It shouldn’t have worked. Seriously. When the first leaked assets for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle hit the internet back in 2017, the collective reaction from the gaming community was a mix of confusion and genuine horror. People saw a Rabbid dressed as Princess Peach taking a selfie and figured Nintendo had finally lost the plot. It felt like a corporate mandated mashup that would be forgotten in a weekend. But then E3 happened. Davide Soliani, the Creative Director at Ubisoft Milan, famously teared up when Shigeru Miyamoto praised the game on stage. That moment changed the narrative. It wasn't just a weird crossover; it was a passion project that fundamentally reimagined what a strategy game could look like on a console.
The Strategy Behind the Chaos
Most people look at Mario + Rabbids and see a "Baby’s First XCOM." That’s a mistake. While it shares the grid-based tactical DNA of Firaxis' legendary series, the way it handles movement is entirely its own thing. In most tactics games, movement is a chore. You crawl from cover to cover, terrified of being flanked. In the Mushroom Kingdom, movement is an offensive tool. You’ve got the team jump. You’ve got the dash attack. You’ve got pipes that warp you across the map.
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Honestly, the sheer verticality is what keeps it fresh. You aren't just hunkering down behind a brick block. You’re sliding through an enemy’s legs, jumping off Luigi’s head to reach a high plateau, and then sniping a Piranha Plant from across the map. It’s kinetic. It’s fast. It defies the slow, plodding nature of the genre. Ubisoft Milan understood something crucial: Mario games are about momentum. If you take away the momentum, it’s not Mario anymore. Even in a turn-based environment, they managed to keep that "go-go-go" feeling alive.
Why the Rabbids Actually Matter
Let’s be real. Rabbids can be annoying. They are the Minions of the video game world—loud, chaotic, and often overstaying their welcome. However, putting them in a world as curated and "perfect" as Mario’s was a stroke of genius. Mario is a straight man. He’s the hero who does everything right. He needs a foil.
The Rabbids provide that subversion. Rabbid Peach is a narcissistic social media influencer. Rabbid Luigi is a panicked, wide-eyed mess. They allow the writers to poke fun at the Nintendo tropes that have been set in stone for thirty years. Seeing a Rabbid Kong boss fight where he dabs after an attack is the kind of self-aware humor Nintendo rarely allows in-house. It gave Ubisoft the freedom to be irreverent in a way that Super Mario Odyssey simply couldn't be.
Moving Into the Stars: Sparks of Hope
When the sequel, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, dropped in 2022, it did something risky. It threw away the grid. For a tactics game, that’s like a racing game throwing away the steering wheel. Instead of snapping to tiles, you move freely within a circular radius. It felt less like a board game and more like an action-RPG.
Some fans hated it. They missed the precision of the grid. But for most, it opened up the tactical possibilities. You could position yourself just right to catch three enemies in an explosion. It felt more organic. The introduction of Sparks—basically elemental power-ups fused with Lumas from Mario Galaxy—added a layer of customization that the first game lacked. You weren't just picking characters; you were building "classes."
- Rabbid Mario became a close-quarters brawler with counter-attack abilities.
- Edge, a new character, brought a dash-heavy playstyle that rewarded aggressive flanking.
- Bowser finally joined the team, acting as a heavy-hitting tank that could summon Mechakoopas to distract the line.
The scope grew. We went from linear worlds to "planets" you could actually explore. It felt like a proper adventure. Yet, despite the critical acclaim, there were rumors about the game's commercial performance. Ubisoft later admitted that Sparks of Hope underperformed initial expectations, which is heartbreaking given how much polish went into it. Some blame the "Mario fatigue" on the Switch, while others think the $60 price point was a tough sell for a sequel to a game that was frequently on sale for $15.
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The Technical Wizardry of Ubisoft Milan
It's easy to forget that these games are running on what is essentially mobile hardware from 2017. The Snowdrop Engine—the same engine that powers The Division—is doing some heavy lifting here. The lighting in the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC is particularly stunning. You have lush jungles, detailed fur textures, and fluid animations that rival Nintendo's own EPD teams.
There is a specific "Nintendo feel" that is hard to replicate. It’s in the way a character squashes and stretches when they jump. It’s in the sound design. Grant Kirkhope, the composer behind Banjo-Kazooie, handled the music for the first game, and he absolutely nailed the whimsical-yet-epic tone. For the sequel, they went even bigger, bringing in Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts) and Gareth Coker (Ori and the Blind Forest). The result is a soundtrack that feels cinematic and nostalgic all at once.
Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls
A lot of players bounce off these games because they try to play them like a standard RPG. You can't just out-level the content. If you aren't using the environment, you will lose.
- Cover isn't permanent. In Mario + Rabbids, cover has a health bar. If you stay in one spot for more than two turns, you’re dead.
- Ignoring the Skill Tree. People often forget to re-spec. The beauty of these games is that you can reset your skill points at any time for free. Stuck on a boss? Change your build.
- The "Mario is the Best" Trap. Mario is actually one of the more "average" characters in terms of utility. Rabbid Luigi’s "Vamp Dash" is arguably the most broken and necessary mechanic in the first game for healing.
The Legacy of a Weird Experiment
Will we see a third game? It’s hard to say. The partnership between Nintendo and Ubisoft is unique. Nintendo is notoriously protective of its IP, yet they let Ubisoft put a gun in Mario’s hand (okay, it’s a "blaster," but still). That level of trust doesn't happen often.
If this is the end of the road, the Mario + Rabbids series stands as a testament to the idea that weird mashups should be encouraged. It took two brands that had no business being together and created a genre-defining experience. It proved that the Nintendo Switch could handle deep, complex strategy without losing the "fun" factor. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most ridiculous ideas on paper turn out to be the most essential experiences in a console's library.
Actionable Tips for New and Returning Players
If you’re looking to dive back into these titles or pick them up for the first time, keep these strategies in mind to avoid frustration.
Master the "Dash and Move" Loop
Never end a turn without dashing through an enemy if they are in range. It’s free damage. In Kingdom Battle, this is essential for clearing smaller enemies without wasting your primary weapon shot. Always look for a way to chain a dash into a team jump into a high-ground position.
Prioritize Movement Upgrades
When spending your skill or "Star" points, go for movement range and extra dashes first. Firepower is great, but being able to reposition behind an enemy’s shield is what wins matches. In Sparks of Hope, invest in the "Movement During Attack" upgrades early to allow for hit-and-run tactics.
Synergize Elemental Effects
Understand the "Bounce," "Push," and "Honey" effects. If you use a "Push" attack on an enemy near the edge of a map, you can knock them out of bounds for extra damage. Conversely, "Honey" stops enemies from moving, which is perfect for keeping those annoying melee-focused Rabbids at a distance.
Don't Sleep on the DLC
The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC for the first game is arguably better than the main campaign. It introduces DK’s grab-and-throw mechanic, which completely changes the tactical layout. Similarly, the Rayman in the Phantom Show DLC for the second game is a nostalgic trip that introduces vertical platforming mechanics into the combat.
The brilliance of Mario + Rabbids lies in its refusal to be simple. It looks like a toy, but it plays like a grandmaster's chess match. Whether you're a hardcore XCOM veteran or a casual Mario fan, there is a level of depth here that rewards curiosity and punishes complacency. Grab your blaster, find a Rabbid to jump off of, and get to work.