There’s a neat little surprise in the console sales churn this season: Amazon is quietly discounting the Mario + Rabbids Dual Pack — the two-game bundle that pairs the unexpectedly charming tactics romp Kingdom Battle with its bigger, glossier sequel Sparks of Hope — down to just $14.99. That’s half the usual $29.99 price tag for the box, and it makes two full, well-reviewed strategy games a ridiculously easy impulse buy for anyone with a Switch in the house.
You don’t get cartridges here — the Dual Pack is sold as a “Code in a Box,” which contains download codes for both games. That means you’ll need an internet connection to redeem them, and the usual dance of accounts: a Nintendo Account and a Ubisoft account to link things up on your console. It’s a small friction point, but also one of the reasons the bundle can be priced this aggressively; digital codes are much cheaper to ship and warehouse than plastic cartridges.
If you missed Kingdom Battle when it released, the pitch is delightfully odd: Ubisoft fused Mario’s cast with Ubisoft’s Rabbids and then wrapped the result in a turn-based tactics game that’s both accessible and surprisingly deep. You’ll build squads from characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi, then position, flank, and chain abilities across varied battle maps and puzzle-filled hubs. Sparks of Hope expands the formula with a wider scope, new combat toys and more open, interplanetary set pieces — the sequel pushes the series toward a more cinematic, larger-scale experience without losing the tactical core. For readers who’ve only ever associated Mario with platformers, these two titles are a strong argument that the plumber can carry other genres.
Critically, the two games sit in a comfortable place: Kingdom Battle remains a warmly remembered surprise classic, while Sparks of Hope earned “generally favorable” notices for polishing and expanding the combat. That said, performance does have its moments. Tech-minded reviewers pointed out that Sparks of Hope can suffer framerate dips and heavier load in busy scenes — usually temporary, and not game-breaking given the turn-based structure, but worth noting if you’re fussy about a locked 30fps experience. In short: excellent tactical design, occasional technical compromises.
Why this matters right now: for under $15, you get a huge amount of content and replay value. Kingdom Battle is dense with scenarios and collectibles, and Sparks of Hope pushes more systems and characters at you; combined, they’re roughly the equivalent of purchasing two full-priced games for the price of one discount title. For holiday shoppers, last-minute gift buyers, or anyone who’s been curious about dipping a toe into turn-based strategy on console, that math is hard to argue with. Beyond the sticker price, the bundle’s Amazon exclusivity means it’s easy to find and to ship quickly if you’re finishing up present lists.
This kind of bundle — familiar names recombined, packaged as a value play — has popped up more often in seasonal sales over recent years, but it’s still worth a glance whenever it appears because of the two factors it nails: accessibility (easy to start for newcomers) and toybox depth (loads of tactical options for players who want more). If you’ve been on the fence about strategy games, or you want a multiplayer/co-op experience that’s brainy and silly in equal measure, $14.99 for both games is the kind of no-regret buy that shows up maybe once per holiday cycle.
Disclaimer: Prices and promotions mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change based on the retailers’ discretion. Please verify the current offer before making a purchase.
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