Mario's latest adventure is one of his most unusual yet, as it sees him teaming up with Ubisoft's zany Rabbids characters in a turn-based strategy title that has more in common with the legendary XCOM than it does with Super Mario Odyssey. Those of you firing up Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on your Nintendo Switch expecting the Italian plumber's traditional brand of 3D platforming may be disappointed, but what's on offer here is well worth the trip – and we've pulled together some killer tips and tricks to help make that transition even easier for you. Early on in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle you'll be taught the basics of combat, but these core mechanics hide some impressive depth. Each character has the option to move, shoot, use superpowers and use their allies as a jumping-off platform, but it's the way in which you combine these skills which really makes the difference in battle. For example, you can dash into an enemy to cause damage, then use a friendly character as a jumping platform to propel yourself further across the level – even crossing gaps in the scenery – before taking your final shot. Intelligent use of all these abilities not only allows you to move around the map more effectively, but also means you can maximise the damage you inflict on enemies.
In-between battles you're free to explore the Mushroom Kingdom and seek out hidden treasures. The most common reward is good, old-fashioned coinage – this is used to buy additional weapons and can be found all over the game world, as well as in battles – but you can also discover chests which give you new gear and bonus items, such as artwork, 3D models to look at and music. If you're really lucky then you'll find a red ring, which – just like in the mainline Mario games – causes a series of eight coins to magically appear. Collect all of these and you'll unlock a special chest. While it's tempting to charge forward into the next battle, taking the time to investigate every nook and cranny of the overworld really does benefit you in the long run.
Use cover wisely, but don't rely on it
Cover is of the utmost importance in Mario + Rabbids; if you remain out in the open at the end of your turn you're a clear target for hostiles and won't last very long. By ducking behind blocks you can reduce the chance of a shot landing; low-lying cover halves the chance of an enemy projectile hitting you, while larger blocks will stop the shot entirely. However, the vast majority of cover in the game is destructible, and after a few direct hits will crumble to dust, leaving you exposed. Keep moving to avoid this happening too often.
While Mario + Rabbids starts off at a relatively light pace, it soon begins throwing tougher enemies at you and before long you'll end up losing members of your team during combat due to aggressive enemy attacks and cunning outflanking manoeuvres. This is all part of the challenge, of course; by ramping up the difficulty Ubisoft are encouraging you to think smarter. However, if you're repeatedly dying on the same stage and are in danger of losing all patience with the game, simply press the Y button just before the battle begins. You'll enter Easy Mode, which fully replenishes your health and gives you a 50 percent health bonus on top, to boot. Make the most of the Tacticam
On some of the game's larger levels you really need to know the lay of the land in order to succeed. You can do this by switching to the Tacticam at any time, which grants you a full picture of the battlefield. Not only can you see the range of Mario and your team, you can gauge how far enemy units can move, as well as have a snoop at their powers and abilities. The Tacticam is also good for planning your route through some of the harder levels, like those which task you with reaching a safe point on the map. Whenever possible you should try to reach higher ground as it really does give you an advantage. Not only does it afford you a wider view of the battlefield and therefore more attack options, you also receive a neat damage bonus with all attacks. Use your team jump ability to reach higher areas, or find pipes which connect to them.
Take the shot, even when you don't have a chance
Enemies will use cover to hide from your shots in the same way you do, but don't be disheartened when they're totally out of view and you don't have a clear shot. As long as the foe is within range you can still shoot, and in doing so you can gradually chip away at the cover they're using – however, be aware that certain blocks cannot be destroyed.
As you move through the game you unlock new weapons which are blessed with additional punching power, making your shots more potent. However, some weapons have bonuses which are randomly triggered and produce special effects; for example, flame-blessed weapons will cause enemies to catch fire and run around the battlefield, damaging other units.
Pipes soon become a regular feature in each battleground, and you ignore them at your peril – they're a handy means of moving around the map and often give you the chance to quickly outflank your opponent. On some levels pipes offer instant access to higher ground, while on others they transport you to the opposite end of the map, giving you the chance to catch those dozy Rabbids unawares. A word of warning, though; your enemies can use the pipes as well, so be careful you don't get caught napping yourself.
Use special abilities wisely
Each character in the game has the chance to use super abilities which can turn the tide of battle. Rabbid Peach can deploy a defensive shield which reduces the damage from direct attacks, while Mario has a devastating power which, when active, allows him to open fire on any enemies which wander into his line of sight during their turn. These abilities last for a certain number of turns and, once used, incur a recharge period, so use them wisely; they could be the difference between success and failure in the latter, more difficult stages of the game.