Super Mario Odyssey Review 2026: Should You Buy It?

What is Super Mario Odyssey?

Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platforming adventure developed by Nintendo EPD, released as a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch in 2017 (not 2023). It stands as one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved entries in the Mario series. The premise is classic Mario, elevated: Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach with the intent of forcing a wedding, and this time he’s commandeered a colossal airship. Mario, with the help of a new sentient hat companion named Cappy, pursues them across a globe-trotting array of kingdoms. The core objective is to collect Power Moons to fuel your ship, the Odyssey, and catch up to the Koopa King. It is a celebration of pure, inventive gameplay and a masterclass in open-ended, exploratory level design.

Gameplay

In our view, the gameplay of Super Mario Odyssey is nothing short of a revelation. The core mechanic is Mario’s new ally, Cappy. Throwing Cappy isn't just an attack; it’s a versatile tool for traversal, puzzle-solving, and possession. This ‘capture’ ability is the game’s genius stroke. By hitting certain enemies or objects with Cappy, Mario can take control of them, inheriting their unique abilities. One moment you’re platforming as Mario, the next you’re stretching as a rubbery T-Rex, swimming with ease as a Cheep Cheep, or scaling walls as a Spiky Hammer Bro. This constant introduction of fresh mechanics ensures the gameplay never stagnates.

The learning curve is impeccably judged. The initial controls are intuitive, but the game gradually layers on complexity, teaching advanced techniques like dive-jumps and precision cap throws organically. The depth is astonishing. Each of the game's kingdoms is a dense, multi-layered playground begging to be explored. Finding Power Moons—the main collectible—can be as simple as reaching a visible landmark or as cryptic as solving an environmental riddle, spotting a subtle visual hint, or completing a sequence of challenges. This design caters to all skill levels: casual players can enjoy the critical path with relative ease, while completionists will face some of the most demanding and ingenious platforming challenges Nintendo has ever devised. The movement itself, with its fluid combination of jumps, rolls, and cap throws, is an absolute joy, offering a tremendous sense of mastery.

Who is Super Mario Odyssey for?

Super Mario Odyssey is a rare game that genuinely has something for almost everyone. It is an essential play for any Nintendo Switch owner. For casual players, especially families, it’s a vibrant, accessible adventure with a generous assist mode. For hardcore platforming fans, the post-game content and deeper moon challenges provide a serious test of skill. It is primarily a solo experience, but it features a cooperative two-player mode where one controls Mario and the other controls Cappy, which is excellent for helping a less experienced player.

In terms of similar games, it is the direct spiritual successor to classics like Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, sharing their structure of collecting key items in open, themed worlds. However, its scale, polish, and the freedom afforded by Cappy’s capture mechanic set it apart. It also shares DNA with the exploratory collectathon charm of the Banjo-Kazooie series. In our view, it is a must-play for fans of imaginative, joyful game design, regardless of their usual genre preferences.

Graphics and Performance

Super Mario Odyssey employs a stunning, vibrant art style that masterfully blends hyper-realistic textures with cartoonish characters. You’ll see Mario’s overalls rendered with detailed fabric weave against the brickwork of New Donk City, which itself is a surreal and wonderful homage to real-world aesthetics. This eclectic visual mix is cohesive and consistently delightful, with each kingdom boasting a unique and memorable identity, from the sun-drenched beaches of the Sand Kingdom to the haunting cuisine of the Luncheon Kingdom.

On performance, as a first-party Nintendo Switch title, it is impeccably optimised. The game targets a rock-solid 60 frames per second in both handheld and docked modes, with only the raarest, most negligible dips during moments of extreme screen-filling action. This flawless performance is crucial for a precision platformer and Odyssey delivers perfectly. The resolution is dynamic, scaling to maintain performance, but the art direction is so strong that the game looks crisp and beautiful in either mode.

Value for Money

In our view, Super Mario Odyssey offers exceptional value for money. The main story can be completed in around 10-15 hours for a player focusing on the essential Power Moons. However, that figure is almost misleading, as it represents only a fraction of what the game offers. True completion—finding all 880+ Moons, purchasing all costumes, and uncovering every secret—can easily take 60 hours or more. The density of content in each kingdom is extraordinary, with new challenges often appearing after the story credits roll.

Given its status as a pinnacle of the genre, its sheer volume of inventive ideas, and the unparalleled polish, the game justifies its full retail price. It is an experience that invites replayability, not just through collection, but through the sheer joy of movement and discovery. It is a title you will likely return to for years to come.

Verdict

Super Mario Odyssey is a masterpiece of game design and one of the finest platformers ever created. It is an exuberant, inventive, and endlessly charming adventure that showcases Nintendo at the peak of its creative powers. The capture mechanic is a game-changing addition that constantly refreshes the experience, while the flawless controls and densely packed worlds make exploration an absolute delight.

We wholeheartedly recommend Super Mario Odyssey to any owner of a Nintendo Switch. It is an essential purchase. You will love it if you cherish creative gameplay, imaginative worlds, and games that exude pure joy from every pixel. It is perfect for players who enjoy exploration and discovery at their own pace.

The only players who might not enjoy it are those with an absolute aversion to platforming or collectathon mechanics, or those seeking a narrative-driven, cinematic experience. For everyone else, from the youngest casual gamer to the most seasoned veteran, Super Mario Odyssey is a magical, unmissable journey. It is not just a great Mario game; it is a defining video game.