10 "Zero Expectation" Video Games That Blew Everyone Away

There are some combinations that seem like they simply shouldn’t work on a fundamental level. Merging XCOM-style turn-based strategy with Super Mario and the zany humour of the Rabbids was one such crossover that made audiences scratch their heads when Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was unveiled for the Nintendo Switch.

Much to the shock of everyone, this game wasn’t terrible. In fact, it was extraordinarily fantastic.

The team at Ubisoft fully embraced the insanity of this oddball paring. Not only was the animation vibrant and dripping in personality, but the game was stuffed with hilariously wacky jokes that kept the laughs coming.

More impressively, the gameplay was innovative and challenging.

Despite this title's cartoonish persona, Kingdom Battle's combat system had an unexpected level of difficulty to it. Mastering each battle required a keen understanding of game's mechanics alongside knowing how to best utilise teammates to get the most out of their special moves.

Fast moving enemies and a focus on characters working together rewarded an aggressive and creative approach to combat that was as fun as it was challenging. It was all-round superb.

Recent follow-up Sparks Of Hope successfully built upon what came before, unequivocally proving that Mario and Rabbids are a winning pair.