Mario: This spin-off, which was nevertheless very popular, is a disaster

Mixing two successful franchises sometimes isn't enough. Proof of this is what's happening between Nintendo and Ubisoft around Mario + Rabbids, a series that seemed to have found a certain audience. So, what exactly is happening with this franchise?

Mario + Rabbids is in trouble

The great adventure between Nintendo and Ubisoft around Mario + Rabbids is visibly coming to an end. According to several sources, the Ubisoft Milan studio had proposed a third installment, after Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope. But this new project never made it past the pitch stage. In the aftermath, the original team was reportedly disbanded, with some members leaving to found a new studio, while the others are now focusing on a completely different hero: Rayman.

It was Christopher Dring, co-founder of GamesIndustry.biz, who revealed the information about this Mario spin-off. According to him, the team behind the first two installments no longer exists in its original form. Ubisoft Milan did attempt to launch a third game, but the proposal was rejected. There is no official explanation, but the public's gradual decline in interest in the series, combined with disappointing sales for Sparks of Hope, may have weighed in the balance. As a reminder, Nintendo actively supported Kingdom Battle when it was released in 2017, but was more discreet about its sequel, released in 2022. Since then, the momentum seems to have run out of steam.

Ubisoft Milan relaunches Rayman

Rather than persisting, Ubisoft Milan is now looking elsewhere than towards Mario + Rabbids. Last May, several job offers surfaced, mentioning the development of a new 3D Rayman game. Among the positions was a search for a senior game designer specializing in the design of playful, accessible, and fun mechanics. These ads were quickly removed, but were visible enough to spark talk of a real return of the mascot.

Rayman hasn't had a new main game since Rayman Legends in 2013. Since then, the character has kept a low profile, appearing only in cameos, notably in Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. A return home that seems logical.

Source: Christopher Dring