Super Mario Odyssey Guide: Moons, Kingdoms and Review

I’ll be upfront: I haven’t played Super Mario Odyssey. I grew up on Super Mario Bros as a kid, but these days I’m a laptop gamer, and I’ve never owned a Switch. Still, this game keeps showing up on every “best of” list years after launch, and I wanted to know why.

Here’s the short version. Super Mario Odyssey is a 2017 Switch platformer with 17 kingdoms and 999 Power Moons, and it scored 97 on Metacritic. This guide covers what Cappy does, the kingdoms and moons, two-player mode, how long it takes, the reviews and where to buy it.

What Is Super Mario Odyssey?

Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platformer that Nintendo released for the Switch on October 27, 2017. Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach and plans to force her into marriage. So Mario chases him across very different worlds in a hat-shaped airship called the Odyssey.

The twist is Mario’s new partner.

Who Is Cappy?

Cappy is a living hat. He’s a Bonneter whose sister, Tiara, Bowser has also kidnapped, so Cappy turns into Mario’s cap and joins the chase.

Here’s why that matters. You can throw Cappy at enemies and objects to “capture” them and take control. In other words, you can become a Goomba, a frog, a T-Rex or even a taxi. That’s the heart of Super Mario Odyssey gameplay.

Mario and Cappy as a Team

They both work like one character with two tools. Mario handles the jumping, while Cappy handles everything else, from platforms to captures to combat.

Honestly, the captures are why people still talk about this game. Coming from the old side-scrolling Mario I played as a kid, that idea sounds wild to me.

Who Are the Mario Odyssey Characters?

The main Mario Odyssey characters are a small cast:

• Mario. The hero, of course.
• Cappy. The talking hat and your main tool.
• Princess Peach. Bowser’s kidnapped “bride”.
• Tiara. Cappy’s sister, now stuck on Peach’s head.
• Bowser. Planning a wedding nobody wanted.
• The Broodals. Bowser’s rabbit wedding planners, led by Madame Broode.

How Many Worlds Are in Mario Odyssey?

There are 17 kingdoms in total. You visit 14 in the main story, and three more open up after the credits.

Nintendo calls them kingdoms rather than worlds, but they mean the same thing.

All Super Mario Odyssey Kingdoms

Here are all the Super Mario Odyssey kingdoms in story order:

What’s Special About the Moon Kingdom?

The Mario Odyssey Moon Kingdom is where the story ends. Bowser holds his wedding there, and the low gravity makes every jump feel floaty.

Watch out for Moonsnakes there, too. A moon snake is a rolling rock obstacle that you can’t defeat, so you just avoid it.

What’s in the Mushroom Kingdom?

The Mushroom Kingdom unlocks after the credits, and it’s a love letter to Super Mario 64. It’s packed with moons and callbacks to Peach’s Castle.

How Many Levels in Mario Odyssey?

There aren’t really “levels” in the old sense. Instead, each kingdom is an open area packed with moons to find. If you count kingdoms as levels, the answer is 17.

The Mario Odyssey levels are also much bigger than classic Mario stages. Some, like the Metro Kingdom, feel like small open worlds.

How Do Odyssey’s Levels Compare to Older Games?

Classic Mario games, like the Super Mario Bros I played as a kid, gave you a start and a flagpole. Odyssey works more like Super Mario 64. You enter a kingdom, explore freely and grab moons in any order.

As a result, many fans call it the best sandbox design Nintendo has done in 3D.

How Many Power Moons Are There?

There are 999 Power Moons in total. That includes 880 you find in the kingdoms, plus extra ones you buy at the Crazy Cap shop.

You only need 124 to beat the story, though. The rest are optional, and most of them are post-game.

What Are Power Moons?

Power Moons fuel the Odyssey airship. Collect enough in a kingdom, and you can fly to the next one. Also, moons come from everywhere: bosses, puzzles, hidden corners and even talking to NPCs.

Finding Mario Odyssey Moons

If you’re stuck, use the Hint Toad and Talkatoo characters, since they mark moon locations for you. In fact, they’re the closest thing the game has to a built-in guide.

Moons can hide almost anywhere. So keep throwing Cappy at weird-looking objects, because more often than not, something pops out.

How Many Moons Do You Really Need?

For the ending, you need 124 Power Moons. For full completion, you need all 999. The gap between those two numbers is the whole post-game.

Is Mario Odyssey 2 Player?

Yes, sort of. Mario Odyssey 2 player mode lets a second person control Cappy while the first controls Mario.

First, each player takes one Joy-Con. Player two can fly Cappy around to hit enemies and grab coins, but Cappy has to stay close to Mario. So it’s more of a helper mode than real co-op.

Is Two-Player Mode Good for Kids?

That’s exactly who it suits best. For two adults, it’s not much fun. But for a parent playing with a younger child, it works great.

On Switch 2, a free update also adds GameShare. That means a second player can join as Cappy locally or online through GameChat.

How Long Is Mario Odyssey?

The main story takes about 12 to 13 hours. With extras, it’s closer to 27 hours, and getting everything takes around 60.

So the story is short, but the post-game more than doubles it. By comparison, a big RPG like the one in my Oblivion Remastered guide takes 60 hours or more with side quests.

How Long to Beat Mario Odyssey

Here’s the breakdown for how long to beat Mario Odyssey:

• Main story. About 12.5 hours.
• Main story plus extras. About 27 hours.
• Completionist. About 61.5 hours.

How Fast Do Speedrunners Beat It?

A lot faster. Speedrunners use Mario Odyssey splits to track their times per kingdom, and the fastest Any% runs finish in about an hour.

For most players, though, it comes down to how many moons you chase. Think a weekend for the story, and a few weeks for everything.

Super Mario Odyssey Review: What Did Critics Say?

Critics loved it. Super Mario Odyssey has a 97 on Metacritic, one of the highest scores of all time, and IGN gave it a perfect 10. That score helped make it a Switch must-have.

Mario Odyssey Review Highlights

Most of the Super Mario Odyssey reviews praised the same things, as this review roundup shows:

• Captures. Endless variety that keeps surprising you.
• Creativity. Every kingdom feels different.
• Music. “Jump Up, Super Star!” is still a banger.

The main complaint? Some moons are too easy to find, which makes a few of them feel cheap.

How Does It Hold Up on Switch and Switch 2?

Reviews in 2017 called it a must-buy on Switch, and that verdict hasn’t changed. It runs great on the original Switch, and it looks even better on Switch 2.

My take, from the outside: every review I read says it’s one of the best platformers ever made. I don’t doubt that at all.

Does Super Mario Odyssey Have DLC?

No paid DLC. However, Nintendo released free updates after launch.

For example, the biggest one added Luigi’s Balloon World in February 2018, a mode where you hide and find balloons. So everything is free and already in the game.

What About the Switch 2 Update?

On Switch 2, a free update sharpens the visuals for the new screen and high-resolution TVs. It also adds HDR support and GameShare for two-player Cappy mode.

Mario Odyssey Rating and Logo

The Super Mario Odyssey rating is E10+ (Everyone 10+) from the ESRB, so it’s fine for most kids. As for the critics’ rating, that’s the 97 on Metacritic.

The Mario Odyssey Logo

The Mario Odyssey logo keeps Nintendo’s classic Super Mario lettering, with “Odyssey” written big underneath. It’s simple, and it’s easy to spot on store shelves.

Where Can You Buy Super Mario Odyssey?

It’s still widely available at around $59.99 new. Nintendo rarely discounts its own games, so don’t expect big sales.

Retail Options

• GameStop. New and used copies, plus trade-in deals.
• Best Buy. Usually stocks the physical version.
• Amazon. Often has small price drops.

Should You Buy Used Super Mario Odyssey?

Yes, it’s a smart way to save. After all, used copies often sell for much less than new. Also, since there’s no paid DLC, you lose nothing by buying used.

Can You Download Super Mario Odyssey?

Yes, through the Nintendo eShop. To download Super Mario Odyssey, buy it on the eShop from your Switch or Switch 2, and it installs directly.

Walkthrough for Mario Odyssey: Quick Tips

I won’t do a full walkthrough for Mario Odyssey here, but players share these tips again and again:

• Throw Cappy at everything. Hidden moons love strange objects.
• Learn the long jump and cap jump. They open up shortcuts everywhere.
• Use Hint Toad. He marks moons on your map for a few coins.
• Revisit kingdoms after the credits. Many new moons appear.
• Don’t rush. The game rewards poking around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Super Mario Odyssey is one of those games I keep reading about and feel like I’m missing out on. The capture system sounds brilliant, the kingdoms look varied, and the 97 on Metacritic speaks for itself.

If the Switch 2 price drops and I finally pick one up, this is the first game I’d grab. Until then, if you like gaming on the go, my guide to Assassin’s Creed on PSP, Vita and Switch covers another series that runs well on handhelds.