The Nintendo Switch has only been out for nearly eight months, and there are already several amazing games padding its library, many of which are strong efforts on Nintendo’s part. With so many reasons to own a Switch, now there is one more. No Nintendo console is complete without the developer’s flagship series Super Mario. Nintendo’s mascot makes his debut on the Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, a sandbox-style 3D platformer in the vein of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Odyssey aims to set the bar higher than any of its predecessors, and it succeeds in every possible way.
The story of Odyssey kicks off in the middle of the action. There is no build-up to the events about to unfold, as is normally the case in most 3D Super Mario titles. The second the game starts, Mario is face-to-face with Bowser, who has captured Princess Peach AND Tiara, a hat-like character called a Bonneter. This time, Boweser has kidnapped Peach with the very clear intention of marrying her. Just as quickly as this is laid out, Bowser bests Mario, separating him from Peach and destroying his iconic hat. Before long, Mario meets up with Cappy, a Bonneter who joins Mario to help him save his sister, Tiara, and Princess Peach. To do this, Mario must collect “Power Moons” to power an airship, dubbed the Odyssey, and travel across the world in pursuit of Bowser. All of this is presented in a cinematic fashion, in such a way that you will not feel lost about anything going on as Nintendo maintains simplicity in its storytelling.
Bowser wants to marry Princess Peach, and Mario must stop him.
Before I go on, I would like to talk about the visuals. I never thought I would see the day that we could play a Mario game and see the individual hairs on Mario’s head and mustache, yet here we are. Such graphical feats were probably unnecessary, given Mario’s typically cartoony art direction, but it is safe to say Nintendo took several risks with this entry into the Super Mario series, especially in terms of its visual presentation. As far as the world design, Odyssey covers every end of the spectrum. It has the basic water and snow levels, but there are some environments that feel entirely new to the series, and the styles range from being cartoonish to photorealistic.
Mario in a metropolis cityscape does not seem too out-of-place, but when he is placed next to realistically-proportioned human beings, as is the case in the New Donk City level of Odyssey, he stands out entirely. It looks wrong, but no cared when Nintendo did the same thing when mixing together all kinds of characters in Super Smash Bros. Nintendo knew how dissonant it looked when they conceived the idea of Mario in a realistic world, and they ran with it. As odd as it looks, it works because Mario is a character than can be (and has been) literally anywhere. Mixing up the visuals adds variety, and Super Mario Odyssey is more gorgeous and interesting because of it.
There is a variety of kingdoms to explore. For example, New Donk City is a metropolis that pays homage to Donkey Kong.
Not only is each level beautiful, but they are sizeable, with many items to collect in them. The goal of the game is, as mentioned, to collect Power Moons. When entering a level, there are certain Power Moons that will need to be obtained to progress, but reaching one does not end the level like it would in previous titles. Mario can grab a moon and keep exploring from where he left off, so the action is always forward-moving. When clearing a level, even more Moons can be found in every which direction. Getting enough moons will power the Odyssey, allowing players to move on to the next level.
The game has collectibles on the side, too. There are two types of coins, which can be used at Crazy Cap stores in each level to purchase costumes and souvenirs, some of which are callbacks to Mario’s history, and there are even so Power Moons for sale. Purple coins have finite about in each level, with about 50 or 100 to find. The familiar golden coins can found anywhere. Unlike most entries in the series, coins do not give Mario extra lives, as he does not have limited lives in this game. Instead, dying results in losing 10 gold coins as a penalty. None of this really cheapens the overall difficulty, as players are set back to the last checkpoint they reached. Speaking of which, flags found throughout each world function as checkpoints but are also fast travel points that Mario can return to when selecting them on the map menu. This is especially helpful when revisiting areas for Power Moons, as there are quite a few to collect if you every hope to complete the game 100%.
Get new costumes and souvenirs at the Crazy Cap in each level.
It goes without saying that Super Mario’s usual platforming mechanics are present, with most of the emphasis in the instance being on the different kinds of jumps Mario can do. He can even throw his hat companion, Cappy, and bounce off of him for extra jumping distance. There are even some old-school platforming segments in the 8-bit murals that are sprinkled throughout the different worlds. These moments control much like the very first Super Mario Bros. game. The 2D murals are never overused and only help to serve the gameplay while offering fanservice.
The 8-bit murals invoke classic Mario gameplay.
What is easily the most important aspect of the gameplay is the capture mechanic. Mario can throw his hat at enemies to attack them, but certain enemies, allies, and objects can even be captured. This allows Mario to control something directly, gaining its abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. When the situation calls for it, anything captured can accomplish a goal that Mario cannot, and areas of each level are designed entirely with the capture mechanic in mind. That said, players will likely know when something nearby needs to be captured to progress. Thankfully, controlling captured things often feels as natural as controlling Mario, which says a lot because there is a wide range of abilities that captured things can use. This mechanic alone led to some of the greatest moments in the history of the Super Mario series, and it really makes Odyssey the game that it is.
Mario can capture certain characters and objects to gain their abilities.
On top of quality gameplay, Super Mario Odyssey has some catchy tunes and sounds that cater to the nostalgia as well as bring some new to the franchise. Many of the timeless songs and effects that have been with the series since its early days are still present and are always appreciated. As for what this particular game offers, the new songs really set the mood. The music is quiet or upbeat when it needs to be, and it will change organically depending on the area of a level that Mario is currently exploring. There are even a couple of lyrical songs in the game, one of which has been in every other trailer for Super Mario Odyssey. The other, you really need to earn it, but it is amazing.
All that aside, amiibo figures have some functionality in Super Mario Odyssey. Most can be used to mark locations of Power Moons on the map, with a few even unlocking new outfits for Mario. The wedding series of Mario amiibo released alongside Odyssey have specific functions, as well as other Mario, Peach, and Bowser amiib. Any Mario amiibo grants temporary invincible, a Peach amiibo gives a max health power-up, and the Bowser amiibo locates purple coins. At this point, I am happy that amiibo do anything in a Nintendo game, and Odyssey will keep you tapping them from start to finish.
Each Mario Wedding amiibo has a specific function in the game.
Super Mario Odyssey definitely takes the spot as the best game in the Super Mario series, and this is stacked against the Super Mario Galaxy games, some of the great games of all time. Nintendo continues to outdo themselves with the most tried and true franchise in videogames, and it makes me wonder if they could ever top Odyssey. I would like to believe it is possible, but for now, Super Mario Odyssey will stand, in my opinion, as the great Super Mario game ever made.
Except Rosalina is not in it, but it is so good that I can somehow forgive that grievance.
