A revolution in platforming
Super Mario Odyssey redefines the platforming experience, offering players a captivating journey across richly varied 3D environments. With the introduction of the game mechanics centered around the sentient hat, Cappy, players can explore vibrant worlds, face creative challenges, and collect Power Moons—the game’s primary collectibles—to fuel Mario’s airship, the Odyssey.
The core gameplay of Super Mario Odyssey encourages exploration through richly designed kingdoms. Players traverse distinct realms, from the bustling high-rises of New Donk City to the serene waterfalls of the Cascade Kingdom. While many kingdoms are expansive and open-ended (like the Sand and Metro Kingdoms), others such as the Cloud and Ruined Kingdoms serve as smaller, more focused arenas for key story moments.
Journey through breathtaking kingdoms
The innovative Cappy mechanics transform traditional gameplay by allowing Mario to capture enemies and objects, acquiring their unique abilities for a limited time. This feature opens inventive puzzle-solving possibilities and promotes creative approaches to platforming challenges. Beyond their utility, these captures have inspired speed runners to discover advanced techniques and impressive tricks, pushing the limits of Odyssey’s mechanics in the competitive speedrunning scene.
Smooth sailing
Odyssey’s integration with the exclusive console’s hardware ensures a polished, user-friendly experience. The game runs at a stable 60 FPS, both docked and handheld, with smooth controls that feel intuitive for newcomers yet reward mastery for seasoned players. The stylized, cartoonish lighting design—exemplified in the pastel tones of the Luncheon Kingdom or exaggerated shadows in the Ruined Kingdom—enhances the game’s whimsical charm rather than striving for realism. For accessibility, the Assist Mode offers helpful features such as increased health and navigation guides, ensuring players of all skill levels can enjoy the adventure.
A world of color and sound
Visually, Super Mario Odyssey shines with a colorful art style that captivates players of all ages. Detailed environments come alive with engaging particle effects, vibrant animations, and artistic flourishes. The eclectic soundtrack ranges from energetic themes like Jump Up, Super Star! to nostalgic tunes, including direct references to Mario’s past adventures—most notably in the Mushroom Kingdom, which lovingly recreates Peach’s Castle from Super Mario 64 with retro aesthetics and sound effects.
Secrets waiting to be found
With 17 diverse kingdoms to explore—including post-game challenges like the Dark Side and Darker Side of the Moon—Odyssey offers significant replay value. Each kingdom is packed with hidden Power Moons (880 unique ones, with the total climbing to 999 via purchasable extras) and regional coins, encouraging players to uncover every secret nook and cranny. While some critics noted that the sheer number of Moons makes them feel less special than Stars in earlier 3D Mario games, the variety of objectives keeps exploration exciting.
Though the game lacks traditional competitive multiplayer—a feature never common in 3D Mario games—it includes a fun cooperative mode where one player controls Mario and the other guides Cappy. Post-launch updates also added Luigi’s Balloon World, an asynchronous online minigame where players hide and seek balloons for a global leaderboard challenge.
Super Mario Odyssey stands the test of time
Super Mario Odyssey stands as a benchmark in 3D platforming, blending innovative mechanics with charming visuals and a sense of discovery. The robust post-game content, creative captures, and nostalgic callbacks cement its status as a standout title. While the lack of competitive multiplayer is seen as a minor drawback, the overall experience delivers a joyous adventure that rewards curiosity and creativity. This game is essential for anyone seeking an unforgettable journey across Mario’s most imaginative worlds yet.
