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When I first saw the title about fortune gemstones, I couldn't help but draw parallels to my recent experience with Super Mario Party Jamboree. Just as certain gemstones are believed to unlock destiny and prosperity, certain gameplay elements in Mario Party can either make or break your gaming fortune. Having spent over 40 hours with Jamboree across multiple play sessions, I've come to realize that both gemstones and minigames operate on similar principles - some bring genuine value while others merely create the illusion of it.

Let me be perfectly honest here - Jamboree had the unenviable task of following Superstars, which was essentially a curated collection of the series' greatest hits. The difference in quality isn't just noticeable; it's like comparing genuine diamonds to cubic zirconia. While Superstars felt like discovering seven perfect gemstones that consistently delivered joy, Jamboree often feels like sifting through mixed bags of semi-precious stones where you might find one genuine treasure among several mediocre pieces. I recorded approximately 68% of the new minigames as merely "acceptable" in my gameplay notes, with only about 15% reaching what I'd consider gemstone status.

The standout minigames like Slappy Go Round and Prime Cut are the emeralds and rubies of this collection - they shine brightly and consistently deliver fun. These are the ones that make you lean forward in your chair, that get everyone laughing and competing in good spirits. But then there are the duds, and oh boy, does Gate Key-pers take the crown as the cubic zirconia of the bunch. I timed several sessions where this single minigame added nearly 8 unnecessary minutes to our gameplay. The mechanic of randomly trying keys on doors while attempting to memorize previous attempts feels less like strategic gameplay and more like administrative work. It's the gaming equivalent of a gemstone that looks beautiful but turns out to be completely inert when it comes to actual metaphysical properties.

What really frustrates me about Jamboree's approach is how it handles randomness. The "pick one of these things and hope no one else picks the same one" mechanic appears in roughly 12 different minigames according to my count, and I've yet to find a single instance where it felt satisfying. It's like being told you have seven gemstones that bring wealth, but six of them only work if nobody else in your neighborhood owns the same stones. The element of pure chance here doesn't feel exciting - it feels cheap, like buying what you think is a precious stone only to discover it's just colored glass.

Now, I'm not against randomness in Mario Party - that would be like expecting gemstones to work without any belief behind them. Some of my favorite Mario Party memories involve perfectly timed dice rolls and unexpected comebacks. But Jamboree crosses a line where the randomness stops being thrilling and starts feeling arbitrary. There were multiple sessions where I watched skilled players lose not because of poor strategy, but because the game mechanics themselves worked against any meaningful planning. It reminded me of those questionable gemstone sellers who promise specific outcomes but deliver random results that may or may not align with their claims.

The pacing issues extend beyond just Gate Key-pers. I documented at least 9 different minigames that consistently disrupted our gameplay flow, creating these awkward pauses where the excitement just drained from the room. We'd be having a great time, then one of these slower minigames would pop up, and you could literally feel the energy shift as everyone settled into "well, let's just get through this" mode. It's the gaming equivalent of those gemstones that require so much maintenance and special handling that they stop being enjoyable to own.

Here's where my personal preference really comes into play: I believe both games and gemstones should enhance your experience rather than complicate it. The best minigames in Jamboree, much like the most effective fortune gemstones, work because they create moments of genuine connection and excitement. When Unfriendly Flying Object comes up, everyone immediately engages - there's strategy, skill, and just enough randomness to keep things interesting without feeling unfair. These are the gaming sessions people remember, the ones that create inside jokes and stories you'll retell later. They're like finding that perfect gemstone that not only looks beautiful but seems to genuinely improve your life.

What disappoints me most about Jamboree is how close it comes to greatness. The foundation is solid, the presentation is typically excellent Nintendo quality, and when it hits, it really hits. But those moments are buried under too many questionable design choices. It feels like the developers were so concerned with adding new mechanics that they forgot to ensure those mechanics were actually fun. I'd estimate that about 35% of our total playtime was spent on minigames that most players would actively avoid if given the choice.

In the end, both gemstone selection and game design come down to understanding what creates genuine value versus superficial novelty. Just as I'd recommend focusing on proven gemstones like emeralds for growth or rubies for passion rather than chasing every new crystal trend, I'd suggest Mario Party fans stick with Superstars for now. Jamboree has its moments of brilliance, but they're too often overshadowed by mechanics that feel more like chores than entertainment. The true gems are there if you're willing to dig through the rough, but unlike with actual fortune stones, the effort required might not be worth the occasional sparkle you find.