Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

The crackpot idea of teaming Nintendo's iconic mascot with Ubisoft's loony Rabbids and then topping that off by throwing them into a turn-based strategy game seemed like a crazy concept. And yet, not only was it a huge hit, but it spawned this eagerly anticipated sequel: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. With some mighty Mario-sized boots to fill, Sparks of Hope does the plumber proud by easily leaping over the high bar set by the original. It does everything a sequel is meant to do and then some.

Sparks of Hope improves on the already impressive first game in just about every way. The game replaces the original's grid-based movement by allowing players to move anywhere within their movement range. The new playable characters don't just expand the roster -- they genuinely add to the story and to the unique strategic possibilities their special abilities bring to the mix, such as using Rabbid Rosalina's ability to put enemies to sleep before taking them out with Edge's ability to dash multiple times in a turn. The planet-hopping theme of the game's plot gives players a wide range of environments to explore and introduces them to an expanded cast of fun characters in the series' ever growing universe. And with all of the extra collectibles, hidden secrets, and side missions to find, it always feels like there's something more to discover. Whether you loved the original or are just experiencing the mayhem of the series for the first time, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is one of the best crossovers in gaming, and a must-play for Switch owners of all ages.