From the moment I saw Super Mario Odyssey, I wanted it.

It’s the main reason I bought a Nintendo Switch, because I hope to play Super Mario Odyssey at launch.

I waited through the Wii U’s entire life cycle for a game in this style. While Super Mario 3D World was fun, it didn’t have the same style as Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and even Super Mario Galaxy (which itself was somewhat different). I kept waiting for one of those Mario games to be announced.

So when a 64/Sunshine-style Mario game was announced for the Nintendo Switch, I was ecstatic even before we got to see Mario’s new ability to “capture” enemies, which looks like it as tons of potential.

Super Mario Odyssey might not have a traditional hub area after all, as you use your ship to travel between worlds, but it looks like there will be plenty of places to explore and secrets to discover. We’ll be collecting Power Moons this time around, but you won’t be sent back to the start once you find one. It sounds like it’s really emphasizing exploration.

Six worlds, or Kingdoms, have been shown so far:

Metro Kingdom, which includes the realistic New Donk City first shown

Tostarena, the icy desert area

Wooded Kingdom, an area with forests and mountains

Luncheon Kingdom, the bizarre food world with sentient forks

Cascade Kingdom, the place where the dinosaurs live

Cap Kingdom, a mysterious world that might have some connection to the Odyssey

Nintendo also said there are more Kingdoms that haven’t been announced yet. These places all look expansive and unique, and I can’t wait to explore them.

Meanwhile, Nintendo has been tweeting about some of Mario’s new moves, like the Spin Throw…

If you shake both Joy-Con horizontally, you can do a Spin Throw. Use this to attack enemies while surrounded. #SuperMarioOdyssey pic.twitter.com/xqJzELjZaJ — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 11, 2017

…spinning Cappy in place…

If you hold the Y Button after a Cap Throw, Cappy will spin in place for a while. Destroy crates, or use him to jump! #SuperMarioOdyssey pic.twitter.com/z4Owb57ZNu — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 11, 2017

and the Homing Cap Throw.

If you swing the Joy-Con after throwing Cappy, you can do a Homing Cap Throw! It'll fly towards nearby things. #SuperMarioOdyssey pic.twitter.com/q5sjrDgOds — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 11, 2017

Meanwhile, the official Super Mario Odyssey Japanese account shared footage of Mario capturing a Lava Bubble (or Podoboo), which lets him safely travel through hot water and lava.

Everything I see from Super Mario Odyssey makes me more excited about the game. Are you looking forward to it?

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