Not many gamers would have foreseen a crossover between the Mario and Rabbids universes, but the Ubisoft brainchild exceeded the expectations of even the most optimistic fans with the performance of its debut game, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. The tactical RPG turned out to be one of the best games of the year upon its release in 2017, taking home The Game Awards for Best Sim/Strategy Game for its efforts. Given its phenomenal performance in sales and reviews, it was clear Ubisoft would pursue a sequel for the new feel-good nostalgic title, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope followed shortly after. However, some of the characters - like the Yoshis - who made the first edition so popular did not return for a second appearance in the sequel, much to gamers' disappointment. Ubisoft could take advantage of a new DLC coming to Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope to bring back Yoshis to satisfy its fans.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle got so much praise for its unique spin on turn-based strategy and RPG elements, providing gamers with the best of both worlds by creating a perfect blend between the two categories. Such a feat had never been seen on such a successful scale, and Ubisoft was rewarded for its efforts at The Game Awards. Developing a sequel to an award-winning game is difficult, as developers have to find the right balance between retaining elements that made the first installment a success and introducing enough new details to avoid the pitfall of recycled content. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope made its decision of things to keep, and unfortunately, Yoshis from the Mario franchise did not make the final cut. However, with the Tower of Doooom DLC coming up soon, Ubisoft could reintroduce the fan-favorite characters.
Why Yoshis in Mario + Rabbids' DLC Could Help Ubisoft Overcome Its Struggles
Ubisoft is currently riding in rough waters, as the developer recently announced the cancelation of a host of titles in the wake of its newly-tightened budget costs. According to reports, some of Ubisoft's flag bearers, such as Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope and Just Dance 2023, underperformed in sales despite an energetic advertising campaign by the developer, a fact that came as a shock to most fans of the franchise. Discussions are reportedly holding about the financial aspect of the game, and there are rumors that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope might be in jeopardy.
The scheduled upcoming Tower of Doooom DLC could prove pivotal in Ubisoft's efforts to get out of its recent slump, and the developer could turn to the Yoshis to add extra spice to the gameplay of Sparks of Hope. The Yoshis were a popular staple of teams in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle thanks to their ability to hover over a battlefield, allowing them to reach certain areas other characters couldn't. Their hovering abilities added another layer of strategy to Kingdom Battle's gameplay, and the dinosaurs also provided mobile support across the map.
These unique abilities, combined with their affinity to throw opponents across the map, made them some of the most resourceful characters featured in Kingdom Battle. Additionally, the Yoshis were very affable characters, exciting fans with their quirky animations and silly antics. They were a great selling point to the family-friendly appeal of the Mario + Rabbids crossover, and their omission was a noticeable one.
Ubisoft reportedly has a plan in place to get the Mario + Rabbids franchise back on track financially. The series is fresh off another win at The Game Awards, with Sparks of Hope taking home the Best Sim/Strategy Game, just like its predecessor. The inclusion of the Yoshis in Sparks of Hope would do wonders to provide a content boost to the title, as the sense of familiarity and nostalgia the characters bring to fans of the first few Mario games is too good to pass up.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is available now for Nintendo Switch.