Super Mario Odyssey

Nintendo Switch (2) 2017
Publisher & Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Action platform (2)


So far I have been trying to avoid ranking Mario games because they are almost all going to the top of the list, but Super Mario Odyssey is just too much fun to not talk about. I wanted to write about it just so I could relive some of the memories. Say what you will about Nintendo, but they know how to sell a system. They had two era defining masterpieces in the early days of Switch. The first was The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild and then a few months later they released Super Mario Odyssey. These are two games that fit the new console perfectly and are almost all you need. If you only bought these two games the console would still be worth it. They also compliment each other perfectly. Breath of the Wild is the ultimate exploration heavy adventure game. It’s full of puzzles and requires concentration. Super Mario Odyssey, however, is gaming’s ultimate celebration.

(Look at how wacky this is!)

Odyssey is the most full game I have ever played. It’s an open world game split into several individual worlds. Exploration is a major part of its identity, and there is something to find practically everywhere. If you like to ask yourself “hey is there something over there”? you will rarely be disappointed. I’ve never found more stuff in more places in a game. Liked getting 120 stars in Super Mario 64? How about collecting 999 moons? That’s right, 999. That means that the levels are just crammed full. Some moons and collectibles are just gonna be laying there but some require great skill. It’s no kiddie game. 

(It's so colorful!)

It’s also just plain fun. A feeling of celebration runs throughout. I know I previously complained about firework shows in games, but this game is practically one big firework show. Every level is a well crafted nod to familiar Mario settings. There’s a ghost level, a desert level, an ice level, and many more classic environments. There is a party beach where everyone seems to be in a good mood. There is a food level with a big celebration in the works. There is a big city level featuring the return of a triumphant Pauline from the original Donkey Kong. There are a bunch of silly costumes to unlock which only serve the purpose of making the player smile. It may be the ultimate feel good game, and what could be better than that?

Well at this time there is nothing better than that. Super Mario Odyssey is easily going to the top of the list, and I predict it is going to stay there for a while. This is one of those rare cases where the game I am talking about is actually one you may want to go out and buy. Well if you still can’t decide than just look at where it is in the Ironclad List of Correctness. It is truly one of the all time greats.

1. Super Mario Odyssey

2. Galaga

3. Pac-Mania

4. Mickey’s Racing Adventure

5. Metro-Cross

6. Gaplus

7. Dragon Spirit

8. Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour (GBC)

9. Red Sea Crossing

10. Baraduke

11. Gamma-Attack

12. The Legend of “Valkyrie”

13. Galaxian

14. Evoland

15. Gyruss (2600)

16. Looney Tunes Racing

17. Birthday Mania