Super Mario Odyssey – Switch Review

Nintendo's reputation for crafting brilliantly creative open-world and sandbox playgrounds, with Mario as the star, has always been extraordinary. With each new entry in the series, immense expectations loom. So, how does one outdo oneself? If you're Nintendo, you create a tribute to everything that came before, and that's precisely what they've done with Super Mario Odyssey. It could very well be the pinnacle of the series, a true successor to Galaxy.

After a considerable hiatus, Mario returns to his sandbox, and Odyssey captures what made Super Mario 64 such a gem: a genuine affection for every Kingdom. In contrast to the entertaining yet isolated levels in 3D World and various 2D offerings, the return to a sprawling playground proves masterful. It lets each world's personality shine, much like the memorable landscapes from 1997.

Allowing players the freedom to explore entire worlds to uncover dozens of Power Moons (with over 70 in each Kingdom), Odyssey transforms terrain exploration into pure joy. These worlds are simply breathtaking, each brimming with its own unique personality.

With a multitude of sights and activities, Odyssey's strength lies in teaching players how to enjoy it all, made even more satisfying by Mario's superb control. As you might have guessed by now, Mario teams up with Cappy, who becomes his hat and unlocks various new abilities. These abilities form the foundation for attacks, jumps, and even taking control of iconic characters within the game.

Once again, in addition to Mario's new skills, each world offers a plethora of activities. Nintendo's creativity shines here, with numerous fun ways to discover and unlock Power Moons. Unlike Super Mario 64, Galaxy, and Sunshine, there are no hints. You're left to explore the world on your own. Odyssey encourages experimentation and generously rewards your curiosity.

In terms of experimentation, Mario can now don a variety of outfits, some essential for obtaining certain Power Moons, while others simply provide enjoyment. The "Crazy Cap" store accepts two currencies: gold coins and purple coins. Purple coins can be collected in every kingdom but spent only in the location where they were found, while gold coins are collected and usable anywhere.

In an age dominated by microtransactions, it's refreshing to see Nintendo completely eschew them, making this system a source of pure enjoyment for players. This system offers no tangible rewards apart from seeing Mario's different looks, but the joy of collecting coins in every kingdom makes it incredibly worthwhile.

Much like the best Mario games, the real fun begins after the credits roll. The game unlocks much more content. In addition to returning to collect the Power Moons you may have missed, there are countless new discoveries to be made. Nintendo has left no stone unturned in this game.

The only drawback is that some of Mario's moves are locked for those not using motion controls. If you're using the Pro Controller or playing the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, you won't have access to some of Cappy's abilities. This limitation is puzzling, considering that the console's unique selling point is its adaptability.

Super Mario Odyssey manages to exceed colossal expectations, offering the most gratifying gameplay experience in any Mario game to date. While some may debate whether it matches Galaxy, for me, it does, thanks to its brilliant reinvention of the sandbox formula and expert utilization of various tools. You'll become obsessed with collecting outfits and Power Moons and fall in love with every kingdom you visit.

Final Score: