Introduction

Super Mario Odyssey is a love letter to the Super Mario franchise, a jubilant and inventive adventure that reinvents the platforming genre. From the moment Mario's red cap, Cappy, takes on a life of its own, the game introduces a level of freedom and creativity previously unseen. The journey to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches spans a diverse and captivating collection of kingdoms, each a playground for exploration and discovery. This guide is designed to help you navigate this massive world, offering tips and strategies to master Mario's new abilities, uncover every secret, and collect the thousands of Power Moons needed to power the Odyssey. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned plumber, prepare to leap, capture, and explore your way through one of the greatest games ever made.




Mastering Mario's Moves and Cappy's Capture

Before you even leave the Cap Kingdom, you need to understand the fundamental mechanics that set Odyssey apart. Mario's standard moveset is as solid as ever, but it’s the addition of Cappy, his sentient hat, that truly changes the game. Cappy can be thrown to attack enemies, interact with objects, or even collect coins from a distance. More importantly, Cappy allows Mario to "capture" a wide variety of enemies and objects, granting him their unique abilities. This is the core of the game’s design, and mastering it is the key to success.



Your first objective in any new kingdom should be to experiment with every creature and object that you can capture. Every enemy, from the common Goomba to the powerful T-Rex, offers a different way to solve puzzles or navigate the environment. The abilities you gain are not just for the main story; they are also the solution to many of the game's hidden challenges. For instance, capturing a Cheep Cheep allows you to swim freely underwater, a frog's high jump can reach a hidden platform, and a Piranha Plant's fire breath can be used to melt ice. Don't be afraid to try everything. The game is designed to reward curiosity and experimentation.


Essential Cappy Throws

  • The Standard Throw: A simple flick of the wrist. Throws Cappy straight forward.
  • The Homing Throw: A quick spin of the Joy-Con or a simple button combination. Cappy will home in on nearby targets.
  • The Cap Jump: Throw Cappy and then press the jump button to bounce off it mid-air, allowing for an extra jump and extending your reach. This is an indispensable technique for platforming.

Mastering Movement

  • Roll: This maneuver is one of the fastest ways to travel. It can be initiated by crouching and then jumping, or by shaking the controller. It's great for covering ground quickly and can be combined with jumps for long-distance travel.

  • Wall Jump: The classic maneuver returns. Jump against a wall, then press jump again to launch off it.

  • Ground Pound: A classic Mario move. Jump and press the crouch button to slam down.
  • Long Jump: A series of a ground pound and a jump. Essential for covering large gaps.

Kingdom Navigation and Power Moon Collection

Each kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey is a unique open-world sandbox filled with secrets and challenges. The main goal in each is to collect a set number of Power Moons to power up the Odyssey and move on to the next kingdom. However, the game encourages you to stray from the main path. The world is so densely packed with content that you will stumble upon Power Moons simply by exploring.


The map is your best friend. In each kingdom, you'll find a series of checkpoints, represented as flags on the map. Activating these allows you to fast-travel, which is crucial for collecting Power Moons efficiently. As you progress, you'll notice Power Moons on your map that you've yet to find. The game does an excellent job of leaving breadcrumbs for you to follow, from glowing spots on the ground to subtle environmental hints. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything out of the ordinary, and you'll likely find a Power Moon.


The Power Moon Compass

  • Vibration: Your controller will vibrate as you get closer to a hidden Power Moon. The stronger the vibration, the closer you are.
  • Visual Cues: Look for glowing spots, cracks in walls, or suspicious-looking objects. These often signal a hidden Power Moon.
  • Sound Cues: Listen for a distinct twinkling sound. The sound gets faster and louder as you get closer to a hidden Power Moon.

Post-Game Exploration

After you defeat Bowser, the game is far from over. New Power Moons will appear in every kingdom, and a new set of challenges will unlock. This is where the true beauty of Odyssey lies. Returning to previous kingdoms with all your abilities allows you to access previously unreachable areas and discover new secrets. The game is designed for replayability, and the post-game content is a testament to that.

Coin Management and Power Moon Purchases

Coins are not just for show in Odyssey. They are your currency for purchasing everything from new outfits and hats for Mario to Power Moons themselves. In each kingdom, you'll find two different types of currency: standard gold coins and purple kingdom-specific coins. Both are essential for purchasing items and Power Moons from the Crazy Cap stores.

You should always be on the lookout for coins. They are scattered everywhere and are often found in hidden areas. Don't be afraid to purchase Power Moons from the Crazy Cap stores. It's a valid way to progress and a good way to get through a difficult kingdom. The gold coins can be spent on various costumes and accessories that serve no real purpose other than to change Mario's appearance, but some of them are required for certain Power Moons. The purple coins are much rarer and are used for purchasing unique outfits and souvenirs that are exclusive to that specific kingdom.



What to Spend Your Coins On

  • Power Moons: The most important thing to spend your coins on. Don't hesitate to purchase a few if you're struggling to find the required amount to progress.
  • Costumes: Some Power Moons require Mario to be wearing a specific costume. For example, in the Luncheon Kingdom, you'll need the chef's outfit to enter a certain area.


  • Stickers and Souvenirs: These are cosmetic items that can be used to decorate the Odyssey. They are purely for fun and have no effect on gameplay.

The Broodals and Boss Battle Strategies

Throughout your journey, you'll encounter the Broodals, a group of anthropomorphic rabbit antagonists hired by Bowser to plan his wedding. Each of the four Broodals has a unique attack pattern and a different way of being defeated. Learning their tells and understanding their weaknesses is crucial for success.


  • Topper: The leader of the group, a master of hats. He throws his hats at you, which you can bounce off of to get to his head. Once his hats are gone, you can jump on him.
  • Harriet: A master of explosives. She throws her spiked hair at you, which you need to dodge before they explode. Throw Cappy at her hair to stun her and then jump on her head.
  • Rango: A master of spiked hats. He will throw a barrage of spiked hats at you, which you can avoid by jumping on his head. Once he's stunned, you can jump on him.
  • Spewart: A master of poison. He will spit a purple poison at you, which you need to avoid. Throw Cappy at his head, which will cause him to spit a large blob of poison. This is your chance to jump on him.

General Boss Tips

  • Use Cappy: Cappy is your best friend in boss battles. He can be used to stun, attack, and even reveal weaknesses.
  • Watch for Patterns: Each boss has a distinct attack pattern. Watch for their tells and learn how to anticipate their moves.

  • Be Patient: Don't rush in. Wait for your opening, then attack. Taking your time is often the key to victory.

The Kingdom-Specific Guides: Capturing Everything

Each kingdom in Odyssey is a unique playground with its own unique set of captures, puzzles, and challenges. To truly master the game, you need to understand the unique mechanics of each. Here's a brief guide to some of the most memorable kingdoms.

Cascade Kingdom

  • Capture: Chain Chomp and T-Rex.
  • Puzzles: Use the Chain Chomp to break rocks and walls to find hidden areas. The T-Rex can be used to smash everything in sight, revealing coins and Power Moons.
  • Secrets: Look for fossils and rock formations that look out of place. They often hide secrets.

Sand Kingdom

  • Capture: Goomba, Bullet Bill, and a Cactus.
  • Puzzles: The desert is a harsh environment. Use Bullet Bills to fly across large gaps and use Cappy to move across the quicksand.
  • Secrets: The Jaxi, a large stone lion, can be used to ride across the desert. It's the fastest way to travel in the kingdom.

Lake Kingdom

  • Capture: Cheep Cheep and a Frog.
  • Puzzles: The entire kingdom is underwater. Use Cheep Cheep to swim and navigate. Use the Frog's high jump to reach high platforms.

  • Secrets: The lake is full of secrets. Look for hidden caves and underwater tunnels.

Wooded Kingdom

  • Capture: Uproot, a plant-like creature that can stretch its legs.

  • Puzzles: The kingdom is full of verticality. Use the Uproot's long legs to reach high platforms and climb.

  • Secrets: There are many hidden areas in the forest. Look for hidden paths and cracks in the walls.

Luncheon Kingdom

  • Capture: Lava Bubble and a Fire Bro.
  • Puzzles: The kingdom is full of lava and heat. Use the Lava Bubble to swim in the lava and the Fire Bro to melt ice and create pathways.
  • Secrets: The food is a major part of the kingdom. Look for hidden ingredients and recipes.

The Hidden Power Moons: The Ultimate Challenge

After completing the main story, you'll be tasked with finding a massive amount of Power Moons to fully power the Odyssey. Many of these are hidden in plain sight, but others require a keen eye and a bit of ingenuity.

  • Hidden in the Kingdom: Look for subtle environmental clues. A lone rock in the middle of a field might be a signal for a ground pound, a strange pattern on a wall might be a hint for a Cappy throw, or a suspicious-looking enemy might be hiding a Power Moon.
  • The Sphynx and Hint Art: In each kingdom, you'll find a Sphynx that will ask you a riddle. Answer correctly and it will give you a Power Moon. Hint Art, a picture on the wall, will show you a location in another kingdom where a Power Moon is hidden. This is one of the most fun and challenging parts of the game.


  • The Hint Toad and Talkatoo: In each kingdom, you'll find a Hint Toad who will give you a general location of a Power Moon for a small fee. You'll also find a Talkatoo, a bird that will give you hints for a specific Power Moon.


The Power Moon Checklist

  • Complete the main story: This will unlock the majority of the Power Moons.
  • Find all the hidden Power Moons: Use the tips above to find every secret.
  • Purchase all the Power Moons from the Crazy Cap stores: This is an easy way to get a few extra Power Moons.

  • Complete all the minigames: Many minigames will reward you with a Power Moon for a high score.

The Dark Side and Darker Side of the Moon

After you defeat Bowser and collect a certain number of Power Moons, you'll be able to travel to the secret kingdoms, the Dark Side and the Darker Side of the Moon. These are the ultimate challenges in the game, a true test of your platforming skills and knowledge of the game's mechanics.

  • The Dark Side of the Moon: This kingdom is a gauntlet of difficult platforming challenges, with the goal of reaching the top of a tower. There are no checkpoints, so a single mistake means starting over. The final challenge is a battle against all four of the Broodals at once.
  • The Darker Side of the Moon: This is the true final challenge of the game. It's a massive, multi-stage platforming challenge with no checkpoints. You'll have to use every skill and capture you've learned throughout the game. The final section is a true test of endurance and precision. It's one of the most difficult challenges in a Mario game.

Preparation for the Final Challenges

  • Practice: Before you attempt these kingdoms, practice your moves and captures. You'll need to be a master of everything.
  • Patience: These challenges will test your patience. Don't get frustrated. Take a break and come back later.
  • Master Every Move: You'll need to use every move in Mario's arsenal, from the long jump to the Cap Jump.

Conclusion

Super Mario Odyssey is a masterpiece of game design, a joyful and inventive adventure that rewards curiosity and exploration. By mastering Mario's new moves, utilizing Cappy's capture abilities, and embracing the spirit of discovery, you can uncover every secret and collect every Power Moon. Whether you're a veteran platformer or a newcomer to the franchise, Odyssey is an unforgettable journey that will leave you with a smile on your face. So go forth, explore the kingdoms, and let the adventure begin!