Mario + Rabbids On Nintendo Switch: A Hilarious Adventure

Hey guys! Get ready to dive into the wacky world of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on the Nintendo Switch! This game is a totally unexpected but incredibly fun crossover that combines the iconic characters of the Mario universe with the zany Rabbids from Ubisoft. If you're looking for a strategy game that's easy to pick up but hard to master, with tons of humor and charm, then you've come to the right place. Let's jump into what makes this game so special.

What is Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle?

At its heart, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a turn-based tactical RPG. Imagine XCOM, but with Mario characters and Rabbids dressed up as Mario characters, and you’re getting close. The story is simple: a powerful invention merges the Mushroom Kingdom with the world of the Rabbids, creating chaotic and hilarious consequences. It's up to Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, and a few Rabbid heroes to team up and restore order. The narrative is lighthearted and goofy, which perfectly fits the game's overall tone. It doesn't take itself seriously, and that's part of its charm. The cutscenes are filled with slapstick humor and silly antics, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.

Gameplay Mechanics: Easy to Learn, Tricky to Master

The gameplay revolves around turn-based battles where you control a team of three heroes. Each hero has unique abilities, weapons, and stats. You move your characters around the battlefield, taking cover behind objects to avoid enemy fire, and using special skills to gain an advantage. One of the key mechanics is team jumping, where one character can launch another to cover more ground. This adds a layer of strategic depth, allowing you to reach vantage points or flank enemies. The game introduces new mechanics and enemy types gradually, ensuring that you're always learning something new. While the initial levels are relatively easy, the difficulty ramps up as you progress, requiring you to think strategically and use your heroes' abilities effectively. The game also features puzzle elements outside of battles, where you need to solve simple challenges to progress through the levels. These puzzles are not overly complicated but provide a welcome break from the combat.

Why You Should Play It

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a must-play for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly fun. The combination of Mario and Rabbids characters creates a unique and hilarious experience. The gameplay is engaging and rewarding, with a good balance of strategy and action. The game also looks and sounds great, with colorful graphics and a catchy soundtrack. Plus, it’s a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so you can take it with you on the go.

Story and Setting

So, the story goes like this: a super-powered device called the SupaMerge accidentally messes with the Mushroom Kingdom, causing the wacky Rabbids to invade and blend everything together. Imagine Mario's world colliding with the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the Rabbids – it's as crazy as it sounds! The setting is a mishmash of familiar Mario locations with a Rabbid twist. You'll be exploring warped versions of iconic areas like Peach's Castle, haunted forests, and icy landscapes, all overrun with Rabbid shenanigans. The story is told through humorous cutscenes and quirky character interactions, ensuring you're always entertained.

Characters: A Mix of Familiar Faces and Zany Newcomers

The character roster is a delightful mix of Mario heroes and Rabbid versions of those heroes. You've got Mario, the all-around hero; Luigi, the sharpshooter; Peach, the support specialist; and Yoshi, the heavy hitter. On the Rabbid side, you have Rabbid Mario, Rabbid Luigi, Rabbid Peach, and Rabbid Yoshi, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. Each character has their own skill tree that you can customize as you level up. This allows you to tailor each hero to your playstyle, whether you prefer to focus on offense, defense, or support. The characters are well-designed and visually appealing, with each Rabbid character capturing the essence of their Mario counterpart while adding their own unique flair.

The Humor Factor

One of the biggest draws of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is its humor. The game is filled with slapstick comedy, visual gags, and witty dialogue. The Rabbids are their usual chaotic selves, causing mayhem and mischief wherever they go. The juxtaposition of the serious Mario characters with the zany Rabbids creates a hilarious contrast. The game doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. Even the battles are filled with humorous moments, such as when a Rabbid gets squashed by a falling object or when a character performs a ridiculous victory dance.

Gameplay Deep Dive

Okay, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how you actually play this game. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is all about turn-based strategy, but with a Mario twist. You control a team of three characters, moving them around the battlefield to outsmart your enemies.

Battle System: Turn-Based Tactical Mayhem

The battle system is the core of the game. Each battle takes place on a grid-based map, with various obstacles and cover points. You take turns moving your characters, attacking enemies, and using special abilities. Cover is essential for survival, as it reduces the amount of damage you take from enemy attacks. Flanking enemies is also crucial, as it allows you to deal more damage. Each character has a primary weapon and a secondary ability. Weapons range from blasters and shotguns to hammers and grenades. Abilities include healing, shielding, and special attacks. You need to carefully consider your positioning and actions each turn to maximize your effectiveness.

Movement and Team Jumps

Movement is a key aspect of the game. Each character has a limited number of movement points per turn. You can use these points to move around the battlefield, take cover, or perform special actions. One of the most unique movement mechanics is team jumping. This allows one character to launch another into the air, allowing them to cover more ground or reach higher vantage points. Team jumping adds a layer of verticality to the battles and opens up new strategic possibilities. You can use it to quickly reposition your characters, flank enemies, or escape from danger.

Character Abilities and Progression

Each character in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle has unique abilities and a skill tree that lets you customize their strengths. Mario, for instance, is a well-rounded fighter who can boost the attack power of his teammates. Luigi is a master of long-range combat, able to snipe enemies from afar. Peach can heal allies and provide cover, while Yoshi can deal massive damage with his explosive attacks. As you progress through the game, you earn skill points that you can use to unlock new abilities and upgrade existing ones. This allows you to tailor each character to your playstyle and create a team that complements your strengths.

Enemy Types and Challenges

The game features a wide variety of enemy types, each with their own unique abilities and weaknesses. Some enemies are heavily armored and resistant to damage, while others are fast and agile. Some enemies can heal their allies, while others can debuff your characters. You need to carefully study each enemy type and develop strategies to counter them. The game also features challenging boss battles that require you to use all of your skills and knowledge to defeat. These battles are often multi-stage affairs with unique mechanics and attack patterns. Overcoming these challenges is incredibly rewarding.

Graphics and Sound

Visually, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a treat. The game boasts vibrant colors, detailed environments, and smooth animations. The character models are well-designed and expressive, capturing the essence of both the Mario and Rabbids universes. The environments are varied and imaginative, ranging from lush forests to icy mountains. The game runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, both in docked and handheld mode.

Music and Sound Design

The soundtrack is composed by Grant Kirkhope, known for his work on games like Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark. The music is catchy, upbeat, and perfectly complements the game's tone. It blends familiar Mario themes with original compositions, creating a unique and memorable soundtrack. The sound design is also excellent, with satisfying weapon effects, humorous character voices, and immersive environmental sounds. The game also features voice acting, with the Rabbids speaking in their signature gibberish language. This adds to the game's humor and charm.

Why It's Great on the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is the perfect platform for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. The game's turn-based nature makes it ideal for portable play. You can easily pick it up and play for a few minutes on your commute or during a break. The game also looks great on the Switch's screen, with vibrant colors and sharp details. The Joy-Con controllers work well with the game, providing precise and responsive controls. Plus, the Switch's portability allows you to play with friends and family in local multiplayer.

Portability Factor

One of the biggest advantages of playing Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on the Nintendo Switch is its portability. You can take the game with you wherever you go and play it on the go. This makes it perfect for long trips, commutes, or just relaxing at home. The game also supports cloud saves, so you can easily sync your progress between multiple devices.

Multiplayer Fun

While the main campaign is single-player, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle also features a local multiplayer mode. This allows you to team up with a friend and play through a series of co-op challenges. These challenges require you to work together to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. The multiplayer mode is a great way to experience the game with friends and family.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a fantastic game that's well worth your time. It's a unique and hilarious crossover that combines the best of both the Mario and Rabbids universes. The gameplay is engaging and rewarding, with a good balance of strategy and action. The graphics and sound are excellent, and the game runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch. Whether you're a fan of Mario, Rabbids, or strategy games, you're sure to enjoy this one. So, grab your Nintendo Switch and get ready for a wild and wacky adventure!