This sequel frees up movement by ditching the grid for looser, open exploration. The Sparks add varied powers and the planets brim with activities, making for a tactics game more accessible and colorful than the first.
Your verdict
Category
Tactics1 player7+
Description
Mario and the Rabbids head back to space to free planets from a malevolent entity. Published by Ubisoft, released worldwide in 2022. Tactical battles with free movement, Spark creatures granting varied powers, planets to explore and a light, colourful tone.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Dropping the grid for free movement clearly smooths the battles and opens welcome tactical options, letting you map out your own field of action. The Sparks, with varied powers to equip on your heroes, add a layer of customisation that renews interest. Colourful, secret-filled planets shape a light-toned progression. The difficulty stays accessible, sometimes a touch too much, and some will prefer the rigour of the original grid. As a confident evolution, it remains tactically rich and highly recommendable.
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Massive"
The shift to a semi-open world changes everything: between islands to explore freely, numerous side quests and a system of Sparks to collect, the adventure gains a scope the previous entry lacked. Combat challenges and hidden zones reward curiosity. That step up in generosity, faithful to the Mario spirit, pleasantly prolongs the tactical fun.
Technical info
💾6,5 GB📅20/10/2022
Published by Ubisoft
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Nintendo Switch) price, value & rarity
By ditching the grid, Sparks of Hope makes its bosses feel alive: free movement, chained slides and Spark powers open countless approaches. Cursa and her minions turn the arena into a shifting puzzle where positioning and timing rule. You relish the tactical freedom as much as the flair of every showdown.
Is Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope still worth playing in 2026?
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope refines the first game's formula boldly. Dropping the grid for free movement clearly smooths the fights and opens welcome tactical options. The Sparks, creatures with varied powers to equip on the heroes, add a layer of customization that renews interest. The colorful, secret-filled planets to explore pleasantly structure the lighthearted progression. The difficulty stays accessible, sometimes a touch too much, and some will miss the rigor of the original grid. But as a confident evolution, the game remains tactically rich and well worth recommending.
