Let’s be real for a second. Most of us expected a wedding. We’ve spent decades watching Mario chase Peach across the Mushroom Kingdom, through space, and even into literal 8-bit dimensions. So, when we finally reached the moon in 2017, the stage was set for the ultimate "happily ever after." Bowser had the suit. Mario had the tuxedo. The Super Mario Odyssey ending was supposed to be the moment they finally settled it.
Instead, we got one of the funniest, most awkward, and surprisingly progressive moments in Nintendo history.
Mario didn't get the girl. Bowser didn't get the girl. Peach just... left. She boarded the Odyssey, looked at both of them as they shoved flowers in her face, and basically said, "I'm good." It was a massive subversion of the 'damsel in distress' trope that had defined the series since 1985. It wasn't just a punchline; it was a character arc for a princess who was clearly tired of being a trophy in a tug-of-war between a plumber and a turtle.
What Actually Happened During the Super Mario Odyssey Ending?
After that final, grueling boss fight inside the Wedding Hall on the Moon, things get weird. The floor collapses. You’re plunged into the center of the Moon. To escape, Mario has to perform his most audacious Capture yet: he possesses Bowser.
Controling Bowser feels heavy. Destructive. It’s a power trip that serves a narrative purpose. You’re literally using the villain's strength to save the person he kidnapped. As "Break Free (Lead the Way)" starts playing, the energy shifts from a tense boss battle to a triumphant escape. You're smashing through pillars, jumping over moon-lava, and carrying Peach on your back—or rather, on Bowser's back while Mario’s soul is at the wheel.
Then comes the rejection.
Back on the surface, Mario and Bowser both try to propose to Peach at the same time. It’s desperate. Bowser offers a bouquet of Piranha Plants; Mario offers a simple Rocket Flower. Peach’s "No!" echoes across the lunar landscape. She walks toward the Odyssey, starts the engines, and for a terrifying second, it looks like she’s going to leave them both stranded in the vacuum of space. She doesn't, of course. She invites Mario back on board at the last millisecond.
But the message was loud and clear. Peach is her own person.
The Escape Sequence and the Music
The inclusion of "Break Free (Lead the Way)" was a masterstroke by Nintendo’s sound team, led by Naoto Kubo. Most Mario games end with a triumphant orchestral swell. This felt like a pop concert. It signaled that Odyssey wasn't just another entry—it was a celebration of the franchise's evolution. By the time you hit that final spark wire to return to the surface, the game has shifted from a platformer into a cinematic experience.
Why the Ending Caused Such a Stir
A lot of fans were actually mad. You’ll find old forum threads where people complained that Mario "deserved" a win after all that work. But that’s kind of the point. The Super Mario Odyssey ending works because it respects Peach as a character rather than a goalpost.
Think about the sheer distance Mario traveled. He went from the prehistoric Fossil Falls to the gritty, realistic streets of New Donk City. He collected hundreds of Power Moons. The effort was Herculean. However, the game argues that effort doesn't entitle you to a person's hand in marriage. It’s a surprisingly mature take for a game where you can dress up as a clown and hit things with a sentient hat.
The Post-Game Reveal
If you thought the credits meant the game was over, you were dead wrong. The real Super Mario Odyssey ending—the "true" completion—happens much later. Once the credits roll, Peach isn't just back in her castle waiting to be kidnapped again. She packs a suitcase.
You can find her in every single kingdom you previously visited. She’s wearing travel gear, exploring the world on her own terms. This "World Tour" phase of the game is essential for understanding the ending's impact. It transforms Peach from a victim into a fellow adventurer. If you talk to her in the Mushroom Kingdom after finding her in all other locales, she gives you a Power Moon and some genuine dialogue about her travels. It’s the most agency she’s ever had in a mainline 3D Mario title.
The Dark Side of the Moon and the 100% Ending
For the hardcore crowd, the "Ending" isn't the moon wedding. It’s the Long Journey to the End.
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To truly finish Odyssey, you have to unlock the Darker Side of the Moon. This requires 500 Power Moons. It is a brutal, checkpoint-free gauntlet that tests every single mechanic you've learned. No Cappy captures to bail you out for long stretches. Just pure platforming.
When you reach the top of the final skyscraper in this trial, Cappy gives a heartfelt speech. He thanks Mario for the adventure. It’s a quiet, emotional beat that stands in stark contrast to the chaotic rejection at the lunar wedding. Then, you climb the final pole, and the game rewards you with an invisible hat that makes the game harder (or "pro" mode).
Wait, that's it?
Yeah. Nintendo’s reward for 100% completion has always been a bit cheeky. In Super Mario 64, it was 100 lives and a sparkly triple jump from Yoshi. In Odyssey, the reward is the journey itself and a few cosmetic nods. It reinforces the theme: the "Odyssey" is the travel, not the destination.
Semantic Details You Might Have Missed
- The Flowers: Bowser’s flowers are literal monsters (Piranha Plants). Mario’s are a power-up. Neither is actually thinking about what Peach likes.
- The Ship: The Odyssey itself is powered by Moons, which represent "energy" and "growth." By the end, the ship is overflowing with them, symbolizing how much Mario (and the player) has grown.
- The Painting: In the Mushroom Kingdom, there’s a painting of the final battle. It’s a reminder that even the most epic conflicts eventually become just stories on a wall.
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
Some players think there’s a secret "good" ending where Peach says yes. There isn't. No matter how many moons you collect—whether it's the minimum or the full 999—the cinematic remains the same.
Another myth is that Bowser and Mario are "friends" now because they worked together to escape. Honestly, look at their faces in the final cutscene. They still hate each other. They were just stuck in a life-or-death situation. It’s more of a "the enemy of my enemy is my impending death" type of deal.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you’ve just seen the credits and feel like you've "finished" the Super Mario Odyssey ending, you’ve actually only seen about 40% of the game. Here is how to actually wrap things up:
- Visit the Mushroom Kingdom: Head to Peach’s Castle. It’s a nostalgia trip, but it also contains a massive amount of "Achievements" tracked by Toadette.
- Find Travel Peach: Follow her through the kingdoms in order: Cap, Cascade, Sand, Wooded, Lake, Cloud, Lost, Metro, Snow, Seaside, Luncheon, Ruined, and finally Bowser's Kingdom. Meeting her back at the Moon is the final step.
- Unlock the Dark Side: Collect 250 Moons to hit the first secret area.
- Unlock the Darker Side: Hit the 500 Moon mark for the ultimate challenge.
- The Gold Balloon: If you really want to flex, reach 999 Moons. The top of Peach’s castle will sprout a giant gold balloon shaped like Bowser’s ship.
The Super Mario Odyssey ending didn't give us the wedding we expected, but it gave us the character development we didn't know we needed. It moved the needle for the entire series. It proved that Mario doesn't need a romantic payoff to be a hero, and Peach doesn't need a savior to be a queen. It’s a weird, wacky, and wonderful conclusion to a game that redefined what a platformer could be.
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Go find those remaining moons. The Mushroom Kingdom isn't going anywhere, and Peach is probably out there somewhere in the Sand Kingdom, enjoying a vacation without a fire-breathing turtle ruining her day.