Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a turn-based tactical role-playing video game developed by Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris. The game was published by Ubisoft for the Nintendo Switch. The game was released on August 29, 2017.

Upon its release, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle received positive reviews for its gameplay, humor, and graphics, and was praised for successfully combining the two franchises in an unexpected way. It also received several nominations and awards, including the Best Strategy Game award at The Game Awards 2017. The game features characters from the Mario franchise and the Rabbids franchise and takes place in a fictional world where the Rabbids have been teleported to the Mushroom Kingdom. The game follows Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and their Rabbid counterparts as they battle against the enemy Rabbids to restore peace to the kingdom.

The Game Gives Players a Free Ride

In Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, you get to choose the characters you play as, including Mario and any other rabid including Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, and even four Rabbids dressed up as Mario characters with wacky personalities. You will be accompanied by a small robot named Beep-0 who guides you through the game.

The campaign story mode is split into four unique locations, or “worlds,” each with its own linear path. Along the way, you’ll have to solve puzzles to progress, which can reward you with weapons and collectibles. Once you complete a world, Beep-0 learns a new ability to help you solve puzzles in the next world.

Whether you’re a fan of Mario or the Rabbids, the gameplay in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle offers a fun and exciting adventure for you to experience. So choose your team, solve puzzles, and battle your way to victory in this unique and entertaining game.

Battling Enemies is Fun and Tactical

In Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, you’ll encounter different territories inhabited by enemy Rabbids. A battle will commence each time you encounter these enemies. The goal of each battle is usually to defeat every enemy on the field, but some levels have a fixed objective, such as escorting a Toad to the end of the stage. You’ll need to complete your assigned task or defeat all enemies to complete the level. If all your characters run out of health or fail to meet their goal, you lose.

Before a battle, you can choose to change your current selection of characters and weapons. Three out of eight playable characters can fight in a battle, including Mario and at least one Rabbid. Each fighter can be equipped with weapons that deal different amounts of damage or cause special effects to hinder the opponent.

If you move to a location where you’re obscured from the enemy, their accuracy changes based on the effectiveness of your cover. So, you’ll need to strategize carefully to take advantage of your terrain and weapons to defeat the enemy Rabbids and emerge victorious.

Unexpected Turns That Make The Game Exceptional

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a game full of surprises that defies expectations. The turn-based tactics gameplay in the style of XCOM is unexpected from both the Mario and Rabbids franchises, yet the game’s absurdist charm manages to work in its favor. The game is also far more difficult and substantial than you might anticipate. Although some of the challenges come down to trial and error, there’s a great sense of satisfaction in figuring out the tactical puzzles and stringing together a series of successful attacks. This game is sure to provide you with an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

While most fights in the game took only five or 10 minutes to get a “perfect” score by completing them within the turn timer limit with all three teammates alive, there were occasional battles that required more time and effort. Some of these challenges took me an hour or more of trial-and-error attempts, experimenting with different combinations of the eight characters and approaches to the problem. Despite the occasional difficulty spike, the sense of accomplishment upon completing these tough battles was well worth the effort.

More Varieties That Keep You Craving for More

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle offers a welcome change of pace from battles with the inclusion of simple puzzles scattered throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. These puzzles typically involve tasks such as flipping switches and pushing boxes, which may not be super riveting but help to break up the action. Additionally, completing small bonus stages rewards players with more weapons, providing an incentive to solve these puzzles. While the motion controls can sometimes feel clunky, they are generally passable. However, regarding time-based objectives, the limitations of the movement controls become more apparent. Nonetheless, these puzzles and bonus stages are a worthwhile addition to the game and provide a fun diversion from the battles.

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle Takes The Mushroom Kingdom in a New Direction

The game brings out the silly side of the Mushroom Kingdom, similar to the Mario & Luigi RPG series, but with some intriguing oddities. The humor in the game is self-aware and a little twisted, even acknowledging the real world. It’s the first time we’ve seen Mario’s email gets hacked or heard antagonists threaten the plumber with actual death, for example. The game’s cartoony aesthetic is packed with charm, from the vibrant world to the incredibly expressive enemy animations, and the text descriptions of every item will surely make you chuckle. 

However, the biggest change in the lives of the Mario Bros. (aside from their new, creepy, Rabbid doppelganger allies) are guns, explosives, and an imperative to use them. It’s a strange concept to see these iconic characters wielding firearms. Still, the XCOM-style, turn-based combat system is executed excellently and offers a unique twist on the classic Mario formula. Overall, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a delightful and surprisingly enjoyable game that’s sure to put a smile on your face.

Conclusion

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a surprisingly entertaining and engaging game that successfully merges the Mario and Rabbids universes uniquely and charmingly. The XCOM-style, turn-based combat system may not be what you’d expect from a Mario game, but it works well and provides a satisfying challenge. The game’s sense of humor is also a standout feature, with self-aware jokes and amusing character interactions that will keep you smiling throughout the adventure. However, the game does have its flaws, such as repetitive puzzles and occasional frustration with camera and movement controls. Overall, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is an enjoyable game that will delight fans of both franchises, offering a fun and humorous adventure with solid gameplay mechanics.