Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the sequel to the surprising crossover between the world of Mario and the Rabbids series with turn-based tactics, and in many ways it's a bolder game than its predecessor. The team of heroes, which alongside Mario, Luigi, and Peach includes their Rabbid counterparts, this time leaves the Mushroom Kingdom and travels by spaceship between several planets, each with its own theme, inhabitants, and pile of side quests. A new threat named Cursa is destroying light itself, and the heroes collect Sparks, small creatures born from the fusion of a Luma and a Rabbid.

The key change from the first game is the abandonment of the square grid. During their turn, characters move freely within a range circle, can dash toward an enemy, knock them down with a slide, bounce off a teammate to gain height, and only then fire — and if they haven't fired yet, they can keep repositioning. Combat gains a fluidity and improvisation that grid-based games usually lack. Sparks function as equipment granting elemental effects or defensive traits, and swapping them between characters is the main source of tactical combinations. Outside of battle, players explore colorful worlds full of puzzles and hidden items.

On Switch the game runs steadily and looks noticeably richer than the first entry, albeit at the cost of occasional frame drops in denser scenes. The humor stays scattered and zany, yet the game also maintains a surprisingly serious tone in its main storyline. The music blends orchestral motifs with playful themes, and the soundtrack features well-known composers tied to the games industry. Reception was good, although commercially the game didn't reach the success of its predecessor. Today it's one of the most approachable tactics games on the platform, one that even someone afraid of the genre can handle. Adjustable difficulty, the option to skip battles, and a generous helping of side content make it an ideal family title that still has plenty to offer an experienced strategist.