Ubisoft and Nintendo caught the gaming world off guard with the announcement ofMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. The original title,Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, was well-received, surprising most of the players that gave it a chance. After all, many had expected the experimentalXCOMgameplay, combined with the rather maligned Rabbids and their signature crude humor, to fail. But now, four years and at least a couple million sales later,Mario + Rabbidshas proved its success by returning bigger and better than ever. Carried by its gameplay, visuals, and odd charm,Mario + Rabbidslooks to be sticking around for at least one more fight.
This time,Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopeis bringing its gun-toting crossover crew toaMario Galaxy-like setting. The protagonists have set off through space to save the Sparks, a race of creatures formed through the fusion of Rabbids and Lumas. Sporting revamped gameplay and a new side cast of Rabbids with completely unique designs, the 2022 title already looks very promising. Aside from theMariostaples and their Rabbid versions from the first game, a Rosalina Rabbid will also be joining the crew. Now thatMario Galaxyelements are on the table, there are a ton of cool features the sequel could adapt that will make it endearing to old and new players alike.
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Mario + Rabbids Could Use Mario Galaxy’s Setting
Mario is no stranger to having adventures in space. His travels have taken him to every climate on his planet, to the moon, and far beyond.Sparks of Hopewould give itself a massive boost in environmental diversity and fanservice if it brought backsome of theGalaxy’s grander locales. Framing them in a similar way, with some locations being seen as small, sometimes connected planetoids, would be an awesome callback and could make for some cool wraparound battle arenas. Even bringing the antigravity sections back alone would feel fitting and welcome.
Then there’s the locations themselves. TheMario 64-inspired Throwback Galaxy, or some equivalent, would be an awesome thing to stick in anyMariogame. The various deep caves and interstellar graveyards would be ideal inspiration for an equally spooky area inMario + Rabbids. Having some more peculiar areas would definitely fit with the new antagonist Cursa, which seems to be more of a force of evil than a regular villain. Two more nostalgic locations that would make fans overjoyed if they appeared are the Comet Observatory and the Starship Mario. These two hubs are beloved, and both would certainly fit well with the game ifthe real Rosalinaturns up as one of the unrevealed party members. And of course, few players can forget that platforming challenge galaxy made of moving sweets, or the purple coin challenge set on an eight-bit Mario made of disappearing, rotating, and harmful platforms. Creative locations like those really gave theGalaxygames their own personality, and they could do the same forMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope.
Mario Galaxy Creatures and Concepts That Should Return In Mario + Rabbids
To go along with the expanded location list,Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopeshould bring back many of the creatures Mario encountered on his interstellar journeys. Seeing some normal Lumas, at leastaround Rosalina if she shows up, would be a breath of fresh air for people who aren’t fond of the Sparks' appearance. Lubba, captain of the Starship Mario, would certainly be a sight for sore eyes. The penguins, robots, rabbits, and bees that dotted these games would also be nice to see again in their usual habitats.
Of course, it wouldn’t really be aMarioexperience without some iconic enemies. WhileMario Galaxy 1and2didn’t really introduce any new staples, they certainly still had some iconic enemies that fill outSparks of Hope’s rogue’s gallery. The rock-shooting Octoombas can finally return here, along with references to some of the memorable bosses. Now, lifting oldGalaxybosses outright wouldn’t be terribly impressive, but calling back to the deep space horrors in the vein ofBouldergeist, Kingfin, and Tarantoxwould certainly win points with fans. With gamers enjoying the Ruined Dragon fromMario Odyssey’s Ruined Kingdom a lot, there’s no reason not to include some darker parts to contrast withMario + Rabbids' much wackier tone.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hopewill be released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022.
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