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Super Mario Odyssey, one of the most highly-anticipated titles for the Nintendo Switch, has finally hit the shelves of game stores around the world. Nintendo have been hyping up the game all year, and pre-release reviews have been calling it a masterpiece. Does Odyssey live up to the hype, and is it a worthy successor to its Galaxy predecessors?
Nintendo have crammed so many new and exciting ideas into Odyssey, most notably the ability to take over certain enemies using Cappy, Mario’s new ghostly ally. Gone are the array of mushrooms and flowers of the past, in favour of this new take on power-ups. It’s given the franchise a much-needed refresh and allows for some unique level design. Odyssey is also incredibly open, with sprawling kingdoms unlike any other Mario game. The influence of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is undeniable, as there are Power Moons and other collectibles to be discovered in every nook and cranny.
Odyssey feels quite similar to the classic Super Mario 64, as it contains many varied worlds, though it lacks a central hub. In general, the kingdoms in Odyssey are more aesthetically realistic than other Mario games, such as New Donk City, the Metro Kingdom’s skyscraper haven. The various kingdoms offer plenty of variety to the player, but also make the game feel a little bit scattered. Playing Odyssey doesn’t feel quite as cohesive as playing the Galaxy games, because the kingdoms feel completely unrelated to each other.
The plot of Odyssey is a little disappointing, given the fantastic storytelling seen in Super Mario Galaxy games. Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach yet again (seriously Nintendo, move on from this) and is stealing various artifacts from different kingdoms for their wedding day. There’s almost no context for the plot in the opening of the game, and it doesn’t see much development as the player progresses through each kingdom. Nintendo could have been better off leaving out the storyline entirely.
Despite the questionable plot, Super Mario Odyssey is a success for Nintendo, and is sure to become a classic. It’s a fresh take on the Mario franchise, and shows that Nintendo is open to experimenting with its most treasured intellectual property. I’m not convinced that it tops all other Mario games, but it’s certainly the most adventurous entry in the franchise to date, and that’s to be commended. Without a doubt, Odyssey is an essential purchase for every Switch owner.