Many feel that 2022 was one of the best years for the Nintendo Switch. A key reason for that wasn’t simply because of the 1st party lineup that featured many big hits but the 3rd party lineup that helped punctuate many months of the year. Last October was especially good for fans of 3rd party titles, and Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope was easily one of the best among them. The game was the follow-up to the 2017 hit, and as critics and fans will tell you, it exceeded the original in many ways. So it’s a game you should try if you haven’t already.
However, if you are hesitant to get the full game without trying it out first, Nintendo is here to help. As announced on Twitter and even promoted by some of the team at Ubisoft on their personal accounts, Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope now has a demo on the Nintendo eShop for you to try. We can’t speak to how deep the demo goes, but more than likely, you’ll have access to multiple levels to understand the combat and the level structure.
Nintendo hasn’t been shy about dishing out demos in the past, as they see it as a way of welcoming new players who may be hesitant about giving a game a try. The demo might also help those who haven’t played the first game to give the sequel a try. It should be noted that you don’t have to play the original game to understand the events of the newer one. You’ll miss some connective tissue, but the experience stands on its own.
In the sequel, Mario and the Rabbids are enjoying their time in the Mushroom Kingdom when they come across a being known as a Spark. Unfortunately, the forces of Cursa are chasing the Spark, so the parties team up to collect the Sparks, keep them away from the vile villain, and learn the truth about what’s happening in their galaxy.
The team at Ubisoft did everything possible to expand and improve upon the 2017 title. They went bigger with the music, added more personality to the Rabbids and let them talk, and even overhauled the battle system. As a result, when it came out, it got glowing reviews from fans and critics and even won some categories at The Game Awards.
So with this demo out, you owe it to yourself to try it, especially with the first wave of DLC for the title coming soon.