Friday, January 13, 2017

Trailer Watch: Super Mario Odyssey - Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 Trailer

You know getting up at 5am to watch the Switch event after going to sleep not even 4 hours earlier is really hard. But now after two coffees and a walk in the snow I'm ready to welcome you to this first Trailer Watch of the Weekend. While some may think the Switch event was underwhelming, especially if you believed the countless rumors beforehand, I was pretty happy with it overall. And what's most important, we got a lot of great game trailers.

I'd like to start with the game that looked the most unusual. Super Mario Odyssey takes the well known Plumber on a Journey into unknown worlds. Seeing Mario jump around between ordinary people was pretty strange, but the trailer still made it look cool. Generally this trailer made the hype for this game go from zero to hero in less than one minute. But I jump ahead. First let us take a look at the unveil trailer of Super Mario Odyssey.




Right from the get got we start with a shot of New Donk City. The Influences of New York are apparent, but the more interesting aspects is where they differ. New Donk City is named after Donkey Kong. If this is not apparent enough then you can spot on the sign at the bottom of the picture that the Name of the Street we pan over is Dixie St. It's interesting that they choose such a ''realistic'' approach for a city named after Donkey Kong, but also fitting in a way. This City is probably the place where the events of the original Donkey Kong took place. Yes I'm talking about the Arcade with Pauline, Jumpman and Donkey Kong. If this assumption proves true then I hope we also get to see Marios first girlfriend. Also this could mean that Mario Odyssey takes us to long forgotten areas in the Plumbers past, so maybe we'll visit Sarasaland and the Island from Super Mario Land 2.
Also another thing, that can't be missed, in this picture is the huge advertisment for Crazy Cap. In fact I think this is the entrance to the Crazy Cap shop in this City. Later in the trailer we see Mario enter such a shop in the Mexican looking world. As we know Marios Cap is alive in this game, so maybe in this shops you can buy upgrades for it.



Did you spot it? On the upper right edge of the screen we can see Marios Airship, which he uses to travel between the different worlds. Don't worry we later get a better look at it.
But whats also interesting in this picture is the green billboard in the upper right part of it. You can see a skeleton wearing a sombrero on it. Later on we see that this creatures are the inhabitants of the Mexican looking world. So maybe the billboards in New Donk City advertise later stages of the game.



Here we get another confirmation that this is truly the City of Donkey Kong. On the lower right side we can see an advertisement for Diddy's Mart.



Also if we remember the billboard with the Mexican skeleton from earlier, the billboard seen here, advertising, what seems to be called, Kogwhld (maybe it should spell Kogworld) could also show of a later world in the game. Especially since the yellow thing right above the letter L on the billboard looks a lot like the robots seen later in the forest looking stage of the game.

Of course the other two billboards, which can't be seen fully, would also advertise later stages of the game. This could mean that New Donk City takes place early on in the game, or that it's just used to show that this is one huge World Mario is exploring.



And here is our hero. Ready to jump into action.



Now we get a different angled view of the city. Notice the green billboard on the upper left side of the screen. Yes it's the same one as in the previous shoots. Below you can see the other two billboards, which were partially obstructed in the previous pictures. This gives us a rough idea where Mario is now. But that is not all we can see in this picture. Directly above Mario on the other side of the street you can spot two Purple collectables on a balcony. From later in the trailer we know that these aren't classic coins, but triangle shaped.
We also can see some coins and a huge crate on the side of the red building slightly left of Mario.



It still seems rather strange seeing moderately real looking people in a Mario game.



This screen proves that Mario can literally bounce of anything and gives us a first glimpse into his new moveset.



If you look closely you can spot a Checkpoint Flag on the Plaza ahead. Does this mean that the game has a set start and Goal, just like with Super Mario 3D World and only the way you arrive at that goal is open ended? Or maybe it's a way to save during a rather long hunt for a particula Power Star. Anyways its presence in the level is intriguing.



Yes Mario can now wall jump. Also if you look in the background you can spot a red scaffold reminiscent of the original Donkey Kong, which makes me further believe that this is the City where the original Arcade Game took place.



Calling this game Assassins Mario now seems rather fitting.



A look at the landing platform where Mario has parked his airship. If this is the start or the goal of the level (or both) I can't say.



And now an overview shoot of New Donk City. Or at least the explorable part of New Donk City. The cut of edges look rather bad to be honest and overall the level is not as big as I hoped, but there are still enough things to explore.
On the tall building to the right upper side we can once again spot the purple triangle coins.



So this is the airship Mario will use to travel between worlds. The Hat theme is quite apparent. Aside from the airship itself even the lantern next to Mario is shaped like a Hat. What's more interesting is the checkpoint flag and the globe. Why would there be a checkpoint on the ship? Well my guess is that it's not really for any gameplay reason, but because at the start of the game your take the Airship from Bowser. As we see later on he is also sporting a new Look and cool Hat, so maybe he uses the Hat Power (Yes I know how that sounds) for sinister purposes. And at the start of the game you take the Airship from him and now hunt him around the world.
The globe is most probably a means to select your next travel goal.



Now we leave New Donk City and instead take a look at this Mexican Desert Ice themed world. We can see that all the Water in this World has been frozen, and for some reason is staying that way. Also we can spot a Checkpoint Flag at the entrance to the small village. Interestingly this is right at the start of the level, so why they put a checkpoint there eludes me. But maybe this isn't a traditional checkpoint, but more a sign that this world is still under Bowsers control.
Oh and we see one of Marios new moves. He can now roll around like a ball. Cool.



Now we get a closer look at these Purple Triangle Coins. Mario collects some next to the frozen fountain in the center of the town. By the way this game looks absolutely phenomenal.



This brooding forest level is probably called Kogwhld (or Kogworld) as we know from the billboard in New Donk City.



Here we see some coins on the top of a tree right of Mario as well as the yellow robot inhabitants of this world. Whats most interesting however is the sign for Crazy Caps on the left side. As I speculated earlier this seems to be an upgrade shop that is present in every world of the game.



This Scene probably taking place in the same brooding forest world. The central red pillar matches the look of the tower on the billboard in New Donk City.



Before Mario dives into the awesome looking water take a look at the purple bolt nuts behind him. Maybe the Purple ''Coins'' have a different shape depending on the level. It could also mean that you have to collect them for something special to happen. Kogwhld has the feeling of an old abandoned factory inside a forest. Maybe you need to collect the purple bold nuts to repair some of it's machinery.



And here we have the confirmation that this world is the one advertised on the billboard in New Donk City. The huge central building is unmistakable. Behind Mario we also see a P-Switch, as well as another one a little bit further down.
Also the boss fight, which we get to see later in the trailer takes place atop of this structure.



What comes now is probably the most Mario looking course so far and it heavily reminds me of Sweet Sweet Canyon from Mario Kart 8.
Interesting is that each world seems to have non-hostile NPCs inhabiting it. The Humans in New Donk City, the Skeletons in the Mexican looking level and now these Fork People. Maybe they'll even give you tips, Quests or otherwise interact with you.
Apart from the NPCs we can also spot a rabbit on the huge orange apple directly above Mario.



Here we get another look at the rabbit from behind, while Mario carries a Turnip above his head, reminiscent of Super Mario Bors. 2. We also can see something purple just behind the apple, further solidifying my theory that every course will sport those collectables.
Generally this world especially looks very abstract and dream like. And guess what game was entirely a dream? Super Mario Bros. 2. So maybe this is a return to that place which would mean we'd get Phanto in 3D.... so hopefully I'm wrong
Also something that isn't shown on the Picture, but the Rabbit immediately runs away when Mario comes close. So it seems they serve the same purpose as in Super Mario Galaxy and 3D World.



Now it's finally time for the enemies to give their debut. Mario is attacked by a, well I think you'd call him, Pan Bro and a Spiny. It's nice how they adapted the Hammer Brother to fit into this specific level. On some promotional screen shots we can also see that the Gumbas in New Donk City wear construction helmets.
I think this is a nice touch which gives the world and enemies more character.



I really like this scene. Not only does it show a lot of character with Mario and his expression, but it also proves that the Worlds will have a Day/Night cycle. If this does more than just change the look and feel of level slightly remains to be seen. But I think it's very possible that some Stars are only obtainable during the Night and others only during daytime.



I'm sure this scene doesn't have any deeper meaning, but it shows that the Developers try to make the worlds feel alive. Instead of obstacle courses for Mario to conquer these are organically designed Worlds to explore.



Back to the food/dream land and we get a slightly different angle of the (what I assume to be) first area in this world. On the right side we can spot, what seems to be, a shop. What is sold there is anyone’s guess however.



Hot Soup is hot. This scene is accompanied by the unmistakable sound of Mario losing some of his HP. Also in the background we can spot the purple collectables once again.



These Crazy Cap Shops are most certainly going to play a big role in the game. Next to this shop we can say many Caps stapled atop of each other. Maybe Mario can buy them or at least get their properties for his hat. For example the Football Helmet would allow him to break walls with his head. The huge Sombrero could be used for gliding. Etc.



Bowser truly has style. After rocking the Cat look in Super Mario 3D World he now shows off his fashion sense. Also Peachs new Tiara looks lovely.



This scene probably takes place at the start of the game. From the way it's cut and Peaches scream for Mario it seems as if Mario is thrown off the Airship by something. Probably Bowsers Hat.



Yes Mario has a cool new move. He can now throw his hat and use it as a bounce pad. This gives him even more varied possibilities of traversing the open worlds.



And he even gets to ride a cat. Now I'm a little envious. There are several interesting sights in this picture. Of course the huge locked chest next to Mario is an eye catcher. But what's also interesting is the sign just behind him and the cat. This seems to be some kind of Bus Station. The two benches further solidify this look. So maybe you can only mount those cats at these specific places.
Also the huge upside down Pyramid in the background seems to have some story relevance. Later in the trailer we see it in a more dramatic scene.



Peach doesn't look too happy about this wedding. More interestingly this shows that there isn't only a day/night cycle but also that the weather can change. If this happens dynamically or only for specific scripted circumstances remains to be seen. Anyways New Donk City looks amazing in the rain.



No Koopa Kids. Instead we get evil looking wedding Bunnies. They all have a rather interesting design and all wear a unique Hat, further strengthening the theme of this game. Maybe you unlock their Hats (and powers) after you beat them.



It seems as if each and every world will have it's unique boss. This huge bird is obviously the enemy in the dream/food world.



Like I said earlier the boss fight of Kogwhld takes place on top of the huge central structure against the most Bowser Looking of the four Rabbits. His poison ability looks rather interesting.



And this is the Boss fight of New Donk City it seems. And from the looks of it, it would better fit into a Bayonetta than a Mario Game. I'm really intrigued how Mario aims to defeat this beast with only jumps and maybe Hat throws.



And that concludes this Trailer Watch for now. I hope that together we could get a little more insight into Super Mario Odyssey and if I missed something then please point it out. Also let me know your Observations about Marios newest Adventure in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading

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