Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Review

After waiting all day for it to arrive, I load Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (MRKB) into my Switch and almost instantly, I was in love.

MRKB is not like any other Mario game you have played before, it's not like any other Rabbid game you may have played before, but it has a strong X-COM vibe to it, with surprisingly deep, strategic battles.

The game plays like a combination of X-COM for the battles and a 3D Mario overworld for the sections between battles. This includes various types of puzzles and one extra annoying maze section reasonably early on in the game's first world.

I'm not that far in—completed the first world, the maps are numbered in a similar style to Mario's—eg: 1-1 etc, making preparations to start the second as I type this out. Applying Skill Orbs to characters, buying new weapons, and trying to figure out the best party members to use that I have available to me thus far.

One thing that initially struck me was the amazing soundtrack by the revered Grant Kirkhope, former composer for Rare. So you know I'm not exaggerating when I say it's a fantastic soundtrack.

In the overworld sections you control a small device known as BEEP-O; this is effectively your movement cursor. You pick up coins, solve puzzles, and engage in battles in clearly signposted areas, so you can prepare fully.

You start off facing quite weak and easy to dispatch enemies but will soon be facing foes that are slightly more difficult to fell, with different gimmicks, such as the Smashers; who will, when fired upon, go towards the character that shot them and try for massive damage, or the Hoppers who are more prone to using the Team Jump mechanic to fly around the battlefield.

The enemy types definitely have a say in how you will play, I have found that having a mix of long- and medium-range has served me best so far through my trial and error. Unexpectedly, Luigi (the non-Rabbid version) is an incredible sniper.

The game itself is the cutest strategy game I have ever played, the characterization of the Rabbids, those manic little rabbit-like creatures, is absolutely fantastic. Peach Rabbid is a vapid, selfie-taking maniac, but she can heal your heroes and create a shield around herself. Rabbid Luigi is quite boring, however, doesn't do a lot in telling you why you should keep him your party after you get Luigi Prime, but only his gameplay is boring; his character, especially when combined with Rabbid Peach, can create some truly hilarious moments.

When battle ensues, your characters are placed on a grid a-la Fire Emblem and other games in the strategy genre. Like other games in the genre, the battles are turn-based and slow-paced, allowing you to fully survey the battlefield and plan your moves, taking cover, firing on your enemies with either a primary weapon or secondary weapon, and/or casting an ability. Secondary weapons and abilities have cooldowns but these can be reduced on the skill board, with skill orbs, which can be unlocked either through completing certain stages or through the environmental puzzles.

If you are looking for something a bit different, this is the game for you. If you enjoy strategy games, this is the game for you. If you want more of the same, then I would suggest at least trying it out if you have a mate with a Switch and seeing how you feel; if the characters don't grab you, the gameplay will. This game has no right to be as good as it is, but you won't hear me complain.