As part of today’s Ubisoft Forward E3 conference, the developers revealed Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, a sequel to the 2017 crossover. Sparks of Hope is due for release next year, and continues the turn-based formula of Kingdom Battle.
The game was first leaked a few hours before Ubisoft Forward, as a listing for Sparks of Hope appeared on the Nintendo website. It officially debuted during the Ubisoft Forward with a cinematic trailer, which confirmed the game’s release for Nintendo Switch. Speculation is rife that the game will come to the much-rumored Nintendo Switch Pro, but nothing is concrete yet. Nintendo’s Direct conference is taking place this Tuesday, and if a Switch Pro is announced there, it’s likely that it’ll support Sparks of Hope – but until any confirmation, it’s all speculation.
The trailer opens with Mario, and one of the Rabbids dressed in the attire of Princess Peach. They land their spaceship on a stormy and cloudy planet, armed with laser guns, hunting for a mysterious threat. They’re confronted by an array of enemies, from bombs with glowing eyes to an extra-large Rabbid. They’re all under the control of an ominous purple specter called Cursa, with tentacles and a spiral for a face.
Nintendo and Ubisoft confirmed that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will continue the turn-based RPG gameplay of the first, but with a bigger focus on open-world mechanics than before. Instead of linear levels, there will be planets to explore that are sandbox hubs for players to complete. Ubisoft confirmed there will be nine playable characters, though we don’t yet know who they all are. Based on the trailer, you can expect to play as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and an assortment of Nintendo-themed Rabbids.
While we don’t know if Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will launch on the rumored Switch Pro, we do know that we will be able to get our hands on it in some form or fashion next year!
