Rabbids 3D (Nintendo 3DS) Review

The Rabbids certainly do not need much incentive to cause mayhem and run amuck, and in Rabbids 3D, all it takes is for the mischievous rabbit-like critters to stumble into a history museum. What is the worst that could happen, you may ask yourself. Well, amazingly enough they somehow discover time travel exists...through a special Time Washing Machine (hey, if Hot Tub Time Machine can do it, so can the Rabbids!). Will they change the course of history? The answer is extremely obvious - definitely a double dose of yes! Their dastardly plan is to alter events of the past in an attempt to conquer the human world, with you, the player, in control of a little cute Rabbid through side-scrolling levels filled with treacherous spiked pits, crazed monsters with dinosaur eggs and clubs, vines to swing from, disappearing platforms, and much more, all delivered in attractive 2D, or even in glorious three-dimensions with the depth slider pushed to maximum.

En-route, whilst creating such a major historical mess as they go, turning the past upside down, Rabbids are able to collect various costumes that the player can dress the main Rabbid up in purely for the purposes of adding variety to the in-game sprite as the sixty intricately crafted stages are traversed (spread across four time periods). At the conclusion of each run, the total amount of lives remaining, coins collected, and rubber ducks picked up is collated and dependent on how much in-game currency has been accrued, new globes unlock, all of which have Rabbids lounging around in different vistas that can be spun around for viewing pleasure. There are also bonus arenas to compete in, where a set number of points must be collected before the timer hits zero.

For those looking to truly appreciate the miniature polygonal characters and how they fit into the specially designed worlds and their 3D layering effects, there is the ability to zoom in and out of the action, although for ease of level progression, the latter viewpoint is preferable to prevent unnecessary drops of doom. Talking of simple, most levels are not overly tough, yet they are not a complete breeze to overcome. Dashing around by holding the ‘R’ button, leaping across wide gaps, hopping carefully around to dodge explosive mines, keeping your wits about you and having a steady hand to prevent the Rabbid dropping into a lake of poisonous gas, bouncing off enemies’ heads to reach new heights, and being flung around like a rag doll by a string of consecutive springs - moments such as these all take a keen eye and calm persona to reach the end-of-stage goal. Ubisoft has tried to walk that fine tight-rope, keeping the balance between ‘child’s game’ and ‘something for everyone’ just right, and has succeeded.

As well as the cute visuals, light-hearted and upbeat soundtrack, the zany sound effects and Rabbid grunts all make for an adventure that is suitable for all the family. Be it in the Prehistoric Age or Ancient Egypt - kicking enemies, breaking blocks and reaching that next Check Point never becomes tiresome or frustrating. Rabbids 3D is exactly what platform gamers need for the Nintendo 3DS right now in the absence of anything from Nintendo itself. Wii owners have been treated to Donkey Kong Country Returns, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, A Boy and his Blob, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but until something else comes along, Rabbids 3D is the perfect antidote for 3DS owners yearning to get some platform action under their belt. Not keen on the ageing Rayman 3D? Then be sure to give Rabbids 3D a whirl.