On its most fundamental level, Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D action platformer, but it's so much more than just another Mario game. It's a member of the sandbox exploration genre, a revisit to a type of play that hadn't been seen in the series since Super Mario Sunshine on GameCube way back in 2002. Mario can run around enormous, detailed kingdoms and find hidden secrets in this open-world setup, and it's a gigantic leap forward for the Super Mario franchise.
The plot, as simple as it is classic, involves Bowser's scheme to marry Princess Peach. Players, taking on the role of Mario, must chase after the villain and rescue Princess Peach with the help of his latest friend, Cappy, a sentient hat from the Hat Kingdom. This is the first title in the series to be rated CERO "B" (12+), indicating a darker undertone to the adventure and generating quite a lot of hype at the time.
A highlight of Odyssey is its incredibly diverse and imaginative kingdoms. From New Donk City's urban streets to the desert landscapes of the Sand Kingdom, and the quirky Culinary Wonderland, each kingdom is differently alive, detailed, and fun to explore. These worlds are more than just backdrops — they are full of secrets, challenges, and collectibles like the Power Moons and coins that are hidden about. The freedom to discover these lush miniature worlds, with surprises around every corner, made the experience feel fresh in a way that was quite astounding.
It's the new game mechanic that is introduced with Cappy, however, that helped Super Mario Odyssey truly shine. Cappy, the hat of Mario, introduces the power to possess other characters and objects in the game. From Goombas to giant T-Rexes, the player could possess enemies, switch up playstyles, and move around the world in creative new ways. It's a mechanic that gives you a sense of freedom, and with the range of creatures and objects that you can possess, it keeps the gameplay feeling new and constantly thrilling.
Flash forward to 2023, and the game has been remastered and updated for the Nintendo Switch 2. Players can now enjoy clearer, crisper graphics on high-definition screens, and for the first time, the game features Share Play. This allows two players to experience the adventure together — one as Mario, and one as Cappy — which makes the game even more fun and social.
As we celebrate this 8th anniversary, Super Mario Odyssey remains a benchmark for open-world design and creative gameplay in platformers. Whether replaying it after all these years or playing it for the first time on the Switch 2, this game is a reminder why Mario is such an iconic character in the history of video games.
For new fans and old, Super Mario Odyssey is still just as magical today as it was the day it released. Here's to 8 years of unforgettably fantastic adventures — and to many more years to come!