Johnny Chiodini writes, "There's an awful lot in Donkey Kong Adventure that helps to freshen the experience, in other words, but the real delight comes not only from the new area and the satisfying puzzles or the dazzling combat innovations, but in the fact that every last bit of it is delightfully, determinedly silly.
If Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was the brainchild of a man who couldn't hold back the tears when his game was announced at E3 2017, then Donkey Kong Adventure is the product of a man who knows and relishes in how well liked his child really is."
When a game hits on a good idea, some developers are content to play it safe for the sequel, making a few refinements but largely stick to what worked the first time. That totally makes sense. But Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is not that kind of sequel; even though Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle surprised us all with its smart XCOM-style tactics in Nintendo clothing, this followup maintains its best ideas but reinvents itself to the point where it immediately feels very different. It’s bigger and better in nearly every way, with a more freeform and customizable take on combat and an almost completely rethought overworld that’s much less linear and absolutely packed with puzzles. The story’s all over the place and the Switch can’t always handle everything smoothly, but it’s a fantastic game that can be played as either an enjoyable cakewalk or a deep, demanding tactical challenge, all while maintaining its zany sense of humor.
The amazing thing about Mario is that this character is still meaningful, while at the sametime being anything.
When Mario + Rabbids creative director Davide Soliani first started working on Kingdom Battle, he was given express instructions from Ubisoft: Rabbids do not, under any circumstances, talk. But now, for the sequel Sparks of Hope, they do.
Daily Video Game writes: "Today, eShop has just kicked off a new digital game sale that features several popular games such as Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, STAR WARS: Knights of the Old Republic, and many more from Aspyr, Ubisoft, Navila Software Japan, Electronic Arts, and Outright Games for Nintendo Switch gamers now!"
