Super Mario Odyssey — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Super Mario Odyssey is a platformer from Nintendo, released in October 2017 on Nintendo Switch. The fifteenth main entry in the Super Mario series. Mario travels the world with Cappy—a living hat that lets him capture enemies and objects. The goal is to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser.
What is the game about
Bowser has kidnapped Peach again and plans to marry her. Mario chases him on the airship "Odyssey," traveling through different kingdoms—from New Donk City to deserts and lunar landscapes. Cappy, a special hat, gives Mario the ability to capture enemies and use their abilities.
Gameplay
- Cappy capture: throw your hat at enemies to control them—from Goombas to dragons.
- Open levels: explore kingdoms, collect moons, and solve puzzles.
- Variety of mechanics: each kingdom is unique—from races to photography.
- Secrets: hundreds of moons for full completion.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Super Mario Odyssey is the benchmark 3D platformer: colorful world, creative mechanics, and tons of content. If you loved Super Mario 64 or Sunshine—a must. On Switch 2 the game looks even better.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Creative capture gameplay | Somewhat easy for hardcore players |
| Colorful world | Some moons too simple |
| Tons of content | Bowser kidnaps Peach again (cliché) |
FAQ
Do I need to play previous Mario games? No, Odyssey is standalone.
How many hours? 15–20 hours main story, 50+ for completion.
On other platforms? No, only Nintendo Switch.