Ubisoft announced Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope at E3 2021, which will be released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Like its predecessor, Sparks of Hope is a tactical shooter, in the same vein as the XCOM series.
Sparks of Hope is the sequel to Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. While Kingdom Battle stayed within the Mushroom Kingdom, Spark of Hope will involve an intergalactic adventure. Mario and his friends will be joined by Sparks, which are Rabbid versions of the Luma from Super Mario Galaxy. These Sparks will grant the party special attacks and abilities that can be used in battle. The team is now joined by Rabbid Rosalina, further connecting the game to Super Mario Galaxy.
The story of Sparks of Hope involves Mario and the Rabbids traveling from world to world in a spaceship, as they face an eldritch horror named Cursa and her legions of servants. Mario and his crew will journey across the galaxy and encounter an anime hero-inspired Rabbid, who seems like a reference to Cloud Strife from FF7. Cursa's minions include possessed Bob-ombs, Rabbid-style Shy Guys, and a large cat monster that seems to be a major antagonist. A cinematic trailer has been uploaded to the official Ubisoft YouTube channel.
A gameplay trailer has also been uploaded to the Ubisoft YouTube channel. In order to stop Cursa, they must use the power of the Sparks, who each possess unique elemental abilities that can be unleashed in combat. Mario and his team are also seen using new weapons, as he now dual-wields pistols and Luigi uses a bow. The player will be able to choose from nine different characters for their team, which can be upgraded in order to make them more effective in battle.
The existence of this game doesn't come as a surprise as it leaked on Nintendo's own website before it was announced. It's still a welcome addition to the Nintendo Switch's upcoming schedule, which is looking bare. The original Mario + Rabbids game was odd for a number of reasons, as the characters and style didn't seem to mesh with the strategic gameplay that was on offer. Kingdom Battle was still a lot of fun, and Sparks of Hope has the chance to improve on the formula of the original game, in the same way that it's expanding the scope of the game world.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will be released for Nintendo Switch in 2022.