Honestly, the first time you drop into the Sand Kingdom and see that shivering bird in a parka, you realize Super Mario Odyssey isn't just a platformer. It’s a travelogue. Nintendo didn't just build levels; they built ecosystems. Every kingdom functions as a distinct world with its own physics, fashion, and localized problems. You aren't just jumping on Goombas anymore. You're possessing a T-Rex. You're becoming a zipper. You're capturing a manhole cover in a gritty, rain-slicked alleyway.
It’s been years since the Odyssey first took flight, but the way these maps are stitched together remains a masterclass in sandbox design. Most games give you a map. Odyssey gives you a playground where the dirt under your fingernails changes every time you travel.
The Weird Logic of the Cap Kingdom and Beyond
Starting in the Cap Kingdom (Bonneton) is a moody choice. It’s monochrome. It’s foggy. It feels like a Tim Burton fever dream where everyone is a hat. This serves as your tutorial, but it’s also a statement of intent: "We’re going to get weird with it." You meet Cappy, you learn to throw him, and you realize the entire game revolves around the Capture mechanic. This isn't just a power-up. It's a total shift in identity.
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Then the game hits you with the Cascade Kingdom. Going from a gray, foggy top-hat world to a lush, prehistoric waterfall with a photorealistic T-Rex is a massive gear shift. Fossil Falls is small, but it's dense. It’s where you realize that a Power Moon can be hidden literally anywhere—behind a waterfall, inside a breakable rock, or just sitting at the top of a pillar that looks impossible to reach.
Sand Kingdom: The First Real Sandbox
The Sand Kingdom (Tostarena) is massive. Like, actually huge. It’s a desert, sure, but it’s freezing. The "Inverted Pyramid" is one of the coolest set pieces in the series because it flips the script on what you expect from a desert level. You’ve got the Jaxi—those stone lions you can ride—which are honestly a bit of a nightmare to control until you get the hang of the drifting mechanics.
But look at the detail. The inhabitants are colorful skeletons wearing ponchos. They’re worried about their wedding ring. It’s a story-driven world disguised as a platforming challenge. Most people spend hours here just trying to figure out the 2D-to-3D transitions on the walls. It’s a brilliant way to pay homage to the NES era while staying firmly in the modern day.
Why the Wooded Kingdom is a Masterpiece
A lot of players cite the Wooded Kingdom (Steam Gardens) as their favorite, and for good reason. It’s a forest, but it’s also a factory. It’s managed by these rusty, flower-watering robots who are just trying to do their jobs while a giant mechanical centipede ruins everything.
The music here is a banger. It’s surf rock. Why? Who knows, but it works.
The verticality is what sets it apart. You start on the forest floor, climb up into the machinery, and can even fall into the "Deep Woods," which is a terrifying, dark pit where a T-Rex stalks you in the shadows. It feels dangerous. It’s one of the few places in a Mario game where the atmosphere shifts from "whimsical" to "survival horror" in about three seconds.
The Mid-Game Shift: From Clouds to Kitchens
The Lake Kingdom (Lake Lamode) and Lost Kingdom (Forgotten Isle) often get overlooked. The Lake Kingdom is elegant. It’s got that underwater "Dorrie" creature and a focus on swimming mechanics that actually don't suck, which is rare for a video game. Meanwhile, the Lost Kingdom is a neon-soaked tropical nightmare filled with purple poison and those "Klepto" birds that steal your hat. Losing Cappy is a genuine "oh crap" moment. It forces you to rely on Mario’s base moveset, reminding you that even without the gimmick, the platforming is rock solid.
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Then you hit the Metro Kingdom. New Donk City.
This is the peak of the game for many. Seeing Mario—a cartoon plumber—running alongside "realistic" humans in suits is jarring. It shouldn't work. It looks like a mod. But when you start swinging off poles and jumping on taxi cabs, it makes perfect sense. The "Festival" sequence, directed by Pauline, is a literal love letter to the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game. It’s pure joy.
The Late Game Kingdoms: Subverting Expectations
Most people expected a fire world and an ice world. We got them, but they weren't what we thought.
- Snow Kingdom (Shiveria): You drop down a hole into an underground town of bears who just want to race by rolling their bodies. It’s cozy. It feels like a blizzard outside while you’re tucked in with a blanket.
- Seaside Kingdom (Bubblaine): It’s a vacation spot. The "Sparkle Water" gimmick and the giant octopus (Brigadier Mollusque-Lanceur-le-Quatorzième... yes, that’s his name) make it feel distinct from the Lake Kingdom. You use "Gushens"—little water squirts—to fly around like you’re using a jetpack.
- Luncheon Kingdom (Mount Volbono): This place is neon pink and blue. The "lava" is actually boiling soup. The enemies are frying pans and tomatoes. It’s bizarre, vibrant, and a total departure from the "gritty" Metro Kingdom.
Then there’s Bowser’s Kingdom. Usually, Bowser lives in a dark, lava-filled castle. Here? It’s a Japanese-inspired fortress with neon lanterns, tile roofs, and a heavy focus on vertical climbing using "Pokio" birds to flick yourself up walls. It’s arguably the most beautiful level in the game.
The Moon and the Afterparty
The Moon Kingdom (Honeylune Ridge) changes the physics. Low gravity. Long jumps that last forever. It feels lonely and quiet, which is a great contrast to the chaos of the boss fight. But the game doesn't end when the credits roll.
The Mushroom Kingdom is the ultimate reward. It’s a recreation of the Super Mario 64 hub, complete with the castle, the fountain, and even the "hidden" stars that are now Power Moons. It’s nostalgic bait, but it’s done with such craft that you can’t help but smile.
Finally, for the completionists, there’s the Dark Side and the Darker Side. These are "Rabbit Ridge" and the ultimate gauntlet. The Darker Side is a grueling, long-form test of every single capture and jump you’ve learned. No checkpoints. Just you and your hat. It’s the final exam.
Actionable Tips for Kingdom Completionists
If you're jumping back into Odyssey in 2026 to mop up those last few hundred moons, keep these specific strategies in mind.
Don't ignore the Hint Toad. It’s not cheating; it’s a built-in mechanic for a reason. With 880 unique moon missions (and 999 total if you buy them), some are so obscure you'll never find them by accident. Look for the "glowing spots" in the ground; a Ground Pound often yields more than just coins.
Master the Cappy Jump. This is the "Long Jump -> Hat Throw -> Dive -> Bounce -> Hat Throw -> Dive" combo. It allows you to skip entire sections of the Wooded Kingdom and the Metro Kingdom. If you can't do this, you're playing at 50% capacity.
Talk to the locals. Many moons are locked behind "outfit checks." You need the local currency (the purple coins) to buy the regional outfit. Without the poncho in Tostarena or the parka in Shiveria, you're locked out of specific rooms and moons.
Check the art. The "Hint Art" found on walls in one kingdom usually points to a hidden moon in a completely different kingdom. Take a screenshot with your Switch button so you don't have to keep traveling back to look at the clue.
The Talkatoo is your best friend. If you're stuck, the bird gives you the name of the moon. Often, the name is a literal instruction on how to find it. "Caught Hopping in the Desert" tells you everything you need to know: find the bird, hit it with a hat.
The real magic of Super Mario Odyssey isn't just finishing the story. It's the fact that every time you think you've seen everything a kingdom has to offer, you find a hidden pipe that leads to a sub-level you didn't know existed. It’s a game about curiosity. Go satisfy it.