In today's Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase Ubisoft has revealed that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is launching on Switch on 20th October. The segment in today's Nintendo Direct Mini also highlighted a new battle system with free movement rather than a grid for turn-based battle.
More information is scheduled to be revealed tomorrow, Wednesday 29th June, with a dedicated Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Showcase to be broadcast at 9:30 PT / 12:30 ET / 17:30 BST / 18:30 CET.
The sequel to 2017's Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, a Ubisoft-developed crossover between the French company's Rabbids characters (as spun off from the Rayman series) and Nintendo's Mushroom Kingdom crew, Sparks of Hope sees the return of Mario and co. to the comedic, strategic XCOM-style turn-based battling that debuted in the Switch's first year.
It seems that the plumber will be teaming up with his archnemesis Bowser this time, too. We say archnemesis, but let's face it, more often than not Bowser ends up chilling with the Mario Bros., right? Games of tennis, golf, kickabouts, kart-racing — they're basically BBFs at this point. Regardless, it's good to see King Koopa taking up arms against a bigger bad this time 'round.
Here's what Nintendo has to say in its press release followed by some screenshots:
The motley team of Mario, his friends and the heroic Rabbids – now joined by Bowser – blast off for a galactic adventure in the latest Mario + Rabbids game! The galaxy is in a universe of trouble when a dark entity, Cursa, wants to absorb all its energy. In doing so, it will try to capture the Sparks, creatures born from the merging of Lumas and Rabbids, and drain them of their energy, too. Now, the team must travel the cosmos to save the Sparks from Cursa’s grasp and fight back in tactical, dynamic battles. Lead a team of three heroes and use a variety of tools to navigate the battlefield, flank your foes and find opportunities to thwart them. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope rockets onto the Nintendo Switch system on Oct. 20. Pre-orders begin today in Nintendo eShop and in the My Nintendo Store on Nintendo.com.
The release date was leaked earlier today when it appeared early on Ubisoft's store.
Excited for this space-based follow-up? Let us know if you'll be blasting off with Sparks of Hope come October.
Comments 37
Am I the only one that doesn't get the "Move around freely" mechanic? To me, it just looks like the grid-based system but you have slightly more control over your character.
No square grids, a little bit similar as Lost Sphear. Neat!
All I care about is that I can finally play as Bowser is a turn-based combat game crossing over with the Rabbids and made my Ubisoft. My dreams is finally coming true.
Stoked for this one—looks fantastic!
Love the free movement system, will make battles feel a lot smoother.
@StarPoint What I don't get is how the character ends their turn in the first place. Are you on a timer after dashing into the enemy?
I wish they'd just left it with grid-based movement, honestly.
@StarPoint I mean you kinda have more control, I guess they wanted to make the movement feel smoother since it looks like a lot of the combat is vary movement based, but yeah, I agree, its just grid, without the grid??
The entire direct was a waste of my day, I'm glad I did my morning workout while watching otherwise I'd just be pissed lol.
It was nice to see sonic tho, and that Pac man game looked interesting
Big announcement. I love that Bowser can join you. This makes the second half of 2022 a lot better for Switch. I'll tune in to the Ubisoft presentation tomorrow for more info.
Lots of great news, and a packed October (like in the good old years), but m+r2 takes the cake (for me).
The highlight of the show for me. I do still have my worries about whether or not it's going to be worth it to battle enemies when you don't have to now (kind of the same problem as Paper Mario Sticker Star now that I think about it) but the battle system itself looks incredible. The amount of stuff you can do in your turn is staggering and the new weapons look incredibly interesting. Hopefully tomorrow's showcase can fully sway me because it looks really promising.
Also, if Bowser's weapon isn't called the Bowzooka, then we have failed as a society.
@Fizza Most RPGs don't force you to battle enemies, and you gain XP in this. It's not comparable to Sticker Star at all.
Truck yeah! This looks great!!!! It looks better than the first one. I'm psyched. Digital calendar marked!
@Ralizah I'm moreso taking it from the outlook that it's completely different from the first game since all of the battles in that one were forced. It looks really good though, the potential ability to skip every other battle is really my only concern as of now.
I don't love the free move mechanism, but it's still a day one buy for me.
I guess I'll watch that too. But so long as they don't show Yoshi, they'll have a hard time winning me over. XD
@Fizza I really hope there's a demo. The changes are... weird.
The other one was a tactics game with RPG systems layered on top. Maybe this one is placing more of an emphasis on the RPG aspect? I can't imagine why else they'd not have a set number of story battles like in the last game.
I'm excited about the free movement. It will help this game feel fresh and not like a rehash of the first game.
I LOVE the first one but after playing it a couple times plus the DLC, I'm ready for something similar but different.
The first was great. Need more info on the battle system seems a little confusing now
Crap i hoped you could buy it with a switch voucher 😅
Then i need to see if i get it day 1
I also have the legendary edition of midnight suns on 7 october
I loved the first one so now they have a LV system that means things are gonna get even better!
Love the first game, but the new mechanics in this one.... not so much
it looks like it's gonna be much more epic in scope, so proud of Ubisoft Milan and Davide Soliani's team, day 1 for me!
May had to wait longer to get this one, I still had not finish the first one yet.
Very much ready for October!
More exploration sounds exciting! it's looking like the Super Mario RPG reimagination I've secretly dreamed of
Those screenshots look beautiful too, but maybe not completely authentic. Ambient Occlusion is suddenly of a higher quality there?
'Pew-Pew'!!! Can't wait for this. The original is one of my favourite games on Switch.
This series slowly grew on me as I kinda hate the rabbids (still). I hope this one offers online play
One of the best games on Nintendo Switch!
I hope this time we have a HARD MODE!
I KNEW it was gonna show up in the Direct! I’m very excited.
The battling does look a bit different but still good. I really liked the first and this one I like that we can battle against some henchmen from the Mario games to it seems. I’m more interested in the Mario characters anyway. I’m hoping the kings make a return to.
What an amazing looking game, really hyped about this one.
Ubisoft really knows how to handle nintendo games. Graphics are next level is like watching an animated movie.
October, makes sense to me. Don't know if I'll buy it day one though since I haven't even finished the first one.
100% preordering this game. I usually don't preorder but they deserved it with their last game and their fanservice. Loved Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
Love it! The first Mario + Rabbids game was a surprisingly very fun & enjoyable crossover. Hoping they add more characters to this sequel like Waluigi, Daisy, Birdo, Rayman etc.
... Wun can only hope.
Loved the battles in the first one (hated the wandering around looking for battles…), but this left me a little underwhelmed. It could be the lack of a grid that’s thrown me, or maybe it was the off-putting voice-over. I’ll wait until it’s released and see how it reviews
Not sure what to think of the Free Movement, but it's always nice to see Bowser fighting on the good side.
I have to say, I prefer the Japanese title: Mario + Rabbids Galaxy Battle.
Sounds in line with the previous game's title.
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