Super Mario Odyssey Review

For a while, Nintendo had only one game this year that could've been Game Of The Year. Obviously that game being Zelda: Breath of the Wild. That game got 10/10's all across the board including from EDGE Magazine. From my research EDGE only gives 10/10's average about once a year. So yeah, for a while Zelda seemed to be a real goodchoice for GOTY. Until...

Now obviously there are many worthy contenders for GOTY in 2017. The only thing I'm saying is that for a while we kinda thought that Zelda would've been the obvious choice for Nintendo. Now we have Super Mario Odyssey in this friendly competition, and the choice between the two is going to be a little bit harder. So with that said, lets see how well this game stacks up.

P.S. This review won't spoil anything too major.

Grading Scale:
A (10-9)
B (8-7)
C (6-5)
D (4-2)
F (1 point)

+ (More positive elements)
- (More negative elements)
Straight Letter (Balanced Showing)

BACKGROUND

This is the first Super Mario 3D Platformer with Open-World Sandbox gameplay since Super Mario Sunshine on the Nintendo GameCube. However, this game has taken elements of the Mario Series and has reworked them into this new game, similar to how BOTW did before. Some elements are gone completely and some come back in new forms and create interesting new gameplay elements.

Of Course there are also brand new gameplay elements that only help to elevate gameplay, a wonderful new character called Cappy which brings that new gameplay and helps create a really great game. So with all of that said, lets get to the review.

BASIS

The story starts in the middle of a battle between Mario and Bowser. Once again, Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach, this time with the intention of marrying her. (Because that sounds TOTALLY LEGAL) Bowser ends up getting the upper hand and blasts Mario off to a new kingdom where he meets Cappy. We then learn that Bowser kidnapped his little sister Tiara and the two team up to save Peach & Tiara & stop Bowser's wedding and his devastation of other Kingdoms.

True Love... I Guess

Mario and Cappy have to follow Bowser around the Globe to collect Power Moons (Stars/Shine Sprite Equivalent) to power their Hat-Shaped Ship known as the Odyssey. To do this, Mario utilizes not only his hat as weapon, but also Cappy's ability to capture different types of objects and enemies to traverse the different kingdoms and solve different challenges.

PROS

+ Mario's movements and actions are some of his best. The Game-play is top-notch. Its simple to control Mario & Cappy, but the amazing maneuvers you can accomplish with a well timed hat throw and jump are amazing. The motion controls are stable and, unlike the Galaxy games, are optional so if you aren't too keen on using them you can turn them off and play with traditional controls which are still just as solid.

+ The Capture Mechanic is so much fun. Almost every enemy in the game game can be captured and it is implemented really well here. Each enemy offers a different skill that helps get through a section or traverse a level. Capturing a Goomba for example can help you traverse across ice levels, while capturing a Bullet Bill can help you fly to distant areas or blow up rocks in your way. The versatility with this is so awesome and I love how its implemented here.

OMG A DINOSAUR!!!!

+ The level designs are so unique and vibrant. Not only are the visuals of the game just beautiful, each world has this unique feel that is vastly different from what Mario games normally have, but they still fit just right within the Mario Universe. Each New Kingdom offers a new playground to run around in and discover new secrets and each one has unique enemies/objects to capture, interesting platforming levels and puzzles like the 8-bit platforming sections, and a host of new interesting characters with charm and humor. All of which only help to bring a huge smile to your face as you keep playing. One more thing to note on is the Boss Fights. The Boss Fights in this game, while not the most challenging, are built up very nicely. Not to mention they are so much fun to play-through, and when you beat them you really feel like you accomplished something and its so satisfying laying down the final hit on each one.

+ Each type of collectible is different and serves a unique purpose.

• Power Moons - These are what powers The Odyssey ship and help you travel the world. They act as the Stars/Shine Sprites throughout each level. However, unlike those collectibles, the levels/stages don't end just because you collect them. So while some story driven moons will be pointed out, most are either out of the way or unlocked by doing certain tasks. This helps makes each kingdom seamless and keeps you in the world. Each time you get one, you feel like you accomplished something, even the task is smaller/more simple.
• Purple Coins - Each Kingdom has their own currency. These coins help you buy region specific outfits or items to help make the odyssey look cooler. Once again, it makes each kingdom interesting as each one has a unique look and feel to them.
• Golden Coins - The classic Mario Series coins return only this time they have more of a purpose. They can also be used to buy items in shops like costumes, but also for important things like hearts to refill health or even Power Moons to use for The Odyssey. They're no longer are just their for an extra life. Also, because there are no lives in the game, you lose coins every time you die, so there is a literal cost to pay every time you die.

Nothing feels obligatory or unnecessary to collect, you'd want to try to get everything you see.

+ The Costumes for Mario to wear are so fun. While they are mainly aesthetic they have so much charm to them. Some are required to help get more Power Moons, and here are even are throwbacks to classic Mario games. They're a lot of fun and add some variety playing the game.

+ The Visuals are stunning & the music sounds so upbeat. This Mario title has a presentation that rivals Mario Galaxy. The way this game makes the levels and even the world map look is almost breathtaking. The music is addictive, my favorites probably coming from the level New Donk City.

I know your not sick of this song yet.

+ The Multiplayer mode, while not as expansive as Super Mario 3D World on Wii U was, is a definite improvement on the one from Galaxy 2.

+ The game's content is so vast, beating the main campaign is really only beating half the game, if even that. Just because you saved Peach, doesn't mean in any way that the game is done. From secret levels, to mini challenges like R/C & Koopa Races. The amount of content will keep playing this game for quite a long time and you are going to enjoy it.

+ The homages to Mario's Past in this game is just super delightful to see. From the cool costumes, to even some subtle things like names of Power Stars & sign posts, to one specific thing in the game's aftermath. This definitely feels like a culmination of the 3D Mario games put together.

CONS

Mario as a T-Rex will NEVER be a Con. Don't let anyone tell you different.

- The game's story is a little short. You are probably going to finish the story mode pretty quickly. There is still plenty of things in the game to do, but the main campaign is still a bit short.

- I did want a few more areas where you had to have a certain costume. While the game did supply them, they only existed about once every world. After that though... Maybe just a few more areas dedicated to this idea would've helped me.

- You can get a lot of Power Moons in different ways, but one issue is that some are really easy to get. While you can get some by doing something legitimate liking beating a boss or traversing a tough level, some you can get out of pure luck or by doing simple things like jumping to the right ledge. They don't lose appeal, and it does still feel like an accomplishment to get them, but you are going to find some really easy.

- The motion controls, while optional are probably the best way you should play. Not using them or using a controller method different from them means you lack some of the more interesting maneuvers like the hat spin or tossing your hat up or down. This might be a minor issue when playing your Switch in Handheld mode when the Joy-Con are attached to the sides. While in NO WAY is it game-breaking or a deal breaker and while you can use some of these moves without motion controls, I do wish that some of these were delegated to a button press. Specifically the spin move, that is awesome.

FINAL GRADE

This game is obviously a worthy addition to so many topics. Its a worthy addition to the Switch library of games, to the Mario Series, a worthy GOTY contender, and most importantly, ITS FUN. I had so much fun with this game and everything it has. The gameplay is top-notch, the presentation is outstanding, the amount of content in this game is almost overwhelming and I mean that in the best way possible. While it does have some minor issues, they are a pile of rice compared to the mountains of joy this game brings. This game takes the best points of Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy and mixes them up into this game worthy of all the praise it got.

As for me. This game gets an A+
If you want an amazing platforming adventure with an old friend absolutely pick this game up.

Smile on my face proves it.

Zelda BOTW (Another A+ title in my book) has a little friendly competition this year when it comes to deciding the Game of the Year 2017. However, both of these titles should be honored to be known as more than worthy contenders.

Now, with all of that out of the way. What about you guys? Did you enjoy Super Mario Odyssey? What were some of your favorite moments? Start the conversation in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and there will always be more where this came from. Catch you guys later.