Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
By David Chapman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cult classic crossover gets a (inter)stellar sequel.
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Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
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Based on 3 parent reviews
What’s It About?
The most "bwah"-some team-up in video games is back for another crossover tale in MARIO + RABBIDS: SPARKS OF HOPE. Mario, his friends, and his new Rabbid allies have just started to unwind from their last heroic odyssey when another epic adventure literally falls from the sky in the form of "Sparks," strange new hybrids that are part Rabbid and part Luma. These mysterious new creatures are being hunted by Cursa, an evil entity bent on absorbing the power of the Sparks and using that power to spread its Darkmess corruption throughout the universe. To rescue the Sparks and put a stop to Cursa's scheme, Mario, his friends, and their Rabbid doppelgangers will need to travel throughout the galaxy, freeing various planets and their people on their way to Cursa's stronghold. Along the way, they'll discover some new and familiar faces willing to join the fight against a common foe, as well as the hidden secret behind Cursa and the Darkmess.
Is It Any Good?
The crackpot idea of teaming Nintendo's iconic mascot with Ubisoft's loony Rabbids and then topping that off by throwing them into a turn-based strategy game seemed like a crazy concept. And yet, not only was it a huge hit, but it spawned this eagerly anticipated sequel: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. With some mighty Mario-sized boots to fill, Sparks of Hope does the plumber proud by easily leaping over the high bar set by the original. It does everything a sequel is meant to do and then some.
Sparks of Hope improves on the already impressive first game in just about every way. The game replaces the original's grid-based movement by allowing players to move anywhere within their movement range. The new playable characters don't just expand the roster -- they genuinely add to the story and to the unique strategic possibilities their special abilities bring to the mix, such as using Rabbid Rosalina's ability to put enemies to sleep before taking them out with Edge's ability to dash multiple times in a turn. The planet-hopping theme of the game's plot gives players a wide range of environments to explore and introduces them to an expanded cast of fun characters in the series' ever growing universe. And with all of the extra collectibles, hidden secrets, and side missions to find, it always feels like there's something more to discover. Whether you loved the original or are just experiencing the mayhem of the series for the first time, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is one of the best crossovers in gaming, and a must-play for Switch owners of all ages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about crossovers. What are some examples of games that mash up multiple popular franchises? How can crossover games or characters help to draw more interest to the games themselves or to the different franchises they draw from?
What are some positive ways video games can show players how to work with others to overcome obstacles and accomplish certain goals? How can those lessons translate from gaming into the real world?
Game Details
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Pricing structure: Paid ($59.99)
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: UbiSoft
- Release date: October 20, 2022
- Genre: Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Adventures , Friendship , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires , Space and Aliens
- ESRB rating: E10+ for Cartoon Violence
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 17, 2022
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