Mario et Rabbid Mario, main dans la main devant un gâteau d'anniversaire, dans un décor de fête

Mario + Rabbids: The Guide to Both Games

1298 mots | Temps de lecture : 6 minute(s)

In 2017, no one believed it: marrying video gaming's most respected plumber with Ubisoft's Rabbids, those boisterous and anarchic creatures, seemed like heresy. Yet, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle became one of the Nintendo Switch's great successes, before its sequel Sparks of Hope pushed the idea even further.

This collaboration offered the Mushroom Kingdom an entirely new genre: turn-based tactics, in the spirit of an XCOM, but dressed with humor and color. Here is the complete guide to both games: their genesis, their gameplay, and their hybrid heroes like the now iconic Rabbid Peach.

Summary

An Improbable Collaboration Born at Ubisoft

The idea germinated at Ubisoft Milan, under the direction of creative director Davide Soliani, supported by Ubisoft Paris. Convincing Nintendo to entrust Mario to a third-party studio was a challenge, but the project was compelling. The game was unveiled during Ubisoft's conference at E3 2017, where Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario's creator, himself took the stage alongside Soliani — a rare endorsement for a title developed outside of Nintendo.

The context was tense, however: images had leaked before the announcement and generated mocking reactions. The official presentation, however, turned opinion around. Developed with the in-house Snowdrop engine, the game proved that an a priori absurd crossover could work perfectly.

Kingdom Battle (2017): Tactics Arrives in the Mushroom Kingdom

It all starts when Rabbids arrive, via their time machine, in the lab of a Mario fan. One of them puts on the SupaMerge, a helmet capable of merging objects and living beings, and wreaks havoc: the Mushroom Kingdom is invaded by costumed Rabbids and merged creatures.

The heart of the game is turn-based tactical combat on a grid. You assemble a team of three fighters — Mario is mandatory, accompanied by a Rabbid and another hero — from eight characters. Each turn combines movement, a cover system (half or full), long-range shooting, and clever moves like team jump and offensive dash. The little robot Beep-0 guides exploration between battles. After four worlds, the adventure culminates against the MegaDragonBowser, a giant Bowser possessed by the MegaBug. The soundtrack, composed by Grant Kirkhope (composer of Banjo-Kazooie), and the Donkey Kong Adventure expansion extended the success. The game was released on August 29, 2017, in the West, and on January 18, 2018, in Japan.

The Hybrid Heroes: Rabbid Peach, Rabbid Luigi, and Company

The great innovation of the series is its Rabbid doubles. Each Mario hero has their Rabbid alter ego: Rabbid Peach, a self-proclaimed star obsessed with selfies, Rabbid Luigi, Rabbid Mario, or even Rabbid Yoshi. Far from being simple clones, they each have their own weapons and skills.

Rabbid Peach quickly became the game's mascot, to the point of getting her own figurine and fan notoriety. This gallery expands in the sequel with Rabbid Rosalina (Rosalina's Rabbid version), while figures from the Mario universe like Peach, Luigi, and even Bowser join the playable roster.

Sparks of Hope (2022): The Adventure Goes Galactic

Released on October 20, 2022, Sparks of Hope leaves the Mushroom Kingdom for space. The great threat is named Cursa, an entity born from a fragment of the MegaBug, which spreads corruption across five planets and covets the energy of the Sparks. These adorable creatures are the result of a fusion between the Lumas from Super Mario Galaxy and the Rabbids; once recruited, they grant special powers in combat.

The gameplay is profoundly revamped: no more grid, now with free movement within a given radius, with two actions per turn. Nine heroes are playable, including the newcomer Edge, Rabbid Rosalina, and an allied Bowser. For the first time, the Rabbids are fully voiced. Awarded the best strategy game prize at the Game Awards 2022, the title has been enriched with three extensions, including Rayman in the Phantom Show, which brings back Ubisoft's historical mascot.

Kingdom Battle or Sparks of Hope: Which to Choose?

Both games share the same tactical DNA but aim for different experiences. Kingdom Battle is more rigid and demanding: its grid and cover system make it an excellent entry point into strategy, but also a more punishing experience. Sparks of Hope adopts a more relaxed and spectacular tone, with its freedom of movement and Spark combinations that encourage experimentation.

To discover the genre step by step, Kingdom Battle remains a safe bet; for a larger and more modern adventure, Sparks of Hope takes the lead. Both have marked Mario's history by offering him a playground he had never explored before.

Kingdom Battle vs Sparks of Hope

Release August 29, 2017 (Japan: January 18, 2018) vs October 20, 2022
Movement in combat Grid squares vs Free movement
Actions per turn 3 actions vs 2 actions
Major new feature Cover system vs Sparks
Playable heroes 8 characters vs 9 characters
Main villain MegaBug / MegaDragonBowser vs Cursa
Key expansion Donkey Kong Adventure vs Rayman in the Phantom Show

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FAQ

  • Do I need to know Mario or the Rabbids to play?
    No. Both games are designed as entry points: the visual humor and progressive tutorials make the adventure accessible, even if recognizing the nods to both universes adds to the enjoyment.
  • Who developed Mario + Rabbids?
    Both titles were developed by Ubisoft (mainly the Milan and Paris studios), with Nintendo's approval. In Japan, Nintendo even handled the publishing.
  • What is a Spark in Sparks of Hope?
    A Spark is the fusion of a Luma (the living stars from Super Mario Galaxy) and a Rabbid. You recruit them across the galaxy, and each grants a unique combat power.
  • Are the two games linked by their story?
    Yes, in part. The MegaBug, the corrupting entity from Kingdom Battle, resurfaces in Sparks of Hope as Cursa, born from one of its fragments.
  • Is Rabbid Peach a real playable character?
    Absolutely. Having become the series' mascot, Rabbid Peach is playable from the first game and returns in Sparks of Hope, with her own weapons and egocentric star personality.
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