It’s been years. Seriously. We are nearly a decade removed from that massive 2017 launch window, and yet, Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch still feels like it’s from the future. Most games age. They get creaky. You go back to them and notice the frame rate hitches or the weird camera controls that you’ve since forgotten. But not this one.
Mario is smooth.
I was playing it again last night. Just messing around in the Wooded Kingdom. I realized that the physics engine in this game is basically magic. When you throw Cappy—that sentient hat that basically replaced Mario’s entire personality—and dive onto him in mid-air, it feels... right. It’s tactile. You aren't just pushing buttons; you’re performing. That is why people still care. It isn't just nostalgia for a red hat. It’s the fact that Nintendo EPD took the "sandbox" concept from Super Mario 64 and Sunshine and actually perfected it.
The Cappy Mechanic: More Than Just a Gimmick
Most people thought the hat was a weird addition. "Wait, so Mario just possesses things now?" Yeah, basically. The "Capture" mechanic is the core of Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch, and honestly, it’s the bravest thing Nintendo has done with the franchise since 1996. By letting you become a T-Rex, a Goomba, or a literal tank, they broke the rules of what a Mario game is supposed to be.
Usually, Mario is about jumping.
Here, jumping is often secondary to figuring out what creature has the right ability to reach that one Power Moon hidden on a high ledge. Take the Pokio in Bowser’s Kingdom. You’re a bird. You poke your beak into walls and flick yourself upward. It’s weird! It’s goofy! But it works because the controls are 1:1. There is no lag. There is no friction between your brain and the screen.
Movement Tech for the Hardcore
If you talk to speedrunners like CJya or SmallAnt, they’ll tell you the same thing: this game has a ceiling that is basically in the stratosphere.
You’ve got the basics. Triple jump, long jump, wall kick. But then you add the Cappy dive. You throw the hat, you jump, you dive, you bounce off the hat, you throw it again, you dive again. You can cross gaps that the developers probably didn't intend for you to cross. Or maybe they did. That’s the genius of it. The "intended" path is for everyone, but the "secret" path is for the people who want to master the Joy-Cons.
The Kingdoms Aren't Just Levels
In old Mario games, you had "World 1-1" and "World 1-2." In Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch, you have ecosystems.
New Donk City is the obvious standout. It’s surreal. Seeing a cartoonish, squat Italian plumber running alongside realistically proportioned humans in business suits is a fever dream. It shouldn't work. It’s visually jarring. But when you’re swinging from traffic lights and jumping off the heads of pedestrians to reach a rooftop, you stop caring about the art style clash. It feels alive. The music changes as you recruit band members for the festival. It’s a love letter to the history of the series, culminating in that 2D 8-bit segment that still brings a tear to the eye of anyone who grew up with a NES.
Then you have the Luncheon Kingdom. It’s neon. It’s pink and blue and filled with sentient forks. It’s bizarre. But it’s also a masterclass in level design because every single "island" in that lava of soup is a puzzle. You aren't just moving forward; you’re exploring a 360-degree space.
- Tostarena (Sand Kingdom): Huge, open, encourages the use of the Jaxi.
- Steam Gardens (Wooded Kingdom): Vertical, dense, and has that incredible surf-rock soundtrack.
- Mount Volbono (Luncheon Kingdom): Focused on the Lava Bubble capture mechanic.
The "Too Many Moons" Argument
I hear this a lot. People complain that there are 880 Power Moons (and even more if you buy them from the shop). "They feel cheap," some say. "I found one just by ground-pounding a glowing spot in the dirt."
Sure. Some Moons are easy. But that’s the point.
Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch is designed for the person who has five minutes to play on the bus and the person who has five hours to kill on a Saturday. The "easy" moons are breadcrumbs. They keep you moving. They reward curiosity. If you see a weird hill and think, "I wonder if there's something up there," and you find a Moon, the game is telling you: Yes, you are smart for looking there. The real challenge is in the post-game. The Dark Side and the Darker Side of the Moon will absolutely wreck you. Long Way the Toadstool? That's a gauntlet that requires near-perfect mastery of every mechanic you’ve learned. It balances the "everyone can play" Nintendo philosophy with the "get good" hardcore mentality.
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Technical Wizardry on Mobile Hardware
Let’s be real: the Nintendo Switch isn't a powerhouse. Even back in 2017, it was lagging behind the PS4 and Xbox One. So how does Odyssey look so good?
Optimization.
The game targets 60 frames per second. That is non-negotiable for a platformer. To hit that, Nintendo uses a dynamic resolution scaler. When things get busy, the resolution drops slightly, but you never notice because the art direction is so strong. The materials—the way Mario’s clothes look wet when he jumps in water, or the way the sand clings to his shoes in Tostarena—are doing the heavy lifting. It proves that you don't need 4K textures if your lighting and animation are top-tier.
Portability Changes Everything
Playing Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode is still the best way to experience it for many. There is something intimate about holding that world in your hands. It makes the "snapshot mode" feel more like actual photography.
I’ve spent hours just posing Mario. There’s a filter for everything. Game Boy filters, oil painting filters. It’s a precursor to the massive photo-mode movements we see in games like Spider-Man or God of War. It’s a game that wants to be shared.
What Most People Miss About the Story
Is the story deep? No. Bowser kidnaps Peach. Again. He wants to marry her. He’s wearing a white top hat.
But the subtext is actually about Odyssey—the journey itself. It’s about the different cultures of the world. Each Kingdom has its own local currency, its own souvenirs, and its own traditional dress. When you buy the Poncho in the Sand Kingdom, you aren't just changing a skin. You’re participating in that world’s vibe.
And that ending?
Without spoiling too much for the three people who haven't finished it: it subverts the "damsel in distress" trope in a way that is actually quite refreshing for a 40-year-old franchise. Peach chooses herself. It’s a small moment, but it’s a sign that even Mario is allowed to grow up a little bit.
Real-World Value: Why Buy It Now?
If you just bought a Switch in 2026, you might be looking at the massive library and wondering if you should skip the "old" stuff for the new shiny releases. Don't.
Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch is foundational. It’s usually on sale during the holidays, but even at full price, the "cost per hour" is insane if you’re a completionist. You’re looking at 15 hours for the main story and 60+ hours if you want to see every secret.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you’re just starting, don't rush. Seriously.
- Turn off the Map: Just for a bit. Explore by sight. If you see something interesting in the distance, go there.
- Talk to the NPCs: The dialogue is surprisingly funny and often gives hints about hidden Moons that don't appear on the map.
- Master the Motion Controls: I know, I know. Motion controls can be annoying. But flicking the Joy-Cons to make Cappy do a homing attack or a spin-throw makes the game much easier. You can play without them, but you’re playing with one hand tied behind your back.
- Buy the Outfits: They don't give you power-ups (usually), but they open up specific "locked" rooms where Moons are hidden. Plus, seeing Mario in a skeleton suit or a wedding dress is just peak comedy.
- Check the Hint Toad: If you’re truly stuck, don't go to YouTube immediately. Give the Hint Toad some coins. It keeps the "discovery" feeling intact without the frustration.
The Verdict on the Odyssey
This game isn't perfect. The water levels (Lake Kingdom) are still a bit of a slog compared to the land-based ones. Some of the "hint art" moons are borderline impossible to find without a guide.
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But as a package? It’s a 10/10. It’s the reason people buy Nintendo consoles. It represents a company at the height of its creative powers, willing to take its most valuable icon and turn him into a piece of electrical wire or a slab of meat just for a laugh.
Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch isn't just a game; it’s a digital playground that respects your time and your intelligence. It’s joyful. In a world of gritty reboots and live-service grinds, that joy is worth every penny.
Go find the Moons. They’re waiting.