Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle Reviews
Easily the best game the Rabbids have ever been in and quite possibly Mario's best non-Nintendo spin-off.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a must have for Switch-owning fans of turn-based tactical games. More importantly, such is the style and depth on offer that it's also ideal for those that haven't played much of the genre, for whom 'X-COM' sounds like a silly acronym from a war movie. It introduces the concept in the best possible way, and then utilises its own ideas for what becomes a smart and - at times - deliciously challenging experience.It's perfectly acceptable to be surprised by Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, as many have been since its E3 reveal. The end result delivers on all of the potential that we could suddenly see back in June; even if you don't actually like the Rabbids, this game - and its familiar Mario cast and setting - is so good that Ubisoft's mascots are likeable. Well, almost.
While Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle may have been the crossover that no one wanted, it's materialised as a really good one with some interesting systems, despite its smattering of shortcomings. It shouldn't work, but it does.
The Switch has had a great debut year, and Mario + Rabbids is another, if unexpected, excellent addition to its software library.
Overall, I must say, I was really impressed by my time with Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. It's a polished X-Com style game that removes some of the obtuse layers to ensure the early gameplay curve is accessible, uses humor very well, and kept me coming back for more.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle has a special charm to it, which is something I didn't expect to say when first hearing about the project. While the allure of these two franchises coming together may be the draw for many, the surprising depth to its combat and the replayability that it offers are the real highlights. The fact that Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle turned out as well as it did makes me hope to see Nintendo work with other developers again in the future to utilize their beloved characters in new, unique ways just like this.
"Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle" has lots of charmingly frivolous things to think about and it's easy to collapse into its world of tactical antics because its gameplay is so absorbing. In the most complimentary sense, it feels like something Nintendo might have done if its humor was a bit more rough.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle features excellent turn-based strategy gameplay and buttery smooth combat and animations. A fluid and fun must-have for Switch owners and strategy fans alike.
Ubisoft nailed its first outing with Mario, hitting all the beats with its humor, story, music, and graphics. To say that it does Super Mario justice would undersell what the publisher accomplished. This is a Mario game through and through, and fans will love it.
Mario + Rabbids KIngdom isn't going to be a game that appeals to everyone with the slow pace and limited gameplay. It would need to be full multiplayer rather than optional co-op with a range of modes for that. However, it does have fun and casual nature and an easy going game for younger players to pick up.
Mario + Rabbids: The Battle of the Kingdom is one of the most unexpected and beautiful games of the year, which carries with it a deep tactical gameplay with the integration of role-playing and adventure elements. If you own a Nintendo Switch, you should buy this game.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a strange mix-up, with surprisingly deep mechanics and addictive gameplay. Almost like a Nintendo version of the Xcom-series.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle looks, plays and sounds better than you would've ever expected from such a confusing crossover - an interesting take on the X-COM formula that can start to feel tedious, but starts amazingly and will keep many players stuck into the turn-based strategy shooter.
All of the nods to the Mario universe, how many staples of said universe feature in how the gameplay works with this unique title and the attention to every little detail makes this not only a fresh take on a classic character, but possibly my favorite Mario game ever.
With every successive stage the potential dangers grow, and new ones are always being added to the pile.
Nintendo and Ubisoft's partnership to develop Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle for the Switch was a brilliant idea and we want more!
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle combines one of the most beloved names in video games with a horde of manic, cartoon rabbits for a surprisingly satisfying turn-based strategy experience.
That a crossover as bonkers as "Mario plus Rabbids by way of XCOM" even exists is to be celebrated, and fortunately it's an absorbing title that's only slightly diminished by some simplistic cover mechanics.
It shouldn't work, but Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle coalesces into something that shows a reverence to Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom, but isn't afraid to challenge its ideas. It's a wonderful game in its own right, and a bit of magic for Nintendo's Switch that's far better than it has any right to be.
Mario + Rabbids delivers a fun and refreshing take on the Mario experience that only scratches the surface of this new tactical shooter's potential. Difficulty can vary wildly and the inability to save mid-battle might frustrate some folks while also making the game a bit tough for a younger audience. Its combination of humor and solid tactical gameplay, however, makes the game exactly the kind of title that Nintendo needs from third-party developers to build up its new system's library.