Nintendo Super Mario Odyssey Nintendo Switch 3D Adventure Game

Some players want a straightforward journey from one stage to the next, others prefer room to explore and experiment. Super Mario Odyssey is aimed at the second kind of player, with large 3D worlds and plenty of ways to interact with what Mario finds.

Mario travels between unusual kingdoms aboard an airship, with Princess Peach to save and Bowser’s wedding plans to stop. The setting shifts well beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, including the skyscraper-filled Donk City.

The key twist is Cappy, whose cap moves let Mario throw, jump and capture. That makes this more than a run-and-jump adventure: exploring and trying out different interactions are part of the appeal.

Who it’s for

This is a Nintendo Switch game for players who enjoy exploring at their own pace, looking for secrets and discovering what a world allows them to do. The sandbox-style design gives more room to roam than a tightly directed, linear platform game, so it is suited to someone who likes detours as well as progress through the main adventure.

It’s a good fit if you want a 3D Mario adventure where movement and curiosity go together. A practical session might involve travelling to a new kingdom, testing Cappy’s capture ability on an enemy or object, and then taking time to look around for something you might otherwise miss. The listing gives an age guide of 7 and over, which may help when choosing a game for a younger player.

Specifications

• Platform: Nintendo Switch only
• Age guidance: 7 and over
• Product dimensions: 17 x 1 x 10.4 cm
• Weight: 10 g

Why it’s worth it

Cappy gives the central gameplay a distinctive purpose. Throwing the cap, jumping from it and capturing things each offer a different way to engage with the surroundings, rather than relying only on running and jumping. The description also notes costumes, Pixel Mario sections and vehicles that use the Joy-Con’s HD rumble feature, adding variety to the exploration.

The appeal is therefore not just the number of places to visit, but how much the game invites you to try within them. Someone who enjoys experimenting with controls and investigating a setting is likely to get more from this approach than a player looking for a brief, linear sequence of levels. The familiar Mario characters and the rescue mission give the journey a clear objective, while the open-ended worlds provide reasons to wander between story moments.

When it makes sense

Choose it if you have a Nintendo Switch and want a colourful 3D platform adventure built around exploration, secrets and playful abilities. It also makes sense for a player who likes having a main goal but does not want every moment of progress to follow a single route. The cap mechanics give the game a clear identity, while the varied kingdoms help keep the journey from feeling tied to one setting.

It may not suit you if you need a game for a console other than Nintendo Switch, as compatibility is limited to that platform. The product details also state that it has been discontinued by the manufacturer, a point to bear in mind when considering availability. For a Switch owner seeking a more exploratory alternative to a tightly linear platform game, its mix of movement, cap-based interactions and large 3D environments is the main reason to consider it.