Super Mario Odyssey (2017): The Review

Overview

Super Mario Odyssey is a straight-up masterpiece. It keeps surprising you, keeps delighting you, and casually bulldozes expectations you didn’t even know you had. The way it blends nostalgia with buttery-smooth controls and wildly inventive design isn’t just impressive, it’s magic. This isn’t only the best Mario game ever made; it’s one of the purest, most joyful gaming experiences out there, full stop.

Score: 10 out of 10

The Positives ✅

From the moment Super Mario Odyssey first showed up on the E3 stage, it was obvious Nintendo was swinging for something big. A T-Rex rampaging across the screen, Jump Up, Super Star blasting in the background, and a parade of wildly colourful worlds, it was pure spectacle. Even if the hype cooled a bit once October felt impossibly far away and other Switch releases started stealing the spotlight, Odyssey never really stopped feeling important. And once you actually sit down with it, any lingering doubt about Nintendo knowing what they’re doing with Mario just evaporates.

At its core, Odyssey is both a love letter to classic Mario and a bold remix of what the series can be. It borrows smartly from games like Super Mario Sunshine while pulling in clever design ideas that feel almost Zelda-adjacent, without ever losing its identity. There’s a real sense of showmanship here. Every kingdom feels staged, every set piece feels intentional, and Mario himself plays the role of cheerful leading man perfectly. If this whole thing were framed as a theatrical production, it wouldn’t feel out of place for even a second.

That theatrical spirit bleeds into everything. The music swells at just the right moments, the game literally applauds you for pulling off impressive feats, and even the smallest interactions feel like part of a larger performance. Odyssey doesn’t just want you to play, it wants you to perform, and it’s surprisingly effective at making you feel like the star of the show.

Structurally, the game is far more deliberate than Mario titles of the past. Instead of dumping you into a massive collect-a-thon and hoping you remember why you’re there, Odyssey clearly guides you forward. You always know your motivation, your next step, and why it matters. That sense of purpose goes a long way in keeping the experience focused, even when you’re knee-deep in Power Moons.

The new possession mechanic, arguably the game’s biggest hook, isn’t just a gimmick slapped on for fun. It’s fully justified in the story, which is a refreshing change for Mario. Cappy isn’t just a hat with mind-control powers; he’s a character with his own motivation, and that added context makes every capture feel more meaningful instead of arbitrary.

The Negatives ⚠️

If there’s one thing Super Mario Odyssey doesn’t really struggle with, it’s moment-to-moment gameplay, but that doesn’t mean it’s flawless. While the kingdoms are large, vibrant, and packed with things to do, they can sometimes feel overwhelming. There’s a fine line between “full of secrets” and “where do I even start,” and Odyssey occasionally dances right on top of it.

The lack of a traditional Game Over screen sparked a lot of debate before release, and while it mostly works, it does slightly blunt the edge for players looking for a harsher challenge. Losing coins instead of lives is smart design, but it also means failure rarely feels punishing in a traditional sense. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does make Odyssey feel more forgiving than some longtime fans might expect.

The game’s linearity, while well-executed, may also rub certain players the wrong way, especially coming off the back of Breath of the Wild. Odyssey is carefully guided, sometimes very carefully, and if you’re the type who prefers total freedom over curated experiences, you might notice the rails beneath your feet.

Some story beats also feel lighter than they probably should. While the narrative is more present than in past Mario games, it’s still not particularly deep, and certain emotional moments come and go quickly. It does enough to justify the journey, but don’t expect anything that lingers once the credits roll.

Finally, while the post-game content is plentiful, the sheer volume of additional Power Moons can feel like padding to some. There’s fun to be had, absolutely, but not every challenge feels as inspired as the core campaign’s highlights.

The Experience 🎮

Personally, Super Mario Odyssey grabbed me again long after I thought the hype had worn off. I went in expecting a great Mario game and came out feeling like I’d played something genuinely special. The opening hours were a perfect balance of discovery and confidence-building, with a tutorial that trusted me to experiment instead of holding my hand like I’d never seen a jump button before.

As I moved through the kingdoms, I constantly felt pushed forward, not rushed, but encouraged. Each world introduced ideas at just the right pace, letting mechanics evolve naturally instead of dumping everything on me at once. Pulling off a clever capture or solving a tricky platforming section never felt accidental; it felt earned.

The revamped health system surprised me in the best way. Instead of frustration, death became motivation. Watching my coin count drop made every mistake sting just enough without completely killing my momentum. I found myself pushing harder, not because the game demanded it, but because I wanted that next costume or unlock.

New Donk City was the moment where everything clicked. Just as fatigue started creeping in, Odyssey pulled out one of the most joyful, perfectly synchronized sequences I’ve played in years. Between the 2D throwbacks, musical timing, and nostalgic nods, it felt like the game was rewarding me for sticking with it.

By the time I reached the ending, and everything that came after, I didn’t want to stop. Revisiting kingdoms, chasing new challenges, and uncovering secrets without narrative pressure felt liberating in a way few games manage. Super Mario Odyssey reminded me that even a tightly structured, linear adventure can feel freer than the biggest open world, as long as it trusts the player to find joy on their own terms.