Nintendo Direct Mini: Bowser joins the team in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

Mario Rabbids Sparks Of Hope Bowser
Mario Rabbids Sparks Of Hope Bowser (Image credit: Ubisoft)

What you need to know

  • Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a sequel to the 2017 title Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
  • During today's Nintendo Direct it was announced that Bowser is one of the characters on your team.
  • Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope releases October 20, 2022.
  • There will be a specific Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Showcase tomorrow at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET.

During today's Nintendo Direct Mini, we officially learned that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will be releasing on Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2022. This comes after the release date was shown on the Ubisoft website the day prior. Additionally, during the Direct Mini, we learned that Bowser will be joining Mario and the rest of the team and was even depicted holding a massive canon.

Sparks of Hope is a strategic turn-based game in the vein of XCOM. Players take control of Mushroom Kingdom characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi along with their Rabbid dopplegangers. Each character has their own unique weapons and skills that must be used tactically in battle.

The game initiates turn-based battle sequences whenever you come across an enemy on the map. Each character can move freely within their movement range and can duck behind obstacles to better avoid taking fire. When your team's turn is over, the enemy gets to attack so make sure your characters find cover.

The Direct Mini also revealed that there will be a separate Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Showcase tomorrow at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET with additional information.

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.