While it may sound backhanded to say that this is the best Mario game since Galaxy, it's not intended as such. Odyssey is spectacular. I've been playing Mario games since the very beginning, so I like to think I know a thing or two about them. Super Mario Odyssey may well be the best 3D Mario game ever made, and it's in my personal top 3 Mario games of all time.
As you might've seen advertised, the big new feature is Mario's sentient hat companion Cappy, who lets him possess many of the denizens of the various kingdoms you visit in this adventure. While the highlight of many Super Mario games throughout the years has always been the various suits and power-ups players can get their hands on, being able to outright become many of the creatures you come across is a twist on that formula that lets players do all kinds of new and sometimes unexpected things.
While the game is - as expected - family friendly, it provides layers of challenges for players of all ages. Some of the (optional) tasks in the game are outright hair-tearing, for only the most skilled players, but that's part of what achievement is all about! However, while the game is designed to appeal to everyone, Nintendo took the time to add some extra nods to long-time fans, not only in the worlds and the critters/characters you happen across, but through setpieces and a spectacular mid-game musical number that old-timers like me have to appreciate.
If you have a Switch, get this game. If you don't have a Switch, get one, and then get this game. Whether you're a new Mario fan or an old one, this is the definitive 3D Super Mario experience.
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