Super Mario Party Jamboree’s new modes have Rhythm Heaven energy
Earlier this month, I got what I felt was an in-depth hands-on session with Super Mario Party Jamboree. I played a traditional round of Mario Party, dabbled in some loose minigames, dominated in the mass-multiplayer Koopathalon, and took on a kaiju in Bowser’s Kaboom Squad. It felt like I’d seen everything there was to see — but it hadn’t. Last Monday, Nintendo revealed a host of extra modes coming to Jamboree, including a suite of motion-controlled minigames: Paratrooper Flight School, Toad’s Item Factory, and Rhythm Kitchen.
As someone who still harbors a fondness for the days of Wii waggle controls, that reveal further piqued my interest in a game that already had my attention. Last year, WarioWare: Move It! showed me that I’m always down to move my body if you give me a good reason to. Based on a quick Rhythm Kitchen session in my second Jamboree hands-on demo, it seems like Nintendo is going to pull that trick off again, if only for a few short sessions.
Rhythm Kitchen is a simple, but fun side mode that feels indebted to Nintendo’s Rhythm Heaven series. When the round begins, my teammates and I are dropped into an Iron Chef-like cooking competition where we need to work together to make meals. That’s accomplished through a series of three minigames that test our timing skills in different ways.
Nintendo
In our first challenge, we need to decorate a sort of giant parfait by whacking fruits onto it with a baseball swing. It’s a classic rhythm setup, as I need to listen for changes in timing to swing at the right moment. The next has me whisking cake batter, which falls in patterned droplets between all four players. The final challenge sees sandwich ingredients rhythmically dancing between the bread. When they’re in place, my team and I need to give our Joy-cons a shove to lock them in place.
Naturally, a minigame like this comes with some traditional motion-control pain points. I had trouble totally nailing the beat during each game, which left me with a 55% accuracy rating by the end. I can chalk some of that up to learning timing on the fly, but at least a bit of that is good, old-fashioned waggle quirks. The inconsistency didn’t bother me much considering that chaos makes Mario Party more fun, but it’s something to be aware of going in.
Though not complex by any means, I get that quick hit of physical fun I crave during my demo. I find myself tapping out the beat with my foot as I lock myself in a bread-shoving stance. Sincere smiles go around the room as my teammates laugh at our pathetic sandwiches after we entirely botch the last minigame. That’s the kind of reaction that Mario Party thrives on, making something as simple as Rhythm Kitchen a neat fit for Jamboree, even if it’s a small extra that won’t have nearly the mileage of the core board game. You can catch me in the kitchen making garbage cakes next month.
Super Mario Party Jamboree launches on October 17 for Nintendo Switch.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/super-mario-party-jamboree-rythym-kitchen-preview/
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum