July 28th 2024.
It's hard to believe, but it's been seven years since we last saw a new 3D Mario game with Super Mario Odyssey. With the highly anticipated release of the Switch 2 on the horizon, it's no surprise that fans are eagerly awaiting news of a new Mario game, possibly even as a launch title. While I personally enjoyed Odyssey, I wouldn't say it's the best Mario game on the Switch.
In fact, there have been many other fantastic Mario games released on the Switch, such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Bowser's Fury, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Super Mario Maker 2, and even two Mario Party games. And let's not forget about the amazing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. However, none of these titles are my personal favorite. In light of recent news that the director of Ubisoft's Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is leaving the company, I'd like to make the claim that this game is not only the best Mario game on the Switch, but also the best strategy game of the current generation.
It's not often that Nintendo allows other companies to work with their beloved characters, but when they do, it's usually for minor spin-offs or remasters. However, Ubisoft was given the opportunity to create a Mario game, which was a big deal considering most non-Nintendo made Mario games are typically developed by Japanese studios. This explains why the director of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope was famously emotional when he received a shout-out from none other than Shigeru Miyamoto himself at E3.
The first game in the series, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, was a surprisingly solid turn-based strategy game, similar to XCOM. And while the idea of Mario and his friends using guns may seem strange, it actually made for a fun and challenging game, especially for those new to the genre. But the sequel, Sparks of Hope, is even better in every way. It offers more variety and clever boss battles, and the absence of a grid system for movement makes the gameplay feel even more fluid.
I would even go as far as to say that the combat in Sparks of Hope is better than XCOM because of its flexibility. Each character has their own unique abilities, weapons, and skill trees, making for a hero shooter-style approach to the strategy genre. And while it can be a challenging game, even on the normal difficulty setting, the graphics are top-notch and rival any of the Switch's best games. If it weren't for the Rabbids, you'd never guess this wasn't a Nintendo-made game.
Unfortunately, the game was a sales disappointment, likely due to the fact that people were still purchasing the first installment. However, this means that you can now find it at a very reasonable price at most stores. I highly recommend picking it up, not only because it's a fantastic game, but also because we may never see another game like it again now that the director has moved on from Ubisoft. So if you're a fan of Mario and strategy games, don't miss out on this gem.
To conclude, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a must-play for any Switch owner, and possibly even the best Mario game on the system. Its fantastic gameplay, beautiful graphics, and unexpected collaboration between Nintendo and Ubisoft make it a truly unique and enjoyable experience. And who knows, maybe with enough support, we'll see a sequel in the future. But for now, let's appreciate this hidden gem and all it has to offer.
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