Are You Supposed to Buy Moons in Mario Odyssey? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you are supposed to buy moons in Super Mario Odyssey. While not strictly required to complete the main storyline, purchasing moons is an intended game mechanic designed to ease progression, unlock post-game content, and ultimately, achieve 100% completion. Think of it as an accessibility feature and a way to invest your hard-earned coins. It’s a helping hand for players who might struggle with some of the more challenging moons hidden throughout the kingdoms.
The Role of Power Moons in Mario Odyssey
Powering the Odyssey and Unlocking Kingdoms
The most fundamental purpose of Power Moons is to fuel the Odyssey, Mario’s airship, enabling travel between the various kingdoms. Early in the game, you’ll need to collect a certain number of moons in each kingdom to progress. This initial requirement encourages exploration and rewards players for discovering the secrets of each world.
Accessing Post-Game Content
Once you beat the main story, the game truly opens up. Many new moons become available, and new challenges are unlocked. However, some of this post-game content, particularly the Dark Side kingdom, requires a significant number of moons to access – specifically, 500 moons. Buying moons can significantly reduce the grind and allow you to experience everything the game has to offer sooner.
Achieving 100% Completion
For completionists, collecting all 880 unique Power Moons and then purchasing the 119 additional moons (for a total of 999) is the ultimate goal. This unlocks a few minor cosmetic rewards, including a gold sail for the Odyssey, a more difficult version of the final Bowser battle, and a new postcard at the end of the credits. While these rewards may seem insignificant to some, they represent the dedication and effort required to fully master the game.
Should You Buy Moons or Find Them?
The beauty of Super Mario Odyssey is that it gives you the choice. There’s no right or wrong way to play. If you enjoy the challenge of hunting down every hidden moon, then by all means, focus on exploration and puzzle-solving. If you find yourself stuck or simply want to speed up your progress, buying moons is a perfectly valid option. It also lets you focus your time on moons that you find more enjoyable. Don’t feel pressured to play the game in a specific way. Embrace the freedom and choose the path that’s most fun for you. The game does not penalize players who decide to buy moons, nor does it force it on players that want to find all of them.
The Economics of Moon Buying
Moons are purchased from the Crazy Cap shops found in each kingdom. The price of a moon is generally consistent throughout the game (100 coins each), making it an affordable option, especially after you’ve collected a significant number of coins. Consider the trade-off between time spent grinding for coins and time spent exploring for hidden moons. Sometimes, it’s more efficient to simply buy a few moons to unlock the next kingdom or challenge. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Moons in Super Mario Odyssey
1. How many moons do I need to beat the main story?
The number of moons required to complete the main story varies, but you’ll generally need around 124 Power Moons. This will allow you to progress through each kingdom and reach the final boss.
2. What happens when I reach 999 moons?
Reaching 999 moons unlocks a few minor cosmetic rewards: a gold sail for the Odyssey, a more difficult version of the final Bowser battle, and a new postcard at the end of the credits. You also gain bragging rights for achieving 100% completion!
3. Can I buy more than 999 moons?
Yes, you can purchase more moons than 999, but the counter on the Odyssey will be capped at 999. Any moons purchased beyond that point will not be reflected in the total.
4. Is it possible to miss any moons in the game?
While some moons are hidden behind boss battles, challenge puzzles, or NPC quests, no moons are permanently missable. You can always return to a kingdom and complete any unfinished tasks.
5. What is the hardest moon to get in Super Mario Odyssey?
Many players consider the moons in the Dark Side kingdom, such as “Arrival at Rabbit Ridge,” “Vanishing Road Rush,” and “Darker Side,” to be among the most challenging due to their difficult platforming sequences. Other difficult moons can be “Secret 2D Treasure”, “Iceburn Circuit Class S”, and “Diving From the Big Pot”.
6. What are the purple coins for?
Purple coins (also known as region coins) are unique to each kingdom and can be used to purchase exclusive items and souvenirs from the Crazy Cap shops in that region. Collecting all the purple coins in a kingdom is essential for purchasing all the available items.
7. Do coins matter after I’ve bought everything from the shop?
Yes! Even after purchasing all the items from the Crazy Cap shops, gold coins are still valuable. They serve as Mario’s life force. When Mario runs out of lives, you can spend coins to continue playing.
8. How do I get to the Dark Side of the Moon?
To access the Dark Side of the Moon, you need to collect a total of 500 Power Moons. This unlocks the path to this challenging post-game kingdom.
9. What is the reward for collecting all the Power Moons?
The primary reward for collecting all the Power Moons (found and purchased) is a special trip to Peach’s Castle. Spinning Cappy at the top of the castle, which is adorned with a top hat, triggers a cutscene.
10. How long does it take to 100% Super Mario Odyssey?
Completing the main story of Super Mario Odyssey takes around 12.5 hours. Achieving 100% completion, including collecting all moons, costumes, and souvenirs, can take upwards of 62 hours.
11. What happens after I finish the main story?
After beating the main story, several new things unlock, including new moons, new outfits, and the ability to access the Darker Side kingdom. The game world feels much more alive and full of secrets.
12. How many unique moons are there in Super Mario Odyssey?
There are 880 unique Power Moons hidden throughout the various kingdoms of Super Mario Odyssey. The remaining 119 moons needed to reach 999 can be purchased from the Crazy Cap shops.
13. What do the different colored sails on the Odyssey mean?
The Odyssey’s sail changes color based on the number of Power Moons you’ve collected. A gold sail indicates that you’ve reached 999 moons, signifying near 100% completion.
14. What is the point of buying moons if I can find them?
Buying moons provides an alternative method of progression for players who may struggle with certain challenges or prefer a less grind-heavy experience. It allows players to unlock post-game content and experience more of the game without feeling frustrated.
15. Can I get help with challenging moons in the game?
Absolutely! There are numerous online guides, walkthroughs, and video tutorials available to help you find and collect any difficult moons. Consider checking out resources like the Games Learning Society which explores the educational aspects of gaming and can provide a deeper understanding of game mechanics and problem-solving techniques, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Buying moons in Super Mario Odyssey is not cheating; it’s a perfectly legitimate way to enjoy the game and progress at your own pace. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! The game offers incredible freedom to tailor your experience. So, collect those coins, explore the kingdoms, and buy those moons if you want to! Have fun!