Super Mario Odyssey Beginner Guide: Cappy, Captures, Kingdoms & Power Moons
Super Mario Odyssey beginner guide covering Cappy, Capture abilities, Power Moons, Odyssey progression, kingdom exploration, movement, coins, checkpoints and finding hidden routes and collectibles.
Super Mario Odyssey Beginner Guide: Cappy, Captures, Kingdoms & Power Moons
Super Mario Odyssey Beginner Guide: Cappy, Captures, Kingdoms & Power Moons
Super Mario Odyssey is a large sandbox-style 3D Mario adventure built around exploring kingdoms with Cappy. Nintendo explains that Power Moons power the Odyssey airship and allow Mario to continue his globe-trotting journey.
Power Moons Drive Progression
Your main exploration goal is collecting Power Moons.
They can be found through:
- Platforming.
- Exploration.
- Challenges.
- Captures.
- Hidden routes.
- Environmental interaction.
Do Not Look Only Along the Main Path
Odyssey's kingdoms are designed for exploration.
Check:
- Behind buildings.
- Above rooftops.
- Below ledges.
- Inside side areas.
- Places that require unusual movement.
Cappy
Cappy gives Mario several important new abilities.
Nintendo highlights:
- Cap Throw.
- Cap Jump.
- Capture.
Use Cap Throw Frequently
Cappy can interact with enemies and objects.
If something in the environment looks unusual, try interacting rather than assuming it is decorative.
Capture
Capture allows Mario to take control of certain:
- Enemies.
- Animals.
- Objects.
Nintendo directly states that Captures help Mario progress and discover hidden collectibles.
Test Every New Capture
When you Capture something for the first time, learn:
- How it moves.
- Its special action.
- What obstacles it can bypass.
Classic Mario Movement Still Matters
Nintendo confirms returning moves including:
- Wall jump.
- Triple jump.
- Ground pound.
- Backwards somersault.
Movement Opens Exploration
If a Power Moon appears unreachable, consider whether you can combine:
- A classic Mario jump.
- A Cappy technique.
- A Capture.
- A different route.
Use the Odyssey
Power Moons help power the Odyssey airship and open continued travel between kingdoms as progression advances.
Explore Before Leaving a Kingdom
You do not need to find everything immediately, but take enough time to understand:
- Major landmarks.
- Capture types.
- Important movement routes.
- Areas worth returning to.
Coins
Coins are useful throughout the adventure.
Collect them naturally while exploring rather than taking unnecessary risks for every individual coin you see.
Kingdom-Specific Currency
Some kingdoms also contain their own local currency used for regional items.
Explore thoroughly if you want kingdom-specific rewards.
Checkpoints
Activating checkpoints helps reduce repeated travel through large kingdoms.
Use them while exploring instead of walking past useful fast-return locations.
Look for Visual Clues
Nintendo's sandbox-style design encourages curiosity.
Interesting environmental details may indicate:
- A hidden route.
- An interactive object.
- A Power Moon challenge.
- A Capture opportunity.
Do Not Rush Every Challenge
If a platforming section is difficult:
- Watch the moving elements.
- Identify the safe landing points.
- Choose the movement technique.
- Attempt the sequence deliberately.
Use Cappy as an Extra Movement Tool
Cap Jump can extend Mario's reach.
Practice it in safe areas before depending on it over a long fall.
Captured Movement
Some areas are much easier when you stop trying to solve them as normal Mario.
Look for a nearby Capture that changes how you interact with the terrain.
Co-op
Nintendo confirms that two-player local play allows one player to control Mario and another to control Cappy.
This can be useful for players who want to explore together on one system.
Do Not Worry About Finding Every Moon Immediately
Progress through the adventure while learning each kingdom.
You can return to areas instead of turning one hidden Moon into a roadblock.
Beginner Exploration Routine
- Learn the kingdom's main landmarks.
- Activate checkpoints.
- Test new Captures.
- Collect accessible Power Moons.
- Explore vertical and hidden routes.
- Practice new movement techniques.
- Return later for challenges that remain difficult.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Following only the obvious route.
- Ignoring Cappy interactions.
- Not testing new Captures.
- Forgetting classic Mario movement.
- Skipping checkpoints.
- Getting stuck on one Moon instead of exploring somewhere else.
Bottom Line
Super Mario Odyssey rewards curiosity. Collect Power Moons, use Cappy constantly, experiment with every Capture and explore kingdoms vertically as well as horizontally. When something looks unreachable, the answer is often another movement technique, Capture or hidden route rather than a harder version of the same jump.