You’re standing in the electronics aisle, staring at a wall of red and white boxes. It’s overwhelming. Between the OLED model, the Lite, and the standard version, picking a console is hard enough, but then you have to choose that first game. Honestly, if you don't pick the Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, you’re probably doing it wrong.
That’s a bold claim. I know.
But look, I’ve been covering Nintendo since the days of blurry CRTs and blowing into plastic cartridges. I've seen the Wii U stumble and the Switch soar. There is a specific kind of magic that happened back in 2017 when this pairing launched, and weirdly, it hasn't been topped yet. Not by Wonder, not by Bowser’s Fury, and certainly not by the gritty shooters on other platforms.
The "Everything" Game
Most people think Mario is just about jumping on turtles. It’s not. Not anymore. Super Mario Odyssey is basically a digital playground that respects your time while simultaneously trying to steal all of it.
When you first boot up a Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, you aren't just playing a platformer. You are exploring a dense, vertical sandbox. Take New Donk City. It’s a surreal, semi-realistic urban environment where a cartoon plumber bounces off the hoods of yellow taxis while a jazz band plays on a skyscraper roof. It shouldn't work. It feels like a fever dream. Yet, the moment you realize you can use Cappy—Mario’s sentient hat—to possess a literal T-Rex or a tiny flickering spark of electricity, the game's genius clicks.
Nintendo designer Yoshiaki Koizumi and his team didn't just make a sequel to Mario 64. They created a "toy box" philosophy. Every corner of the Cap Kingdom or the Sand Kingdom has a secret. Sometimes it's a Power Moon hidden behind a thin veil of pixels. Other times, it's a complex movement challenge that requires you to master the "hat jump" mechanic—a move that makes you feel like an absolute pro once you nail the timing.
Why the Hardware Still Holds Up in 2026
I get the skepticism. We are nearly a decade into the Switch's lifecycle. People are whispering about "Switch 2" or "Super Switch" or whatever the leakers are calling it this week. But here is the thing about the Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey combo: it’s the gold standard for optimization.
Odyssey runs at a crisp 60 frames per second. That matters. In a game built on precision, lag is a death sentence. Whether you are playing on the original V2 Switch with its improved battery life or the gorgeous OLED screen, the vibrant colors of the Luncheon Kingdom pop in a way that makes "more powerful" consoles look dull.
🔗 Read more: Jigsaw Would Like Play Game: Why We’re Still Obsessed With Digital Puzzles
Portable vs. Docked
It’s a chameleon.
- Docked Mode: You get the full scale. The draw distance in the Wooded Kingdom is impressive, showing off the rusted machinery and deep greens of the forest.
- Handheld Mode: This is where the "Switch magic" happens. Taking a 3D masterpiece on a plane or a bus without losing the core experience is still the console's biggest selling point.
The Joy-Cons are divisive. I'll admit it. The drift issues are well-documented by sites like iFixit and Eurogamer. However, for Odyssey, the motion controls are actually... good? Usually, I hate wagging a controller. But a flick of the wrist to send Cappy in a homing circle feels tactile and right. It’s one of the few games where the hardware features don't feel like a gimmick.
The Capture Mechanic is the Secret Sauce
Let’s talk about the "Capture" system because it changed everything.
Before this game, Mario had power-ups. You touched a flower; you shot fire. In Super Mario Odyssey, you become the enemy. Have you ever wanted to be a Goomba? How about a stack of ten Goombas wearing a hat? You can do that. You can be a tank. You can be a tropical wiggler that stretches like an accordion to reach distant platforms.
This variety solves the biggest problem in gaming: boredom. Just when you think you’ve seen the "gimmick" of a level, the game throws a new creature at you with entirely different physics. It forces your brain to rewire how you navigate the space. It’s brilliant. It’s the reason why, even years later, speedrunners at events like Games Done Quick are still finding new ways to launch Mario across the map using nothing but a hat and a prayer.
Addressing the "Easy Game" Myth
You’ll hear people say Mario is for kids. They’re half right.
The main story of Super Mario Odyssey is accessible. My six-year-old nephew can beat Bowser and save Princess Peach (who, by the way, finally gets some much-needed agency in the endgame). But beating the story is only about 30% of the game.
💡 You might also like: Siegfried Persona 3 Reload: Why This Strength Persona Still Trivializes the Game
The real Odyssey starts after the credits roll.
The "Dark Side" and "Darker Side" of the Moon are brutal. They require pixel-perfect jumps and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. There are over 800 Power Moons to collect. Some are trivial. Others will make you want to throw your Switch across the room. It’s this "low floor, high ceiling" design that makes the Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey such a persistent recommendation. It grows with the player.
Is the OLED Version Necessary?
Honestly? It depends on your lifestyle.
If you play 90% of the time on your TV, save the money and get the standard Switch or find a good refurbished V2. The internal guts are essentially the same. But if you’re a handheld gamer, the OLED's high contrast ratio makes the "Metro Kingdom" look like a neon-drenched dream. The blacks are deeper, and the colors don't wash out when you're sitting near a window.
Super Mario Odyssey is a very "bright" game. It uses a wide color palette. On a standard LCD, the Sand Kingdom's desert can look a bit flat. On the OLED, that sand has texture and heat. It’s a luxury, not a necessity, but it’s a luxury that’s hard to give up once you’ve seen it.
The Cultural Impact and Legacy
We have to talk about the music. "Jump Up, Super Star!" isn't just a catchy tune; it was a cultural moment for Nintendo. It signaled a shift from the "we are a toy company" vibe of the Wii era to the "we are an entertainment powerhouse" vibe of today.
When you pick up a Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, you're playing the bridge between old-school Nintendo and the future. You see DNA from Super Mario Sunshine (the exploration), Super Mario Galaxy (the gravity-defying leaps), and even the 8-bit NES era (the 2D mural sections that seamlessly blend into the 3D world).
📖 Related: The Hunt: Mega Edition - Why This Roblox Event Changed Everything
It’s a love letter to the medium of gaming itself.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't rush it.
I see people try to "speedrun" the game on their first go because they want to unlock the next kingdom. Stop. Look around. The charm of Odyssey is in the small details. It’s the way Mario shivers in the Snow Kingdom or how he dances when he stands near a radio. If you just sprint to the finish line, you’re missing the point of the "Odyssey" title. It’s a journey, not a race.
Also, be wary of third-party controllers if you want the full experience. While the Pro Controller is objectively the best way to play most Switch games, some of the specific Cappy tosses are much easier with the split Joy-Cons.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you just picked up a Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey, or you're about to, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Master the Dive Jump early: Pressing jump, then throwing Cappy, then pressing the dive button (ZL + Y) mid-air allows you to bounce off the hat. It doubles your jump distance and opens up "impossible" shortcuts.
- Talk to the NPCs: The world-building is actually pretty funny. The skeletons in the Sand Kingdom and the robots in the Wooded Kingdom have hilarious dialogue that changes as you progress.
- Don't ignore the Amiibo: If you have the wedding-themed Mario, Peach, or Bowser Amiibo, they give you some pretty great perks, like invincibility or showing you where regional coins are hidden. Even non-Mario Amiibo give you generic hints.
- Check the Snapshot Mode: This game basically pioneered the "Photo Mode" craze. The filters are great, and it's a fun way to document your trip through the different kingdoms.
- Look for the 2D Pipes: Whenever you see a pixelated pipe on a wall, go into it. These 8-bit segments are some of the most creative parts of the game and offer a great nostalgia hit.
The Nintendo Switch with Super Mario Odyssey remains the definitive entry point into modern gaming. It’s a masterclass in design that hasn't aged a day since it hit shelves. Whether you're a returning fan or someone who hasn't touched a controller since the 90s, this is the one that reminds you why we play games in the first place.