The holidays are fast approaching and, if you’re anything like us, you’ll likely end up being thrown into some form of endearingly awkward family gathering wishing that there was something fun to do as everyone starts to fall asleep. Party Planet aims to shine in this very situation; a collection of mini-games that can be played by up to four players is the sort of thing that could well tick all the boxes. Is it worth picking up, then? Let’s find out.
Upon loading the game, you’ll be presented with a handful of the 30 mini-games that this collection offers. Each time you play a game you’ll increase what is effectively an experience meter, eventually seeing it rise through levels to unlock the next group of games until you end up having all of them ready to play. Each player can use either a full controller or a single Joy-Con on its side, and swapping between these different combinations is easily done on the game’s main menu.
Most of the games included can be played by anywhere from one to four players, although there are a few which are single-player only. There are a decent variety of game types available; you’ll be playing co-operatively for some, competitively in others, and – as is usually the case for games of this genre – you’ll likely get the most fun out of each game if you can recruit a full roster of players.
The great thing about the majority of the games is that their concepts are nice and simple to instantly pick up (especially thanks to descriptions and controls being shown each time you jump into one). It really could work nicely for families with differing levels of gaming ability – you may find that some players grasp the controls quicker than others, but none of the games are so tough that more reserved players will feel intimidated to have a quick go.
Unfortunately, though, the designs of the games themselves (which are, of course, the most important part) are sadly lacking in imagination. Whilst this doesn’t apply to all of them, many of the games you’ll see are simply re-made versions of other, classic games with a fresh lick of paint. You’ll find yourself playing Snake, Pairs, Zuma, and a Pong-like hockey game, as well as various others that are simple ideas often seen elsewhere. Whilst the number thirty gives the impression that you’ll have a lot to do, you’ll likely have already done most of it before.
Also, while many of the games are good fun initially (there are some that use interesting mechanics or offer addictive levels of challenge), we can’t imagine Party Planet being the sort of game that you’ll play for a particularly long time. Once you’ve played most of the games a couple of times there isn’t really any urge to go back to them again. You can work towards high-scores and getting a gold star rating on each game if you like, which is definitely something that any solo players will want to do, but realistically it seems unlikely that entire families will be so riveted that they’ll want to keep playing.
In all other areas, Party Planet is really nicely put together; everything is charmingly presented with bright and colourful artwork throughout, the music is upbeat and fun, and the games all control really well for the most part. Likewise, in an area where some other party games have fallen flat on Switch, Party Planet manages to make the process of altering each individual’s controller set-up nice and easy, adding to the sleek and smooth performance of the package as a whole. If all of the games were more interesting and gripping in their own right, rather than just having a couple that stand out from the rest, we could have had a great release on our hands that may have truly justified the game’s cost.
Conclusion
Party Planet looks wonderful on the surface with a bright, colourful, and slick interface that suggests you have a top-quality game in your hands. Unfortunately, though, a series of mini-games that vary from being good to disappointing may well start to feel rather stale after a short time; everything is nice and interesting at first, but there’s little reason to keep playing once you’ve seen each game a couple of times.
If you’re looking for a game that can successfully get the family gathered around the TV to play together, Party Planet will definitely be able to do that – how long for is another matter, however. We fear that this particular title isn’t for life, it might just be for Christmas.
Comments 28
Well...
I will stick on Wii Party for the Best Party games that i have ever played.
Any time any where garbage games
So this is just as good as 1-2 Switch... pass
Why can't someone ever make a mini game collection that's actually good?
Even Nintendo disappointed with Wii Party U and Game & Wario. At least Game & Wario was worth buying though. It was a decent effort.
I bought this and it just isn’t a very good game, very disjointed with no real flow to it. A couple fun mini games but that is about it.
@Anti-Matter Yeah because that doesn't have those horrible words in them...
KILLED!!!
@JaxonH
I found Wii Party >> Wii Party U somehow.
I have those two games, but my best impression still on Wii Party than Wii Party U.
I Really Love the Roulette from Wii Party, i have ever Exceeding 99999 Medals by Accidentally.
@lansyer
That's why i'm looking for more Family Gaming games like Wii Party. I have to make sure those games like that are really Safe.
This game looks nice with variety of games but the games are bad, gets boring quickly.
@Anti-Matter your gonna love this game
I want a new Warioware.
i want a hd remaster of mario party 3 with online so i can rob people with boo bells.
@lansyer Don’t you have anything better to do other than tearing down other people’s comments?
Another random shovelware game reviewed
@SimplyCinnamon53 i do actually. Currently playing "Party Planets"!
@frogopus
NintendoLand was incredible. That was the one mini game collection that I absolutely loved. But the reason I loved it is because it was more core gamey focused. Like the mini games didn't really feel like mini games.
If every mini game collection was like Nintendoland I would buy every last one of them, day one, without question.
If you look at all game there Is a ton of sovelware and puzzle games. Nintendo has done a good job with keeping the good games on the front page
Wow, this “don’t you have anything better to do” thing is quite awesome, I hope it continues indefinitely 😂
And no, apparently I’ve got nothing better to do at the moment than writing this comment lol
I really wanted to try this.... might give it a run the next time we have company over as it looks fun for non-gamers too
So far looks like Switch's party games of choice are 1-2 Switch and Jackbox as of now.
Where are all them 6-8 player games at?
Fusion Frenzy anyone!?!?
Well, at least the game comes with stickers.
Got flashbacks of the original Wii’s heyday when I saw the boxart.
As poor as expected
These kind of games are pretty weak, might be fun for kids or for people who play with their kids, but I don't see anyone else really enjoying it.
@Camilla Best Mario Party ever. Hands down! I don't even need it remastered (although wouldn't turn it down) ... just bring it to the eShop!
@Paraka Don't forget Party Golf!
Very surprised to see anyone would give this a 6. It’s abysmal. Most games are broken and not fun. 2/10
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