Super Mario Odyssey: Reaching for the Moon – The Ultimate Power Moon Guide
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The maximum amount of Power Moons you can have in Super Mario Odyssey is 999. While there are only 880 unique Power Moons to be found throughout the game’s various kingdoms, you can purchase the remaining 119 from the Crazy Cap stores once they become available. This allows you to reach the coveted 999 mark and unlock special rewards. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey.
Power Moons: More Than Just Collectibles
Power Moons are the primary collectables in Super Mario Odyssey, and they are essential for progressing through the game. They fuel the Odyssey, Mario’s airship, allowing him to travel to new kingdoms. Beyond simply enabling travel, collecting Power Moons unlocks new content and challenges, making them a central part of the Super Mario Odyssey experience.
Each kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey has a set number of unique Power Moons hidden throughout its environment. Finding them involves solving puzzles, completing challenges, defeating bosses, and exploring every nook and cranny. Some are cleverly concealed, requiring keen observation and creative use of Mario’s abilities, particularly his Cappy companion.
Why Aim for 999 Power Moons?
While you don’t need all 999 Power Moons to complete the main story, collecting them all offers several advantages:
- Unlocking Content: Reaching certain Power Moon milestones unlocks new kingdoms and challenges.
- Completing the Game: Achieving 999 Power Moons is a key step in achieving 100% completion of Super Mario Odyssey.
- Visual Rewards: Collecting 999 Power Moons changes the appearance of Peach’s Castle. A giant top hat adorns the castle, and a cutscene of appreciation plays when you spin Cappy on top of the hat.
- Bragging Rights: Collecting every Power Moon is a testament to your dedication and skill as a player.
Buying Power Moons: A Shortcut or a Strategic Move?
After completing the main story, you can purchase Power Moons at Crazy Cap stores found in each kingdom. This might seem like a cheat, but it’s designed to help players who struggle with certain challenges or want to unlock post-game content more quickly.
Here’s a breakdown of buying Power Moons:
- Accessibility: Purchasing Power Moons provides an alternative path for players who may find some of the in-game challenges too difficult.
- Progression: It allows players to unlock new kingdoms and content faster, especially the Dark Side of the Moon and the Darker Side of the Moon.
- Cost: Each Power Moon costs 100 coins, so reaching 999 Power Moons through purchases requires a significant amount of coin farming.
- Strategy: Some players strategically buy Power Moons to unlock content and then focus on finding the unique moons for a more balanced experience.
Coin Farming: Essential for Completionists
If you plan to purchase the maximum number of Power Moons, you’ll need a lot of coins. Luckily, there are several effective coin farming methods in Super Mario Odyssey:
- Koopa Freerunning: This mini-game offers a substantial coin reward for skilled players.
- Volleyball: Playing volleyball in the Seaside Kingdom can be a surprisingly effective way to earn coins.
- Regular Coin Collection: Exploring each kingdom thoroughly and collecting every coin you see is a consistent source of income.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Power Moons
1. What happens after I reach 999 Power Moons?
After reaching 999 Power Moons, pilot the Odyssey back to the Mushroom Kingdom. You’ll see that Peach’s Castle is now adorned with a giant top hat. Make your way up to the top of the hat, and spinning Cappy will trigger a small cutscene of appreciation.
2. Is there a limit to how many Power Moons you can buy?
Once you are able to purchase moons, you can purchase as many as you want (provided you have the coins to spend). You can purchase to take your total all the way to 999 before acquiring all of the unique moons from the in-game checklist.
3. What happens after 500 Power Moons?
The Mushroom Kingdom becomes available as soon as the story is complete. The Dark Side of the Moon becomes available when you have found 250 Power Moons, and the Darker Side of the Moon will become available when you have found 500 Power Moons.
4. How many Power Moons do I need to beat the game?
You need a minimum of 124 Power Moons to beat the main story of Super Mario Odyssey. However, this only allows you to reach the final boss battle.
5. How many unique Power Moons are there in Super Mario Odyssey?
There are 880 unique Power Moons to be found throughout the game.
6. What is the reward for collecting all the unique moons?
The reward for getting all the unique moons is a Gold Sail for the Odyssey.
7. Why should I buy Power Moons instead of finding them?
Buying moons is simply a way to progress easier. Some players find it hard to reach some of the final endgame and post-game challenges. This system is in place to help them out since lots of the content requires a certain number of moons.
8. How do I unlock the secret ending in Super Mario Odyssey?
This video shows the secret final boss of Super Mario Odyssey, which is basically a harder version of the final Bowser battle and is unlocked after collecting all 880 regular Power Moons. This also includes the secret ending postcard and the special reward that is unlocked by getting 999 Moons.
9. How do I unlock the Darker Side of the Moon?
To unlock travel to the Darker Side of the Moon, you must have obtained 500 Power Moons after completing the main story. These Power Moons can come from any source – even simply buying Power Moons at the Crazy Cap Store.
10. How many coins do I need to get 999 moons?
If you don’t find any and purchase all moons, it will take 11,900 coins to get the final Power Moons.
11. Is it worth it to collect all the Power Moons?
You get the best reward at 500 moons. The stuff past that is worth getting for the journey, but not so much the reward. But you do get stuff which is nice.
12. What happens if I get 250 Power Moons?
As you gather even more moons, you can power up the Odyssey further to reach even greater heights. By gathering a total of 250 moons, you’ll open up the ability to reach The Dark Side of the Moon, a smallish area that features a really tough boss rush challenge.
13. How many moons does it take to get 100% Mario Odyssey?
Collect all 880 Mission Power Moons + Buy 119 Power Moons in the postgame (999 Total). Defeat Bowser’s Harder Fight (Unlocked after getting all 880 Mission Power Moons). Collect all Regional Coins. Buy all outfits.
14. Can you miss Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey?
No, you cannot miss Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey. All Power Moons are permanently available throughout your playthrough.
15. What do I get when I 100% Mario Odyssey?
To get the full 100% ending with the new Bowser portrait, the golden Odyssey balloon, the fireworks, and the hat on top of the castle, you have to get every costume (which means every purple coin) and 999 moons.
Reaching the Peak: The True Reward
While the visual changes to Peach’s Castle and the Golden Sail for the Odyssey are nice rewards, the true reward for collecting all 999 Power Moons is the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering Super Mario Odyssey. It’s a testament to your dedication, problem-solving skills, and love for the game.
Whether you choose to find every unique Power Moon or supplement your collection with purchases from the Crazy Cap store, reaching the 999 mark is a rewarding experience that truly showcases the depth and replayability of Super Mario Odyssey. This title stands as a modern classic in game design and reinforces the valuable concepts of learning and problem-solving in a fun, engaging environment. For more on the educational aspects of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
So, grab your Cappy, explore those kingdoms, and embark on your journey to 999 Power Moons!