Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition: Review

Hey guys! Get ready to dive into the wacky world of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition! This game is an absolute blast, blending the beloved characters of the Mario universe with the chaotic humor of the Rabbids, all wrapped up in a surprisingly deep tactical strategy package. If you're looking for something different, hilarious, and engaging, this might just be your next favorite game. Let's break down what makes this Gold Edition so special and why it's worth your time and money.

What is Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition?

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a crossover tactical role-playing game developed by Ubisoft. Yes, you heard that right – Mario wielding a blaster, teaming up with Rabbids dressed as Peach and Luigi! The game's premise is delightfully absurd: a powerful invention merges the Mario and Rabbids universes, creating chaos and forcing an unlikely alliance to restore order. The Gold Edition takes the original game and adds extra content, making it the definitive version for fans and newcomers alike. It includes the base game along with the Season Pass, which unlocks new weapons, challenges, co-op maps, and the Donkey Kong Adventure story expansion. This expansion alone adds several hours of gameplay, featuring Donkey Kong as a playable character with his unique abilities. The game’s strategic depth is surprisingly robust. You'll be navigating grid-based battlefields, utilizing cover, team jumps, and special abilities to outsmart your opponents. It's not just about brute force; it's about clever positioning and exploiting enemy weaknesses. The Gold Edition enhances this already fantastic experience with additional content that keeps the game fresh and exciting long after you've completed the main story. Whether you're a fan of strategy games, Mario, or the Rabbids, this game has something for everyone. The combination of tactical gameplay, quirky humor, and the charm of the Mario universe makes it a truly unique and enjoyable experience.

Gameplay and Features

The gameplay in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is a delightful mix of turn-based tactics and real-time movement. Each character has unique abilities and weapons that you'll need to master to succeed. Mario, for instance, can stomp on enemies after a team jump, while Rabbid Peach is a healing specialist with a penchant for taking selfies in the middle of battle. The game encourages strategic thinking by emphasizing the importance of cover. Hiding behind obstacles reduces the chance of being hit, and you'll need to move your characters carefully to avoid enemy fire. Team jumps allow characters to leap across the battlefield, reaching new positions and gaining a tactical advantage. This mechanic adds a layer of verticality to the battles, opening up new possibilities for flanking and attacking from unexpected angles. Special abilities are another crucial element of the gameplay. Each character has a set of unique skills that can be used to turn the tide of battle. Mario's Hero Sight allows him to automatically fire at enemies who move within his line of sight, while Luigi's Steely Stare does the same but with a focus on critical hits. Mastering these abilities and combining them effectively is key to victory. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC introduces new gameplay mechanics centered around Donkey Kong's unique abilities. DK can pick up and throw enemies, cover, and even his allies across the battlefield, creating new tactical opportunities. He can also use his bongo drums to attract enemies, drawing them into a vulnerable position. This expansion adds a fresh layer of strategy to the game, making it feel like a completely new experience. The game also features a robust co-op mode, allowing you and a friend to tackle specially designed challenges together. These challenges require close cooperation and communication, as you'll need to coordinate your moves and abilities to succeed. Whether you're playing solo or with a friend, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition offers a deep and engaging gameplay experience that will keep you coming back for more.

Story and Setting

The story of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is as quirky and charming as you'd expect from a crossover between Mario and the Rabbids. It all begins when a young inventor creates a device called the SupaMerge, which can fuse two objects into one. Predictably, the Rabbids get their hands on it, and chaos ensues. The SupaMerge malfunctions, creating vortexes that merge the Mario and Rabbids universes, leading to bizarre and hilarious combinations of environments and characters. The Mushroom Kingdom is transformed into a surreal landscape, filled with strange creatures and obstacles. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi team up with Rabbid versions of themselves to restore order and find a way to separate the two worlds. The game's story is lighthearted and humorous, with plenty of slapstick comedy and witty dialogue. The Rabbids' antics are always entertaining, and their interactions with the Mario characters are a constant source of amusement. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC features a separate story that takes place in a new area of the merged worlds. Donkey Kong teams up with Rabbid Cranky to rescue Rabbid Kong, who has been corrupted by the chaos. This expansion adds a new layer of depth to the story, exploring themes of friendship and redemption. The game's setting is just as important as its story. The merged worlds are visually stunning, with vibrant colors and imaginative designs. Each area is filled with hidden secrets and collectibles, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. The game's environments are also cleverly integrated into the gameplay, with obstacles and hazards that can be used to your advantage in battle. Whether you're exploring the twisted landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom or the lush jungles of the Donkey Kong Adventure, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition offers a visually rich and engaging world to discover.

Graphics and Sound

Visually, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is a treat. The game's art style is vibrant and colorful, perfectly capturing the whimsical nature of both the Mario and Rabbids universes. The character models are well-designed, and the animations are fluid and expressive. The environments are detailed and imaginative, with plenty of visual gags and Easter eggs to discover. The game runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, both in docked and handheld mode, with no noticeable performance issues. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC adds even more visual variety, with lush jungle environments and detailed character models for Donkey Kong and Rabbid Cranky. The game's sound design is equally impressive. The music is a blend of classic Mario tunes and original compositions, creating a soundtrack that is both familiar and fresh. The sound effects are punchy and satisfying, adding weight to the game's action. The Rabbids' gibberish is as hilarious as ever, and the voice acting for the Mario characters is well-done. The game's audio cues are also important for gameplay, providing feedback on enemy movements and abilities. Overall, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is a visually and aurally stunning game that perfectly captures the charm and humor of both the Mario and Rabbids franchises.

Is the Gold Edition Worth It?

So, is Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition worth the investment? Absolutely! If you're new to the game, the Gold Edition is the best way to experience everything it has to offer. You get the base game, which is already a fantastic tactical adventure, plus the Season Pass content, which adds hours of extra gameplay and new challenges. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC is a standout addition, offering a completely new story, characters, and gameplay mechanics. Even if you already own the base game, the Gold Edition might still be worth considering, especially if you're a fan of Donkey Kong. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC is a significant expansion that adds a fresh layer of strategy to the game, making it feel like a completely new experience. The Gold Edition also includes new weapons, challenges, and co-op maps, providing plenty of additional content to keep you engaged. The game's replay value is high, thanks to its challenging gameplay and the ability to experiment with different team compositions and strategies. Whether you're a seasoned strategy gamer or a newcomer to the genre, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition offers a rewarding and enjoyable experience. The combination of tactical gameplay, quirky humor, and the charm of the Mario universe makes it a truly unique and memorable game. So, if you're looking for a fun and engaging game to play on your Nintendo Switch, be sure to check out Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition. You won't be disappointed!