Mario + Rabbids Sequel Officially Announced

Possibly the most surprising release (if not with its existence, then certainly with how well it played) of the Nintendo Switch’s first year, was undoubtedly the odd cross-over of Nintendo’s Mario series, with Ubisoft’s Rabbids. Resulting in the turn-based, XCOM-like strategic RPG, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. Four years later, a sequel has finally been announced in the form of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. And judging from the game’s artwork as well as its initial premise — as revealed on Nintendo’s official site — Sparks of Hope looks to be taking influence from the Super Mario Galaxy games, so far as setting goes.

Sparks of Hope sees the returning troupe of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Rabbid Peach and Rabbid Luigi venturing across multiple planets across the galaxy to rescue Sparks from a new malevolent entity. How this translates into gameplay — and how, if at all, the original’s turn-based combat has been altered or improved — however, is for the moment unknown. Hopefully we’ll see more of the sequel in action either during Ubisoft’s presentation later today or Nintendo’s own Direct showing on Tuesday. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope hits Nintendo Switch sometime next year.