Published on: August 28, 2017
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: A Strategic Triumph for Nintendo Switch
When Nintendo and Ubisoft unveiled Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle in 2017, many fans were surprised by the unlikely crossover.
The game brought together the iconic Mario franchise and Ubisoft’s mischievous Rabbids, delivering a fresh, tactical strategy title exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
Developed by Ubisoft Paris Studios and published by Ubisoft, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle quickly became a celebrated entry in both franchises, blending whimsical humor with deep and rewarding gameplay mechanics.
Blending Universes with Style
From the outset, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle demonstrates a commitment to fusing the distinct personalities and styles of both worlds.
The adventure begins in the workshop of a young inventor perfecting her SupaMerge headset, a device capable of merging anything into one.
Chaos erupts when the Rabbids, arriving in their time-traveling washing machine, become entangled with the device, resulting in a humorous and unexpected mashup of classic Mushroom Kingdom environments and Rabbid-fueled mayhem.
As Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi are scattered, players rally with their Rabbid counterparts to restore order.
Players are guided by Beep-O, an AI companion, as they traverse four imaginative worlds teeming with puzzles, secrets, and tactical skirmishes.
The narrative deviates from the typical Bowser-centric conflict, instead spotlighting Bowser Jr., who kidnaps the SupaMerge-fused Rabbid, dubbed Spawny, and unleashes chaos across the kingdom.
Ubisoft imbues each character with expressive animations and distinct personalities, while the Rabbids’ slapstick antics bring fresh humor to familiar settings.
Sophisticated Tactical Gameplay
Gameplay in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle centers around strategic, turn-based combat.
Players command a squad of three characters, each equipped with unique weapons and abilities.
Carefully navigating battlefields filled with environmental obstacles and leveraging movement skills like dash attacks and team jumps, players must outmaneuver a variety of enemy types and accomplish objectives ranging from defeating foes to escorting vulnerable characters.
Weapon upgrades play a key role, offering effects such as bouncing enemies, pinning them in place with honey, or silencing attacks with ink.
Each character features a customizable skill tree that allows players to tailor abilities for specific roles—Princess Peach excels in close combat with crowd-control potential, while Rabbid Peach specializes in midrange support and healing via her sentry abilities.
The game’s flexibility encourages experimentation and strategic depth, offering the option to reset skill trees to try new combinations and approaches.
A Joyful, Though Imperfect, Experience
While Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is widely praised for its charming presentation, vibrant visuals, and inventive sound design, it has faced some technical challenges.
Players have reported occasional camera angle issues during battles, minor slowdown when multiple effects occur simultaneously, and stuttering after resuming from sleep mode on the Nintendo Switch.
These issues, while noticeable, do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
The level and puzzle design, while imaginative, can sometimes fall into repetitive patterns, and some fans might wish for a deeper exploration of the Mario universe beyond the core cast.
Nevertheless, the game’s satisfying tactical combat and the endearing portrayal of both the Mario characters and the Rabbids create a compelling adventure from start to finish.
Critical and Commercial Milestone
Released on August 29, 2017, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle found critical acclaim for its successful merger of two beloved franchises and its innovative approach to the strategy genre on the Nintendo Switch.
The game proved to be a commercial success, reinforcing the value of collaborations between industry giants like Nintendo and Ubisoft.
As a showcase of inventive gameplay, bold crossover elements, and the universal appeal of its heroes, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle remains one of the standout strategy titles on the Nintendo eShop.
For both longtime fans of Mario and newcomers drawn by the Rabbids, this title offers a strategic, laughter-filled adventure—one that continues to inspire hopes for future collaborations on Nintendo platforms.
Nintendo Switch Ubisoft Nintendo Mario Switch Kingdom Battle Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Ubisoft Paris Studios Rabbids Peach Luigi Yoshi Bowser Jr. Beep-O SupaMerge