Gaming wouldn’t be what it is today without the Mario Brothers. But at a certain point even the greatest franchises lose their edge. Yet, somehow, Mario has managed to remain fresh through the years. With every new Nintendo console there’s been that one Mario game that defined the console’s identity, usually by shaking up the Mario formula. Super Mario Odyssey is an unapologetic Mario game, but aside from a new companion, this is exactly what players have come to expect from Mario.

Mario is once again called upon to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil reptilian Bowser, who is now attempting to take Peach’s hand in marriage. The game opens with Mario failing to rescue Peach as his iconic hat is torn to shreds by Bowser’s airship. Cue Odyssey’s charming companion and newest wardrobe addition, Cappy, a hat who hails from the Cap Kingdom. Cappy is an adorable addition to the Mario canon and an energetic hero just like Mario. Together they venture from world to world in search of Bowser and Peach. It’s a lighthearted journey but one that players can’t help but want to complete.

While this is just like any other Mario game at its core, Odyssey shines in its diverse levels, thought-out design and rewarding sense of discovery. This time around players use Cappy to take control of Mario’s many enemies — Goombas, Chain Chomps and even a T. Rex — in a quest to capture the game’s 999 hidden power moons. These moons allow the player to move on to the next world. There’s no shortage of ways to collect moons, from slamming Mario’s butt on the right patch of ground to fighting one of the four Broodal’s, Odyssey’s bunny-themed bosses.

Each Broodal is varied and fun, providing opportunities to test a player’s skills. Spewart Broodal, the blue one, pukes up purple poison that players have to clean with Cappy before attacking. In spite of the inspired design and attack styles, these bosses provide minimal challenge, the attacks are so heavily telegraphed that it’s easy for players to achieve a swift victory. One memorable boss, the Ruined Dragon, is wasted on bland electricity attacks and a too-easy takedown strategy. It’s a fight that seems like it’s going to push players to the limit, but it turns out to be nothing more than a half-baked nuisance. Throughout all of these bosses, Cappy is integrated perfectly. He serves as a useful tool in the player’s arsenal to combat both the inspired and mediocre enemies.

Using Mario’s hat as the focal point of the gameplay feels so natural it’s surprising that this is the first time it has happened. The use of Cappy for combat and platforming is integrated in such a way that it never feels invasive or forced — in fact, throwing Cappy at just the right time during a jump can provide an extra boost over wide gaps and make collecting out-of-reach coins easier.

Mario moves with constant forward momentum, which has simultaneously astounded and infuriated players for decades. There’s so much to explore that players can’t help but continue to move through the 14 main worlds of Odyssey and seek out every hidden power moon. His quick pace is great when the levels are wide open and give room to explore, but when it comes to precision movement or exact landing points, Mario and Nintendo seem to struggle. This is particularly irritating when entering a battle with low health against a Broodal. Players often lose because of the lack of precision, transforming the issue from a minor gripe to a major annoyance.

This annoyance is quickly forgiven thanks to Odyssey’s undeniable charm. Every world is meticulously crafted and has its own distinct personality with individualized theme music, characters and secrets to discover. From hidden paintings that transport players to secret areas in other worlds to special pipes that serve as a throwback to Mario’s 8-bit heyday, every discovery entices players to want to find more. The “Metro Kingdom” is a fun take on New York City, with enemies and secrets hidden in the underground sewer system that treats players to classic Mario music from World 1-2 of Super Mario Bros.

It’s references like these that are Odyssey’s biggest strength and weakness. There’s such a reverence for the source material of Super Mario that it hinders the game’s ability to provide a new experience. The platforming, combat, world hopping and the reason for doing so are ideas that Mario fans have played countless times before. Cappy is a fun addition but that’s only one facet of the gameplay.

At the end of the day, it’s a game we’ve all played before. Any other developer would be crushed by the weight of these issues. But Nintendo has managed to acknowledge its history while crafting a fun platformer that’s sure to be a mainstay of every Nintendo fan’s collection.

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