The long-rumored Mario and Rabbids crossover Nintendo Switch game is apparently real, if new reports are to be believed.
Kotaku claims to have received art assets from one of their sources that confirm the development of the aforementioned Mario and Rabbids crossover. Rumored to be named Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, the game will mix characters from both franchises in turn-based combat that allows for two-player local co-op and apparently has a “goofy sense of humor.”
The report also says Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle will have eight playable characters including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach and four Rabbids dressed up as Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Peach.
The art provided to Kotaku apparently showed off Mario and the crew wielding guns that shoot laser beams, so this title may crank up the crazy battle style of the Rabbids franchise.
Kotaku’s source asked the outlet to not share the art assets, but not only did they corroborate the existence of the crossover between Nintendo and Ubisoft characters, they also claim the Nintendo Switch title will be released sometime in August or September.
At the time of publication, neither Nintendo or Ubisoft had answered Kotaku’s request for comment on the rumored Mario and Rabbids crossover.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was first reported by Laura Kate Dale who even placed a possible September 2017 release date back in January before the official Nintendo Switch reveal event. Since then there have been little to no news regarding the rumored Mario and Rabbids crossover until this sudden report.
There is no current first-party game slated for August or September on the Nintendo Switch. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe released in late April and is a must-own title for the new hybrid console. Arms and Splatoon 2 will release on the Switch in June and July respectively, so Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle may just be that game to fill in that slot with even more games coming to the hybrid console this year.
Nintendo has stated in their 2016 fiscal year earnings report that more Nintendo Switch titles will be announced for this year, so all eyes are on E3 2017. It’s very possible Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle will be officially announced then.
There is still the reported Super Smash Bros. port coming to the Switch, as well as that Pokémon Stars rumor that could give the new console and their owners something to look forward to all the until the holiday season when Super Mario Odyssey is released.