- Super Mario Party Jamboree character dice were removed — every player now rolls the same standard die.
- The old character-specific dice from 2018's Super Mario Party created an unbalanced character meta.
- The new buddy system replaces allies and grants unique bonuses instead of custom dice.
- Buddies double your actions but only last three turns and can be stolen by passing players.
- Pro Rules reduce randomness for competitive play and reveal Bonus Star requirements.
What Happened to Character Dice in Jamboree?
Super Mario Party Jamboree character dice are gone — and that is by design. Nintendo removed the character-specific dice mechanic that debuted in 2018's Super Mario Party, alongside the old ally system, in favor of a streamlined and more balanced board experience. In Jamboree, every character rolls from the same standard die pool, which means the character select screen is no longer the most important strategic decision in a match.
The removal addresses one of the most criticized features of the previous game. Fans of the classic Mario Party formula felt that unique dice warped match balance, while competitive players found themselves picking characters for their dice sides rather than for fun. Jamboree resets that equation entirely.
With character dice removed, your character choice in Jamboree is purely cosmetic for board play. Pick your favorite — Mario, Yoshi, Bowser, or anyone else — without worrying about rolling a weaker die.
How Character Dice Worked in Super Mario Party (2018)
To understand why Nintendo cut the feature, it helps to look at how unbalanced the old dice actually were. In Super Mario Party, each character had a unique die alongside a standard d6, with wildly different risk and reward profiles.
| Character | Dice Sides | Playstyle | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario | 1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6 | Balanced, reliable movement | Low |
| Luigi | 1, 1, 1, 5, 6, 7 | Swingy, high variance | Medium |
| Donkey Kong | +5 Coins, 0, 0, 0, 10, 10 | Coin gain, no movement | High |
| Shy Guy | 0, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 | Consistent mid-range movement | Low |
| Bowser | Coin loss / high movement mix | Gambler's die | Very High |
| Yoshi | Peaked at 7 on one side | Middling set | Medium |
The problem was obvious: choosing Yoshi locked you into a mediocre die, while Shy Guy offered steady, low-risk movement. For competitive players, the character select screen effectively decided part of the match before anyone rolled.
In Super Mario Party, the unique dice system created an unhealthy meta where die quality outweighed minigame skill. Allies with equally risky dice only partially balanced this out.
The Buddy System: Jamboree's Replacement
Jamboree replaces both the unique dice and the old ally roulette with the buddy system — a more dynamic mechanic that keeps late-game swings without punishing your initial character choice.
Buddy Arrival
A buddy such as Luigi or Donkey Kong drops onto the board at a random place and time, with Toad announcing that players can claim them.
Reach the Buddy First
The first player to reach the buddy triggers a showdown minigame and earns an advantage in it — so racing to the buddy is worth the detour.
Win the Showdown
Each buddy has a themed minigame tied to their character history. Luigi's takes place in a spooky mansion maze; Donkey Kong's is a bongo rhythm game. Win it and the buddy joins you.
Use the Bonus — Fast
Buddies last only three turns, double every action you take, and can be stolen when another player passes you on the board.
Each buddy also grants a unique bonus power while active:
Luigi
- Higher chance to roll bigger numbers
- Mansion maze showdown minigame
- Great for star rushes
Princess Peach
- Purchase stars at half price
- Excellent economy bonus
- Doubles actions when combined
Donkey Kong
- Bongo rhythm showdown
- Character-themed minigame
- Skill-based to claim
Every buddy doubles whatever actions you take. Buy a star and you get two — but land on a Bowser space and you face double the consequences.
Old System vs. New System Comparison
| Feature | Character Dice (2018) | Buddy System (Jamboree) |
|---|---|---|
| Character choice impact | Decisive — locks your die | Cosmetic for board play |
| Balance | Wildly uneven dice sets | Uniform die for all players |
| Activation | Available from turn one | Random time and place |
| Duration | Entire match | Three turns only |
| Stealable | No | Yes — passed by rivals |
| Bonuses | Dice-side effects | Unique powers + doubled actions |
| Skill factor | Character select meta | Showdown minigames |
Jamboree's approach shifts advantage from pre-match character picks to in-match decisions: racing to buddies, winning showdowns, and timing your doubled actions.
Strategy Checklist for the New System
Since you can no longer lean on a strong character die, adapt your strategy around buddies, boards, and rulesets.
Jamboree Strategy Essentials:
- Ignore dice stats when choosing your character — pick whoever you like
- Detour to reach a newly announced buddy before rivals
- Time big purchases (stars, items) while a buddy doubles your actions
- Avoid Bowser spaces while a buddy is active
- Try Pro Rules to reduce random events and see Bonus Star requirements
- Study each buddy's showdown minigame before the race to claim them
Pro Rules cut down random events and openly reveal how Bonus Stars are earned, making Jamboree the strongest entry yet for serious head-to-head competition without a random Bonus Star flipping the result.
FAQ
Q: Does Super Mario Party Jamboree have character dice?
No. Super Mario Party Jamboree character dice were removed entirely. All players roll from the same standard die pool, so your character choice no longer affects board movement.
Q: What replaced character dice in Jamboree?
The buddy system. Buddies like Luigi and Donkey Kong appear at random points on the board, are claimed through showdown minigames, and grant unique bonuses — such as Luigi improving your dice rolls — while doubling your actions for three turns.
Q: Why were character dice considered unbalanced?
In Super Mario Party (2018), characters like Shy Guy had consistently strong dice while others, like Yoshi, had mediocre sets. This made character selection more important than minigame skill for competitive players.
Q: Can other players steal your buddy?
Yes. Buddies have little loyalty — if another player passes your buddy on the board, the buddy switches to follow them. Use your three-turn window efficiently.