The LEGO franchise is best known for unique, comedic entries across all kinds of genres. We’ve seen hugely popular action games based on comic books like LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and wild, creative co-op experiences like LEGO Voyagers. Anything and everything can be a LEGO game.
When it comes to party games, I don’t think there is a bigger king in the arena than Mario Party. Over the last few decades, we’ve never truly had a comparable game on non-Nintendo platforms. Sure, there have been attempts, but nothing quite captured that magic the same way Nintendo does time and time again. That changed last year with the launch of LEGO Party. LEGO Party! takes the traditional board-game-based and minigame formula and throws a huge LEGO spin on it as we’ve come to expect from the franchise.
I had the opportunity to preview the game early at Summer Game Fest last year, and I played quite a bit on PS5 following launch last Winter. Now, LEGO Party! has officially released on Switch 2 with LEGO Party! – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and after spending some time with the new version, it’s clear this is a huge upgrade from the Switch version.
The Best Mario Party Alternative Out There
There are really four main modes you can experience in LEGO Party. Challenge Zone is the star of the show, which is the typical Mario Party mode you’re likely familiar with. This features the board with all sorts of wild spaces, and I feel even with the countless and obvious similarities, LEGO Party! does so much to stand out. For example, some spaces on the board actually let you modify the world around you with buildable LEGO sets that add on to the board itself. Instead of Stars, you hunt for Golden Bricks, and the game has a great live commentary system that makes it feel like an active game show. I do wish that there were additional boards beyond the four available here, but the customizable spaces at least make each match feel unpredictable.
Naturally, the heart of Challenge Mode is minigames, and LEGO Party! does not hold back here. There are 60 minigames to explore, with a fair amount of variety overall. I have always appreciated the uniqueness of these and how they lean into LEGO in different ways. Some have you building, some have you breaking things, and others have you navigating through unique LEGO environments that feel right out of a set. Of course, the goofy nature of LEGO that gives each of these games their charm is interwoven throughout, with some hilarious moments that will have you raging and laughing with your friends. While the minigames themselves are great, I do feel there could have been more variety in the different minigame styles (free-for-all, 1v3, etc). Still, it’s not anything that will really affect enjoyment in a multiplayer setting, especially. There are also a few other ways to play, including Minigame Rush, where you play sets of minigames; Score Chaser, where you race for high scores; and the Minigames mode where you can freely choose what you want to play. These are great for party settings or playing with friends & family, as you don’t have to commit to playing a full board. Challenge Zone does move pretty fast, though, and you can adjust the rounds to your liking.
However, where LEGO Party! really brings out the fun with its identity is its characters and customization. Instead of sticking with standard characters on a fixed roster, you can customize and choose from dozens of minifigures in true LEGO fashion. There are over 300 minifigures to unlock and play as, with over one billion different combinations to choose from. Some of the picks here are amazing, and I can really tell that developer SMG Studio is a huge fan of LEGO and its history. Some of my favorites reminded me of my childhood and playing with my (and my Dad’s) LEGOs. These included the blue astronaut from LEGO Space, the LEGO Ninjago ninjas, and so many more. As a result, LEGO Party! can often feel like a celebration of LEGO’s history, and I love that aspect of the game. Seeing all the different LEGO themes and sets packed together is incredibly charming.
Everything Is Awesome on Switch 2
The big improvements featured in LEGO Party! – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are increased resolution and frame rate. This was an update that many people were waiting on, and SMG Studio has delivered. The difference between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the game is immediately apparent upon booting up and seeing the game run at 60FPS. This was not possible on the Switch, and boy, does it make a difference here. Some minigames were more challenging at a lower (and sometimes inconsistent) frame rate, but this has completely remedied that for the most part. I say “for the most part” because one or two minigames and scenes did have a hitch or two, but they were so rare that most won’t notice them. Resolution is also much improved, with sharp visuals that pop in both handheld and TV modes. I did notice the character portraits displayed a little low-res in some instances, but it’s not something that impacts gameplay or my enjoyment here.
Alongside the release of LEGO Party! – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, version 1.6.0 of the game brought a ton of great new additions. This includes public lobbies and new Challenge Zone remix modes. I was only able to find one public lobby available during my time testing out the Switch 2 version, but I’m hoping that will grow as more people become aware of the update. It’s great to see new content released for the game, and I hope we continue to see this moving forward. I’d be more than happy with smaller free updates or even a paid DLC that added new boards to Challenge Zone. The new remixed modes are a great way to jump in and play a new way if LEGO Party has been sitting on your shelf for a while, though.
Overall, LEGO Party! is a great time well worth picking up on Nintendo Switch 2. I have played the crap out of Super Mario Party Jamboree and its siblings, and LEGO Party! is fresh enough to easily fill that party game slot for the time being. I absolutely adore that cross-play is a thing here, as you can play with anyone on any console online without a problem. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition corrects all the performance drawbacks of the original Switch version, providing a sharp and fluid experience whether at home or on the go. I still do wish there were a few more boards in Challenge Zone, but the charming presentation and unique mechanics of LEGO Party are enough to keep me coming back for more.
Disclaimer: Fictions provided a Nintendo Switch 2 copy of LEGO Party! for review purposes.
