By 2016, things really weren't working out for Nintendo. They had lived through an entire era of diminishing returns and poor console sales as the Wii U floundered about and struggled to make an impact on the market. After several years of dominance with the Wii, they probably assumed they'd be all set for the next generation, but the failure of this system hammered home the fact they couldn't get complacent and expect killer sales just because something has the word "Nintendo" on it. Not one to discard their ideas, though, the company worked on a new system that took the Wii U's concept and refined it, unveiled in 2016 as the Switch.
It was a hybrid console, and because of the promise of a strong game lineup, and managed to sell more units in its first year than the Wii U did throughout its entire lifespan. One such game was a brand new 3D Mario entry, which would end up becoming one of the system's most iconic, beloved games. However, it wouldn't just be yet another 3D World-style game, and would be making a return to the classic collectathon formula that defined the early days of this series' 3D platforming endeavors.
That's the game I'm here to discuss today, Super Mario Odyssey. I've finally reached that point in this absurdly long retrospective. I didn't play it at launch, but rather several years later when I picked up a Switch. Back then, I really liked it, but that was a while ago. I haven't played the game since then, saving it for this very moment so I could have an unfiltered, honest perspective on it. Coincidentally, not that long after the game's fifth anniversary, too. So, Super Mario Odyssey. What do I, a mega-enjoyer of the early 3D Mario games, think of this return to that style of gameplay? How does the game hold up half a decade after it came out? Do I agree with the glowing praise Odyssey has received from the gaming masses? As you can tell from the timestamp, I have a fair bit to say about that, so sit back and I hope you enjoy the video.
And I really hope you do, because the next Mario review? Oh boy, that's gonna be an interesting one