Get ready for a thrilling adventure with Bradley the Badger, the highly anticipated new platforming game from the creator of Mario + Rabbids, Davide Soliani! This exciting announcement has the gaming world buzzing, but there's more to it than meets the eye.
Soliani, a beloved figure in the industry, has crafted a unique experience that blends classic platforming with a meta-twist. In Bradley the Badger, players embark on a journey to help the video game mascot navigate through unfinished creations, almost like a behind-the-scenes adventure. The trailer, unveiled at The Game Awards 2025, dropped some major hints, including references to iconic games like Bloodborne, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us, and even featured a surprise appearance by Marvel's Evan Peters as Bradley himself!
But here's where it gets controversial... Soliani's new studio, Day 4 Night Studios, is not alone in this endeavor. They've teamed up with industry veterans like Christian Cantamessa, known for his work on Red Dead Redemption, Shadow of Mordor, and Perfect Dark. Joining them are three former Ubisoft employees, Cristina Nava, Gian Marco Zanna, and Luca Breda, who have brought their expertise from the Mario + Rabbids, Just Dance, and Ghost Recon franchises. With such a star-studded team, expectations are high!
As players explore Bradley's world, they'll encounter various work-in-progress creations and use an in-game Developer Kit to progress. And get this - there will be live-action scenes too, adding an extra layer of immersion as players help Bradley's creator bring his vision to life.
Soliani describes Bradley the Badger as "a love letter to games, creativity, and everyone who has ever felt stuck in their career or artistic journey." It aims to go beyond the game worlds with live-action moments, drawing inspiration from contemporary popular games and media. This game is a true labor of love, and Soliani's passion is evident in every detail.
Soliani's journey to this point is an inspiring one. He rose to fame with the unexpected success of Mario + Rabbids, a strategy game that captured the hearts of players on the Nintendo Wii. His emotional reaction to the game's announcement at E3 2017 became an iconic moment, but Soliani eventually left Ubisoft in 2024 after 25 years. The launch of the sequel, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, was a turning point, with Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot later expressing regret for not waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2 to release it.
"At Day 4 Night, we're creating a game that embodies everything I've ever wanted to experience as a player - joy, adventure, poetry, action, wonder, and the pleasure of working with friends," Soliani shared. "It's a personal journey, a lullaby for my soul, and a serenade to our industry, celebrating the magic and madness of creating worlds from nothing. It's a story of triumphs, challenges, and dreams, lighting the path we walk together."
Are you excited for Bradley the Badger? What do you think of Soliani's new project? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
