Davide Soliani Expresses Interest in Future Nintendo Collaboration After Mario + Rabbids Success

Davide Soliani, the acclaimed director celebrated for his pivotal role in the creation of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and its sequel, Sparks of Hope, has begun a new chapter in his career after leaving Ubisoft in 2024.

Now at the helm of his own indie studio, Day 4 Night, alongside collaborators like Red Dead Redemption's Christian Cantamessa and renowned composer Grant Kirkhope, Soliani is opening up about his journey, his studio’s ambitions, and the potential for renewed collaboration with Nintendo. In a recent interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Soliani reflected on his 11-year partnership with Nintendo while leading the Mario + Rabbids projects for the Nintendo Switch platform.

He described working alongside Nintendo as the highlight of his 26-year career, underscoring the emotional resonance and collaborative achievements gained through that era.

"It was an absolutely fantastic period, both emotionally and as a learning and collaboration experience," Soliani shared during the conversation with VGC, emphasizing the indelible mark the collaboration left on his professional path. Though Soliani’s current focus is on Day 4 Night’s original intellectual property, which remains under wraps for now, the director made it clear that future collaborations with Nintendo are possibilities he would welcome.

Restating his enthusiasm, Soliani noted, "Should Nintendo approach us in the future, both Christian [Cantamessa] and I would be eager to answer the call." This openness speaks to the strong creative relationship built through the Mario + Rabbids series. Soliani also discussed initial reactions to Nintendo Switch 2, expressing his excitement about the hardware’s design and prospects: "I'm genuinely impressed with what I've seen so far." However, he voiced disappointment regarding rumors and leaks preceding the reveal, pointing out that such indiscretions can diminish the element of surprise that fans cherish around Nintendo Direct presentations and eShop announcements. While Ubisoft publicly expressed disappointment in Sparks of Hope's initial financial results, the title has enjoyed a robust critical response and, according to VGC, its sales performance is tracking closely to the original Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle.

Throughout the challenges, Soliani emphasized that he departed Ubisoft amicably and holds no ill will, wishing the company the best during a turbulent time.

During the VGC interview, Soliani and Cantamessa teased ongoing work at Day 4 Night.

Their studio’s debut IP is promised to "grow in scope and content" with time, signaling ambition for their team’s future endeavors on Nintendo platforms and beyond. As Soliani’s legacy with Mario + Rabbids remains an important chapter in recent Nintendo Switch history, anticipation builds to see how Day 4 Night’s creative vision may intersect with Nintendo’s innovation in the years to come.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Mario Switch 2 Switch Day 4 Night Davide Soliani Success