more online games. The company has traditionally strayed away from online games. Still, the vast reach of the Nintendo Switch coupled with social distancing has seemingly made the company rethink its connectivity strategy moving forward. The launch of Super Mario Party's online mode might be a signal of more social-focused games to come, but for now, it's a much-needed addition to the classic Nintendo franchise.