The Mario + Rabbids series of crossover strategy games has been one of gaming's biggest surprises in recent years. Despite many criticizing the odd collaboration between Nintendo and Ubisoft, Kingdom Battle's 2017 release saw critical and commercial acclaim with many praising the game's new characters and turn-based gameplay. Kingdom Battle's success on the Switch prompted a follow-up from Ubisoft who revealed Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope last year. Now, with Nintendo's recent showcase revealing Sparks of Hope's release date, a new trailer gives players a look at the upcoming sequel's roster.
During a showcase packed with major announcements from Nintendo's third-party developers, Ubisoft showed off the Mario + Rabbids sequel. The presentation showcased Mario + Rabbids' new free-roam strategy style as well as new techniques players could use in battle. The trailer concluded by confirming Sparks of Hope's October 20th release date, as well as revealing more information to come during Ubisoft's own presentation the following day. A trailer shown during the Sparks of Hope event gives players a closer look at the game's cast of characters.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope's "Team Trailer" introduces players to the unique group featured within the sequel. Mario will be joined by franchise staples in his brother Luigi and Princess Peach as well as each character's Rabbid counterpart returning from the first game. Sparks of Hope will also feature three new playable characters with the previously revealed Rabbid Rosalina being joined by the sword-wielding Rabbid Edge and even Kingdom Battle antagonist Bowser
The trailer also shows off some weapons the game's characters have at their disposal. Mario and Luigi wield similar weapons to the first game with Mario sporting dual blasters and Luigi sniping enemies with a bow. Sparks of Hope also shows off some of the new characters' techniques with Bowser able to blast enemies from afar with his rocket launcher and newcomer Edge slicing down enemies with his sword. While Rabbid Rosalina's weapon was not shown in the Team Trailer, the game's release date trailer revealed that she uses a Luma-shaped "kaboomer."
Sparks of Hope joins a recent Mario lineup that has seen the iconic plumber branching out into a plethora of spinoffs. Mario sports games have seen a resurgence in recent years between last year's Mario Golf: Super Rush and the release of Mario Strikers: Battle League earlier this month. Mario's return to the silver screen has also been in the works from film studio Illumination, though Shigeru Miyamoto recently confirmed the Super Mario film's delay to 2023. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope will look to carry on the success of Kingdom Battle when it releases later this year.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope will release on October 20 for Nintendo Switch.