
I was able to try three levels - Bonneton, Bubblaine, and Mount Volbono - and Nintendo has revealed nine thus far in total (large, distinct areas with dozens of moons to collect). In so many words: I don't think we've seen much of "Odyssey" yet. While playing, I saw a ton of stuff that I had no idea about. I played about 40 minutes of "Super Mario Odyssey" back in June, and over an hour last week I feel like I've barely touched the game, and that's probably because I've barely touched the game. When I played "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" before it came out, I felt the same way that I do now - it was clearly huge, but a brief demo is only capable of demonstrating so much. I was not able to play as the dinosaur, though you totally are able to play as the dinosaur. Though you could achieve that level of proficiency with something like "Super Mario Odyssey," the game is far more interesting for the agency it gives players (go wherever you want! play as whatever character you like!). I've probably played level 1-1 in the original "Super Mario Bros." so many times that I could beat it with my eyes closed (mastery!). It's a subtle tweak, but one with major implications: "Super Mario Odyssey" is a game about exploration, discovery, and choice, whereas many traditional Mario games are about challenge and mastery. Each time you die, the game steals some of your coins (which you use in-game to buy outfits - more on that in a moment). If you run out of hearts, you "die" and have to return to one of the many checkpoint flags placed around each world.

In "Super Mario Odyssey," you collect hearts. In this way, "Super Mario Bros." has a "health" system. If you manage to get a power-up like a Fire Flower or a Feather, you can get hit twice before becoming small Mario once again.

You start as small Mario, then you eat a mushroom and become big Mario.

In traditional Mario games, you don't have "hearts" - you have power-ups. It's powered by moons that you collect in each area, thus enabling travel to new areas.

This is Mario's ship, which is named the "Odyssey" (surprise!). Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
