TheMario + Rabbidsseries has been somewhat of a surprise hit for both Nintendo and Ubisoft. WhenMario + Rabbids Kingdom Battlewas first revealed back in 2017, Nintendo fans were pretty divided. On one hand, aMariostrategy game sounded like a bold new direction for the franchise, and an exciting possibility, but on the other hand, the Rabbids weren’t exactly a hot property anymore, having peaked in the Wii era. While the Rabbids have proven their worth in bothMario + Rabbids Kingdom Battleand the recently releasedMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, some fans are still hoping to see aMariostrategy game without them.
Debuting in 2006 in the party gameRayman Raving Rabbids, the Rabbids have been a divisive entity ever since. Seen constantly spewing loud, incoherent nonsense, the Rabbids have drawn a lot of comparisons to Illumination’s Minions, and as such have attracted a lot of hate over the years. But despite this, they remain a focal point of theMario + Rabbidsfranchise, and some fans think it’s time for a change.
RELATED:Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review
It’s Time for a Strategy Game Focused Solely on Super Mario
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battleproved that a Mario turn-based strategy game could work, andMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopeshowed that there’s some real potential behind the idea. An adventure that spans a range of vibrant biomes, featuring some of the most iconicSuper Mariocharacters, with surprisingly complex combat mechanics that are both intuitive and deeply engaging,theMario + Rabbidsfranchisedeserves all the praise it gets, but there’s room for the franchise to expand, and the next step could be to cut the Rabbids altogether.
The Rabbids are an integral part of theMario + Rabbidsformula, and their contribution to the game shouldn’t be understated. The Rabbids bring a great deal of hero variety to the series, with Rabbid versions of characters having their own unique abilities and statistics. For instance, having both a Rabbid Peach and a regular version of Peach increases the amount of hero variety in the game, and adds new strategy and gameplay mechanics for the player. The same can be said withMario + Rabbids' enemy variety, as the series can have both regular versions ofclassicSuper Marioenemies, and Rabbid versions, each requiring their own strategy to take down.
The Rabbids also add a quirky type of humor to the game. While the Rabbids' over-the-top, farcical approach to comedy might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it does add a unique layer of comedy to the series, one whichMariofans don’t often see. ThoughMariogames are always lighthearted and bright, they’re not always funny, and that’s an element that the Rabbids do add.
That being said, some fans argue that the Rabbids actually get in the way of some of Nintendo’s influence. With Ubisoft taking the helm,Mario + Rabbidscan occasionally feel as though the Mario cast is just along for the ride, as opposed to feeling like a genuine Mario-led adventure. If Nintendo was to take the groundwork ofMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, and bring it to its ownMariostrategy series, then that would allow for a potentially more polished, more Mario-centric experience.
With Nintendo developing its own Mario strategy game, the series would be free to use a plethora of iconic Mario locations. WhileMario + Rabbids Kingdom BattleandSparks of Hopeboth take players to the Mushroom Kingdom and other classicMariolocations, the games also feature many nondescript, fantasy-esque settings. A Nintendo-led Mario strategy game could take fans to any beloved locations from past games. This would also allow for moreSuper Mariocharacters and enemies to be present, rather than generic Rabbid sorcerers or fantasy-themed foot soldiers. The Rabbids aren’t without their purpose, but a standalone Mario strategy game could offer a lot more of what fans want.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hopeis available for the Nintendo Switch.
