You will need a Nintendo Switch Online membership though, and voice chat is only available through the Ninty Online mobile app, making a lot of what should have been a baked-in key feature, a bit of a jumping through hoops experience, almost in keeping with the overall theme of the game, only in ridiculously annoying real-life ways.

Nintendo's long reluctance to wholly embrace online gaming, and then when doing so to do it in helicopter form, keeps it from really diving into one of the most important aspects of gaming in the modern era. And it's a shame, as they've innovated and lead on so many fronts, yet expected norms such as resolution, power and connectivity continue to be secondary thoughts, disservicing gamers everywhere.

Still, its trying. Here's the official breakdown:

After installing the software update, players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can play online with faraway friends on their Nintendo Switch friends list who also own the game. It’s also possible to play with other players by sharing a password. Online voice chat is also supported through the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.

The following game modes are all playable online for up to four players:

• Mario Party: Choose from 20 playable characters and race across a range of boards with the roll of a dice. Take part in action-packed minigames to gain coins, and trade them for items or Stars. Finish the game with the most Stars – including ones taken from other players! – to be crowned the winner.
  
• Partner Party: Two players join forces and work together as a duo to grab the most Stars. Each player can move freely around the board in pursuit of Stars, paving the way for smart strategies and dramatic duels.
  
• Minigames: Seventy of the included 80 minigames** are playable in online multiplayer, so friends and family can battle it out on dozens of fast-paced minigames.

Up to four friends or family members can all play together online, using one Joy-Con each; for instance, one of the two Joy-Con included with the Nintendo Switch console. Once every player has a Joy-Con, the possible play configurations are:

• Two players:
  • Two Nintendo Switch consoles, with one player per console;
• Three players:
  • Two Nintendo Switch consoles, with two players on one console, and player three on a second console;
    
  • Three Nintendo Switch consoles, with one player per console.
  
  
• Four players:
  • Two Nintendo Switch consoles, with two players on each console;
    
  • Four Nintendo Switch consoles, with one player per console.

A Nintendo Switch Online family membership allows up to eight members of the same family to use the Nintendo Switch Online membership service for AU$54.95 / NZ$60.45 a year.

Watch a Super Mario Party reminder embedded below.