When the first leaked images of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle hit the internet back in 2017, people genuinely thought it was a prank. It looked like a fever dream. You had Mario, the king of platforming, standing next to a chaotic Ubisoft mascot dressed as Princess Peach, both of them holding... laser guns? It didn't make sense. Honestly, it shouldn't have worked.
But it did.
In fact, it worked so well that it became a foundational pillar of the Nintendo Switch library. It wasn't just a weird crossover; it was a masterclass in tactical strategy that managed to out-XCOM XCOM in several key ways. If you haven't revisited the Mushroom Kingdom’s tactical makeover lately, you’re missing out on what might be the most "un-Nintendo" game Nintendo ever allowed to exist.
The Leaks, the Tears, and the Ubisoft Secret
Davide Soliani, the Creative Director at Ubisoft Milan, became an overnight legend for a reason. When the game was finally revealed at E3, he was caught on camera crying as Shigeru Miyamoto praised his work. That's because the pitch for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was a massive gamble. Nintendo is notoriously protective of their IP. They don't just hand the keys to Mario over to third-party developers, especially not for a genre Mario has never touched.
Soliani’s team didn't just want to make a Mario game. They wanted to make a game where Mario had to hide behind half-cover while a Rabbid dressed as Luigi healed him.
The core of the game is built on a "combat-movement" loop that separates it from other turn-based strategies. In most tactical games, you move, then you shoot, and then you're done. In Kingdom Battle, movement is part of the attack. You can "Team Jump" off an ally to reach a higher platform, then "Dash" through an enemy to deal damage, and then take your actual shot. It creates this fluid, kinetic energy that feels more like a puzzle than a slow-paced war game.
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Tactical Depth Without the Spreadsheet Headaches
Let's talk about the difficulty. People see the Rabbids and assume this is a game for toddlers. It really isn't. While the early levels in Ancient Gardens are a breeze, the difficulty curve spikes hard once you hit Sherbet Desert and Spooky Trails.
The game uses a simplified percentage system for hits: 0%, 50%, or 100%. There’s no 99% chance to hit that somehow misses—a notorious frustration in the XCOM series. This transparency allows you to plan your turns with mathematical precision. You aren't fighting the RNG (random number generator) as much as you are fighting the enemy's positioning.
The skill trees are surprisingly deep too. Each character has a specific niche. Rabbid Peach is your primary healer and tank, thanks to her "Shield" and "Heal" abilities. Luigi is the "glass cannon" sniper with the "Steely Stare" ability, which is basically an overwatch shot that triggers when enemies move. Balancing your trio is the difference between a "Perfect" rating and a "Game Over."
Actually, the team-building is where most people get stuck. You're forced to keep Mario in your party at all times, and you must have at least one Rabbid. This means you only really have one "free" slot if you want to use other Nintendo characters like Peach or Yoshi. It’s a bit of a restrictive design choice, but it forces you to learn the synergies between the species.
Why the Graphics and Music Still Hold Up
Grant Kirkhope. That’s the name you need to know. The legendary composer behind Banjo-Kazooie did the soundtrack for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, and it is phenomenal. It captures that whimsical Nintendo vibe while injecting a sense of grand, orchestral scale that fits a tactical battlefield.
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Visually, the game uses the Snowdrop Engine—the same tech behind The Division. It allows for lush environments that feel more "animated movie" than "video game." The way the grass blows in the wind or the way the "Silly Me" Rabbids interact in the background gives the world a lived-in feel.
The humor is hit-or-miss for some, but the Rabbids' slapstick comedy provides a great foil to Mario’s "straight man" persona. Watching a Rabbid Kong dab after a boss phase or seeing Rabbid Peach take a selfie in the middle of a chaotic explosion adds a layer of personality that keeps the tone light, even when the battles get stressful.
The Donkey Kong Adventure Expansion
If you finished the base game and skipped the DLC, you messed up. Seriously. The Donkey Kong Adventure expansion is often cited by fans as being even better than the main campaign.
It introduces Donkey Kong and Rabbid Cranky. DK completely changes the mechanics because he can pick up and throw almost anything—enemies, allies, and even cover blocks. It turns the game into a literal playground of physics. The tropical setting and the new "Siren" enemies provide a fresh challenge that feels like a sequel-lite rather than just a few extra levels tacked on.
Common Misconceptions and Pro Tips
Many players think they need to buy the most expensive weapon as soon as it unlocks. That's a trap. Often, a weapon with a specific "Super Effect" like Honey (which sticks enemies in place) or Bounce (which knocks them out of bounds) is more valuable than a weapon with five extra points of base damage.
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Movement is King.
Never stay in one spot. Use pipes to flank. If you aren't using your "Dash" ability every single turn, you're leaving free damage on the table.
The "Sentry" Trap.
Rabbid Luigi and Luigi have sentry drones. These are great for flushing enemies out of cover, but don't rely on them as your primary damage source. They are distractions first, weapons second.
Respect the Midbosses.
Bosses in this game have very specific "triggers." For example, the "Blizzy and Sandy" fight requires you to manage line-of-sight perfectly, or you'll get picked off by long-range snipers before you can even get a shot off.
The Legacy of the Kingdom Battle
Looking back, this game paved the way for its sequel, Sparks of Hope, which removed the grid system entirely. While the sequel is great, there’s something about the rigid, chess-like grid of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle that feels more satisfying to solve. It’s a "cleaner" experience.
It proved that the Mario brand is flexible. It showed that Ubisoft could treat a partner's IP with more love and care than almost anyone else in the industry. Most importantly, it gave Switch owners a hardcore strategy game that didn't feel like a chore to play.
Actionable Next Steps for Players
- Check your skill tree: You can reset your Power Orbs at any time for free. If a level is too hard, "respec" your characters to focus on movement or specific enemy weaknesses.
- Focus on Gold Medals: Don't just finish the level. Aim for the "Perfect" rating by finishing within the turn limit and keeping all heroes alive. This grants more coins for better gear.
- Play the Challenges: Once you beat a world, go back and do the "Secret" challenges. They force you to use mechanics you might have ignored, like the "Push" effect or specific Team Jump maneuvers.
- Grab the Gold Edition: If you don't own it yet, wait for a sale. The Gold Edition (including the DK DLC) frequently goes on sale on the Nintendo eShop for under $20, which is an absurd amount of content for that price.
- Experiment with Rabbid Luigi: His "Vampire Dash" is arguably the best healing move in the game. It allows him to heal himself and any ally who attacks the "Vampired" enemy. It’s a literal game-changer for long encounters.
The game isn't just a "Mario game for kids" or a "Ubisoft cash-in." It is a tight, polished, and frequently hilarious tactical experience that deserves its spot on your shelf next to Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Even years later, the "just one more turn" itch it scratches is very real.