Note: I played the game using the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode.
On paper, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is game that shouldn’t work as well as it does. Through eye-popping visuals, great music, and unique gameplay, the Switch exclusive title is one that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
In terms of genre categorization, Kingdom Battle is a few. Wikipedia describes it as being a “turn-based tactical role playing video game,” and while I’d agree, it should also be noted that the title features lighthearted shooter mechanics that only a Mario game could pull off. It’s fun, simple, and easy to understand.
Visually, Kingdom Battle is outstanding. With Super Mario Odyssey coming out later this year, the game needed to differentiate its art style – it did just that. Mario, his friends, and the Rabbids resemble old-school 3D platformers of the 1990s reimagined with HD character assets. While the Nintendo Switch is an underpowered system, it makes great use of the specs that it holds.
The demo ran for twenty minutes, which game me a decent amount of time to play around with Kingdom Battle‘s mechanics. I understood what to do right away, which had me interested to find out special moves and learn all about the customization offered in-game. Whether it be a blaster or melee move, both were fun to use.
I mentioned simplicity as a good trait of the Mario + Rabbids game, but upon thinking back, I soon realized that its simple mechanics could be classified as a pro or con. While it’s extremely easy to get immersed in, it also gets repetitive quickly. Now, this might be result of the demo offering limited content, but it also might be the game’s lack of said content. This is a concern of mine that will only be answered when I get to play the title again, for an extended amount of time.
A huge highlight of this upcoming game is the music. Composed by the legendary Grant Kirkhope, its sounds are wonderful for the ears and fit the atmosphere set by the game’s style.
There is a charm to Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle that I admire. I can tell that Ubisoft and Nintendo took time to polish this game and enhance it to full potential. This is a title that every Switch owner should pick up, no matter the type of gamer you may be.
