Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

I mean, I’ve clearly fallen in love with it. How could I not, when it’s as fun as this? Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope doesn’t just prove that the first game was no fluke, it shows that it’s possible to take a crazy idea and turn it into one of the best games of the year.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope launches with a spark of life. There are improvements and expansion of the gameplay and performance of the first game. Three new heroes to the game including an original (non-Mushroom Kingdom related) Rabbid character named Edge. There are brand new unique weapons and special abilities for each character. Oh, and Sparks galore. This game is pumped full of “new tactical possibilities” for every kind of gamer.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is excellent and joyful and has just the right amount of chaos thanks to that Rabbids touch. The dev team has put time and care into the humor as much as the gameplay and I can't name a single time I felt bored or unconnected to the material...This is the perfect gateway to the tactics genre for any age and a true testament to the originality and beauty of collaborations.

Sparks of Hope has a real sense of twinkling charm – one that could pull a smile from even the most hardened heart. There’s a vivacious, beating heart at the centre of this adventure, and it makes every new world, and every new fight a veritable joy to complete.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope gets everything right in what it proposes as a dynamic strategy game, charismatic and produced by lovers of the genre and the two franchises. It is a quiet and sure bet that is worth every minute of your investment.

A rush of humor, tactical brilliance, and unbridled joy make Sparks of Hope one of the best of the year.

From start to finish, this game really has taken me through some amazing missions, entertaining video content, and action-packed gameplay with levels of massive and destructive villains. For the beautiful art which makes up the graphics, well let’s just say there is plenty to gawk at! Everything that Mario represents is shown in this game, with the addition of those humorous Rabbids. Plus, the ability to build a team of unlikely characters really makes for some entertaining storylines and some marvelous defeats! Lastly, even if there have been many Rabbid games in the past, I felt this game might have just topped them. It has exceeded my expectations and has me curious to see what the future beholds with the Rabbids. So I fully stand beside this game and recommend it for a worthwhile, new experience worth playing.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a masterfully made Tactical-RPG which brings both color and flair. If you are looking for a light hearted adventure carrying the spirit of the Mario + Luigi series look no further than this game. It features visually stunning environments and incredible music all meshed together alongside amazing gameplay that never gets old. What it lacks in challenge Sparks of Hope makes up for in pure fun that will keep you coming back to play. The amount of polish and effort here is astounding and makes the game worth your time.

In the areas where it counts, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope — and Kingdom Battle along with it — represent a bright and colorful departure from everything strategy RPGs tend to be while still offering relentlessly creative challenges in a package that’s straight-up fun. Sparks of Hope builds on everything Kingdom Battle did right and devises new entertaining challenges to shoot your way through. Though it took me about 25 hours to complete the main story with a healthy number of sidequests, the game told me I’d only completed 67% of it. This is easily the greatest Western RPG series that adapts a Japanese property about an Italian plumber. Whether you’re a hardcore strategy RPG fan or a newbie to the genre, Sparks of Hope should make anyone shout “YAHOOOOO!”

Even if Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is clearly the sequel of the game from 2017 in game mechanics and structure, the people at Ubisoft took some risks trying to refine the formula and opening the maps, building in the process a much better game. As of today, this is one of Ubisoft's most promising IPs, and we can't wait to see what it has in store for the foreseeable future.

The developers who gave us the original Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle in 2017 and then its Donkey Kong DLC campaign one year later could have very easily kicked back, rested on their laurels and put themselves on auto-pilot to deliver similarly structured sequels for the rest of the Switch life cycle -- and beyond! And yet they rejected the chance to take such an easy path. [Issue #63 – January/February 2023, p. 66]

Sparks of Hope improves on the original in almost every aspect. Great characters, a well-designed mysterious world, enjoyable combat and loads of puzzles to solve make this one of the best collab games we’ve seen in a long time.

What once seemed like a quizzical crossover is shaping up to be one of the best tactical franchises on Switch.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is such an excellent game, that makes its wonderful predecessor, Kingdom Battles, look plain and basic. And that is something that screams “great sequel”.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope takes advantage of all the good stuff that always worked great, and expands it with a hefty amount of stuff new and improved. If you haven't played the first game, just start with the sequel. It's much better.

Sparks of Hope is bigger and better, and not only improves everything we saw in its predecessor, but also introduces great new additions to its gameplay.

Mario's Rabbid spin-off sequel does an incredible job building upon the fun foundation of the original game while providing new and engaging elements we haven't seen before. The silly interactions, overworld puzzles, and satisfying strategic battles make it a title you definitely want to have in your library.

It’s a struggle to encapsulate what a wonderful, marvelous experience this is, and how carefully the developers have addressed all of the concerns from the past — and those concerns weren’t huge! Despite doing a great job the first time out, they rolled up their sleeves, take a look at what didn’t work perfectly and now everything here is just so, so good.

Sparks of Hope represents a big step forward for the Mario + Rabbids series. It brings loads of fun, extended gameplay and beautiful visuals. It's more than just a combination of two big brands and it brings a breath of fresh air to the tactical strategy genre.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the perfect Switch exclusive. The game marvelously captures the playful spirit of the Mario universe, while offering some serious tactical strategy options for those looking for fix for their XCOM addiction. All aspects of the game have been improved over the predecessor, including visuals, combat mechanics, exploration, and soundtrack. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is double the fun, thrice the charm!

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a colorful, exciting riff on tactical gameplay. It includes fun Mario and Rabbids characters, a punky new character with a cool weapon and cooler personality, Sparks to collect, and new and improved combat. It could do with a few more puzzles and things to do outside of battle, but as it stands, Sparks of Hope is an excellent follow-up and one of the best strategy games you’ll find in Nintendo’s library.

Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope from Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Paris is a fantastic and better follow-up to its original 2017 experiment. The characters are better, the addition of Sparks changes how the gameplay works, and the overall tactical strategy options the game provides the player in a huge world make for a consistently fun adventure. Beware of the difficulty, though, as it can get infuriating at times.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is an excellent game, which goes further than its predecessor, offering a much more ambitious dimension, with a rich and neat world, which is more of an adventure game than a simple tactical RPG. Its even denser gameplay and clever mechanics make it an absolutely delicious experience.

A charming though uneventful narrative about stopping a cosmic darkness from consuming the galaxy rounds out this delightful package. Like the best sequels, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope builds upon Kingdom Battle’s foundation with smart tweaks and fun additions to emerge as a better game in every way.

Put simply, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is an absolute delight. This is a combination that shouldn't work and yet it more than works--it excels. When Ubisoft announced Kingdom Battle, the concept seemed so goofy that its success came as a surprise. Sparks of Hope is an improvement in every meaningful way, from the characterization and world-building to combat variety and flexibility to environmental diversity. Ubisoft loves and respects these characters, and has now shown definitively that even something as familiar and comfortable as Mario is still capable of surprising us over and over again.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a surprisingly refreshing sequel based on the same concept but not afraid of substantial changes. Some encounters seem out of context and the story is lackluster, but the game benefited greatly from reworked combat system (ditching squares for free movement was a good idea after all) and significantly increased emphasis on exploration. For me, it was one of the best gaming experiences of 2022.

This new collaboration between Ubisoft and Nintendo doesn't just strive to be a better game than its predecessor: It expands and builds on it's foundations amazingly to create on of the best games on the Nintendo Switch.

Spatial meeting of two universes that combine perfectly, Mario + The Rabbids Sparks of Hope is admirably well done. We particularly liked the structure of the adventure in "small open worlds full of quests" and the good balance between strategy and dynamism of the battles.

With now two excellent games under its belt, it beckons the question of where the franchise goes next. Do we go for a simple Mario & Rabbids 3? Do we add Zelda or Pokemon characters into the mix? Do we change genres, turn it into a soulslike or roguelike? Whatever happens, I just need more.

Sparks of Hope is more colorful, more fluid, and just all-around more fun than its predecessor.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope isn't just a straightforward sequel. It's an evolution of the genre. It makes the strategy much more entertaining and flexible. It invites the player to continue the adventure and learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the characters. Its story draws you in slowly but entertaining pace. There comes a time when you realize that you have already spent much time on it, and you will not regret anything.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is not only one of the best exclusives for Nintendo Switch, it is a game capable of evolving significantly compared to the previous chapter, reaching an absolute playful level. A hilarious, light-hearted, creative but also pixelated work, with an artisanal and constantly growing level design for the duration of the adventure, exactly like a combat system that is pure joy, tactically deep and at the same time hyper-dynamic , comic and totally available to the player's creativity. The exploratory phase also exponentially improves, very pleasant and full of secrets and secondary activities, immersed in colorful worlds, cared for with love, perhaps not very "galactic" but adorable and embellished with an exceptional soundtrack by the author (indeed, by authors). Sparks of Hope is proof that love for one's work always makes a difference beyond commercial ambitions (Kingdom Battle has sold 10 million copies and expectations go in that direction anyway); the result is a game that takes a lot, a lot, a lot of effort to put down to do something else.

A first-class strategy game that succeeds the brave attempt to evolve further the almost perfect formula of the first chapter.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a massive leap over its predecessor, making a whole host of changes and improvements and delivering an utterly charming and mechanically dense tactics experience.

With greater freedom to explore, more emphasis on strategic choices, a gorgeous visual environment, an absolutely exquisite soundtrack, fun and charismatic characters to choose from, and an overall perfectly tuned gameplay experience, Sparks of Hope is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue and one that will make many players happy.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is kind of the ideal video game sequel. Ubisoft has refined all of the best elements of the first game in ways that feel fun and satisfying while delivering new elements that make it stand on its own. The story is better, the graphics are smoother, and there are way more elements of the Mario franchise present this time. Most importantly, the combat is engaging and actually made me want to keep picking battles with opponents on the map. It's hard to believe that Ubisoft has managed to create such an endearing spin-off series, but I truly hope that there are plans beyond this game and its forthcoming DLC. If the developer can maintain this level of quality, I'd love to see what it can do with the series next.

Thanks to an improved combat system, and a good level of customization, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope is the sequel we've been waiting for. This is a great introductory card to the Tactical RPG genre.

A few years after the overwhelming debut of Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, the extravagant Ubisoft rabbits are back to join forces with the icons of Nintendo. From Mario to Bowser, the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom form a team of nine Heroes, ready to do anything to save the sparkling Sparks. Will there still be hope for the galaxy threatened by the dark Cursa? We recommend all Nintendo Switch owners to board the spaceship led by Ubisoft Milan to find out. With a renewed freedom of exploration and an even more marked strategic component, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope extends the formula of its predecessor, packaging an experience full of fun and full of style.

Mario + Rabbids return is a ridiculous rocket-powered romp through a hybrid IP universe featuring the best of Mario world design alongside hilarious Rabbids hijinks. While the pacing meanders a little in the middle, and exploring feels a little weird with feet glued to this floor, Sparks of Hope is a masterclass in making turn-based battles feel fresher than ever, and should be praised as a comedy blockbuster of the tactical genre.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a great sequel, one of those that know how to expand a remarkable base to reach excellence. Accessible, but deep, and with a very accurate rhythm, the latest from Ubisoft Milan consolidates the Rabbids experiment in the Mushroom Kingdom, delivering a title that will please fans of the genre and will discover it to many others.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope takes the excellent tactical combat ideas of Kingdom Battle and runs absolutely wild with them. Its goofy characters still have the ability to bounce off of each other, but they’re now free of the rigid grid and wonderfully customizable thanks to the mix-and-match Sparks that give them new and reliably interesting powers. Between fights you get to catch your breath in the large and brilliantly colorful open worlds, solving its light puzzles and being puzzled yourself by its oddball story. It’s extremely gratifying to play an ambitious sequel that fixes all of the main issues I had with the original, and then some.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope takes the fantastic canvas that was Kingdom Battle and paints a masterpiece on it. The combat is as fun as it is strategic, and each world is a delight to roam through. The added freedom in terms of movement during battles and the light RPG elements pair exquisitely with the slapstick Rabbid humor and the whimsical music composed by industry titans Kirkhope, Shimomura, and Coker. The story serves its purpose well enough, even if the ending is a bit lackluster, but the gameplay is unassailable. If you liked its predecessor, you'll love Sparks of Hope. It sets a new bar for Mario-themed spinoffs, and I'm full of hope that the series doesn't end here.

The marrying of Mario and Rabbids may still feel like a strange choice, even five years on from the first game, but Ubisoft and Nintendo have once again proved just how well this mash-up can work. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does the impossible by making the oft-impenetrable tactical combat genre approachable – and a heck of a lot of fun. Combine that with gorgeous, colourful visuals and fun platforming and exploration, and you’ve got one of the Switch’s best games.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope takes the best bits of Kingdom Battle, distilling it into a winning strategy game recipe that’ll be played for years to come.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope captures everything that made the original so special, all while delivering a more complex and complete experience. It offers a new level of strategic depth, with world-building that makes it more of a Super Mario game than you might expect.

One of the best strategy games to ever appear on a console, with some genuine gameplay innovation and authentic Nintendo magic.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a much more ambitious game than its predecessor. With challenging strategic battles and puzzles that are not so hard, its principal appeal lies in a great audiovisual section and a world full of colourful and very charismatic characters.

While Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a markedly different game than Kingdom Battle, it's a more than worthy sequel that successfully steps into its own space within the realm of turn-based strategy. It's undoubtedly one of the best games on the Switch, and one of the best showings from Ubisoft in recent years.

Sparks of Hope has completely surpassed Kingdom Battle and has taken an idea that was once seen as an oddball crossover and turned it into a Nintendo franchise with a genuinely exciting future.

Between removing the movement grid, adding more strategic options, new characters, new abilities, and expanding and revising the roster in an enjoyable story, Sparks of Hope feels like another exceptionally good collaboration between Ubisoft and Nintendo.

Overall, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is able to captivate with its worlds and pull you down rabbit hole after rabbit hole of side quests, treasures, and battles. You’ll find yourself wandering off course to help a Rabbid in need or rescue a Spark who will then help you on your journey.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is Kingdom Battle but all grown up. The battle system has evolved to something more dynamic, and the game's overworld, characters, and presentation have been taken to the next level. You don't have to be a big strategy nerd to enjoy Sparks of Hope, as there are difficulty and accessibility options to let you enjoy just the funny story. Sparks of Hope has a lot of heart, is funny and fun to play, but that shouldn't be a surprise anymore.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope expertly toes the line between Nintendo’s penchant for accessible titles targeting younger audiences and Ubisoft’s matured gameplay systems to create an experience like no other.

Its richness in contents, its innovation in mechanics and excellent art style and soundtrack are what make Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope a game that challenges Japanese Nintendo productions. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the best Nintendo Switch release in 2022, capable to surprise with its novelties and to meet the expectations of hardcore players.

Five years after the original, the Mario + Rabbids series finally has a sequel. No one could have expected such a strange crossover to have such engaging tactical combat and enjoyable RPG mechanics, but with this series, it’s hard to know what to expect. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by being one of the weirdest games out there, but also incredibly fun.

A huge, colorful and charming adventure, which will attract any player with patience and love for exploration.

While the first title was also satisfactory, the evolution of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks Of Hope is even more enjoyable. Strategic depth, world expansion, and hidden elements are all brilliantly implemented in the game. Ubisoft's attempt to depict Nintendo's unique humor was also plausible. This game can be considered as one of the best in many turn-based tactics games out there for Nintendo Switch.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a complete evolution of Kingdom Battle based gameplay. The free movement control of the battle brings a more dynamic strategic game experience. The elemental effects that do not focus on the hit but randomness and chaos are also easy to please casual players. The ridiculous combination of Mario + Rabbids once again shows the charm that makes people addicted to it, and it is the most enjoyable strategy game this year.

A worthy successor to the previous game. While Mario and his friends feel like themselves, the Rabbids provide the right spark of humor. Each character brings their own style, and finding the combination of characters that work best for the fight at hand is part of the fun. Different difficulty settings make Sparks of Hope playable for all skill levels, whether you want a challenge or just to enjoy the content. I didn’t find much replayability in the fights, but there were more than enough to hold my attention with the side content taken into account. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope makes me feel like a kid in a good, old, classic, Nintendo way.

Sparks of Hope is an excellent sequel to Mario + Rabbids that improves everything compared to the first game, with some graphical flaws and some risky changes that have been very positive.

Top optics, the cutest animations that exist and largely well thought-out gameplay make the turn-based strategy game a treat - for young and old players alike.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle could perhaps be seen as a weird experiment that owed its success to good release timing. The sequel, Sparks of Hope, proves that view incorrect. The foundations of this strategy RPG remain strong as ever, while several gameplay changes, such as free movement during battle, provide countless new ways to strategize. You may unfortunately forget about some heroes, but it is a small price to pay for such a solid strategy experience. (That also looks gorgeous.)

Sparks of Hope is better at all levels compared to the original. A must for strategy fans.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is not only a logical continuation of the original, but even surpasses the first part in numerous respects. Minor inconsistencies like the frequent loading interruptions, sometimes unfavorable camera perspectives and the fact that many important characters are only partially voiced, only spoil the fun insignificantly. What remains is a gem for lovers of the tactical genre - and anyone who wants to become one.

Kingdom Battle may have proven that a Mario and Rabbids crossover can work, and work well. But Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope has cemented this as a franchise in my eyes, one that is worth playing if you’ve got any interest in lighthearted tactics with a Mario and Rabbid twist.

Rather than just coast off the ingenuity of the first game, Sparks of Hope reaches beyond its predecessor. The Sparks give an extra layer of agency and choice to the player, while handing those same deadly tools to your enemies. The battles are fast-paced, clever, and compelling. So much so that the sections outside of battle feel like an exhausting slog by comparison. The dialogue is at turns both witty and insufferable, while the actual plot exists only to justify the action. Don’t let my bizarre set of blinders deter you, though. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is an excellent follow-up to the remarkable original game.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a bigger and better sequel in almost every way. It feels like the jump we saw from Assassin's Creed Origins to Odyssey. There are some annoyances like turns taking too long even when sped up, or how enemies spawning out of portals are handled, but Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is one of the best Switch exclusives of the year, and a showcase for the OLED screen in handheld mode.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope gets the most out of it as a sequel. The skeleton of the original has remained intact, but almost the entire gameplay system has been overhauled. That works out well, since players are kept much more engaged and are also much more free. The fights are sometimes on the long side, but that's one of the few problems.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a very good game. The combat, its customization and progression options, as well as the situations it puts you in to fight, shine brightly. The music and artwork are also up to par with what is expected in a sequel. What is not convincing is the exploration and puzzles that are overly hackneyed.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is an absolute delight. The new mobility-focused combat trades some difficulty for a more flexible and dynamic battlefield. The more JRPG-styled tone and structure of the game gives it a solid basis that the first game didn't quite reach. Most of the improvements are for the better. There are still some nagging problems here and there, and the frame rate is rough, but if you can get past that, there's a ton to love here.

Despite some questionable decisions and technical flaws, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is another wonderfully moronic, playfully creative, colorful gang. Perhaps not necessarily much better or more extensive than the first part, but a full-fledged, cheerful sequel.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the perfect entryway for all of those that are not used to strategy games. It is both accessible and challenging, but above everything else it is a very fun experience.

More than a sequel, Mario + The Rabbids Sparks of Hope offers us a new gaming experience. Some elements present in Kingdom Battle. For the rest, there are redesigned combats, extensive exploration, a complex tactical aspect... The formula is simply excellent and makes the tactical more accessible and attractive than ever, without falling into the easy. Enough to give color to your autumn gaming sessions for a (a little too) short time.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a splendid sequel with a terrific new take on exploration while simultaneously revamping the combat for the better with the clever addition of Sparks and marvelous new characters. It definitely could use a bit more polish, but it’s still a gorgeous looking game in spite of some technical shortcomings. Clocking in at roughly 20 hours to complete, plus several more for extras, it feels like the perfect length and never overstays its welcome. It’s definitely worth the wait, but here’s hoping it’s not another five years before we see a follow-up to this magnificent series.

Mario + The Rabbids Kingdom Battle was a very good game, and Mario + The Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a very good sequel! We instantly find our bearings, as well as the improbable but effective cross between the colorful world of Mario and the delirious one of the Rabbids. However, the formula has been sufficiently renewed so that no repetition effect is felt.

Sparks of Hope is here, there’s still no Switch Pro, but it feels like a next-gen take on the original game, expanding on what worked to great effect.

Tactical RPG fans and those that love the chaotic nature of Rabbids owe it to themselves to check out both Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope and its prequel Kingdom Battle for a gaming experience you won't find on any other platform.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope builds upon its predecessor in surprising and delightful ways to create a tactical RPG that stands among the best in the genre. While it may lack the challenge of some of its contemporaries, it's a fun adventure that, despite still feeling like a fever dream cooked up by a child's imagination, is one of the finest titles of 2022.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is clearly a great sequel, but can't recapture the lightning in a bottle of its predecessor, due to a more chaotic progression and an overall worse balancing of the mechanics. Still, we definitely recommend it to anyone who loves the genre, loved the original, or simply loves good fun.

Sparks of Hope is a refreshing strategy crossover with great combat, but it lacks the big surprise moments.

At the end of the day, the entire concept of this game still feels incredibly strange and deeply unhinged. But maybe in a good way? It certainly brings a unique angle and some fresh mechanics to both Mario games and now to strategy games with the inclusion of these open world mechanics. I think it’ll struggle to find an audience with die hard fans from either side, but it will go down well with those looking to dip their toe into the strategy genre, or who are introducing their kids to those games for the first time. While at times it was frustrating, I had a lot of fun with it, and plan to spend some more time wandering around the overworlds finishing up those side quests even though the main story is done. To me, that’s the ultimate sign of a good game – even if it is a game that has me constantly questioning whether or not it’s trying to reference that cursed time we all used words like ‘smexy’ on the internet.

Sparks of Hope is an interesting sequel to the first game, and even though it has its flaws, you'll still have a great time and enjoy the vast majority of the tactical battles. [Issue#323]

Due to an increase in mobility, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopes is a deep and unique strategy game that is also easy to pick up. That being said, the story requires knowledge of both its predecessor and Super Mario Galaxy, and even if you do know them, it still lacks depth.

Overall, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does a fantastic job building on the original’s success while retaining its laid-back and humorous approach to RPGs. Smart design choices bolster the game in terms of accessibility, graphical presentation, and characterization. Outside of a few flaws, fans of strategic turn-based RPGs or just Mario games, in general, will find a lot to love here.

It turns out that Mario+ Rabbids still has the capacity to surprise us after all. [Issue#378, p.96]

Despite a somewhat flawed presentation, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope captures what made its predecessor special, and improves on the series’ solid tactical RPG-premise.

Sparks of Hope is a strong sequel that isn't afraid to reinvent the tactical foundation laid by the first Mario + Rabbids game.

Although it seems like "My Fist XCOM" with Nintendo and Ubisoft mascots, Sparks of Hope is far from it, bringing many pleasant innovations to the genre of turn-based tactical games with systems and depth that will surprise you.

A brilliant successor to a great turn-based RPG. The chaotic world of Mario and Rabbids is more open, you can freely move and chain combos during combat, the heroes are much more focused on specific tactics. Sparks of Hope has great tempo and is ideal for short sessions and long evenings both.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is an exciting step forward for the series that continues to surprise with its increasingly deep combat, gratifying exploration and joyful presentation. Ubisoft has embraced freedom in all senses of the word for this sequel, whether its additional real-time elements during combat, the ability to switch out and upgrade heroes and Sparks at will for endless combinations, or the oodles of optional content that’s crammed into every planet. The predictable and occasionally long-winded story along with late game encounters that severely punish players for mistakes or missed opportunities may keep some players from seeing this journey to its conclusion. Even so, the game’s continued willingness to evolve its approach to new battles and to encourage and reward curiosity in between encounters combine to create a well-paced and engaging tactics game that Switch owners and fans of the genre shouldn’t hesitate to check out.

Sparks of Hope is a fun strategy game that, despite getting bogged down by a lack of difficulty and poorly designed menus, is a blast to play thanks to its neat little puzzles and freeform battles.

The fight system, character management and abundancy of content are great, the different battle maps and objectives add variety and despite all those systems the game isn't just challenging but also beginner friendly. […] Sadly, the story and presentation fail to add on to this solid foundation.

Gaming’s most inexplicable mascot crossover, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope delivers a clever, cosmic adventure alongside tightly tuned tactical gameplay.

Even if you haven’t played the first game in the series, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a great introduction to a certain type of strategy game, iterating on a now-familiar formula with a readable, predictable approach to combat and some fun innovations in character movement. It knows where to streamline without sacrificing depth, all while starring mascots that fans know and love. Its exploration elements might slow the pace a bit too much, but you won’t mind too much thanks to the gorgeous art direction.

Sparks of Hope wasn’t on my radar after my middling experience with Kingdom Battle, but I love it when a game surprises me like this. It takes just a handful of battles for the hooks to get in, and the tactical options only grow as you unlock new heroes and sparks. I’m not sure if any game could be good enough to make me love the Rabbids, but the fun I was having in my 30+ hours with Sparks of Hope did a great job of distracting me from their dumb, dumb faces.

Don't let its silly appearance fool you, but Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a game that offers a lot. Unlike other strategy games, this one offers more freedom in combat. The scenarios were further expanded and some of their mechanics were improved. You can give it a try even if it doesn't have a multiplayer mode.

What you get in the end with Sparks of Hope is a lengthy Switch outing full of challenge and the ability to craft a game style that suits you. There’s lots of room to experiment with all of the micro on offer, but it’s conversely not a requirement you do. It does take itself a bit too seriously (to wit: Edge, the emo Rabbid once bad now turned good), but you can skip a lot of this and just get on with business, which is fun, engaging, modular and deep when you want it to be, and stunningly presented. If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, this is a no-brainer and will hold you in good stead for the rest of the year, and then some. For everyone else, this isn’t quite go out and grab a Switch for, though if you were to package it up with the first two games, the recommendation quickly switches. Either way this is a fun romp in the Mario universe with Rabbids again, I just wish they never learned to talk.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a worthy sequel to its predecessor. Everything is finally more fluid, less austere, while keeping the strengths of the first part. In short, a very good title and a real must-have on Nintendo Switch.

It isn’t without its missteps, but, on the whole, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope can be seen as a triumph of galactic proportions. Bolder and more daring in its vision for the unexpected collision of its Heroes compared with the original game, it is in the exploration of its planets and the cosmic-powered combat system that underpin what amounts to an exceptional experience. It may perhaps be lacking the heart of its predecessor, but it certainly isn’t short on heroics.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope is a bundle of pure, unadulterated joy. It’s easy to see this game becoming formative for younger players who are getting their first dose of Mario or the strategy genre, but Ubisoft’s real triumph is in keeping this gem worthy of anyone’s time.

Though tedious puzzles and a slim margin for error weigh it down, there’s no denying that Ubisoft and Nintendo have created something magical for a second time.

Mario and Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a worthy sequel to the first game with tonnes of meaningful changes and challenges. Whilst it loses steam a little the more you get on, it is still an enchanting title.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a fun-filled exploration that shows what can happen when Nintendo decides to share its toys. While it's not the biggest leap a sequel has ever made, an incredible soundtrack, great visuals and witty writing make it one of Switch's best games of the year.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope delivered the most fun I’ve had in a Mario game or a Ubisoft game since Mario Odyssey, and is a game I’m going to keep going back to in a perhaps misguided attempt to polish off all the side missions. This really feels like the best of both worlds type experience, and is a triple-jump-sized leap over the original (which was by no means a bad game). I’m already looking forward to seeing what is added post-release, and what the dev team decides to do to shake things up in a third entry. A lovely, nice game it’ll be, I’m sure.

As a team-based and tactics-first game with no Goomba-splatting butt bouncing on show (although, stomping’s an option), and no 3D platforming to be ever so precise about, Sparks of Hope may still remain on the periphery of the radar for some Mario admirers. But for anyone who was on the fence about Kingdom Battle and ultimately didn’t pick it up, know this: you’ll be missing out on a really special Switch exclusive, a triumph of IP-twisting fun and frolics, if you let a little nonsensical genre bias get in the way.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a brilliant sequel full of fun moreish combat and deep customisation that’s only let down by the speed of the battles and a heavy front-loading of ideas.

With so many options to customize your team and strategic battles that feel better than ever, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is exactly what a sequel is supposed to be, building on the foundation the first game laid down while not being afraid to shake things up. A general lack of polish feels wrong in a game starring Mario, but beyond those issues lies a fantastic strategy title for all ages.

While not revolutionary, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a good sequel that refines its recipe on many levels. It's beautiful, well-designed, friendly and accessible, making it a good entry point into the tactical genre for kids and adults alike. But those who don't like the simple humor of the Rabbids, and players looking for a real challenge and replayability might get bored quickly.

Sparks of Hope’s battles suffer from an imbalance between the vast array of options available and the difficulty – a stark contrast to Kingdom Battle’s challenging, curated fights. This doesn't mean it isn't an enjoyable strategy game in its own right; the battles are less an evolution of what came before and more a shift toward freedom and creativity that can sometimes trivialise Cursa’s attempts to take over the galaxy. However, Sparks of Hope does shine in most aspects outside of these Darkmess bouts. Delightful little puzzles, quests, and memorable locales abound, which yet make this Rabbid-themed adventure a must play for Mario and strategy game enthusiasts alike.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is a delightful tactical adventure hampered by performance faults and sporadic, standout glitches during fights. Of course, everyone's perceptions and experiences with these issues will vary, yet they did undeniably harm my time. Though on the other hand, I also can't deny how this entry has made me more interested in the tactics genre as a whole, thanks to its splendid sense of progression and genuinely thought-provoking battles. The stellar soundtrack and satisfactory exploration also enhance the overall package.

There's a lot that's new and different in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, creating a more freeform, looser feel to the game's world exploration and combat alike. Not all of the changes stick the landing, but the drive to reinvent and evolve is admirable and this is still easy to recommend for fans of the original and turn-based tactics in general.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is probably the most approachable tactics game ever. Featuring new map navigation, dozens of abilities to tool around with and a diverse fantastical cast, it makes for an even more readable experience. The magic spark that I felt had been missing from some of Mario's more recent adventures is coincidentally back again, amongst Ubisoft's quirky mascots of all things. Yes, even when the Rabbids can be just that little bit annoying, they're as equally charming when meshed with the Nintendo cast. At times the overzealous amount of side content may also daunt the player, but never enough to take away from the clever and delightful journey. Sparks of Hope is the most exciting franchise affair we've had since Odyssey.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope shines thanks to its reworked tactics, which make way for some of the best turn economy I’ve seen in the genre to date. Though it doesn’t fix all of its predecessor’s issues, it's a worthy follow-up that ranks among the Nintendo Switch’s very best exclusives.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope improves on Kingdom Battle, but drags things out far too long near the end. Fans of the original - or tactical combat games in general - should still check it out.

If there is one thing I could say about Sparks of Hope, it is that is more of the same, and that isn’t a bad thing, far from it. But along with the improvements to gameplay, there are also some odd additions to be found, such as the Rabbids now spouting dialogue. Overall the package is a generous one, with plenty of content to enjoy and challenges to overcome. But it is hard to ignore the fact that Maio seems like a secondary character in his own game, as do all of the Mushroom Kingdom’s cast. Does the inclusion of Mario make Sparks of Hope a more appealing package, yes absolutely, but it stops at making it a better game. But it is hard to deny the appeal that the first game had and Sparks of Hope certainly makes good on the promises of the original. A game that places fun at its forefront.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope builds upon the framework established by the first title in several positive ways. The tactical combat has been given more variety, and having more things to do outside of battle was also a smart addition. Despite the annoying Rabbids and lackluster plot, it's an overall improvement and a solid sequel.

Semi-open worlds with quests in the form of real-time strategy battles provide a sort of 3D role-playing game spin on the continuation of this odd match-up of Mario and the Rabbids. While Sparks of Hope improves on the formula introduced five years ago, some charm has been lost in the more generic lands the heroes traverse, with a story that doesn't offer much thanks to plain characters outside of the Rabbids. Battles are still as fun as before, with plenty of customisation possible, but there isn't much to think about when skill points can be redistributed at will. That may suit the target audience, though, and the additional difficulty options are pleasing in that regard, as well. Kingdom Battle fans will enjoy this, and there is some solid tactical gameplay to be found, but it's a bit too familiar and unsurprising to elevate it beyond the original.

Mario and Rabbids Sparks of Hope provides the same enjoyable turn-based combat as its predecessor, with some minor tweaks to make it more accessible to a wider audience. A greater focus on the Rabbids opposed to the Mushroom Kingdom feels like a backwards step though, with the slapstick crossover comedy failing to sparkle this time around.

He lands in theaters next year, with a movie of his own. But until then, Super Mario continues to reign supreme on the Nintendo. 'Sparks of hope' is yet another game centered around the world's most famous plumber. Just a shame that the piping shows more wear and tear than in the previous game.

There is a genuinely brilliant strategy game lurking under all this flimsy Nintendo wrapping. For younger audiences, these complaints probably won’t matter, but for the fully-grown Nintendo faithful, Sparks of Hope’s paper-thin narrative, juvenile jokes and disappointing hub worlds are hard to ignore, despite the fantastic fights.