Author: Mobile Syrup

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This week in Canadian telecom: Rogers-Shaw hearing [Nov. 5-11]

November 7th marked day one of the Competition Tribunal’s four (possibly five) week hearing into the Rogers-Shaw merger.

While dominating headlines, it wasn’t the only newsworthy story this week. As a recap, here’s almost everything that happened in Canada’s telecom sector.

Business

Starlink announced it would implement a data cap on residential plans. Customers will have 1TB of Priority Access during peak hours (7am to 11pm) per month. The company will move customers who go over to Basic Access, which offers slower speeds.

Telus is partnering with Énergir and Électrobac to provide Ukrainian refugees in Quebec with smartphones, wireless plans, and mental health consultations. The donation is valued at $218,000 and will support 300 families.

The first day of the hearing between Rogers, Shaw, and the Competition Bureau focused on the sale of Freedom Mobile. Lawyers from the bureau argued Freedom wouldn’t replace the competition Shaw brought. The opposing parties argued Freedom would work better under Vidéotron and serve as a more robust competitor than it was with Shaw.

Rogers also presented its third-quarter results for 2022. The company increased its revenue ($3.7 billion) and added thousands of new customers in the last quarter, despite its July outage that impacted wireless and wireline customers. Rogers paid $150 million in credits in response to the outage.

Government

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added $475 billion to the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). The fund pays for projects that expand high-speed internet access in rural communities across the country. The UBF has connected 900,000 homes so far, and the additional funds will help connect another 60,000.

The federal government and the Province of Alberta are working with Tsuut’ina Nation Telecommunications to connect 300 households in Tsuut’ina Nation with high-speed internet access. The two governments provided $2.6 million in funding.

Infrastructure

Rogers expanded 5G access to the Ontario communities of Maxville, Greenfield, Glen Robertson and Wendover. The expansion is in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) and focuses on improving cellular access in rural eastern Ontario. Under the partnership, Rogers will build more than 300 new telecommunications towers and upgrade 300 existing towers by 2025.

Deals

Lucky Mobile is offering 10GB of bonus data on select plans. The bonus will apply for one year and is only available on new activations. More details are available here.

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MobileSyrup’s top iPhone accessories gift guide [2022 Edition]

‘Tis the season for holiday gift giving, and MobileSyrup is back with our annual iPhone accessories gift guide. Last year’s iPhone accessory gift guide featured many fantastic products, including MagSafe PopSockets, lightning adapters, and BeatsFlex. All the accessories featured in that piece are still great buys, so check out that article after reading this one. 

But of course, people love their iPhones just as much as ever, and there’s no shortage of desire to find that right tech-related gift or stocking stuffer. This guide features another sixteen products and categories to help you with your holiday shopping. Although, if you buy something for yourself, I won’t tell anyone. 

This guide includes updates to last year’s guide, my top Apple Store picks from 2022, and some gems I came across on Amazon. As a reminder, both Apple and Amazon have started their extended holiday return policies. Most items purchased from either retailer until December 25th may be returned until January 8th with Apple and January 31st with Amazon. 

Belkin BOOST CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand/Pro with MagSafe

I love 3-in-1 wireless chargers. Ask any of my friends, and they will tell you I’ve owned many brands, including Mophie, Logitech, and Belkin. Whenever a new one came out with a revised design or new features, I had to try it. 

3-in-1 wireless chargers are charging stations that can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and supported AirPods. Apple sells two Belkin charging stations that I believe to be the industry’s best. Both charging stations feature 15W MagSafe charging for iPhones, fast charging for support Apple Watches, and a wireless charging pad for support AirPods. 

The only difference is that the stand is a T-shaped charging tree which suspends the iPhone and Apple Watch vertically. Where the pad lays all devices flat. Both charging solutions are available in either black or white.

Buy either the Belkin Boost Up Charge Pro Stand or Pad from Apple for $179.95

UGREEN Travel Accessory Bag & Cable Organizers

Many of us travel, and when we do, we bring plenty of cables, power bricks, and other accessories. This holiday season, consider grabbing an accessory organizer for yourself or someone else. UGREEN makes two inexpensive and compelling options. 

The UGREEN Travel Case is flat and compact with double zippers and water resistance. It measures 9.6″ by 6.9″, is large enough to fit an iPad mini and has an internal double layer for cable storage. This cable organizer makes for an excellent choice for luggage and messenger bags. 

The UGREEN Travel Case Universal Electronic Accessory Bag is a hardshell case with a leather carrying strap and a small carabiner clip. It measures 5.7″ deep, 2.8″ tall, and 8″ wide. It’s durable and an excellent choice to clip to a backpack. 

Order the UGREEN Travel Case and UGREEN Travel Case Universal Electronic Accessory Bag on Amazon for $21.99 each

UGREEN Nexode 45W Charger

UGREEN makes a wide range of Nexode chargers ranging in wattage and USB ports. These chargers are a great choice to accommodate any number of devices that need charging. 

The power brick I recommend for most iPhone users is the 45W model with two USB-C ports. This allows not one but two iPhones to be fast charged simultaneously or an iPhone and another device like an Apple Watch or iPad. 

This little GaN power brick can even charge an iPhone and MacBook Air. The prongs fold in, and the build is a durable dark grey plastic. 

Order the UGREEN Nexode 45W charger on Amazon for $42.99

Braided USB-C to lightning Cable

If someone in your life is constantly damaging their Apple cables, then this item is for them. Both UGREEN and Anker make attractive Apple-certified braided lightning cables. Being covered in fabric material, braided cables are more durable than Apple’s standard cables. They offer better longevity and resilience.  

While both cables are black, the Anker Powerline+ II features USB-A, whereas the UGREEN cable is USB-C. 

Order both cables on Amazon–the Anker Powerline+ II is $19.99, and the UGREEN cable is $19.99

MagSafe Battery Pack

I suggested Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack in last year’s iPhone gift guide, and I still do. However, this year, I also want to bring attention to Anker’s MagGo battery pack. 

Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack is by far the smaller and more sleek of the two. So, if aesthetics is your primary focus, grab that. However, Anker’s MagGo features a 5000mAh battery. Quite a bit larger than Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack at 1460mAh. Granted, the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack is more efficient, but it’s still substantially smaller. 

Additionally, the Anker MagGo comes in grey or white, charges via USB-C, and has a small foldout stand. Compared to the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack, which only comes in white, charges via lightning, and has no stand functionality. 

However, the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack does feature battery monitoring integration within iOS. In contrast, the Anker MagGo has to rely on external status indicator lights. Both products are great choices. The decision really boils down to budget and desired feature set. 

Buy the Apple MagSafe Battery Pack from Apple for $119 or order the Anker MagGo from Amazon for $69.99

MagSafe Wallet

Apple’s MagSafe Wallet is another returning product from last year’s gift guide. The combination of the Apple Wallet app and MagSafe have completely replaced my need to carry around a physical wallet. It’s fantastic! 

Nothing has changed with Apple’s MagSafe Wallets since last year. They still come in various colours and support Find My to alert users when disconnected from their companion iPhone. Additionally, Apple’s MagSafe Wallet holds three cards.

New to this year’s gift guide is Spigen’s MagSafe wallet offerings. The Spigen Valentinus is half the price of Apple’s MagSafe Wallet, comes in black, and holds two cards. It’s made of leather and features a small cut-out at the bottom, making it easier to slide out your cards. 

Spigen Smart Fold, on the other hand, is made of a fabric-like material with a foldable stand that doubles as a privacy cover for your cards. The Spigen Smart Fold also holds two cards. 

Buy the Apple MagSafe Wallet from Apple for $79 or order the Spigen Valentinus for $39.99 or the Spigen Smart Fold for $49.99, both from Amazon

JETech Tempered Glass Screen Protectors

On the hunt for an inexpensive stocking stuffer? Look no further than JETech Tempered Glass Screen Protectors. Glass screen protectors crack, chip, and shatter all the time. Instead of spending $50 in a retail store, order a two or three-pack for a fifth of the cost. Quality is top-notch. I’ve been ordering from this brand for years, and they haven’t disappointed me. 

You can order some JETech Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for $10 to $15 on Amazon

VIJIM Overhead Camera Desk Mount Stand

The VIJIM Overhead Camera Desk Mount Stand is a superb option for artists who are having difficulty capturing overhead desk shots. This stand is made entirely of black aluminum and features three pieces which connect into a large single adjustable arm. This allows you to set the components up in any formation and get the best angle. Suppose you do order this mount. In that case, consider also ordering the following item to mount your iPhone if you don’t already have an iPhone tripod mount. 

Order the VIJIM Overhead Camera Desk Mount Stand from Amazon for $49.95

Manfrotto Smartphone Clamp Pro

The Manfrotto Smartphone Clamp Pro is pretty straightforward. It’s a clip that allows you to mount your smartphone on any standard tripod. The clamp is a modern black and red and holds devices ranging from 2.36″ to 4.09″ wide. 

Order the Manfrotto Smartphone Clamp Pro from Amazon for $29.70

Belkin Magnetic Fitness Mount

Is someone in your life a fitness buff? If so, the Belkin Magnetic Fitness Mount might be perfect for them. This simple accessory features a rubber strap that can wrap around or magnetically attach to exercise equipment. Then, MagSafe-compatible iPhones can magnetically attach to it. Additionally, this mount features a 360-degree rotational ball joint to adjust the viewing angle. Use this mount to watch anything from Fitness+ workouts to YouTube videos. 

Buy the Belkin Magnetic Fitness Mount from Apple for $44.95

NFC Tags

NFC tags are another inexpensive stocking stuffer. NFC tags are small disks that can be mounted just about anywhere with some double-sided tape. People can then program automations using Siri Shortcuts to run specific actions when a particular NFC tag is detected. As a smart home enthusiast and an automation novice, NFC tags are a lot of fun. 

Order a 50-pack of AIEX NFC tags for $15.99 on Amazon

Lightning Yubikey 5Ci

The Yubico YubiKey 5Ci is perfect for that nerd or security-minded person in your life. YubiKeys are hardware authenticators supported by a growing number of websites. The idea behind a hardware security key like a Yubikey is that an account cannot be accessed without it. When people attempt to log into a website, they’ll be prompted to plug in their security key. It’s another form of authentication and an un-hackable one at that. Without the physical security key, someone is unable to access the account. 

The Yubico YubiKey 5Ci is unique because it supports lightning on one end and USB-C on the other. It is an excellent choice for Apple users with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. 

Order the Yubico YubiKey 5Ci from Amazon for $89 

Whoosh! Screen Cleaner

As always, people need to keep their devices shiny and clean. Whoosh is my go-to choice for a screen cleaner solution. It’s Apple’s too. Apple Stores use Whoosh to keep all their demo devices shiny and clean. Whoosh sells a range of product sets on Amazon, including multiple cleaning cloths and solution amounts. However, the one I’m recommending makes for an excellent stocking stuffer. Included are three orange microfibre clothes, a smaller 0.3 oz travel bottle of solution, and a larger 3.4 oz bottle. 

Order this set of Whoosh on Amazon for $16.99

AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

AirPods are a holiday favourite every year. They’re right up on the list alongside Apple Watch. Last year, I generally recommended AirPods, and I still do. Regardless of what version you buy, AirPods are just a fantastic product. However, Apple refreshed their AirPods Pro lineup this year with a 2nd generation pair, and I love it. 

I used to despise the fit of the silicone AirPods Pro tips in my ears. But, with the second generation AirPods Pro, Apple includes a new extra small size of ear tips. This change has made AirPods Pro my new favourite headphones, beating the redesigned regular third-generation AirPods. Additionally, the second generation AirPods Pro features precision Find My support, improved audio, an external speaker to help locate the AirPods Pro case, and longer battery life. You can even engrave your Memoji on them as an extra bonus when ordering from the Apple Store app. 

Grab a pair of AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) from Apple for $329

Find My Item Trackers

AirTags are awesome! I’ve written about them several times, including a story about tracking my dog with one. AirTags are small Apple-specific item trackers with around a year of battery life that use Apple’s Find My network. Suppose you or an iPhone owner in your life frequently lose items like their keys or wallet. In that case, an AirTag is a delightful gift to help keep track of and recover items. 

AirTags are water resistant, feature a speaker, and precision finding with supported iPhones. Additionally, AirTags can be engraved with emojis and initials when ordering from Apple’s website. Remember, when you order an AirTag, also order a holder for it to attach to a keychain or bag. 

If you’re looking for a less expensive item tracker alternative, I like the ATUVOS tracker. The ATUVOS is water resistant and uses Apple’s Find My network, just like AirTags. The speaker on the ATUVOS is louder than AirTags, too, and they don’t require a separate holder accessory. However, the ATUVOS trackers don’t support precision finding like AirTags. 

If you are tracking an item where precision finding is a crucial feature, AirTags are a great choice. Alternatively, ATUVOS offers many of the same functionality while being half the price. 

AirTags can be purchased from Apple for $39 for a single AirTag or a 4-pack for $129. ATUVOS trackers can be ordered from Amazon for $20.99 for a single tracker, $39.99 for a 2-pack, $57.99 for a 3-pack, and $76.99 for a 4-pack.  

DJI OSMO Mobile 6

The DJI OSMO has been a popular smartphone gimbal for years. DJI’s sixth version is an exciting update for vloggers, TikTokers, and content creators. The gimbal features 3-axis stabilization for smoother video, an extendable neck to work as a selfie stick, and motorized controls. Additionally, the DJI OSMO Mobile 6 features ‘Active Track’ when using the DJI app, allowing you to select an object, and the OSMO will follow the object automatically. 

Order the DJI OSMO Mobile 6 from Amazon for $215

Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Notebooks

When Apple showed off continuity camera at WWDC 2022, the company also unveiled a MagSafe-compatible mount made by Belkin. That mount has arrived just in time for the holiday shopping season. 

Continuity camera is both a macOS and iPhone feature that allows an iPhone to work as a Mac’s webcam. Of course, how would the iPhone stay in position? Enter the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe. Place the mount on top of your MacBook and connect your MagSafe-compatible iPhone. 

This accessory is ideal for users who own both an iPhone and a Mac. Keep in mind iPhones need to be updated to iOS 16.1 and Macs need to be updated to macOS Ventura to use this feature. 

Buy the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe from Apple for $39.95

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

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ChromeOS to add GIF support for screen recording

ChromeOS’s built-in screen recorder is set to become a lot more useful.

ChromeOS allows users to record their whole Chromebook screen, a single window, or a specific section on the screen. The screen recordings are saved in the WebM format, which offers a balance between video quality and size, though compromises due to lack of support with other phones, computers and applications.

Now, as first spotted by 9to5Google in a newly posted code change, Google is looking to add support for GIFs in ChromeOS screen recordings. “Enables the ability to record the screen into an animated GIF image from the native screen capture tool,” reads the code.

GIFs are supported in a majority of devices and applications and are relatively easy to share. Having both WebM and GIF as recordable formats is sure to give ChromeOS users flexibility when screen recording, depending on the length of video they intend to record. GIFs would work better for shorter recordings, because of their larger file size, while users would prefer WebM for larger recordings.

It’s worth noting that support for GIFs in screen recording isn’t live yet. The feature is reportedly still in development. “It will likely be quite a few weeks before we see GIF screen recording support on any real Chromebooks, let alone see the feature launch to stable,” says 9to5Google.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: 9to5Google

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Latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 update might still brick your phone: report

A recent update has caused the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic to stop working. Samsung first stopped the update from reaching more devices, but now has released a new patch that should fix the issue.

The new update, version ‘GVK4,’ comes with bug fixes and improvements, the November 2022 security patch, and a “power operation-related stabilization code.” However, unfortunately, GVK4 doesn’t seem to fix the problem, and there are more reports of dead Watch 4 devices.

It’s still unclear how widespread this problem is.

However, if this gets as bad as the previous update (GVI3), Samsung might have to pull the update once again. That said, there are some users who have downloaded the new update without any issues, but definitely download it at your own risk.

A Reddit user says that Samsung will offer a free repair or a $210 credit towards the new Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for those that encounter this problem.

Via: 9to5Google

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Pokémon releases nostalgia-filled interactive gallery of past games

Ahead of the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Pokémon Company has released a gallery showcasing the history of the video game series. Unfortunately, the clip is mostly in Japanese, and a simple translation page on Chrome won’t help.

However, looking through this online gallery at all the box art for the Japanese versions of the games is still cool. Clicking on individual pieces in the gallery will show images of the game it’s from. Again, they’re only in Japanese, but it’s still full of nostalgia. As you continue through the gallery, the music also changes depending on the title you’re going through.

It’s a very cool interactive gallery that brings you through all the previous mainline series games. This makes me more excited for the upcoming Pokémon games Scarlet and Violet on November 18th.

Source: Pokémon

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Tesla wants its proprietary EV connector to be the new North American standard

If you don’t have a Tesla but are an electric vehicle (EV) owner, your car likely takes advantage of the current North American standard Combined Charging System (CCS). On the other hand, the Elon Musk-owned EV company utilizes a proprietary J1772 charger that only works with its own vehicles.

Now, Tesla wants its J1772 connector to become the new standard for all EVs and has renamed it North American Charging Standard (NACS) in an effort to encourage EV charger platforms like Flo and Petro Canada to offer the formerly Tesla-exclusive port at their charger locations. The company has gone so far as to make the port’s design and specification files publically available to download.

Tesla says that its NACS charger features “no moving parts, is half the size, and [is] twice as powerful” as a CCS charger, followed by mentioning that its Supercharger network offers “60 percent more NACS posts than all the CCS-equipped networks combined.” The press release ignores the fact that Tesla has a massive 10-year lead over other EV competitors in the space regarding the number of its vehicles on the road and its substantial charger infrastructure.

The release also says that “network operators already have plans in motion to incorporate NACS at their chargers,” but doesn’t mention any specific charging networks.

Back in November 2001, Tesla launched its “non-Tesla Supercharger pilot” in several countries around the world, allowing non-Tesla electric vehicle drivers to use the EV maker’s charging stations with their vehicles through a CCS charger. Unfortunately, Canada isn’t included in this pilot project.

As legacy car manufacturers like Hyundai and Ford take the EV market more seriously with their respective vehicles like the Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla’s stranglehold on the burgeoning space is rapidly shrinking. For example, Hyundai and Kia (which the latter company owns) hold 15 percent worldwide EV market share (excluding China). Given most of these vehicles already feature CCS ports, it’s unlikely they’ll change direction and bend to Tesla’s will.

In other Musk-related news, the billionaire continues to push Twitter into persistent chaos with nonsensical decisions regarding the platform’s verification system.

Image credit: Tesla

Source: Tesla

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Stadia refunds are causing user Play Points to go negative

Now that Google has begun refunding users after shutting Stadia down, it appears some users who paid for Stadia titles via Play Store credits are seeing a massive influx of refunds along with a negative Play Points balance on their accounts.

Google has made it clear that it will process refunds back to the source of the payment. If that isn’t possible for any reason, Google will email you on the Google account used to make the purchase with more information.

One of the ways users paid for games was through Play Store credits, which could have been redeemed through Play Points, by answering Opinion Rewards surveys, or via gift cards. According to 9to5Google, users frequently funded their Play Store accounts with gift cards, and subsequently made Stadia purchases. Now, these users are stuck with massive amounts of refunds as Play Store credits.

Google is unable to transfer these funds anywhere else.

Further, credits earned through Google’s Opinion Rewards surveys normally expire a year from the survey completion date. Users are noticing that the refund coming in is marked with the original expiration date, which might mean Opinion Rewards credit earned and spent over a year ago might not qualify to be refunded.

Elsewhere, all Play Points earned for purchasing games on Stadia’s Android app are being deducted from user accounts as Stadia refunds roll in. In a statement received by 9to5Google, Google said, “We are aware of the Play Points balance issue caused by Stadia refunds that is impacting some users in the US. We are working on a resolution for this issue.”

Source: 9to5Google

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Apple’s Google search competitor is ‘at least four years away’

Rumours that Apple is working on its own Google search-like platform have appeared again, this time courtesy of The Information.

The report mentions that as part of this effort, Apple acquired AI news startup Laserlike back in 2018, a company founded by several former Google engineers. However, The Information says that these engineers have returned to Google, including Srinivasan Venkatachary, who reportedly took on the role of Apple’s search team lead. This division of the tech giant works on features like Spotlight and Siri.

“Venkatachary is now vice president of engineering at Google under James Manyika, senior vice president of technology and society, whose portfolio includes a group tasked with tracking how technologies such as artificial intelligence are affecting social issues, according to a person with knowledge of the situation,” writes The Information.

This development is especially interesting because Google reportedly pays Apple roughly $18 billion to $20 billion per year (via 9to5mac) to be the default search engine on the former company’s devices. It’s likely that if Apple’s search engine ambitions come to fruition, this agreement would be quickly severed.

Finally, The Information mentions that Apple is still roughly four years away from launching a Google search rival.

Hopefully, if Apple’s search engine eventually launches, it isn’t as bad as Apple Maps was when it was first released.

Source: The Information Via: 9to5Mac

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Koodo promotion offers unlimited talk, text with pay-per-use data for $20 per month

Koodo’s latest deal features unlimited talk and text and pay-per-use data for $20 per month.

The deal is only available for a limited time and comes with U.S. and International Easy Roam, call display, voicemail, call waiting, conference calling, and more.

It also includes Discover Stream+ option for $25 per month, offering Netflix, Apple TV+ and Discovery+. Grabbing this for $25 saves you 20 percent off the regular price of the streaming service.

Koodo also has a $45 per month/ 6GB of data promotion with one perk at no extra charge for either Premium Voicemail and Unlimited International SMS.

This also comes with Call Display, Voicemail, Call Waiting and Conference Calling.

Source: Koodo

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Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a worthwhile sequel with interesting ideas

2017’s Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was an absolute surprise to me.

Somehow, Ubisoft took Nintendo’s Mushroom Kingdom and Ubisoft’s lesser-known Rabbids franchise and created one of the best turn-based strategy games of the past decade. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did — and really well. Fast forward to 2022, and the title’s sequel remains just as compelling while managing to build on its predecessor in meaningful ways.

Still, part of me wishes the Rabbids weren’t invited to the party.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope‘s plot is standard Nintendo fair. A giant flying manta ray attacks Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and a bunch of Rabbids that look precisely like them. Why do they look like them? Who knows, but also, who cares? As the plot unfolds, you’ll meet Cursa, the being that controls the manta ray from the opening sequence, and also learn more about the inky darkness that’s spreading across the title’s world.

Like the first Mario + Rabbids, I found myself not paying much attention to Sparks of Hopes‘ plot. When it comes to this series, all I care about is the excellently designed turn-based action, and thankfully, Sparks of Hope delivers in that department.

This time around, Sparks of Hope adds a few real-time elements to the mix instead of adopting a more standard turn-based grid system. You’re able to actively control your squad’s movement, just as you would in most third-person action titles. Do you want to stand in the open in an effort to take down an enemy as quickly as possible or hide behind cover and pop shots from safety (the latter is almost always the best option). You also need to keep in mind that cover is destructible, which adds another variable to the title’s already deep turn-based gameplay.

A glowing area on the ground shows how far your character can move along with what you can and can’t do, such as jumping or activating other special abilities powered by ‘Sparks.’

This system makes the game’s turn-based combat feel far more dynamic than it actually is, simply because the grid isn’t present on the screen. In a sense, Sparks of Hope offers the illusion of more freedom, despite the battle system not being that different from Kingdom Battle‘s in most respects. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make a turn-based combat system feel more fun while retaining the genre’s strategic nature. I hope to see this take on the genre adopted by other series.

Delving deeper into the combat system, Sparks of Hope‘s main change is the addition of Sparks, replacing the rampant weapon swapping from Kingdom Battle. As you likely already guessed, Sparks feature various strengths/weaknesses on top of special abilities. For example, some are focused on fire damage, while others emphasize replenishing your squad’s HP. Later in the game, you’re eventually able to equip two Sparks per character, adding further depth to the system. While I initially didn’t like Sparks of Hope‘s lack of equipable weapons and armour that improve your team’s performance, it helps make the game feel less like “XCOM for babies” and more like its own unique take on the turn-based genre.


One other change I really like about Sparks of Hope is the flow of the title’s overall structure. Instead of a standard Mario platformer-like overworld in Kingdom Battle, Ubisoft and Nintendo’s latest turn-based epic features several individual planets that offer main quests, side missions and other secrets/unlockables. There are also enemies and other Goombas wandering around the map with whom you can engage in combat if you happen to be under-levelled for a mission. It’s worth mentioning that the worlds themselves are charming and mostly based on seasons, including the never-ending autumn of ‘Sleepy Hallow’ and the snowy cliffs of ‘Pristine Peaks.’

I’m also impressed by how varied the missions are. Evoking Final Fantasy Tactics Advance variety in some ways, levels are no longer solely focused on wiping out every enemy on the map and become surprisingly inventive at times, particularly when it comes to boss fights.

My only real issue with Sparks of Hope is that it sometimes doesn’t look that great and really shows the now 6-year-old Switch’s age. Though, to be fair, this is more the Switch’s fault than the game’s development team. Like a lot of recent Switch titles, unsightly jagged issues are rampant, and in a twist I didn’t expect, load times feel long (this might be because I’m used to the Xbox Series X’s snappy loading).

I also feel Ubisoft’s Rabbids don’t really need to be here. At times they can be cute and funny, but they’re still pretty annoying overall. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope could just as easily be the sequel to Super Mario RPG that we never got in the 90s, and would probably be a better game for it. The Rabbids feel like they’re forced into Sparks of Hope — even more so than Kingdom Battle.

Despite these shortcomings, Sparks of Hope is one of the best Switch titles of the year (next to Splatoon 3, of course). If you’re interested in turn-based strategy titles, Ubisoft’s latest remains one of the best.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is available for the Nintendo Switch for $79.99.

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though we may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.