How Many Moons Should I Get in Super Mario Odyssey? The Definitive Guide
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So, you’ve embarked on Mario’s grand globetrotting adventure in Super Mario Odyssey, and you’re probably wondering, “Just how many of these glowing Power Moons do I really need to collect?” The honest answer is: it depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Technically, you only need 124 Power Moons to beat the main story and see the end credits. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The game is designed to reward exploration and completionism, offering tons of post-game content that is accessible through the collection of a certain number of moons.
If you are looking for a simple answer, you can get 124 Power Moons to beat the story and finish the main game. For the 100% Completionist players, you will need to buy many duplicates from in-game shops with coins, and collect 999 Power Moons.
Ultimately, the “right” number of moons is the one that provides you with the most enjoyment. Are you happy just seeing the credits roll and moving on? Then 124 is your magic number. Do you crave a deeper dive, challenging platforming, and that sweet sense of completion? Then get ready to moon hunt!
Exploring the Lunar Landscape: Moon Count Milestones
The beauty of Super Mario Odyssey is its flexibility. The game doesn’t force you down a single path. Here’s a breakdown of what different moon counts unlock, helping you decide how ambitious you want to be:
- 124 Moons: The bare minimum to power up the Odyssey and progress through the main story. You’ll see the end credits, but the adventure is far from over.
- 250 Moons: Unlocks the Dark Side of the Moon, a challenging post-game area offering new kingdoms to explore and tougher platforming challenges.
- 500 Moons: This is a significant milestone! Gathering 500 moons grants you access to the Darker Side of the Moon, considered by many to be the most difficult level in the entire game. It’s a grueling gauntlet of platforming prowess that will test even the most seasoned Mario players.
- 880 Moons: Collecting all 880 unique moons demonstrates true dedication. You’ll have scoured every nook and cranny of every kingdom, mastering the game’s mechanics and discovering secrets most players never see.
- 999 Moons: The ultimate goal for completionists! Reaching 999 moons requires buying duplicate moons from the Crazy Cap stores using coins. This unlocks a special bonus at Peach’s Castle and signifies that you’ve truly conquered Super Mario Odyssey.
The Allure of Completionism: Is It Worth It?
Reaching that 999 moon mark is undoubtedly a time investment. Is it worth the effort? That depends on your personal gaming philosophy. If you thrive on challenges, love exploring every corner of a game world, and enjoy the satisfaction of achieving 100% completion, then absolutely! The journey itself is a reward, offering countless hours of fun and discovery. The game can be a valuable learning tool, helping you develop skills that are applicable to other areas. Explore the GamesLearningSociety.org for information on the educational benefits of gaming.
However, if you’re primarily interested in experiencing the story and don’t have the patience for extensive collection, you might find the grind towards 999 moons tedious. The rewards for going beyond 500 moons are primarily cosmetic (a top hat on Peach’s Castle and a small cutscene), so consider whether those are worth the extra effort to you.
FAQs: Your Lunar Odyssey Questions Answered
To help you navigate the lunar landscape of Super Mario Odyssey, here are some frequently asked questions:
- Why buy 10 Power Moons? Buying moons is a way to accelerate your progress, especially if you’re struggling to find enough moons to unlock post-game content. It allows players of varying skill levels to access the full breadth of the game.
- How many Power Moons are actually in Super Mario Odyssey? There are 880 unique Power Moons hidden throughout the game’s various kingdoms. The remaining moons needed to reach 999 must be purchased.
- Is it possible to get 1000 moons in Mario Odyssey? No, the maximum number of Power Moons you can obtain is 999.
- Should I collect all the Power Moons? That’s a matter of personal preference. The rewards beyond 500 moons are minimal, but the journey itself can be incredibly rewarding for completionists.
- What happens when you get 250 moons? Reaching 250 Power Moons unlocks travel to the Dark Side of the Moon, opening up a new post-game area with challenging content.
- What is the hardest moon in Mario Odyssey? Opinions vary, but some of the most challenging moons include “Vanishing Road Rush/Vanishing Road Challenge,” “Iceburn Circuit Class S,” and the entire Darker Side of the Moon level.
- What happens if you get all the Power Moons in Mario Odyssey (999)? After collecting all 999 Power Moons, you can visit Peach’s Castle, where Cappy will spin around the top and you’ll receive a small cutscene.
- What happens when you get 500 moons in Mario Odyssey? Getting 500 Power Moons unlocks the Darker Side of the Moon, a brutally difficult platforming challenge with no checkpoints.
- Can you miss moons in Mario Odyssey? No, you cannot permanently miss any moons. Even if they are hidden behind boss battles or challenges, you can always return and retry them.
- Can you buy 999 moons in Mario Odyssey? Yes, but you must first find all 880 unique moons. Then, you can purchase the remaining 119 moons from the Crazy Cap stores to reach 999.
- Is there a secret world in Mario Odyssey? Yes, there are two secret areas: the Dark Side of the Moon (unlocked with 250 moons) and the Darker Side of the Moon (unlocked with 500 moons).
- How many coins do you need to get 999 moons? This depends on how many unique moons you find. You’ll need to purchase up to 119 moons at 100 coins each, potentially costing you 11,900 coins. However, you will also need additional coins to get the final Power Moons. If you plan on collecting every single thing in Super Mario Odyssey, you’re going to need a lot of coins. And by a lot, we mean 37,189 coins if you don’t use amiibo to get any outfits. It takes 11,900 coins just to get the final Power Moons, and one special outfit costs 9,999 coins alone.
- How do you get the secret ending in Super Mario Odyssey? The “secret ending” is a slightly harder version of the final Bowser battle, unlocked after collecting all 880 regular Power Moons. Completing this battle also unlocks a special postcard.
- How many moons do you need in Mario to get all the costumes? The number of moons needed to unlock all costumes depends on how you obtain them. Some costumes are unlocked by finding Power Moons in specific kingdoms, while others are purchased with coins or purple regional coins. However, you do not have to get all of the 999 Power Moons to unlock every costume.
- What do you get when you 100% Mario Odyssey? To achieve “full” 100% completion, including the golden Odyssey balloon, the fireworks, and the hat on top of the castle, you need to collect every costume (which means every purple coin) and 999 moons.
Your Odyssey, Your Choice
Ultimately, the number of Power Moons you collect in Super Mario Odyssey is a personal decision. Aim for 124 to see the credits, 250 or 500 for challenging post-game content, or go all-in for 999 if you’re a true completionist. No matter your approach, enjoy the journey and embrace the spirit of exploration that makes Super Mario Odyssey such a delightful experience.