Mastering Super Mario Odyssey: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing Like a Pro

Super Mario Odyssey, released in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch, is a critically acclaimed platformer that revitalized the Mario franchise with its innovative gameplay mechanics, vibrant worlds, and captivating storyline. Unlike previous 3D Mario games, Odyssey emphasizes exploration and collection, offering a vast open-world experience filled with secrets, challenges, and memorable moments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master Super Mario Odyssey, from basic controls and mechanics to advanced techniques and strategies. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure with Mario and his new companion, Cappy!

## Getting Started: Initial Setup and Basic Controls

Before diving into the Odyssey, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the game’s controls and initial setup. Here’s a breakdown of the basics:

* **Console Setup:** Ensure your Nintendo Switch is properly set up and connected to a display. You can play in handheld mode, docked mode (connected to a TV), or tabletop mode.
* **Game Installation:** Insert the Super Mario Odyssey game cartridge into your Switch or download the digital version from the Nintendo eShop.
* **Controller Configuration:** Odyssey supports various controller options, including Joy-Cons (attached or detached), the Pro Controller, and even two separate Joy-Cons for two-player co-op. Choose the controller configuration that best suits your playstyle.
* **Starting a New Game:** Launch the game and select “New Game” from the main menu. You can create a save file and name your character.

### Basic Movement and Actions

* **Movement:** Use the left analog stick to move Mario around the environment. He can walk, run, and crouch.
* **Jump:** Press the A button to jump. The height of your jump depends on how long you hold the button.
* **Cappy Throw:** Press the Y button to throw Cappy, Mario’s new companion, who can be used to attack enemies, interact with objects, and even capture certain creatures.
* **Cappy Return:** Press the Y button again to recall Cappy back to Mario. You can also shake the Joy-Con or Pro Controller to quickly return Cappy.
* **Ground Pound:** Press the ZL button while in the air to perform a ground pound, which is useful for breaking objects and defeating enemies below.
* **Roll:** Press the ZL button while running to roll, allowing Mario to move quickly and avoid obstacles.
* **Dive:** Press the ZL button while in the air after a jump to perform a dive, which allows Mario to travel further horizontally.
* **Hat Jump:** Throw Cappy and then jump on top of him for an extra boost. This technique is crucial for reaching high places.
* **Wall Jump:** Jump towards a wall and press the jump button again to perform a wall jump. This is essential for navigating tight spaces.
* **Capture:** Throw Cappy at certain enemies or objects to “capture” them, allowing Mario to control their abilities and movements. The Capture mechanic is a central part of Odyssey’s gameplay.

## Exploring the Kingdoms: A Journey Through Odyssey’s Worlds

Super Mario Odyssey features a series of diverse and beautifully designed kingdoms, each with its unique theme, challenges, and collectibles. Here’s a brief overview of some of the key kingdoms:

* **Cap Kingdom:** The first kingdom you visit, characterized by its hat-shaped islands and foggy atmosphere. This is where you meet Cappy.
* **Cascade Kingdom:** A land of waterfalls and prehistoric creatures, home to the T-Rex Capture.
* **Sand Kingdom:** A vast desert with a bustling town and hidden underground ruins. This is where you encounter the Moonsnakes.
* **Lake Kingdom:** A serene underwater world with a towering lake monster.
* **Wooded Kingdom:** A lush forest with advanced technology and robotic creatures.
* **Cloud Kingdom:** A small kingdom high in the sky, serving as a gateway to other kingdoms.
* **Lost Kingdom:** A tropical island overrun with poison and strange creatures.
* **Metro Kingdom:** A vibrant city inspired by New York City, home to the iconic New Donk City Festival.
* **Snow Kingdom:** A frozen tundra with a cozy village and challenging ice caves.
* **Seaside Kingdom:** A beautiful ocean resort with sparkling sea and bubbling fountains.
* **Luncheon Kingdom:** A culinary paradise where food is the main attraction.
* **Ruined Kingdom:** A desolate land ravaged by a powerful dragon.
* **Bowser’s Kingdom:** A fortress built in a traditional Japanese style, serving as Bowser’s stronghold.
* **Moon Kingdom:** The final destination of your journey, where you confront Bowser in a climactic battle.

### Key Collectibles

Each kingdom is filled with various collectibles, each serving a different purpose:

* **Power Moons:** The primary collectible in the game. Power Moons are used to power the Odyssey, allowing you to travel to new kingdoms. They are hidden throughout each kingdom, often requiring exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.
* **Regional Coins:** Each kingdom has its own unique type of regional coin. These coins can be used to purchase souvenirs and outfits specific to that kingdom from the Crazy Cap store.
* **Purple Coins:** Another name for Regional coins.
* **Life-Up Hearts:** These hearts increase Mario’s maximum health, allowing him to withstand more damage.
* **Music Notes:** Collecting these notes unlocks new music tracks that can be played on the Odyssey.

## Mastering Cappy: Utilizing His Abilities to the Fullest

Cappy is more than just a hat; he’s Mario’s versatile partner and a key component of the gameplay. Mastering Cappy’s abilities is crucial for overcoming challenges and discovering secrets. Here’s a breakdown of his key functions:

* **Attacking Enemies:** Throw Cappy at enemies to stun them or defeat them outright. Some enemies require multiple hits or specific techniques to defeat.
* **Interacting with Objects:** Use Cappy to activate switches, break objects, and interact with the environment.
* **Platforming Assistance:** Throw Cappy to create temporary platforms, extend your jumps, and reach distant areas.
* **Capturing Enemies and Objects:** This is Cappy’s most unique ability. By throwing Cappy at certain enemies or objects, Mario can capture them and gain control of their abilities. Captures are essential for solving puzzles, traversing difficult terrain, and defeating bosses.

### Effective Cappy Techniques

* **Homing Throw:** Hold down the Y button to lock onto a nearby enemy or object, ensuring that Cappy hits its target.
* **Spin Throw:** Rotate the analog stick while throwing Cappy to create a spinning attack that can hit multiple enemies or objects.
* **Cap Jump:** Throw Cappy and then jump on top of him for an extra boost. This is one of the most important techniques in the game, allowing you to reach high places and access hidden areas.
* **Cappy Bounce:** Throw Cappy at a wall and then jump on him to bounce off the wall, allowing you to reach otherwise inaccessible platforms.
* **Chain Capture:** Some captures allow you to chain multiple captures together, creating even more complex and versatile abilities. Experiment with different captures to discover their unique potential.

## Capturing Enemies: A Guide to the Most Useful Transformations

The capture mechanic is one of the defining features of Super Mario Odyssey, allowing Mario to transform into a variety of creatures and objects, each with its own unique abilities. Here’s a guide to some of the most useful and interesting captures:

* **Goomba:** Allows you to stack Goombas on top of each other to reach new heights.
* **Bullet Bill:** Transform into a Bullet Bill and fly across large gaps or break through obstacles.
* **T-Rex:** A powerful capture that allows you to smash through anything in your path.
* **Chain Chomp:** Use the Chain Chomp to pull down walls and break through barriers.
* **Cheep Cheep:** Swim freely underwater and explore aquatic environments.
* **Moe-Eye:** Wear special sunglasses to see hidden platforms and pathways.
* **Hammer Bro:** Throw hammers to defeat enemies and break objects from a distance.
* **Lava Bubble:** Swim through lava without taking damage.
* **Uproot:** Stretch your body to reach high places and attack enemies.
* **Zipper:** Transform into a zipper and move along walls to reach new areas.

### Tips for Effective Capture Use

* **Experiment:** Don’t be afraid to try capturing different enemies and objects to see what they can do. You might be surprised at the hidden abilities you discover.
* **Strategic Capture:** Choose the right capture for the task at hand. Some captures are better suited for combat, while others are more useful for exploration or puzzle-solving.
* **Capture Combinations:** Some puzzles require you to use multiple captures in combination. Pay attention to the environment and look for clues that might hint at the solution.
* **Master the Controls:** Each capture has its own unique control scheme. Take the time to learn the controls for each capture to maximize its potential.

## Combat Strategies: Defeating Enemies and Bosses

While Super Mario Odyssey focuses more on exploration and collection than traditional combat, there are still plenty of enemies and bosses to defeat. Here are some general combat strategies:

* **Basic Attacks:** Use Mario’s jump, ground pound, and Cappy throw to attack enemies.
* **Capture Abilities:** Many captures have unique attacks and abilities that can be used to defeat enemies. Experiment with different captures to find the most effective ones for each situation.
* **Dodge and Weave:** Learn to dodge enemy attacks and exploit their weaknesses. Many enemies have predictable attack patterns that can be easily avoided.
* **Environmental Hazards:** Use the environment to your advantage. Some enemies can be defeated by luring them into traps or using environmental hazards to damage them.

### Boss Battles

Boss battles in Super Mario Odyssey are often challenging and require you to use a combination of Mario’s abilities and capture techniques. Here are some general tips for boss battles:

* **Observe Attack Patterns:** Pay close attention to the boss’s attack patterns and learn how to avoid them.
* **Exploit Weaknesses:** Each boss has a specific weakness that you can exploit. Look for clues in the environment or listen to the boss’s dialogue to figure out what its weakness is.
* **Use Captures Strategically:** Many boss battles require you to use captures to defeat the boss. Choose the right capture for the job and use its abilities effectively.
* **Patience is Key:** Don’t get discouraged if you die multiple times. Boss battles can be challenging, but with patience and persistence, you can eventually defeat them.

## Advanced Techniques: Mastering Mario’s Movement

Beyond the basic controls, Super Mario Odyssey offers a variety of advanced techniques that can help you move more efficiently and access hidden areas. Here are some of the most useful advanced techniques:

* **Long Jump:** Press ZL + Y + A while running to perform a long jump, allowing you to cover greater distances.
* **Dive Jump:** Jump and then press ZL while in the air to perform a dive, which allows you to travel further horizontally and avoid obstacles.
* **Triple Jump:** Jump three times in quick succession to perform a triple jump, which allows you to reach higher platforms.
* **Wall Jump Combinations:** Combine wall jumps with other techniques, such as the cap jump and dive jump, to reach even more difficult areas.
* **Cappy-Assisted Movement:** Use Cappy to create temporary platforms, extend your jumps, and navigate complex terrain.

### Practicing Advanced Techniques

* **Training Mode:** Use the game’s training mode to practice specific techniques without the pressure of enemies or time limits.
* **Experimentation:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of techniques to see what you can discover.
* **Watch Speedruns:** Watch videos of speedrunners to see how they use advanced techniques to move quickly and efficiently through the game.

## Power Moon Hunting: Finding Every Last Collectible

Collecting Power Moons is the primary goal of Super Mario Odyssey. There are hundreds of Power Moons hidden throughout the game, and finding them all requires exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat skills. Here are some tips for Power Moon hunting:

* **Explore Every Nook and Cranny:** Power Moons can be hidden in the most unexpected places. Take the time to explore every corner of each kingdom and look for hidden pathways, secret rooms, and obscure puzzles.
* **Use Cappy’s Abilities:** Many Power Moons require you to use Cappy’s abilities to reach them. Experiment with different techniques, such as the cap jump, spin throw, and capture, to find hidden Power Moons.
* **Talk to NPCs:** Non-player characters (NPCs) often provide hints or clues about the location of Power Moons. Talk to everyone you meet and pay attention to what they say.
* **Check the Map:** The in-game map provides a general overview of each kingdom and highlights areas where Power Moons are likely to be found. Use the map to plan your exploration and identify potential Power Moon locations.
* **Consult Online Guides:** If you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to consult online guides or walkthroughs. There are many helpful resources available that can provide hints and tips for finding every Power Moon in the game.

### Post-Game Content

After completing the main story, you’ll unlock even more Power Moons and challenges. The post-game content includes:

* **Darker Side:** A hidden kingdom that offers the most challenging platforming sections in the game.
* **More Power Moons:** Even more Power Moons are hidden throughout the kingdoms, requiring you to revisit familiar areas and explore them in new ways.
* **New Outfits:** New outfits become available for purchase in the Crazy Cap stores.

## Crazy Cap Store: Outfits and Souvenirs

The Crazy Cap stores, found in each kingdom, sell a variety of outfits and souvenirs that you can purchase with regional coins and regular coins. Outfits allow you to customize Mario’s appearance, while souvenirs decorate the Odyssey. Some outfits are required to access certain areas or complete specific challenges.

### Choosing the Right Outfit

* **Aesthetic Preference:** Choose outfits that you like the look of. There are hundreds of outfits to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your style.
* **Functional Benefits:** Some outfits provide functional benefits, such as increased speed or protection from certain hazards. Consider the benefits of each outfit when making your choice.
* **Required Outfits:** Some areas or challenges require you to wear a specific outfit. Pay attention to the environment and look for clues that might hint at which outfit you need.

## Two-Player Co-op: Sharing the Adventure

Super Mario Odyssey supports two-player co-op, allowing you and a friend to play through the game together. In co-op mode, one player controls Mario, while the other player controls Cappy. Cappy can be used to assist Mario in various ways, such as attacking enemies, creating platforms, and solving puzzles.

### Tips for Co-op Play

* **Communication is Key:** Communicate with your partner to coordinate your actions and solve puzzles together.
* **Practice Together:** Practice playing together to develop a sense of teamwork and learn how to use Cappy effectively.
* **Experiment with Strategies:** Experiment with different strategies and techniques to find what works best for you and your partner.

## Conclusion: Embrace the Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is a masterpiece of game design, offering a vast and engaging world filled with secrets, challenges, and memorable moments. By mastering the basic controls, understanding Cappy’s abilities, exploring the diverse kingdoms, and practicing advanced techniques, you can become a true Odyssey master. So, grab your Joy-Cons, put on your thinking cap (pun intended!), and embark on an unforgettable adventure with Mario and Cappy. The Odyssey awaits!