Super Mario Odyssey
Games review
As of Jul 9, 2026, Super Mario Odyssey is rated 97/100 on OpenCritic (158 critic reviews), and 97/100 on Metacritic (124 critic reviews). Each source is shown in its own units, never blended into one score.
Is Super Mario Odyssey worth it in 2026?
A 97/100 across 282 combined critic reviews is not a rounding error, that is a near-unanimous verdict that Super Mario Odyssey is one of the best games Nintendo has ever made. The Cappy mechanic genuinely reinvents how Mario moves and interacts with the world, and the game updates the series formula itself rather than just adding a new gimmick to a familiar template. Hundreds of moons mean the game keeps rewarding you long past the credits, though players who find collectathons tedious rather than joyful may find the back half loses momentum. If you want challenge-focused precision platforming, note that Odyssey leans forgiving and accessible by design, that is a feature for most people and a mild frustration for a few.
Anyone with a Nintendo Switch who wants a joyful, content-rich 3D platformer that genuinely evolves the series, it works for newcomers and longtime fans because it builds optional complexity into its secrets rather than gating either audience out.
This is a Switch exclusive, and getting in means buying Nintendo's hardware if you don't already own it, a real $300-plus cost that makes this a console purchase, not just a game purchase.
ReviewPond's conclusion, drawn only from the verified scores and review themes below. Not a paid or editorial opinion.
Different sources measure different things, so each is shown in its own units and never merged into one number.
Pros
- fun and joyful experience6
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- Super Mario Odyssey is a spectacular return to form that'll delight casual players and platforming fans, delivering one of the biggest and best games ever from Nintendo.
- With hundreds of moons to collect and a dizzying number of secrets to unearth, Super Mario Odyssey is a monster of a game that rarely dips in the fun department
- Full of happiness, an antidote we all desperately need, flawlessly designed, addictive, and just incredible. This is platforming perfection.
- innovative mechanics and originality5
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- Mario's games have been around for almost as long as game consoles have been a thing, but thankfully, he's always evolving. We rarely get the same Mario twice. Super Mario Odyssey...
- One of the most daring and influential game designs of all time makes a long overdue comeback in Mario's most madcap adventure yet.
- Super Mario Odyssey represents a shift in direction for Mario. For about a decade we had exceptional but tightly structured 3D series entries, but this new arrival's building block...
- masterpiece and legacy status5
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- Mario's games have been around for almost as long as game consoles have been a thing, but thankfully, he's always evolving. We rarely get the same Mario twice. Super Mario Odyssey...
- For a character nearing 40 years old, it's amazing that Mario has remained not only a beloved character but one whose games are generally expected to be great. From that perspectiv...
- This is another Mario all-time classic that we'll be remembering and celebrating for decades to come.
- fresh take on series formula4
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- Super Mario Odyssey successfully brings the series up to date and opens it up to a new audience, while still retaining every ounce of its nostalgia and retro charm.
- Mario has over thirty years of history behind him and yet Odyssey manages to mix those feelings of old titles with new ideas for a fresh take on a genre everyone is familiar with.
- Super Mario Odyssey represents a shift in direction for Mario. For about a decade we had exceptional but tightly structured 3D series entries, but this new arrival's building block...
- extensive content and secrets3
see reviews +-
- With hundreds of moons to collect and a dizzying number of secrets to unearth, Super Mario Odyssey is a monster of a game that rarely dips in the fun department
- Super Mario Odyssey represents a shift in direction for Mario. For about a decade we had exceptional but tightly structured 3D series entries, but this new arrival's building block...
- One of those games that you have to play without doubt. Fun, deep, full of secrets and beautiful. Nintendo has made it again, and now we all love Mario in every possible form.
Cons
None stood out across the reviews.
Themes and quotes are drawn from 19 sampled reviews with text; the scores above reflect all 282 ratings. Counts are how many of the sampled reviews mention each point.