When Nintendo officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch, the world held its breath to see how the company’s most iconic mascot would transition to the hybrid hardware. The answer was Super Mario Odyssey, a title that didn't just return to the "sandbox" roots of Super Mario 64 and Sunshine, but expanded them with a sense of wonder and mechanical ingenuity that redefined the platforming genre. From the first cryptic trailer to the most recent news of its record-breaking sales and the persistent rumors of a sequel, Super Mario Odyssey has remained a cornerstone of gaming journalism. This article serves as a comprehensive news retrospective, tracing the game's journey from its shocking debut to its enduring legacy as one of the greatest creative achievements in Nintendo's storied history.
1. The Switch Premiere: The Hat that Changed Everything (Early 2017)
The first major news wave for Super Mario Odyssey arrived during the Nintendo Switch Presentation in January 2017. While the hardware was the star, the trailer for Mario’s new adventure stole the show. The footage of Mario running through New Donk City—a realistic metropolitan environment—sent shockwaves through news outlets. It was a jarring, bold departure from the Mushroom Kingdom, signaling that Nintendo was willing to take massive creative risks.
The headline news, however, was the reveal of Cappy, Mario's sentient hat. This was more than a cosmetic change; it introduced the "Capture" mechanic, allowing Mario to possess enemies and objects. Journalists immediately noted that this transformed Mario’s move set from a fixed list into an infinite array of possibilities. This initial reveal set the tone for the news cycle: Odyssey would be a game about transformation, exploration, and breaking traditional Mario tropes.
2. E3 2017: Hands-On with the Sand and Wooded Kingdoms
E3 2017 marked the first time the media could actually play the game, leading to a flood of hands-on news reports. The focus was on the diversity of the Kingdoms. News outlets praised the vastness of the Tostarena (Sand Kingdom) and the mechanical density of the Wooded Kingdom. It was during this event that the "Jump Up, Super Star!" theme song debuted, becoming an instant viral hit and a significant news story in its own right as Nintendo's first vocal theme for a Mario game.
The news during E3 also confirmed the return of the Power Moons as the primary collectible. Unlike the Stars of old, which would kick you out of a level, Moons allowed for seamless play. This "one-more-moon" gameplay loop was highlighted in news previews as a brilliant evolution for the portable nature of the Switch, allowing for both short bursts of play and long, deep sessions.
3. The 2017 Launch: Critical Acclaim and Market Dominance
On October 27, 2017, Super Mario Odyssey launched to what can only be described as a critical and commercial earthquake. News reports flooded in with perfect 10/10 scores from nearly every major publication. It was praised for its "unbridled joy" and technical polish. Within just three days, Nintendo announced the game had sold over 2 million copies, making it the fastest-selling Mario game in history at the time.
The news narrative focused on the game's depth. Players were discovering that "beating" the game was only the beginning, as the post-game content—including the return of the Mushroom Kingdom and the challenging Dark Side of the Moon—provided dozens of extra hours of content. The "Capture" mechanic was hailed as the most innovative addition to the series since the gravity-shifting of Super Mario Galaxy.
4. The Balloon World Update: Luigi’s Official Entry (Early 2018)
In February 2018, Nintendo released the first significant post-launch news: the Luigi’s Balloon World update. This free DLC added a competitive hide-and-seek mode that utilized the game’s sprawling maps in a new way. It was a major news beat because it finally brought Luigi into the Odyssey world, albeit in a non-playable capacity, and introduced a persistent online leaderboard.
This update was viewed as a strategic move to keep the game relevant in news feeds months after its release. By encouraging players to master the game’s complex movement mechanics to hide balloons in impossible-to-reach places, Nintendo fostered a "pro" community. News outlets noted that the update successfully breathed new life into the kingdoms, giving veteran players a reason to return and hone their platforming skills.
5. VR Compatibility and Labo Integration News (2019)
In a surprising turn, news emerged in 2019 that Super Mario Odyssey would receive a free update to support the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. This was a fascinating experiment that allowed players to revisit a few select kingdoms in a limited virtual reality perspective. While not a full VR game, the news of Nintendo’s "toe-dipping" into VR with their flagship title was a significant talking point in the tech and gaming sectors.
H3: The VR Experience Details
- Kingdoms Supported: Cap, Cascade, and Seaside Kingdoms.
- Objective: A scavenger hunt mode where players find musical instruments to recruit band members.
- Technical Impact: Highlighted Nintendo's ability to optimize the Switch hardware for stereoscopic 3D without a massive performance hit.
6. Record-Breaking Sales and the 20 Million Milestone (2020)
As the pandemic shifted the global focus toward home entertainment, Super Mario Odyssey saw a massive surge in sales. By the end of 2020, news reports confirmed that the game had surpassed 20 million units sold. This milestone was significant because it solidified Odyssey not just as a critical darling, but as an evergreen sales juggernaut that continued to sell millions of copies years after its debut.
The news analysis during this period focused on the game's "long tail." Unlike many AAA titles that disappear from news headlines after six months, Odyssey remained a top-tier recommendation for every new Switch owner. It became the benchmark against which all other Switch titles—and all future platformers—were measured.
7. Speedrunning and the "Minimum Captures" News (2021)
By 2021, Super Mario Odyssey had become one of the most popular titles in the speedrunning community. News outlets began covering the "Any%" world records, which saw runners completing the game in under an hour. However, the most unique news story was the emergence of the "Minimum Captures" challenge.
H4: The Technicality of No-Capture Runs
- The Goal: Completing the game with the fewest possible "Captures" (possessions).
- The Record: Community members discovered glitches and precise movement tech to bypass required captures.
- The Impact: These news stories showcased the incredible robustness of Mario's base movement engine, proving he was more capable than even the developers intended.
8. The Movie Synergy and Red Edition Switch (2023)
With the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, Super Mario Odyssey returned to the news spotlight. Nintendo launched a promotional "Mario Choose One" bundle that included the game, leading to another spike in sales. The movie’s success introduced a new generation of children to the franchise, and Odyssey was the primary beneficiary of this "Mario Mania."
Additionally, a special "Mario Red" edition of the Nintendo Switch OLED was released, often pictured alongside Odyssey. The news cycle during this year was defined by the franchise's transmedia success, as the game’s aesthetic (particularly the globetrotting theme) echoed the adventurous spirit of the record-breaking film.
9. Sequel Rumors and the "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" Shift (2024)
In late 2023 and early 2024, the news focus shifted to what comes next. While many expected a Super Mario Odyssey 2, Nintendo instead released the 2D masterpiece Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This generated a significant news discussion: was the "Capture" mechanic retired? However, industry insiders and news leakers suggested that a 3D sequel was being held for Nintendo’s next hardware iteration.
This "sequel watch" became a dominant news theme. Fans and analysts scrutinized every Nintendo patent and job listing for clues about the next 3D Mario. The consensus in the news community was that Odyssey had set the bar so high that its successor would likely be a "launch window" title for the rumored Switch 2, intended to show off the new console’s capabilities just as the original did.
10. The 30 Million Legacy: Why Odyssey Never Fades (2025-2026)
As of early 2026, Super Mario Odyssey remains a frequent topic in "Best Games of All Time" news features. With sales approaching the 30 million mark, it stands as one of the best-selling 3D platformers in history. Its legacy is one of pure, unadulterated creativity. News retrospectives today highlight how the game’s "Snapshot Mode" and "Costume System" paved the way for modern social features in Nintendo games.
The ultimate news story of Super Mario Odyssey is its timelessness. Even nearly a decade after its launch, its mechanics feel fresh, its visuals remain vibrant, and its sense of discovery is unmatched. It remains the definitive "Odyssey" of the gaming world—a journey that began with a hat and ended with a permanent place in the pantheon of interactive entertainment.
Conclusion
The news history of Super Mario Odyssey is a story of consistent excellence and surprise. From the shocking metropolitan streets of its 2017 debut to the 30-million-unit-selling juggernaut it is today, the game has redefined the sandbox platformer. Through free updates like Balloon World, experimental VR modes, and a thriving speedrunning community, Odyssey has maintained a presence in gaming news that few titles can match. As we look toward the future of Nintendo, Super Mario Odyssey stands as a vibrant reminder that Mario’s greatest strength is his ability to evolve, transform, and take us on a journey that never truly ends.
