Super Mario Odyssey
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: October 27, 2017
Platforms: Switch
Genre: Platformer
Return To Glory
Written by Joshua David Anderson
In the history of video games, there is no character as important, as recognizable, or as influential as Mario. The italian plumber from Nintendo is one of the most well known characters ever created, and the amount of games Mario appears in is staggering. However, there is still a difference between a Mario game where he plays tennis or teaches you typing and what is considered a “mainline” Mario game. There is an importance to a Mario release that surpases others. In the case of Super Mario Odyssey, there is even more riding on the game due to the fact that it is the first Mario game released for the Switch, Nintendo’s newest game console.
Nintendo’s first party always seems to be able to get the most out of their tech and Super Mario Odyssey is certainly a great looking game. Despite being on lesser hardware than their competitors, you get the feeling Odyssey looks exactly like it is supposed to. Mario looks fantastic, with little details like textures on his overalls and details on his mustache. The world also looks great, with bright vibrant colors being used liberally, and interesting architecture making the most of the Switch hardware. A huge amount of the magic of Odyssey comes from the fantastic art style, with characters being expressive and detailed without having to be photorealistic. This also allows the Switch to deliver smooth performance, with Mario rarely running around at less than 60 frames per second.
The smooth performance helps to make the gameplay feel even better. Controlling Mario feels great, very familiar to anyone who has played prior 3D Mario platformers. Tons of old moves from Super Mario 64, like triple jumping and long jumps, show up here feeling right in place. Alongside those old mainstays are new moves, liking diving in mid air and rolling up in a ball and somersaulting all over the world. Additionally, Mario has a new attack this time around, throwing a magic hat named Cappy at his enemies. For smaller foes, this will kill them outright, but for larger enemies, Cappy will attach to their head and allow Mario to possess the creature, giving you new moves or abilities. All these moves feel like Mario moves, and they all contribute to helping you explore the worlds of Odyssey.
And explore those worlds you will, as Super Mario Odyssey is a return to the open world design of Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Sunshine. There are over a dozen “kingdoms” in the game, usually following a theme, like the Lake Kingdom, Sand Kingdom, or Snow Kingdom. Each of these areas are open to run around in, their size not being too big to be overwhelming, but densely filled with things to do and stuff to find. The main goal of the game is to find Power Moons, which upgrade your spaceship, allow you to visit other kingdoms, and unlock new items to purchase in shops. This design is where Odyssey absolutely shines, with the game rewarding you almost constantly for anything you do. If you see something in the game that seems interesting or hard to get to or even just neat looking, chances are you will find something there. In all, Odyssey feels incredible and satisfying to play and explore.
It almost seems a bit boring to proclaim “Nintendo has done it again with Mario,” but it is the truth. Nintendo has crafted another masterpiece Mario game for their new console. Super Mario Odyssey absolutely sits up with the pantheon of other Mario platformers, being quite a bit better than most and arguably giving the top contenders in the series a run for their gold coins. Odyssey brings all the charm and whimsy of the old NES Mario titles, the exploration of 64 and Sunshine, and adds some new things never seen before. Add in being the first huge Mario game that can be taken with you on the go and you have an incredible title. Super Mario Odyssey is a must buy for any Switch owner, and Mario fans especially.