Game Modes

Super Mario Odyssey offers several ways to experience Mario's globe-trotting adventure. Beyond the main story, these modes provide additional challenges, cooperative play, and accessibility options to cater to all types of players. Understanding each mode will help you maximize your enjoyment and discover every secret the game has to offer.

Story Mode (Single Player)

This is the core experience of Super Mario Odyssey, where you embark on a grand adventure with Cappy to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches. You'll travel to diverse kingdoms, collect Power Moons, and battle formidable foes. The game encourages exploration and experimentation with Mario's moveset and Cappy's capturing abilities.

Progression and Objectives

• Collect Power Moons: The primary objective in each kingdom is to collect enough Power Moons to power up the Odyssey and travel to the next destination. Moons are found in various ways: completing challenges, defeating bosses, solving puzzles, and discovering hidden areas.
• Defeat Bosses: Each major kingdom features a boss battle that must be overcome to progress the story. These often require using Cappy's unique capturing abilities.
• Kingdom Exploration: Don't rush through! Many Power Moons are hidden off the beaten path or require specific captures to reach. Take your time to explore every nook and cranny.

Key Features

• Cappy's Captures: Use Cappy to possess enemies and objects, gaining their unique abilities. This is central to solving puzzles and overcoming obstacles.
• Coin Collection: Collect both standard Gold Coins and Kingdom-specific Purple Coins. Gold Coins can be spent at Crazy Cap shops for costumes and health items, while Purple Coins are used for exclusive kingdom-themed outfits and souvenirs.
• Health Management: Mario has a three-hit health bar. Collecting hearts or purchasing a Life-Up Heart from Crazy Cap shops will restore health. Falling into hazards or taking damage will deplete your health.

Assist Mode

For players who prefer a slightly less challenging experience, Assist Mode provides helpful features to make the adventure more accessible. This mode can be toggled on or off at any time from the game's options menu.

Activating Assist Mode

1. From the Pause Menu, navigate to "Options."
2. Select "Assist Mode" and toggle it to "On."
3. Confirm your selection.

Benefits of Assist Mode

• Increased Health: Mario's health bar is extended from three to six hit points, allowing for more mistakes before a Game Over.
• Fall Protection: If Mario falls into a bottomless pit or off a high ledge, Cappy will automatically save him and return him to the last safe platform. This consumes one health point but prevents a full Game Over.
• Directional Arrow: A helpful arrow will appear on screen, pointing you towards your next main objective. This is particularly useful if you're feeling lost or unsure where to go next in a large kingdom.

Co-Op Mode (Two-Player)

Super Mario Odyssey offers a unique two-player cooperative mode where one player controls Mario and the other controls Cappy. This mode adds a new layer of strategy and fun, perfect for playing with a friend or family member.

How to Start Co-Op Mode

1. From the main menu or during gameplay, press the "+" button to open the Pause Menu.
2. Select "Co-Op Mode."
3. Each player will need a Joy-Con controller (or other compatible controller). Follow the on-screen prompts to connect the second controller.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Player 1 (Mario): Controls Mario's movement, jumps, and ground pounds.
• Player 2 (Cappy): Controls Cappy's movement, throws, and captures. Cappy can fly independently of Mario, allowing for simultaneous actions and reaching areas Mario cannot.

Co-Op Strategies

• Simultaneous Actions: Player 2 can throw Cappy to collect coins or activate switches while Player 1 is moving Mario, greatly speeding up exploration and puzzle-solving.
• Extended Reach: Cappy can be used to capture enemies or objects from a distance, allowing Mario to safely approach or bypass hazards.
• Teamwork for Puzzles: Many puzzles become easier with two players, as Cappy can hold a capture while Mario interacts with another element. For example, Cappy can possess a frog to reach a high platform while Mario positions himself for a long jump.
• Boss Battles: In boss encounters, Cappy can often distract or damage the boss while Mario focuses on dodging or finding openings.

Post-Game Content

Even after defeating Bowser and completing the main story, Super Mario Odyssey has a wealth of content to explore. The game truly opens up after the credits roll, offering new challenges and collectibles.

Unlocking New Kingdoms

• Dark Side: After collecting 250 Power Moons, the Odyssey will be able to travel to the Dark Side, a challenging new kingdom with unique moons and a difficult boss battle.
• Darker Side: For the ultimate challenge, collect 500 Power Moons to unlock the Darker Side. This kingdom features a gauntlet of platforming challenges and a final, incredibly tough boss.

Additional Collectibles and Challenges

• More Power Moons: Many kingdoms will have new Power Moons appear after the story is completed, often requiring advanced techniques or revisiting areas with new captures.
• Hint Toad & Talkatoo: These characters become even more useful post-game, offering hints for remaining Power Moons in each kingdom.
• Crazy Cap Shop Expansions: New outfits and souvenirs become available for purchase, including some that require specific post-game achievements.
• Luigi's Balloon World: This online competitive mode becomes available post-game.

Luigi's Balloon World (Online)

Unlocked after completing the main story, Luigi's Balloon World is an online competitive mode where players hide and seek balloons in various kingdoms. It's a fun way to test your platforming skills against other players worldwide.

How to Play

1. After completing the main story, find Luigi in any kingdom. He'll be standing next to a hot air balloon.
2. Talk to Luigi and select "Play Balloon World."
3. Choose between "Hide It" or "Find It" modes.

Hide It Mode

• Objective: Hide a balloon in a kingdom within a time limit. The more obscure your hiding spot, the harder it is for other players to find.
• Strategy: use advanced jumps, Cappy throws, and hidden pathways to place your balloon in a difficult-to-reach location. Consider using captures to access areas Mario normally can't.
• Rewards: You earn coins based on how many players fail to find your balloon.

Find It Mode

• Objective: Find balloons hidden by other players within a time limit.
• Strategy: Observe the environment carefully, look for suspicious spots, and be prepared to execute precise platforming. The faster you find a balloon, the more coins you earn.
• Rewards: Earn coins for successfully finding balloons.

Ranking and Leaderboards

Luigi's Balloon World features a ranking system. Winning streaks and successful hides/finds will increase your rank, allowing you to compete against more skilled players on the global leaderboards.