The [original game](https://youtu.be/DqH-iwA0ZmU) was the culmination of a longstanding partnership between Nintendo and Ubisoft: a Mario and Rabbids crossover the likes of which the world had never seen. This game was leaked throughout late 2016 and early 2017, with details circulating that it was a turn based strategy game with music composed by Banjo-Kazooie composer Grant Kirkhope. Apparently these early leaks were very disparaging to the development team when they happened.
But after a stellar showing at E3 2017, the game released later that August to strong reviews and great sales. A DLC season pass was soon announced, rolling out its contents throughout 2017 and early 2018. This all capped off with the [Donkey Kong Adventure](https://youtu.be/kYE7i3RWL1k), which released in June 2018 and gave the Mario + Rabbids world a taste of the banana fueled ape in action.
A [sequel](https://youtu.be/VHIuHMv3t88) seemed all but certain at this point, but rumblings didn’t begin until early 2021 when the new official Mario Rabbids Twitter handle was approved. Things settled for a bit… until Nintendo accidentally leaked the game on their website the day of its formal announcement. Uh… oops. Nevertheless it was announced, taking the crew beyond the stars and blursing the world with these new Rabbid Luma hybrid creatures called Sparks. It’s currently planned for a 2022 release.
But what about the games themselves? Well they’re Mario’s first foray into the realm of turn based strategy games, taking clear inspiration from the likes of similar cover based faire like XCOM. The games have a bevy of secrets and unlocks to discover, skill trees to upgrade, and a bunch of entertaining cutscenes featuring the cosplaying Rabbids, who are actually endearing and not irritating for a change.