TheMario + Rabbidsseries of crossover strategy games has been one of gaming’s biggest surprises in recent years. Despite many criticizing the odd collaboration between Nintendo and Ubisoft,Kingdom Battle’s 2017 release saw critical and commercial acclaim with many praising the game’s new characters and turn-based gameplay.Kingdom Battle’s success on the Switch prompted a follow-up from Ubisoft who revealedMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopelast year. Now, with Nintendo’s recent showcaserevealingSparks of Hope’s release date, a new trailer gives players a look at the upcoming sequel’s roster.
During a showcase packed with major announcements from Nintendo’s third-party developers, Ubisoft showed off theMario + Rabbidssequel. The presentation showcasedMario + Rabbids' new free-roam strategy style as well as new techniques players could use in battle. The trailer concluded by confirmingSparks of Hope’s October 20th release date, as well as revealing more information to come during Ubisoft’s own presentation the following day. A trailer shown during theSparks of Hopeevent gives players a closer look at the game’s cast of characters.
RELATED:Mario + Rabbids Has Rabbid Rosalina, First Gameplay Footage Shown
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope’s “Team Trailer” introduces players to the unique group featured within the sequel. Mario will be joined by franchise staples in his brother Luigi and Princess Peach as well as each character’s Rabbid counterpart returning from the first game.Sparks of Hopewill also feature three new playable characters withthe previously revealed Rabbid Rosalinabeing joined by the sword-wielding Rabbid Edge and evenKingdom Battleantagonist Bowser
The trailer also shows off some weapons the game’s characters have at their disposal. Mario and Luigi wield similar weapons to the first game with Mario sporting dual blasters and Luigi sniping enemies with a bow.Sparks of Hopealso shows off some of the new characters' techniques with Bowser able to blast enemies from afar with his rocket launcher and newcomer Edge slicing down enemies with his sword. WhileRabbid Rosalina’s weapon was not shownin the Team Trailer, the game’s release date trailer revealed that she uses a Luma-shaped “kaboomer.”
Sparks of Hopejoins a recentMariolineup that has seen the iconic plumber branching out into a plethora of spinoffs.Mariosports games have seen a resurgence in recent years between last year’sMario Golf: Super Rushand the release ofMario Strikers: Battle Leagueearlier this month. Mario’s return to the silver screen has also been in the works from film studio Illumination, though Shigeru Miyamoto recently confirmedtheSuper Mariofilm’s delayto 2023.Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopewill look to carry on the success ofKingdom Battlewhen it releases later this year.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopewill release on October 20 for Nintendo Switch.
