Super Mario Odyssey: The Mustachioed Plumber's Ultimate Adventure

993 mots | Temps de lecture : 4 minute(s)

Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platform video game developed by Nintendo EPD and released in October 2017 on the Nintendo Switch . A true love letter to the history of Mario, this game offers an open world , new mechanics and a spirit of exploration that renews the classic formula. Accompanied by his living hat, Cappy , Mario travels through varied kingdoms to save Princess Peach… once again!

Development context

Super Mario Odyssey was designed by the core team behind Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario 3D World . Director Kenta Motokura and producer Yoshiaki Koizumi wanted to create a " sandbox " Mario game, reminiscent of the freedom offered by Super Mario 64 , but with modern mechanics and a wealth of content never before seen in the series. Development emphasized freedom , creativity , and surprising the player at every moment.

Synopsis

Mario faces off against Bowser once again, who this time is planning a planetary wedding with Peach. Defeated early on, Mario teams up with Cappy , whose sister Tiara has also been captured. Together, they pursue Bowser aboard the Odyssey , a ship powered by Power Moons , visiting kingdoms around the world.

Revolutionary gameplay: capturing

The game's biggest innovation is the capture mechanic, made possible by Cappy. By throwing the hat at certain enemies or objects, Mario can temporarily possess them and use their abilities.

• Chomp to break walls
• Frog for dizzying jumps
• Electricity to travel along cables
• Goomba to walk on ice without slipping (and seduce a female Goomba)
• Tyrannosaurus for a deluge of power

Over 50 different captures are possible, each opening up new ways to solve puzzles or explore levels.

The iconic kingdoms

17 kingdoms make up the universe of Super Mario Odyssey , each with a strong identity, careful architecture and a unique sound atmosphere:

• Bonneton (Kingdom of Hats) – introductory, monochrome, misty world
• Kingdom of Falls – raw nature, dinosaurs and cliffs
• New Donk City – realistic metropolis with cars, human passersby and Pauline as mayor
• Desert Kingdom – shifting sands, ruins and pyramid puzzles
• Kingdom of Cuisine – food-colored floors, culinary enemies
• Moon Kingdom – reduced gravity, bridal temple, ethereal setting

Each kingdom is filled with secrets , platforming challenges, and mini-games, enhancing replayability and the desire to explore every nook and cranny.

Exploration and freedom of movement

In this opus, Mario has his largest range of movements ever seen:

• Backflip, triple jump, wall jump
• Aerial dive combined with hat throw to extend jumps
• Roll to accelerate over long distances

This level of maneuverability allows for multiple approaches to each situation and encourages experimentation . Some challenges are accessible early on, but others can only be achieved by mastering advanced techniques, worthy of speedrunners .

Content and lifespan

• 880 unique Power Moons (and up to 999 with purchased moons)
• Over 40 costumes to collect: nods to Dr. Mario, Mario 64, Mario Builder…
• Local coins specific to each kingdom, needed to purchase specific items
• Original bosses like Broodals (ceremonial rabbits) and huge creatures inspired by various cultures

The game also features recurring challenges like the Koopa Race, retro 8-bit segments , and a generous post-game for completionists.

A tribute to the entire Mario saga

Super Mario Odyssey is full of references to previous games:

• 2D 8-bit retro segments embedded in the walls
• Costumes from all generations
• Musical and sound nods to past episodes
• New Donk City pays direct homage to Donkey Kong (1981)

It's both a love letter to longtime fans and a perfect gateway for newcomers.

Music and atmosphere

The orchestral soundtrack, composed by Naoto Kubo and Shiho Fujii , alternates between epic flights, urban jazz, traditional and electronic music. The signature track " Jump Up, Super Star! ", performed by Pauline, has become one of the modern anthems of the license.

Critical and commercial reception

• Metacritic score: 97/100
• Sales: 29.28 million copies (as of March 31, 2025)
• Awards: Game Awards 2017 ( Best Family Game , Best Design , Best Nintendo Game )

The game is often cited alongside Super Mario 64 , Super Mario Galaxy , and Super Mario World as one of the best platform games ever made.

Why is Super Mario Odyssey a cult classic?

• Rich and accessible gameplay, with unprecedented movement possibilities
• Innovative central mechanics: the capture
• Varied and coherent artistic direction
• Celebrating 40 years of the Mario saga
• Massive content and lasting replayability

Conclusion

Super Mario Odyssey perfectly embodies the Nintendo spirit: a joyful , inventive adventure full of surprises . More than just an episode, it's a true video game odyssey that restores the nobility of the 3D platform game—a major and essential work.