Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition: Switch Review

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the zany and tactical world of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition on the Nintendo Switch. If you're scratching your head thinking, "Mario and Rabbids... together?" you're in for a treat. This unlikely crossover is not only surprisingly good, but the Gold Edition packs in even more content to keep you glued to your Switch. So, let’s jump into what makes this game a must-have for both strategy aficionados and Mario fans alike. The Nintendo Switch has become a hub for unique gaming experiences, and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition definitely stands out. Combining the whimsical universe of Mario with the chaotic humor of the Rabbids, and adding a layer of tactical gameplay reminiscent of XCOM, this game creates an unforgettable adventure. The Gold Edition enhances this experience by including additional content, making it a comprehensive package for newcomers and a worthwhile upgrade for those who played the original. The core gameplay revolves around turn-based battles where you control a team of heroes, strategically moving them across the battlefield to outmaneuver and defeat enemies. Each character has unique abilities and weapons, adding depth to the tactical planning. Whether you're using Mario's hero sight to automatically attack enemies during their turn, or employing Rabbid Peach's healing abilities to keep your team in the fight, there's always a strategic layer to consider. The Gold Edition enriches this formula with the addition of the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC, featuring Donkey Kong as a playable character. This DLC not only introduces new characters but also adds new gameplay mechanics, such as Donkey Kong's ability to climb walls and throw bananas to distract enemies, further expanding the tactical possibilities. The game's difficulty curve is well-balanced, offering a challenge for seasoned strategy gamers while remaining accessible to newcomers. The tactical battles require careful planning and execution, encouraging players to experiment with different team compositions and strategies to overcome obstacles. Whether you're flanking enemies, utilizing cover, or exploiting elemental weaknesses, there's always a sense of satisfaction in executing a well-planned strategy and emerging victorious. The game’s world is vibrant and colorful, blending the iconic aesthetics of the Mario universe with the quirky charm of the Rabbids. From the Mushroom Kingdom to haunted mansions, each environment is beautifully designed and filled with secrets to discover. The integration of Rabbids into the Mario universe is seamless, with their slapstick humor and chaotic antics adding a unique flavor to the familiar landscapes. The Gold Edition also includes various cosmetic items and weapons, allowing you to customize your team and add a personal touch to your gameplay experience. The game's soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a mix of orchestral scores and upbeat tunes that perfectly complement the on-screen action. The music enhances the atmosphere of each environment, from the epic battles to the quiet moments of exploration, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

What's New in the Gold Edition?

So, what exactly makes the Gold Edition golden? The main draw is the inclusion of the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC. This isn't just a minor add-on; it’s a substantial expansion that introduces Donkey Kong as a playable character, along with a new storyline and unique gameplay mechanics. Donkey Kong brings a fresh set of skills to the battlefield, such as his ability to throw bananas to distract enemies and climb walls to reach vantage points. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC also introduces new enemies and challenges, requiring players to adapt their strategies and experiment with new team compositions. The DLC's storyline is engaging, with Donkey Kong teaming up with Rabbid Cranky to save a new world from a mysterious threat. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are often humorous, adding to the game's overall charm. The DLC's environments are also visually stunning, with lush jungles and ancient ruins providing a refreshing change of scenery. Beyond the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC, the Gold Edition also includes the Pixel Pack, which adds new weapon skins for your team. While these are purely cosmetic, they allow you to customize your team and add a personal touch to your gameplay experience. The Gold Edition also includes various challenge modes and co-op missions, providing additional replayability and opportunities to test your skills. Whether you're tackling difficult battles or solving intricate puzzles, there's always something new to discover in the Gold Edition. For those who already own the original game, the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC can be purchased separately, but the Gold Edition offers a convenient and cost-effective way to experience the complete Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle adventure. The Gold Edition truly enhances the overall experience, making it a must-have for fans of the original game and newcomers alike. With its engaging storyline, challenging gameplay, and charming characters, the Gold Edition offers hours of entertainment and tactical fun. So, grab your Nintendo Switch, assemble your team, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The gameplay in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is a delightful blend of turn-based strategy and puzzle-solving. Think XCOM, but with a Mario twist. You control a team of three characters, each with unique abilities and weapons, navigating through colorful battlefields. Strategic movement is key; you'll need to use cover, team jumps, and special abilities to outmaneuver your enemies. Each character has their strengths and weaknesses. Mario is an all-rounder with excellent offensive capabilities, Rabbid Peach is a fantastic healer, and Luigi excels at long-range attacks. Experimenting with different team compositions is crucial for finding the optimal strategy for each battle. The cover system is fundamental to survival. Half-cover provides partial protection from enemy fire, while full-cover offers complete immunity. However, cover can be destroyed, so you'll need to stay mobile and adapt to the changing battlefield. Team jumps allow you to launch a character across the battlefield, covering large distances and reaching strategic vantage points. This mechanic adds a layer of verticality to the gameplay, allowing you to surprise enemies and gain a tactical advantage. Special abilities are unique to each character and can be used to turn the tide of battle. Mario's Hero Sight allows him to automatically attack enemies during their turn, while Rabbid Peach's Healing Song restores health to allies. Mastering these abilities is essential for overcoming the game's challenges. The enemy AI is surprisingly intelligent, and they will often use cover, team jumps, and special abilities to their advantage. This keeps the battles engaging and requires you to think strategically to outsmart your opponents. The game also features various environmental hazards, such as explosive barrels and elemental effects, which can be used to your advantage. For example, you can lure enemies into explosive range or use fire attacks to ignite flammable objects. The Gold Edition introduces new gameplay mechanics with the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC. Donkey Kong can climb walls to reach high ground, throw bananas to distract enemies, and use his powerful ground pound to damage multiple targets. These new abilities add depth to the tactical gameplay and provide new strategies for overcoming challenges. The game's difficulty curve is well-balanced, offering a challenge for seasoned strategy gamers while remaining accessible to newcomers. The tutorial does a good job of explaining the basic mechanics, and the game gradually introduces new concepts and challenges as you progress. Whether you're a seasoned strategy gamer or a newcomer to the genre, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition offers a rewarding and engaging gameplay experience. With its blend of tactical depth, puzzle-solving, and charming characters, this game is sure to keep you hooked for hours on end.

Visuals and Sound

The visuals in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition are absolutely stunning. The game combines the vibrant, colorful world of Mario with the quirky, chaotic aesthetic of the Rabbids, creating a unique and visually appealing experience. The environments are beautifully detailed, with lush forests, eerie haunted mansions, and futuristic cities to explore. Each location is filled with hidden secrets and charming details that bring the world to life. The character models are equally impressive, with expressive animations and detailed textures that make them feel believable and engaging. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and the Rabbids all look fantastic, and their personalities shine through in their animations and expressions. The game's art style is a perfect blend of cartoonish charm and realistic detail, creating a visually striking and immersive world. The lighting effects are particularly impressive, with dynamic shadows and realistic reflections that add depth and realism to the environments. The game also features a variety of special effects, such as explosions, particle effects, and magical spells, that add visual flair to the battles. The user interface is clean and intuitive, providing all the necessary information without cluttering the screen. The menus are easy to navigate, and the game provides helpful tips and tutorials to guide you along the way. The Gold Edition enhances the visuals with improved textures and lighting effects, making the game look even more impressive on the Nintendo Switch. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC introduces new environments and character models that are just as visually stunning as the original game. The sound design in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is equally impressive. The game features a memorable soundtrack composed by Grant Kirkhope, the composer behind Banjo-Kazooie and Perfect Dark. The music is a perfect blend of orchestral scores and upbeat tunes that perfectly complement the on-screen action. Each environment has its own unique soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere and creates a sense of immersion. The sound effects are also well-designed, with satisfying weapon sounds, explosive blasts, and quirky Rabbid noises that add to the game's charm. The game also features voice acting for the main characters, which is well-done and adds personality to the story. The Rabbids are particularly hilarious, with their nonsensical babbling and comical antics. The Gold Edition includes all the original music and sound effects, as well as new tracks and sounds for the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC. The Donkey Kong Adventure DLC also introduces new voice acting for Donkey Kong and Rabbid Cranky, which is equally well-done. Overall, the visuals and sound in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition are top-notch, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience that will delight fans of both Mario and Rabbids. The game's art style, lighting effects, and sound design all work together to create a cohesive and unforgettable world.

Final Verdict

Alright, guys, let's wrap this up! Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is an absolute blast on the Nintendo Switch. It's a unique blend of genres that somehow works incredibly well. The tactical gameplay is deep and engaging, the visuals are stunning, and the soundtrack is memorable. Whether you're a seasoned strategy gamer or a Mario fan looking for something different, this game has something to offer. The inclusion of the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC in the Gold Edition is a significant bonus. It adds hours of extra gameplay, new characters, and unique mechanics that enhance the overall experience. If you're new to the game, the Gold Edition is the way to go. If you already own the original, the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC is definitely worth picking up. There are a few minor drawbacks, such as occasional difficulty spikes and a slightly repetitive battle structure, but these are easily overshadowed by the game's strengths. The characters are charming, the story is engaging, and the gameplay is addictive. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is a must-have for any Nintendo Switch owner looking for a unique and challenging strategy game. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected pairings can lead to something truly special. So, grab your Switch, gather your team, and prepare for an adventure unlike any other. You won't be disappointed! The game's blend of tactical depth, puzzle-solving, and charming characters creates an experience that is both challenging and rewarding. The visuals and sound are top-notch, immersing you in a vibrant and unforgettable world. And with the addition of the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC, the Gold Edition offers even more content and replayability. Whether you're a seasoned strategy gamer or a newcomer to the genre, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition is a game that you won't want to miss. It's a perfect example of what makes the Nintendo Switch such a special platform: its ability to deliver unique and innovative gaming experiences that you won't find anywhere else. So, go ahead and give it a try. You might just find yourself surprised at how much you enjoy this zany and tactical adventure. After all, who would have thought that Mario and the Rabbids would make such a great team?