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Super Mario Odyssey is one of the most popular and beloved games in the Super Mario series, offering players a fresh, open-world experience like never before. Released for the Nintendo Switch, this platformer introduces new gameplay mechanics, exciting environments, and countless secrets to uncover. In this guide, we’ll go over essential tips and strategies to help you navigate Mario’s quest to rescue Princess Peach and save the world from Bowser’s evil plans. Whether you’re new to the game or an experienced player, these tips will enhance your experience and help you collect all the Power Moons, defeat tough bosses, and explore every corner of the world.
Cappy is Mario’s main tool for solving puzzles, navigating the environment, and defeating enemies. As the story progresses, you'll unlock more ways to use Cappy’s powers, which can open up new areas and abilities.
One of the fun features of Super Mario Odyssey is the ability to unlock and wear different costumes for Mario. These costumes don’t just change Mario’s look; some of them also offer in-game bonuses and special interactions.
1. Understanding Super Mario Odyssey's Core Mechanics
Before diving into the adventure, it's crucial to understand the core mechanics that make Super Mario Odyssey unique. The game's blend of exploration, platforming, and new abilities provides players with endless fun. One of the standout features of the game is Mario's companion, Cappy, a sentient hat that grants Mario new abilities.Key Mechanics to Know:
- Cappy's Abilities: Cappy plays a major role in the gameplay. It allows Mario to capture enemies and objects, turning them into temporary allies with new abilities. Learning how to use Cappy effectively is key to solving puzzles and accessing new areas.
- Capture System: Some of the most fun parts of the game come from using Cappy to capture enemies. When you capture an enemy, you can control them to unlock new abilities and solve puzzles that Mario can't do on his own.
- Power Moons: These are the game’s main collectibles, and you need to find them to power up your airship, the Odyssey, and move to the next Kingdom.
2. Exploration and Kingdoms: Where to Start
Super Mario Odyssey is divided into different Kingdoms, each with its own theme, characters, and challenges. Exploration is a huge part of the game, and each Kingdom is filled with Power Moons, hidden secrets, and platforming challenges.Exploring the Kingdoms:
- Start with the Cap Kingdom: The game begins in the Cap Kingdom, a small area that introduces the basics of the game. Take time to familiarize yourself with the controls and mechanics before moving on.
- New Donk City: One of the first larger Kingdoms, New Donk City offers both urban and natural environments filled with secrets. This Kingdom has a lot of vertical exploration, so be sure to look up and around for hidden Power Moons.
- The Sand Kingdom: This desert-themed Kingdom has vast open areas and puzzles that require good platforming skills. It's a great Kingdom to learn how to use Cappy’s powers to solve puzzles.
Exploration Tips:
- Look Everywhere: Don’t just focus on the main path – be sure to look around for hidden platforms, cracks in walls, or ledges that might lead to secret areas and Power Moons.
- Use Cappy to Interact with the Environment: You can use Cappy to capture many different enemies and objects, which opens up new ways to explore areas. Cappy can help you float over gaps or defeat enemies that are difficult to reach.
3. Power Moons: How to Find and Collect Them
Power Moons are the primary collectibles in Super Mario Odyssey. You need to collect these Moons to power the Odyssey and progress through the game. There are hundreds of Moons scattered throughout the various Kingdoms, and many of them require creative thinking to obtain.Types of Power Moons:
- Main Power Moons: These are the key Moons needed to progress the story.
- Hidden Moons: These Moons are hidden throughout the environment and require exploration, clever use of Cappy, or platforming to obtain.
- Challenge Moons: Some Moons can only be obtained by completing specific challenges, such as timed platforming sections or defeating certain enemies.
Tips for Collecting Power Moons:
- Don’t Rush: Take your time to explore each Kingdom thoroughly. Some Power Moons are hidden in hard-to-reach places, so it’s worth looking around every nook and cranny.
- Complete Challenges: Look for Kingdom-specific challenges that reward you with Power Moons. These challenges are often fun and allow you to test your platforming skills.
- Return to Old Kingdoms: Once you’ve acquired new abilities and power-ups, return to previous Kingdoms to uncover new Power Moons you couldn’t reach earlier.
4. Mastering Cappy’s Powers
Cappy is Mario’s main tool for solving puzzles, navigating the environment, and defeating enemies. As the story progresses, you'll unlock more ways to use Cappy’s powers, which can open up new areas and abilities.
Cappy’s Core Powers:
- Capture: As mentioned, Cappy’s ability to capture enemies and objects is crucial for progressing. For example, capturing a Goomba lets you walk through narrow passages, while capturing a Bullet Bill lets you fly across long gaps.
- Throwing Cappy: You can throw Cappy to activate switches, stun enemies, or interact with objects. Learning how to throw Cappy in creative ways is essential for solving puzzles and defeating bosses.
- Cappy’s Hat Spin: This attack can hit enemies, break boxes, and activate mechanisms in the environment. It’s particularly useful in tight situations and for breaking crates that contain Power Moons.
Cappy Tips:
- Master Throwing Techniques: Practice how to throw Cappy in different directions, including using the spin attack or the long-range throw, which is vital for collecting distant Moons.
- Use Cappy to Solve Puzzles: Many of the Kingdom’s puzzles require you to capture specific enemies or use Cappy’s powers in creative ways. Think outside the box when tackling these challenges.
5. Boss Fights: How to Defeat Powerful Enemies
Throughout Super Mario Odyssey, you will encounter a variety of tough bosses. These bosses often require special strategies to defeat, and they can be one of the most challenging parts of the game.Boss Mechanics:
- Multi-phase Battles: Many bosses in Super Mario Odyssey have multiple phases, requiring you to adapt your strategy as the fight progresses.
- Weaknesses: Each boss has its own set of weaknesses. For example, some bosses might be vulnerable to Cappy’s capture ability, while others might require precise jumping and dodging.
- Attack Patterns: Learning the attack patterns of each boss is crucial. Bosses often telegraph their moves, giving you a chance to dodge or counterattack.
Boss Fight Tips:
- Learn the Patterns: Watch the boss’s movements and learn their attack patterns. Most bosses will have telltale signs before they strike, giving you the opportunity to avoid damage and counterattack.
- Use Cappy’s Abilities: Some bosses can be captured by Cappy, allowing you to control them and deal damage from their perspective. Don’t hesitate to use this to your advantage.
- Stay Patient: Boss fights can be long and challenging, but patience is key. Take your time to understand the boss’s moves and strike when the opportunity arises.
6. Unlocking Costumes and Customization
One of the fun features of Super Mario Odyssey is the ability to unlock and wear different costumes for Mario. These costumes don’t just change Mario’s look; some of them also offer in-game bonuses and special interactions.
Types of Costumes:
- Kingdom Costumes: Each Kingdom has its own themed costumes, such as the sombrero and poncho in the Sand Kingdom or the business suit in New Donk City.
- Classic Mario Outfits: You can also unlock classic Mario costumes, such as his original outfit from Super Mario Bros. or a variety of other nostalgic designs.
- Secret Outfits: Some outfits are hidden and can only be unlocked by completing specific tasks or challenges.
Costume Tips:
- Find the Stores: Each Kingdom has a store where you can purchase outfits using in-game coins. Be sure to visit these shops regularly to collect new costumes.
- Use Costumes to Unlock Secrets: Some costumes are required to access secret areas or unlock hidden Power Moons. Make sure to check the requirements for each Kingdom to see if any costumes are necessary.
7. Using the Jumping and Platforming Mechanics
Super Mario Odyssey excels in platforming, offering tight controls and challenging jumps. Mastering Mario’s jumping mechanics is essential for surviving the tougher levels and completing difficult sections of the game.Jumping Techniques:
- Triple Jump: Mario’s signature triple jump allows him to reach higher platforms and cross large gaps. Perfecting the timing of this jump is crucial for exploring high areas.
- Long Jump: The long jump is great for clearing long distances, especially in narrow hallways or when dodging enemies.
- Ground Pound: Use the ground pound to break blocks, stun enemies, or activate switches. This move is key in both combat and platforming challenges.
Platforming Tips:
- Practice Your Jumps: Spend time practicing Mario’s various jumps, especially in challenging areas with moving platforms or tricky enemy placements.
- Don’t Rush: Platforming in Super Mario Odyssey requires precision. Take your time to learn the jump timing and plan each move carefully to avoid falling or missing your target.
8. Time Trials and Challenges: Test Your Skills
Once you’ve completed the main story, Super Mario Odyssey offers time trials and additional challenges that can test your platforming and puzzle-solving skills.Types of Challenges:
- Time Trials: Race against the clock to complete specific platforming sections or reach a Power Moon.
- Hidden Challenges: Some challenges require you to perform specific actions, such as using certain captures or avoiding certain obstacles.
Challenge Tips:
- Beat the Clock: For time trials, focus on mastering the speed of your movements and the timing of your jumps. Practice the sections until you can complete them as quickly as possible.
- Use Cappy for Speed: In some challenges, Cappy’s abilities can help you move faster or avoid hazards. Use Cappy to capture enemies and unlock shortcuts to save time.
9. Powering Up: Upgrade Mario's Abilities
Throughout the game, you can upgrade Mario’s abilities to help him become even stronger and more versatile.Power-Up System:
- Moon Power-Ups: You can find Power Moons that grant Mario special abilities, such as the ability to jump higher or run faster. These upgrades are helpful when navigating more difficult areas.
- Costume Upgrades: Some costumes give Mario special abilities, such as breathing underwater or walking through extreme temperatures. Make sure to utilize these outfits when needed.
Upgrade Tips:
- Look for Power-Up Locations: Be sure to keep an eye out for Power-Up Moons, as they make a big difference in your abilities, especially when exploring tougher areas.
- Experiment with Costumes: Some costumes unlock specific abilities that are crucial for completing difficult sections or finding hidden areas.
10. Final Thoughts on Mastering Super Mario Odyssey
To truly master Super Mario Odyssey, players need to approach the game with both skill and patience. Each Kingdom is filled with its own set of challenges, enemies, and secrets, and exploring them is part of the fun. With Cappy at your side, you can solve puzzles, capture enemies, and complete platforming sections that will test even the most experienced Mario players.Final Tips:
- Explore Thoroughly: Don’t rush through the Kingdoms; take time to explore every corner for hidden Power Moons and secrets.
- Use Cappy’s Powers Effectively: Learning to use Cappy in creative ways is key to solving puzzles and defeating enemies.
- Master the Platforming: Perfect your jumping techniques to tackle even the toughest challenges.
