Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: The Unforgettable Nintendo E3 Reveal and Its Legacy

Few gaming moments are as memorable as major Nintendo announcements at E3, and among these standout reveals is Ubisoft’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.

First unveiled during Ubisoft’s E3 2017 showcase, the announcement not only set a new tone for cross-franchise collaborations but also garnered immediate attention for its surprise factor, creative showmanship, and star-studded stage presence—including Shigeru Miyamoto himself.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, developed by Ubisoft Milan in partnership with Nintendo, was officially released for the Nintendo Switch on August 29, 2017.

Despite leaks leading up to its E3 premiere, the onstage synergy between Ubisoft and Nintendo brought the world’s attention to what would become a standout exclusive for the Nintendo Switch, later surpassing 10 million units sold worldwide according to Ubisoft’s reported sales milestones.

One iconic moment that still resonates with fans is when Shigeru Miyamoto appeared onstage wielding a replica of the in-game blaster.

Leon Winkler, a key figure behind Ubisoft’s E3 productions, revealed to GamesIndustry.biz that Nintendo was initially hesitant about the theatrical elements of the reveal, believing the segment should have a more serious tone.

Winkler shared, "When I first proposed these showy elements to Nintendo, including the smoke effects and lighting for Miyamoto’s entrance, their response was tentative.

They weren’t sure if it was appropriate.

We insisted on trying it during the setup, and if Miyamoto was enthusiastic, we’d proceed.

Thankfully, his genuine excitement made the moment possible." The presentation also delivered an emotional highlight: a visibly moved Davide Soliani, the game’s creative director, was brought to tears on stage following an outpouring of praise from Miyamoto as well as the audience’s applause.

The mutual respect between industry legends, including the memorable photo of Miyamoto standing back-to-back with Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, signified not just a business partnership but a cultural milestone in the gaming community. GamesIndustry.biz’s feature delved deeper, offering previously unseen glimpses into Miyamoto’s status at these events.

Perrin Kaplan, former Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs for Nintendo of America, reflected on the logistical challenges of navigating Miyamoto through the E3 crowds: "While we cherished the fan enthusiasm and autograph requests, getting Miyamoto from the entrance to Nintendo's booth on time was a daily struggle.

It was amusing that he still wondered why people wanted to meet him, so I’d remind him that his games were the inspiration behind their excitement—he truly is an original." With E3’s official cancellation in 2023, these grand, theatrical Nintendo showcases have become a relic of industry history.

Though events like Nintendo Direct and Summer Game Fest continue to connect fans with major game announcements, the unique spirit and communal excitement of E3 remain unmatched in the memories of Nintendo fans and game developers alike.

To read more about the rise and fall of E3, refer to Chris Dring’s extensive report at GamesIndustry.biz. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle remains a testament to creative risk-taking and cross-company collaboration, leaving an indelible mark on the Nintendo Switch era and the broader landscape of gaming reveals.

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