Super Mario Odyssey: Secret Areas Guide
Unlock all of Super Mario Odyssey's hidden wonders with our guide to secret areas, challenges, rare rewards, and ultimate abilities!
Welcome to our ultimate guide, "Super Mario Odyssey: Secret Areas Guide," designed to elevate your gameplay experience by uncovering the hidden wonders within this iconic adventure! Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer eager to explore every nook and cranny, our guide covers everything you need to know about discovering Super Mario Odyssey's most elusive secrets. Dive into our detailed sections on locating secret areas, solving hidden challenges, and using Mario's unique abilities to access even the most well-concealed corners of the game. Unearth the incredible rewards and benefits awaiting you, and learn how to unlock secret content that will enhance your journey through the Mushroom Kingdom. Get ready to unlock the full potential of Super Mario Odyssey like never before!
Super Mario Odyssey: Secret Areas Guide
Locating Secret Areas
In Super Mario Odyssey, secret areas are scattered throughout the game’s kingdoms, packed with Power Moons, coins, and cool surprises. Finding these hidden spots can be a bit tough, but super rewarding. Here’s your guide to uncovering those sneaky locations!
1. Listen for Sparkles and Chimes
Pay attention to the game’s audio cues. You'll often hear faint sparkles or chimes when near a secret. These sounds typically mean there’s a hidden Power Moon or another secret nearby. Wander around the area, ground pound suspicious spots, or throw Cappy at out-of-place objects.
2. Investigate Unusual Landmarks
Look closely at your surroundings. Odd structures, out-of-place objects, or suspicious walls often hide secrets. Here are some kingdom-specific tips:
- Cascade Kingdom: Check out crumbling walls. A lot of them hide secret paths or rooms.
- Sand Kingdom: Tall, skinny pillars sometimes have invisible platforms or tunnels beneath them.
- Metro Kingdom: Rooftops are a treasure trove - use checkpoints to reach new areas.
3. Use Cappy for Exploration
Cappy, your adventurous hat, is essential for discovering secrets. Remember to:
- Throw Cappy at Everything: Vegetation, signs, statues - you never know what could be hiding a secret.
- Possess Enemies: Some secrets can only be accessed by using enemy abilities. For example, possess a Bullet Bill to reach far-off ledges.
4. Check Out Hidden Pipes and Doors
Invisible pipes and hidden doors are common hiding spots for secret areas. These can be tucked away in places that aren't immediately obvious. Move Mario close to walls, ledges, and floors to find these hidden pathways.
- Wooded Kingdom: The forest is full of secret sections behind waterfalls and in alcoves.
- Seaside Kingdom: Swim to every nook and cranny, especially underwater caves.
5. Utilize the Odyssey’s Hint System
Feeling stuck? Use the Talkatoo bird in each kingdom for a hint or spend some coins with Hint Toad. These hints can point you towards tricky secret areas that you might have missed.
6. Watch for Shadow Movements
Shadows can be a big giveaway. Shadows of moving platforms, enemies, or hidden items can lead you to secret spots.
- Luncheon Kingdom: Watch for shadow movements to find floating platforms or hidden entrances.
7. Pay Attention to NPCs
Non-playable characters (NPCs) often drop hints about secret areas. Engage with the locals; they might nudge you towards a hidden path or special area.
8. Use Your Map
Your in-game map marks major areas, but some secrets aren’t marked. Look for blank spaces or oddly-shaped land masses that might indicate a secret zone worth checking out.
9. Experiment with Moves
Use Mario’s full range of moves to explore:
- Long Jumps and Triple Jumps: Can help reach faraway ledges.
- Wall Jumps: Perfect for climbing unseen areas.
- Ground Pounds: Great for smashing through suspicious spots.
Kingdom-Specific Tips
- Cap Kingdom: Look for hiding spaces between buildings and behind large hats.
- Lost Kingdom: Use tropical vegetation to shield Mario - sometimes these areas are home to hidden treasures.
- Bowser’s Kingdom: Look out for destructible walls and out-of-place decorations.
By keeping these tips in mind and staying curious, you’ll uncover all the secrets Super Mario Odyssey has to offer. Happy exploring!
Solving Hidden Challenges
Super Mario Odyssey is packed with secret areas and hidden challenges that can keep you busy for hours after you’ve completed the main story. These hidden gems are scattered throughout each kingdom, offering unique puzzles and exhilarating platforming sections. Let’s dive into some strategies to uncover and conquer these secret areas!
Use Your Ears
One of the easiest ways to find hidden challenges is by listening carefully. Many secret areas emit a faint, sparkling sound. When you hear it, take a moment to investigate your surroundings. It could be coming from a hidden path, an invisible block, or even a Power Moon that’s slightly out of sight.
Talk to NPCs
Non-player characters (NPCs) in the game are more than just background decoration. Many of them have useful information, and some even give you direct hints about hidden challenges. For example, Toadette in the Mushroom Kingdom keeps track of your achievements, and sometimes friendly NPCs will point out something unusual nearby.
Capture Everything
Cappy is not just Mario’s trusty sidekick; it’s your best tool for solving puzzles and finding secret areas. Experiment with capturing different enemies and objects. Sometimes, capturing a particular enemy will allow you to reach new locations. For example, capturing a Sherm allows you to break through walls, potentially revealing hidden alcoves.
Be Curious and Explore
Super Mario Odyssey encourages exploration at every corner. Leave no stone unturned--literally! Ground pound suspicious spots, throw Cappy at out-of-reach areas, and look behind every structure. Pay attention to spots that look slightly out of place; they often hide a secret challenge or Power Moon.
Look For The Hint Art
Throughout the kingdoms, you will come across Hint Art. These pieces of art contain cryptic clues that lead to hidden Power Moons located in other kingdoms. Take a picture using your Switch’s screencap function and refer to it later. Solving these hints can be a challenging and rewarding puzzle.
Return to Older Kingdoms
After you get new abilities and capture techniques, revisit older kingdoms. New areas and challenges often become accessible with abilities you acquire later in the game. For example, once you know you can ground pound glowing spots on the ground, you might remember seeing something similar in an earlier kingdom.
Moon Rock Challenges
Once you’ve beaten the game, activated Moon Rocks in each kingdom to reveal additional Power Moons. These challenges are often some of the trickiest in the game but are well worth it for the fun and sense of accomplishment.
Challenge Rooms
Some hidden warp pipes and doors lead to secret challenge rooms. These are often marked by a subtle clue, like a weirdly positioned bush or an unusual shadow. Inside, expect to find tricky platforming sections that will test your skills. Remember that each challenge room typically has one visible Power Moon and one hidden Power Moon, so keep exploring until you find both.
Racing Koopa Troopas
Look for the Racing Koopa Troopas in each kingdom. Completing their races will often unlock hidden paths and shortcuts that can lead to hidden Power Moons. Moreover, mastering these races adds an extra layer of expertise to your gameplay.
With these strategies in mind, you’ll become a master at solving hidden challenges in Super Mario Odyssey. Remember, the key is to stay curious, be persistent, and most importantly, have fun exploring every nook and cranny. Happy hunting!
Using Abilities to Access Secrets
Super Mario Odyssey is packed with hidden nooks and crannies, and the game gives Mario a ton of abilities to discover them. Whether you're using Mario's classic moves or new tricks, mastering these skills is key to finding all the hidden secrets in the game.
Cappy's Role
Cappy is your new best friend in Super Mario Odyssey. As a sentient hat, Cappy brings new mechanics to the table that are essential for uncovering secrets.
Capturing Enemies
- One of the coolest features is capturing enemies and other objects. By throwing Cappy at specific creatures or items, Mario can take control of them, gaining their abilities.
- For example, capturing a Chain Chomp lets you break through hard-to-reach walls, while capturing a Frog grants you exceptional jumping abilities perfect for reaching high platforms.
Cappy Cap Toss
- Tossing Cappy onto certain objects can reveal hidden pathways. Double-tossing (holding the button) can keep Cappy in place on switches, activating lifts or doors.
- You can also use Cappy for a spinning attack. By spinning Mario quickly and then throwing Cappy, he’ll circle around Mario, potentially hitting hidden blocks or items around you.
Mario's Classic Moves
Beyond new tricks, Mario has plenty of familiar moves that are great for exploration.
Wall Jump
- Wall jumping is perfect for reaching out-of-the-way places. If you see a set of narrow walls or a vertical shaft, a well-timed wall jump can get you to the top.
Ground Pound and Ground Pound Jump
- Ground pound not only deals with enemies but also triggers hidden switches in the ground.
- After a ground pound, immediately perform a jump to get extra height. This can be critical for reaching platforms that seem just out of grasp.
Special Techniques
There are advanced moves that seasoned players can use to uncover secrets more efficiently.
Cap Throw Jump
- By throwing Cappy and jumping on him mid-air, Mario can cover greater distances.
- This is particularly useful for crossing wide gaps or getting to platforms that aren't accessible with a regular jump.
Roll Technique
- Rolling allows Mario to move faster. But it’s not just about speed - rolling over hills and inclines often reveals secret passageways or hidden items.
- Combining rolls with jumps (jump, throw Cappy, and hit ZL to roll) can help explore large areas quickly while keeping an eye open for secrets.
Utilizing the Environment
Don’t forget to use environmental clues to your advantage.
Listening to Sound
- Sound cues often indicate hidden secrets. Listen for sparkles or faint tunes, which can guide you to Moon pieces or invisible platforms.
Visual Markers
- Cracks in walls, slightly different-colored sections on the ground, and unusual plant placements often hint at hidden items or paths.
- Experiment with all of Mario's moves to interact with these spots. Ground-pounding or tossing Cappy might do the trick.
Puzzles and Challenges
Certain areas are locked behind puzzles that require clever use of abilities:
Timed Challenges
- Some power moons are hidden behind timed gates or platforms. Utilize Mario's dash and long jumps to get to these in time.
Multi-Step Puzzles
- Stages might require performing a series of different moves or capturing multiple enemies to unlock secrets. Think ahead and consider the enemy abilities you might need.
By mastering Mario's array of moves and using Cappy effectively, you'll be able to uncover the countless secrets scattered throughout Super Mario Odyssey. Keep experimenting, and you'll find that every little trick can open up a world of hidden treasure and fun challenges.
Rewards and Benefits
Super Mario Odyssey is not just about rescuing Princess Peach and defeating Bowser. Along the way, there's a ton of rewards and benefits that make your adventure even more exciting! Understanding what you can gain from exploring, collecting, and achieving goals in the game helps you get the most out of your Odyssey. Let’s break down some of the awesome goodies you can look forward to.
Power Moons
Power Moons are the primary items you'll collect in Super Mario Odyssey. These glowing, crescent-shaped items act as fuel for the Odyssey, Mario's ship, allowing you to travel to new kingdoms. Each kingdom has a different number of Power Moons, ranging from easy-to-find to cleverly hidden. Collecting Power Moons isn't just necessary to progress through the story but also lets you unlock new areas for further exploration.
- Tip: Some Power Moons are only available after you beat the main storyline. Make sure to revisit kingdoms for those post-game challenges!
Coins and Purple Currency
There are two types of currency in Super Mario Odyssey: normal gold coins and purple regional coins. Gold coins are used for buying helpful items such as extra hearts and costumes. They also serve as a form of life currency - if you fall or get hit, you'll lose coins instead of lives.
Purple regional coins are kingdom-specific and can be spent on exclusive items only available in that kingdom's Crazy Cap store. These items often include unique costumes and decorations for the Odyssey, making exploration a key part of customizing your experience.
- Tip: Look everywhere! Coins can be hidden in plain sight or tucked away in secret locations. Don’t forget to ground pound suspicious spots!
Costumes and Outfits
Mario can wear a variety of costumes and outfits throughout Super Mario Odyssey. These are more than just cosmetic changes - some outfits grant you access to certain areas or interactions with NPCs that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
- Example: Dressing up in a construction worker outfit can get you into a secret area in the Metro Kingdom.
- Bonus: Changing outfits is also a fun way to see Mario in different styles, whether it’s a classic tuxedo or a wacky caveman attire!
Amiibo Rewards
If you own any of the Super Mario series Amiibo, you're in luck! Scanning these amiibo with your Nintendo Switch unlocks special outfits and can even reveal the locations of nearby Power Moons. Some particularly useful amiibo figures include:
- Wedding Mario, Peach, and Bowser amiibo: These figures unlock wedding-themed costumes and can give you helpful hints.
- Classic Mario amiibo: Sources health bonuses and other useful items.
Post-Game Content and Rewards
Beating Bowser is just the beginning. Once you’ve completed the main story, a treasure trove of post-game content opens up. You’ll find new Power Moons to collect, harder challenges to conquer, and even entire new worlds like the Moon Kingdom and the Mushroom Kingdom, which offer their own unique rewards.
- Hint: After the main quest, check back with previously visited NPCs for new challenges and rewards. A simple revisit might surprise you with secret quests.
Capturing Enemies
One of the coolest mechanics in Super Mario Odyssey is Cappy’s ability to capture enemies. This lets Mario take control of different creatures and objects, all with their own unique abilities and benefits. For example:
- Chain Chomps can be used to break through walls.
- Bullet Bills help you fly across large gaps.
Using these captures wisely not only helps you navigate tougher areas but often leads to hidden Power Moons and other secrets.
World Exploration Bonuses
The more you explore, the more rewards you’ll discover. Each kingdom has its own unique set of challenges, secrets, and hidden areas. Solving puzzles, completing mini-games, and defeating hidden bosses all reward you with valuable items and Power Moons.
- Minigames: From jump rope in the Metro Kingdom to foot races with Koopa Freerunning, completing these activities often yields Power Moons and lots of coins.
- Hint Art: Scattered across the kingdoms are mysterious Hint Art pieces. Deciphering these leads to hidden Power Moons in other kingdoms.
By staying curious and adventurous, you never know what treasure you might stumble upon or what sinister trap you might narrowly escape. So put on that explorer's cap and dive back in--the world of Super Mario Odyssey has endless rewards waiting for you!
Unlocking Secret Content in Super Mario Odyssey
Welcome to the ultimate guide to unlocking secret content in Super Mario Odyssey! If you're exploring every nook and cranny or aiming for 100% completion, this guide will help you discover all those hidden gems.
Post-Game Kingdoms
After you defeat Bowser and complete the main story, you'll unlock two new kingdoms:
Mushroom Kingdom
- Location: You'll immediately arrive in the Mushroom Kingdom.
- Features: Packed with references to Super Mario 64, this kingdom includes Power Moons, Toadette's challenges, and more.
- Secret: Talk to Yoshi on top of Peach's Castle for another challenge. Eat enough fruits, and you'll nab another Power Moon!
Dark Side
- Location: The moon of the moon!
- Features: Here, you'll face rematches with the Broodals in tougher conditions.
- Note: Make sure you have at least 250 Power Moons to access this kingdom.
Darker Side
- Location: Moon's tougher cousin!
- Features: This is the ultimate challenge, combining tricky platforming sections with boss rematches. You'll need 500 Power Moons to enter, so start collecting!
Unlocking Outfits and Costumes
Mario loves a good costume change, and by the end of the game, your wardrobe might be overflowing. Some outfits are tucked away behind special challenges:
- Gold Mario Outfit: Unlocked by collecting 999 Power Moons. It's shiny and shows off your achievement!
- Luigi Outfit: Available in the shop after you've completed the game. Perfect for impersonating your brother!
- Classic Mario Outfit: Another one in the shop post-game, and it's great for throwback vibes.
Secret Bosses
Mario Odyssey has a few hidden bosses that provide extra challenges:
- Yoshiaki Koizumi: Gain access to this boss by collecting 880 Power Moons. A tribute battle with a twist!
- Secret Rabbits: Rematch these bosses found in the Dark Side Kingdom, but beware--they're tougher than before.
Hidden Power Moons
Some Power Moons are especially tricky to find:
- Hint Art Moons: Throughout different kingdoms, you'll find pieces of "Hint Art." Study these images carefully--each one reveals where another Power Moon is hidden in a different kingdom.
- Puzzle Partitions: In the Luncheon Kingdom, for example, certain platforms will only appear when you find their controls. Look for hidden switches and platformer puzzles!
- Bonus Rooms: Look for inconspicuous warp pipes, doors, or entrances behind waterfalls. Each leads to a mini-stage with its own Power Moons and challenges.
Amiibo Unlocks
If you have amiibo figures, you're in luck! Scanning them in the game provides helpful hints or unique costumes:
- Wedding Peach, Mario, and Bowser amiibos: Provide special wedding outfits and reveal nearby Power Moons.
- Any amiibos: Toad will give you a hint for hidden Power Moons in exchange for scanning an amiibo.
Hint Toad and Uncle Amiibo
Still lost? Use in-game help:
- Hint Toad: Located in every kingdom, he offers clues for a small fee (50 coins).
- Uncle Amiibo: Scan any amiibo for help in finding Power Moons.
That's it for unlocking secret content in Super Mario Odyssey! Keep exploring and experimenting, and you'll uncover every hidden gem this fantastic game has to offer. Happy collecting!