Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

StopGame (4 out of 4)

Сложно поверить, но первый топовый эксклюзив для Switch сделала сторонняя студия. Mario + Rabbids сочетает в себе всё лучшее, что есть у AAA-проектов «Большой N», а также тактическую часть, которая порадует как новичков, так и ветеранов пошаговых сражений. Здешние проблемы так же несерьёзны, как сами кролеги, а потому я с чистой совестью рекомендую вам полюбить запах напалма поутру, даже если вы никогда не притрагивались к играм этого жанра.

Girl Gamers UK ( )

I love Mario, and I love Rabbids. But I have to admit that expectations were not high for this title. As it turns out, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is one of the best games I have played this year, across all of the platforms. It is surprisingly deep, there is plenty of challenge, and it is so funny. If you own a Switch and enjoy the idea of tactical battles in the Mushroom Kingdom, this is an essential purchase. Even if you have never played a tactical game in your life, pick up Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle anyway, as there is so much here to enjoy. Excellent!

Gamer.no (9 out of 10)

Sprekkeferdig av kreativitet og skaparglede.

Nintendo Life ( )

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a must have for Switch-owning fans of turn-based tactical games. More importantly, such is the style and depth on offer that it's also ideal for those that haven't played much of the genre, for whom 'X-COM' sounds like a silly acronym from a war movie. It introduces the concept in the best possible way, and then utilises its own ideas for what becomes a smart and - at times - deliciously challenging experience. It's perfectly acceptable to be surprised by Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, as many have been since its E3 reveal. The end result delivers on all of the potential that we could suddenly see back in June; even if you don't actually like the Rabbids, this game - and its familiar Mario cast and setting - is so good that Ubisoft's mascots are likeable. Well, almost.

Gadgets360 (9 out of 10)

All in all, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a fantastic addition to the Switch line-up, and it’s also a great strategy game that brings fresh ideas to the genre.

Way Too Many Games (9 out of 10)

I fully recommend Mario + Rabbids if you own a Switch. Never thought I’d actually say that, but this is one of the most original and funny Mario games in years, a very decent beginner-friendly entry into the tactics genre. This game is proof that, sometimes, being completely crazy pays off. Nintendo, please, Rabbid Peach for Smash.

NintendoWorldReport (9 out of 10)

Despite hiccups in handheld mode, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was more than I hoped it would be. It’s one of those rare instances where the positive pre-release reception was totally justified and made the ultimate pay-off even better. The developers at Ubisoft Milan and Paris took their time to figure what works about strategy games and elevated it to a form that can be enjoyed by many. Add to that the pure cleverness of the adventure, and what results in an absolute must play for Nintendo Switch owners. This is the best game the Rabbids have starred in and they only needed Mario to achieve it.

Slant ( )

It’s a testament to director David Soliani and producer Xavier Manzanares that Mario + Rabbids never scans as a lazy attempt to make money off of the biggest mascot in video-game history. With the constant inclusion of pipes, that famous Super Mario Bros. device, to facilitate everything from ambushes to desperately needed escape routes, the game even outdoes the majority of Nintendo-developed titles. (Not since the labyrinthine seventh world from 1988’s Super Mario Bros. 3 has pipe-traveling proven this imaginative.) As the camera allows you to observe the silhouettes of spinning, balled-up characters speeding through the white plumbing, players are offered the most visually distinct take yet on the action that helped make a Nintendo legend.

GameSpot (9 out of 10)

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle exudes off-beat optimism that never dissolves. It's a consistent delight, no matter how challenging the road becomes, because Kingdom Battle's unique turn-based tactics system is in every way a pleasure to engage with. Coupled with the annoyingly infectious allure of Rabbids, and the always delightful, colorful world of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is an implausibly engrossing formula that is positively challenging and endlessly charming.

USgamer (4.5 out of 5)

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is a game that sounds like it shouldn't be any good. On the contrary, Ubisoft has crafted a charming adventure for Mario and its Rabbids. The game streamlines the strategy combat experience while still offering surprising depth. Its world is absolutely beautiful, full of color, life, and hints of Mario's long history. Mario + Rabbids has no right being this good. It's not perfect, but it stands as one of the better gaming surprises of 2017.

Digitally Downloaded ( )

Mario + Rabbids could have been so much worse than this, but somehow Ubisoft’s really done something special with it. And, as one of the rare cases where Nintendo has loaned its most precious property out to a third party, Ubisoft has done something that, I hope, Nintendo itself will be proud of. I don’t think anyone would have looked at the Mario IP and thought that it would suit a fast-paced XCOM clone. Or the Rabbids, for that matter. But that’s the benefit of having another, creative, company look at a franchise with a fresh set of eyes; we get a new look at something, and the result has been something quite ingenious.

Use a Potion! (9 out of 10)

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle offers a fresh and unique experience that stands out as one of the Nintendo Switch’s best titles.

4Players.de (88 out of 100)

Gratulation an Ubisoft: Das bizarre taktische Experiment rund um Mario und die Randale-Karnickel ist nicht nur gelungen, sondern entfaltet dank wahnwitziger Kettenreaktionen einen gewaltigen Suchtfaktor. Vermutlich werde ich mich auch in den kommenden Tagen nur schwer losreißen können. Die Entwickler haben das Genre clever mit eigenen Ideen angereichert und das Ganze erstaunlich gut umgesetzt, auch wenn man Versus- sowie Online-Matches schmerzlich vermisst und der Schwierigkeitsgrad für Taktikfüchse vielleicht etwas zu handzahm ist. Aber es gibt stetig wachsende Kombos, anspruchsvolle Bosskämpfe und eine entspannende Oberwelt-Erforschung mit eingestreuten Schieberätseln. Überrascht hat mich auch, wie viel Spaß ich in den zusätzlichen Koop-Kampagnen daran hatte, mich ausgiebig mit einem Kollegen abzusprechen. Beim Austüfteln des besten Weges kommt regelrecht Brettspielstimmung auf!

MAN!AC (87 out of 100)

Toll präsentiertes und hervorragend durchdachtes Strategiespiel mit viel Humor, intelligent designten Szenarien und Langzeitmotivation.

GamePro (Germany) (IDG/Webedia) (86 out of 100)

Ausgezeichnetes Mario-Rabbids-Crossover mit wunderschönen Welten, tiefem Charaktersystem und strategischen Kämpfen. Ein Switch-Pflichttitel.

Game Informer Magazine (8.5 out of 10)

Kingdom Battle succeeds by not only what it cribs from the turn-based strategy genre’s leaders, but also by what it adds to the mix.

Jeuxvideo.com (17 out of 20)

Mario + The Lapins Crétins Kingdom Battle est une vraie réussite qui parlera à un spectre de joueurs extrêmement vaste de par son accessibilité, son contenu et sa réalisation. A l’image de la console qui l’héberge, il réussit l’exploit de s’adapter parfaitement aux différents profils et aux différentes situations de jeu. Et si la copie n’est pas parfaite pour autant, elle laisse un très agréable souvenir aux joueurs, qui verront ici une excellente transposition de l’univers Mario dans un tactical pertinent et bien pensé, mais aussi un très bon retour des Lapins Cretins qui signent ici leur meilleure prestation.

Videogameszone (85 out of 100)

Mit den Rabbids konnte ich bisher nicht so viel anfangen, doch als großer Fan von Strategiespielen und Mario-Titeln, war Kingdom Battle seit der Ankündigung auf meinem Wunschzettel. Und trotz der Vorfreude hat es dieser schräge Mix tatsächlich geschafft, mich nochmals positiv zu überraschen. Kingdom Battle ist charmant, detailverliebt, witzig, richtig schick und vor allem haben es die Entwickler geschafft, die Taktik-Kämpfe sowohl einsteigerfreundlich als auch vielseitig und taktisch fordernd zu gestalten. Selbst Splatoon 2 habe ich einige Tage lang für diesen fantastischen Taktik-Spaß links liegen lassen, so sehr hat es mich gefesselt!

VentureBeat / Gamesbeat (85 out of 100)

But its tactical fights are a lot of fun. Ubisoft managed to turn a complex genre into a Mario-friendly experience that never insults the intelligence of its players. Instead, Kingdom Battle can offer a sturdy challenge. The Switch has had a great debut year, and Mario + Rabbids is another excellent, if unexpected, addition to its software library.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) (8.5 out of 10)

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle may not be the deepest tactical RPG, but it delivers a solid all-around experience that takes advantage of the strengths of both Mario and the Rabbids—making for one of the most surprisingly enjoyable game experiences you’re likely to have this year.

411mania.com (8.5 out of 10)

Overall, Mario+Rabbids Kingdom Battle is not as in depth as other tactical RPGs, but offers a good challenge with a lighthearted atmosphere. While it may be an odd Mario entry, it’s definitely one that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Gamers.at ( )

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ist zumindest spielerisch alles andere als Nintendo-typisches, kindgerechtes Abenteuer mit unserem Lieblings-Klempner, denn die teils hammerharten und schweißtreibenden Gefechten fordern selbst von erfahrenen Strategen volle Konzentration sowie ausgeklügelte und variantenreiche Taktiken. Es erreicht vielleicht nicht die enorme Spieltiefe und die Komplexität eines XCOM, aber dank der liebenswerten und charmanten Inszenierung ist es besonders für Nintendo-Fans ein Pflicht-Titel.

Switch Player (4.2 out of 5)

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a mashup that shouldn't work, but does! Taking Nintendo's beloved mascot and combining him with their own, love them or hate them Rabbids - Ubisoft has made a Mario game that feels every bit a Nintendo first party title. Aside from some odd difficulty spikes and a lack of replayability, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a fantastic turn-based strategy title that both newcomers and fans of the genre should definitely experience!

Games.ch (83 out of 100)

Mit „Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle“ lässt Ubisoft nicht nur zwei grundverschiedene Marken miteinander verschmelzen, sondern vereint sie mit den Runentaktikkämpfen in einem Genre, das beiden Reihen bislang mehr oder weniger fremd war. Aber genau das tun die Franzosen mit Erfolg. Gewiss: Wer den Rabbids-Humor nicht sonderlich mag, muss Abstriche machen. Aber selbst die Rabbids-Verächter müssten zugeben, dass in diesem Spiel beides so gekonnt verkoppelt wird, dass man meist den Eindruck haben muss, Mario und die Rabbids hätten schon immer zusammengehört. Die Welten sind wunderschön gestaltet und mit vielen witzigen Elementen, optionalen Rätseln und Challenges ausstaffiert. Die Rundentaktikkämpfe haben es zudem in sich. Denn sie sind mit den zahlreichen Waffen und Fähigkeiten der acht Helden vielseitig und komplex. Zum Ende hin können sie auch Genre-erfahrene Spieler ordentlich fordern.

Polygon (8 out of 10)

Mario + Rabbids manages to walk a narrow road, offering up a legitimately challenging squad tactics experience without alienating the family-friendly Mario audience. While it doesn’t quite have the full layer of spit and polish of an in-house title, Ubisoft’s game comes damn close to capturing that Nintendo magic.

GamesRadar ( )

Mario + Rabbids gives you the action and strategy of XCOM in a way that does justice both to Mario and to the Rabbid’s kooky style. Ubi’s big E3 surprise is an unmissable Switch game.

Digital Trends ( )

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle is not perfect, but most its problems can be ignored because they are relegated to portions of the game you can skip or speed through. The core experience of the game, the battles, are inventive and fun.

Nintendo-Online.de (8 out of 10)

„Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle“ ist ein einzigartiges Spiel mit viel Liebe zum „Mario“-Universum. Das Abenteuer bietet strategische Kämpfe voller cleverer Elemente, herausfordernde und beeindruckende Begegnungen mit Bossgegnern und ein lebendiges Pilzkönigreich überlaufen durch verrückte, doch liebenswerte Rabbids.

IGN (7.7 out of 10)

Based on its colorful world, beautiful animation, and source material you might expect Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle to be “My first turn-based tactics game.” But you’re in for a surprise: even for XCOM vets some of its battles are challenging puzzles. Some of its tougher levels do devolve into a trial-and-error slog, but a good mix of enemies, objectives, and character abilities keep things interesting.

Destructoid (7.5 out of 10)

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle's guts are impressive, but its main event feels like a [good] expansion for a fleshed-out strategy RPG that has more to offer than a great combat system. By the time it opens up halfway in and you really start to delve into the skill tree, it begs to be played. But until then both exploration and some battles feel like going through the motions in a "kinda sorta" tutorial way.

Games TM (7 out of 10)

There's definitely a lot to love here; the environments, the animations, the score, the cast - we even have a begrudging affection for the Rabbids, too. But while the game varies your enemies, what doesn't change is the gameplay... and that'll get stale pretty quickly. Let's face it: there's no reason why Team Mario should team up with Rabbids for anything. Quite how the hell this happened, we have no idea... but we're glad it did.

Giant Bomb ( )

This rollercoaster ride of a turn-based strategy game starts out almost impossibly strong, but by the end I mostly wished it'd been over three hours earlier.

Gameluster N/A

On paper Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle seems like a really bad idea for a crossover, yet in practice it’s a blast. It’s funny to think that when documents were leaked early with the basic idea of Mario + Rabbids people condemned it, then as soon as we experience it everyone changes their tune. This oddball crossover that shouldn’t work ends up making for a wonderful experience that shows plenty of love for both franchises.

de Volkskrant N/A

Blijft de vraag wat precies de meerwaarde is van deze gelegenheidscoalitie van de wereld van het Paddenstoelenrijk en die van de maffe, scheten latende konijnen. Die ligt 'm waarschijnlijk in het feit dat alleen de Rabbids een verhaal mogelijk maken waarbij wartaal brabbelende konijnen in een wasmachine door tijd en ruimte reizen en de eindbaas een kolossale operahaas is die de draak steekt met Super Mario. En dit: Super Mario is in al zijn duizend-en-één eerdere belevenissen altijd een brave borst gebleven. De anarchistisch Rabbids laten zien wat er zou kunnen gebeuren als Nintendo de teugels iets zou laten vieren. Bwááhhh!!

Can't Stop the Movies N/A

All those explanations for Kingdom Battle's success can be boiled down to one simple comparison. Kingdom Battle has the same deceptively simple structure that keeps Checkers in our collective board game repertoire. A clear layout, easy-to-understand rules, and compelling aesthetic get you started. Toss in some platforming awareness, a team that links together lives together, an incremental power creep that builds on all that came before, and you've got a game that - when finished - you'll wish you could start again with fresh eyes. Kingdom Battle is one hell of a surprise, and one that shows platforming has applications well beyond its horizontal predecessors.