Nintendo Switch Mario/Raving Rabbids Launch Title
By Jasmine Henry 18 November 2016
According to a new report, Ubisoft and Nintendo are currently developing a Mario/Raving Rabbids turn-based RPG that will be a Nintendo Switch launch title.
Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Nintendo Switch, has already impressed gamers with its main selling point of being able to take home console games on the go. Rumors that the console will have a multi-touch screen have also intrigued, with gamers eager to see how developers will make use of the feature.
High profile games are also important when it comes to selling a new console, though, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception. This is perhaps why a crossover between Ubisoft’s Raving Rabbids and Nintendo’s Mario is reportedly in the works.
According to sources from both Nintendo and Ubisoft who have spoken to Let’s Play Video Games, this Rabbids/Mario crossover will be a turn-based RPG. The working title is Mario RPG: Invasion of the Rabbids and it sees the Rabbids invading the Mario universe. Some of the Rabbids will be friends, while some will be enemies. There’s even suggestion that a Rabbid will be a playable character, along with Yoshi who is described as a “primary party member” in the report. Plus, Yoshi isn’t the only iconic Mario character to feature either, with the “Mario series’ best known characters” also making an appearance.
Moreover, the Rabbids/Mario crossover will have a quick-save feature just in case the Switch’s battery is running low and the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons will vibrate to “imply your system is infested with Rabbids.” Apparently, the game will be demoed to press at the Nintendo Switch event in January.
While this rumor should be read with a certain amount of skepticism, it seems incredibly likely, especially as Ubisoft has teased a “surprise” game for the Switch. It already looks as though as a new Mario game is coming at launch for the console, but few would expect another Mario-starring game that stars the Raving Rabbids as well, so it’s a surprise for sure.
The crossover title also makes good sense when considering that there are rumors that Nintendo’s other major Switch game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been delayed and will no longer be a launch title. The Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon Sun and Moon (which is rumored for now) isn’t set to release until later in 2017 either, so the Rabbids/Mario crossover could suit as a replacement.
As for how successful the title will be as a system seller, the Rabbids franchise has sold over 14 million copies while Mario is one of the most well-known video game characters on the planet. The game could certainly pay off then and go a long way towards helping the Nintendo Switch get off to a solid sales start.
The Nintendo Switch is set to release in March 2017.
Source: Let’s Play Video Games
