So, you’re running around the Sand Kingdom, kicking cacti and wondering why on earth you’re still looking for a glowing celestial object hidden inside a random stone pillar. It's the classic Mario Odyssey power moons grind. Honestly, it’s a bit of a madness. Nintendo didn't just give us a few collectibles; they buried 880 unique moons across the game, and if you count the shop duplicates, that number balloons to 999. It’s overwhelming. Most people give up after the credits roll, but there’s a specific kind of itch that only finding that one last moon can scratch.
You’ve probably noticed that not all moons are created equal. Some are literally just sitting there. You walk up, you jump, you grab it. Done. Others? Others require the platforming precision of a speedrunner or the patience of a saint. This isn't just about "beating the game" anymore. It's about seeing every weird, creative corner that the developers at Nintendo EPD tucked away.
The Real Math Behind the Hunt
Let's talk numbers for a second. To actually reach the "final" final boss in the Darker Side of the Moon, you need 500. That sounds like a lot until you realize the Mushroom Kingdom alone has a massive stash waiting for you post-game. But here’s the thing people get wrong: you don't need to be a god at platforming to get the majority of them. A huge chunk of Mario Odyssey power moons are actually rewards for curiosity, not skill. If you see a weird glowing spot in the dirt, ground pound it. If you see a bird that looks a bit too shiny, hit it with Cappy.
The game is designed to reward you for just messing around. It’s a "toy box" philosophy. Koichi Hayashida, the game's producer, has talked before about how they wanted the game to feel like a journey where you're constantly stumbling upon little surprises. That’s why there are so many. They didn't want you to feel bad if you missed one, because there's always another one twenty feet away.
Why the Post-Game is Where the Real Game Starts
Most players think they're done when Bowser is defeated. Big mistake. Huge. That’s when the Moon Rocks explode and scatter a whole new set of Mario Odyssey power moons across every single kingdom. These "Square Moons" are generally tougher and require more mastery of Cappy’s moveset.
🔗 Read more: Why the GTA Vice City Hotel Room Still Feels Like Home Twenty Years Later
Have you mastered the roll-jump yet? If not, you’re going to have a hard time with the later challenges. You need to be able to chain a long jump into a hat throw, then dive onto the hat to gain extra distance. It’s the bread and butter of high-level play. Without it, some of the moons in the Wooded Kingdom or the Luncheon Kingdom are basically impossible.
The Kingdoms That Will Break You
The Metro Kingdom is usually everyone’s favorite. New Donk City is a playground. But finding every single moon there is a nightmare. There’s one—"Jump-Rope Hero"—that requires 100 jumps in a row. It is notoriously the most hated moon in the community. People have literally used glitch exploits with the letters in the park just to avoid doing it legitimately. It’s a test of rhythm, and if your input lag is even slightly off on your TV, you’re toast.
Then there’s the Volleybomb challenge in the Seaside Kingdom. 100 hits. It’s tedious. It’s slow. It feels more like a test of endurance than a fun Mario level. But that’s the nature of the beast. If you want the gold sail on the Odyssey, you have to pay the price in sweat and frustration.
Hidden Mechanics and "Talkatoo"
If you’re stuck, stop wandering aimlessly. Talk to the bird. Talkatoo gives you the names of three moons at a time. This is a massive hint because the names are usually puns or literal descriptions of where the moon is. "Caught Hopping in the Desert" is pretty self-explanatory once you see the rabbit.
💡 You might also like: Tony Todd Half-Life: Why the Legend of the Vortigaunt Still Matters
Also, don't sleep on Uncle Amiibo. If you have any Amiibo lying around, he’ll send them out to find moon locations for you. It’s not "cheating"—it’s a built-in mechanic for when you’ve spent three hours staring at a wall in the Bowser Kingdom wondering what you missed.
The 999 Club
What happens when you get them all? Well, the Odyssey’s sail turns gold. You get a special portrait of the cast. And, if you reach the top of Peach’s Castle, there’s a giant hat you can stand on to trigger a tiny celebration. Is it "worth" the 40+ hours of grinding?
Honestly, probably not for everyone.
The value of the Mario Odyssey power moons isn't the reward at the end. It's the fact that every moon represents a little "Aha!" moment. It’s the game telling you, "Hey, we saw you try that weird jump, and we’re impressed." It makes the world feel reactive. It makes you feel smart.
📖 Related: Your Network Setting are Blocking Party Chat: How to Actually Fix It
Mastering Cappy’s Nuances
To get the really tricky ones, you need to understand that Cappy isn't just a weapon. He's a platform. Most people know the basic dive, but are you using the "Cappy Hold"? If you hold the Y button after throwing him, he stays in place. This allows you to jump, dive into him, and then immediately do another hat throw and dive. It’s how people skip entire sections of the Darker Side.
Specific captures also have hidden depths. The Pokio (the bird in Bowser's Kingdom) can flick itself much higher than you'd think if you timing the poke right against a wall. The Gushen (the water-jet creature) has a limited tank, but if you tap the trigger instead of holding it, you can stay airborne for significantly longer. These are the things you learn when you stop trying to finish the game and start trying to master it.
Common Misconceptions
- You need 999 for the ending: Nope. 500 gets you to the final challenge. The rest are for bragging rights.
- The shop moons are "fake": They count toward your total. If you’re at 870 and just want to be done, you can buy the rest from the Crazy Cap store. It’s the "easy way out," but the game allows it.
- Some moons are missable: Nothing is missable. You can go back to any kingdom at any time. Even the moons inside the "2D" segments are always accessible.
Tactical Advice for Completionists
If you’re serious about the hunt, do it kingdom by kingdom. Don't jump around. Open your map, look at the list, and cross-reference with a checklist if you have to. But try to find them on your own first. Use the vibrations in your controllers; the HD Rumble is actually a hot/cold sensor for hidden ground-pound spots. If your Joy-Cons start shaking like crazy, start slamming the ground.
Don't let the Jump-Rope or Volleyball moons burn you out. If you're getting frustrated, go find the music notes or the "Timer Challenge" moons. They're more about movement and less about repetitive timing.
Next Steps for Your Odyssey
- Check your list: Press "-" and then "Y" to see exactly which numbers you're missing in your current kingdom.
- Find Hint Toad: He’s usually near the Odyssey. He’ll mark a moon location on your map for 50 coins. It’s the best use of money in the game.
- Go to the Mushroom Kingdom: If you haven't been there yet, it’s the ultimate nostalgia trip and holds some of the most satisfying moons in the entire game.
- Practice the Long Jump-Dive: Spend ten minutes in an open area like the Sand Kingdom just practicing the
ZR + B -> Y -> ZRcombo. Once that's in your muscle memory, the game changes forever.
The hunt for every moon is less of a checklist and more of a tour through Nintendo's imagination. Take your time. Bowser isn't going anywhere.