We were disappointed to learn that Ubisoft’s Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope didn’t meet sales expectations. However, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot recently shared his thoughts on the game’s release timing and its potential impact on sales. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz (via VGC), Guillemot suggests that the game may have been released too early and should have waited for a new Nintendo console.
In the interview, Guillemot discusses Ubisoft’s future plans and reflects on the sequel’s development. He reveals that Nintendo advised the developer to focus on releasing one iteration of a game on each console. Guillemot acknowledges that Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle had already been released on the Switch, which may have affected the reception of Sparks of Hope. He states:
“Although, I think it was a different issue with Mario. We had already released a Mario Rabbids game [on Switch], so by doing another we had two similar experiences on one machine. On Nintendo, games like this never die. There are 25 Mario games on Switch. Nintendo [advised] that it’s better to do one iteration on each machine. We were a bit too early, we should have waited for [the next console].”
Despite the five-year gap between Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope, Guillemot’s statement is interesting considering Nintendo has occasionally released similar games on one console, such as Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2. However, the timing of the next Nintendo console remains unknown, leaving uncertainty about how long Ubisoft would have had to wait if they had followed Nintendo’s advice.
Guillemot also mentions that Ubisoft believes Sparks of Hope will have longevity, potentially lasting for ten years. The developer plans to update the game for future consoles, indicating the possibility of a Definitive Edition that includes all updates, DLC, visual enhancements, and performance improvements.
Additionally, there is still upcoming DLC for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. The details for the second DLC, titled “The Last Spark Hunter,” have surfaced online. Fans can also look forward to the final DLC featuring Rayman.
For more insights from Guillemot about Ubisoft’s showings at Summer Game Fest and his thoughts on Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, read the full interview on GamesIndustry.biz.
What are your thoughts on Guillemot’s comments? Do you believe Sparks of Hope should have waited for the next Nintendo console? Would you be interested in picking up a “Complete Edition” of the game? Share your opinions in the comments!