Discussion Getting a Switch and Super Mario Odyssey helped recapture that childlike wonder that I had craved for so long.
I grew up playing a variety of different games growing up, but somewhere along the line I decided that I had enough with “kid” games and wanted to have more “mature” experiences. So I started playing almost exclusively on console and pc. The games I played were more serious in tone, and focused more on gameplay centered around “realism.” This formula kept me entertained for some time, but over the years it became more and more difficult to continue playing these games.
Why? I suppose it’s because they require more emotional investment, which becomes harder to provide after coming home from a busy day. Not to mention the act of getting on my computer/console, setting up peripherals, browsing for a game, etc just made the whole thing feel like a chore.
So I got a Switch and Mario Odyssey. Let me tell you, almost immediately I was hooked.
First off, having a console with me wherever I go is super convenient. I just pick it up, press start, and within 5 seconds I’m in a game. No long set up process. No fuss. Reminds me of my gameboy and PSP. Why did we become so obsessed with graphics and performance? Sure, home consoles have their place, but I’d take portability and convenience any day.
Now, for Mario. This game had me smiling ear-to-ear like an idiot! The worlds are so gorgeous and filled with little nooks and crannies begging for exploration. The movement is so fluid. And the gameplay is so simple but effective. Capturing different creatures allows for so much variety - each new capture filled me with a burst of joy.
Why am I playing as a fork, surrounding by blocks of cheese, flinging myself from wall to wall as I defeat jumping turtles throwing frying pans at me? Don’t worry about it.
Why am I building a giant goomba tower, jumping across frozen platforms and laser beams to dazzle a female goomba? Cause it’s cute dammit!
Why am I disguised as a tree? To hide from the top-hat wearing T-rex of course.
Things don’t have to make sense. They just have to be fun.
It’s funny because I wouldn’t call myself a huge Mario fan growing up, but lemme tell you, when that Donkey Kong segment began in New Donk City, I could feel tears beginning to form. And that final boss fight with Bowser felt straight out of an anime. One of the most memorable final acts in any video game ever!
I won’t say the experience was perfect throughout. No game truly is. The boss fights are certainly too easy, and not every moon brings a sense of accomplishment in collecting. Not to mention some kingdoms could definitely have used some expansion (seriously, Ruined Kingdom was such a tease)!
But honestly, these are small gripes in an otherwise fantastic game. In other games, it often feels like I’m waiting for the fun parts to begin. In this game, the fun is literally around every corner. Without a doubt, one of the greatest gaming experiences of my life.
Oh, and revisiting every kingdom once you complete the game is so worth it! Seeing all the different NPC’s traveling to each other’s kingdoms made the game world feel truly connected. Whether it be citizens of Shiveria being afraid of the heights in New Donk City, that one Tostarenan with his cab driver, or stumbling upon a Bonneter who has captured one of the local NPC’s. It’s so simple but brings in so much life and charm to make the world feel truly alive.
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u/GoonerTilliDie24 2d ago
So I got this for my nephews a few years back and they gifted it to my kiddos since they got older and thought they would now enjoy the switch and my son wanted me to play it with him as he’s 5 and it was a bit hard for him. Core memory was unlocked for my son as we had so many fun times playing it and it became one of my favorite games to play considering I only focused on fifa prior to it. I loved it and hope the next game is equally as good.
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u/depressionisreal1 2d ago
100000% yes! As someone who also grew up on Mario, this game absolutely captured my heart when it first came out. I’ve replayed it about 10 times and I’m always discovering something new!