Super Mario Odyssey was released on October 27, 2017 as the newest installment of the Super Mario series. In particular, it follows the footsteps of the previous well-received 3D platformers in the series. Super Mario Odyssey was also very well received and sold over 2 million copies shortly after its release. Many players feel that the game is reminiscent of Super Mario 64.
You probably do not have to guess the story in this game. To put it briefly, you control Mario in his quest to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Along the way, you travel to various kingdoms which are reminiscent of the free-roaming levels that were adored in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. There is a nice diversity of kingdoms, ranging from the Sand Kingdom, to the Snow Kingdom, to the Mushroom Kingdom among many others. In Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, you collected Power Stars which granted you access to different parts of the game. Super Mario Odyssey introduced Power Moons. Power Moons act mostly the same as Power Stars. They are collectables that are scattered throughout the various kingdoms. There are also Multi Moons, which are just three Power Moons clumped together in one. Once you have collected 250 Power Moons, the Dark Side will be unlocked. Upon collecting 500 Power Moons, the Darker Side unlocks.
Many of the Power Moons are not that difficult to find. That being said, there are several Power Moons, especially during the later kingdoms, that players struggle to collect. Here are 25 power moons in Super Mario Odyssey that are difficult to obtain and how to get them.
25 Secret 2D Treasure – Confusing Platforms
This Mushroom Kingdom Power Moon can be frustrating to obtain. You must begin by jumping into the well found in Quadrant B2 to enter a secret 2D level. You will quickly learn that you must stay within the black and blue moving background panels. It starts off easy enough. Dodge the bullet bills coming your way. You will reach an area with platforms that have tiny gaps in between them that you must run across.
The hardest part is the disorienting spinning blue backgrounds that orbit around circular platforms. Be careful: as you run around the platforms, your controls shift. Try your best to avoid enemies as you jump from platform to platform. Be careful to stay within the blue background. After that part, it’s smooth sailing.
24 Jump-Rope Genius – Hop Til You Drop
After buying a ridiculous fedora in Metro Kingdom, you might attempt this difficult challenge. This is perhaps one of the most agonizing challenges in the game, and many players spend hours trying to finish it so they can obtain that precious Power Moon. Head to Quadrant C3 where there is a park with two New Donkers using a jump rope. Your goal is to do 100 jumps without failing.
Here is a tip: keep an eye on the movement of the rope and jump when the rope hits the ground. Once you reach 50 jumps, the rope will be at its maximum speed. At this point, lightly tap jump every time you hear the women say “Hey!” There is also a recently discovered glitch that can be kind of difficult to pull off, but I know you wouldn’t want to cheat!
23 Walking On The Moon: Again – A Memory Game
This Power Moon is one of many Power Moons that can only be obtained after the main story has been completed. As one would expect from a Power Moon that can only be obtained at the end of the game, it may be difficult for some players to get. Fortunately, you can take your time with this challenge. Head to Quadrant D4 of the Moon Kingdom. Warp to the Odyssey and head north until you reach a red Koopa. Speak with him and you’ll be able to start the minigame. You must score at least 90 points to win. This minigame is a short memory game, which is why I said you can take your time. The more attempts you make, the easier it will become. Don’t give up! There are craters and rocks that you can use as reference points to help you remember the shape of the outline.
22 Picture Match: A Stellar Mario – More Memory Games
Here is another tricky Power Moon to get in the Mushroom Kingdom. Make your way to Quadrant A4, the northeast corner of the kingdom, to find a rocket. The rocket will take you to the picture match arena. The “Stellar Mario” is the second Power Moon that can be obtained from this challenge. The first Power Moon can be obtained by receiving at least 60 points. The Power Moon referenced here requires achieving at least 80 points!
You must put pieces of Mario’s face on the picture in the right place. After you have placed the pieces, you can no longer see them. It might be useful to be looking at the picture from your phone or computer. Some players have used sticky notes to denote areas where they have placed pieces. Another strategy is to start with the mouth and work your way up through the moustache, nose, and so on. Also: make sure you don’t mix up the eyes!
21 Breakdown Road: Final Challenge – Bullet Bill Madness
Many of the difficult Power Moons to obtain on this list are found on the Dark Side. This particular Power Moon can be found in Quadrant E2. There is a challenge room just behind the Odyssey Landing Site. Throw Cappy onto the little scarecrow to enter the room. You need to quickly run across the narrow passage while bullet bills hurdle towards you. They break the blocks, so be careful. You might want to utilize long jumps to get to the end of the room faster. You are not quite done yet though. Drop down to the second part of the room, where you will need to long jump onto a series of several short platforms. At the end will be a wall. Wait for a bullet bill to break the wall, and there is a Power Moon waiting for you inside.
20 Beach Volleyball: Hero Of The Beach – 100 Returns Is No Easy Task
If you are trying to tackle this challenge, you are already familiar with how beach volleyball on Super Mario Odyssey works. This challenge is one of many that has multiple parts to it. The challenge that precedes this one, Beach Volleyball: Champ, requires 15 returns. This challenge requires 100.
Here are some tips. Stay in the middle of court. If you station yourself in the middle of the court, you can remain equidistant to anywhere the ball might go, which makes running to them easier. You do not actually need to “run” too far. You only need to run a little bit so you can aim Cappy more accurately. Try to anticipate where the ball will land in order to properly aim Cappy. Watch the shadows and throw Cappy just as the ball is about to land.
19 On The Eastern Pillar – How Do You Control This Thing?
This is another incredibly frustrating Power Moon to obtain. It must be obtained after you have completed the main story. This is one of the most difficult Power Moons to get in Super Mario Odyssey because of the bullet bill controls.
Make your way to the leaning pillar from the leaning pillar quest earlier in the game. Perform a running long-jump to the top of the second leaning pillar to the north. Use Cappy to gain possession of bullet bill by throwing Cappy behind you twice. Guide the bullet bill over the second leaning pillar and release it to land back on the pillar. Before bullet bill gets too far from the second pillar, take possession of it again. Using Y to accelerate and shaking the controller to give boosts, guide bullet bill towards the eastern pillar. I’m well aware all of this is easier said than done.
18 The Bound Bowl Grand Prix – I’m Getting Dizzy
This is one of only two Snow Kingdom Power Moons to make this list, but that does not make it any less difficult to obtain. There are some players who are a natural at the Bound Bowl Grand Prix, but others struggle immensely with this challenge. Take control of the Shiverian that does not want to race, and begin play around with the controls. You can roll around like a ball and bounce to gain momentum. You gain more momentum by bouncing on impact, and the direction of your bound depends on the angle of your landing. Use your bounce early in the race to get ahead, and use your bouncing to gain momentum on downward slopes and flat parts of the road. If you utilize your bounces correctly, you should have no problem winning the race. Upon winning, you’ll gain a Multi Moon, which rewards three Power Moons.
17 Taking Notes Up And Down – Frustrating Music Notes
This Power Moon is not difficult to get in the traditional sense. Unfortunately, this is one instance in which 3D platforming has its downsides. The camera in this part of the game is incredibly frustrating. The platform moves up and down multiple times, and you must throw your cap at groups of three musical notes. If it was not hard enough, you must complete this before the timer runs out. In order to get the platform to move upward, you must ground pound it. This is important to remember because you are being timed. The sets of notes at the top and bottom are easy enough to get, but it may take you multiple tries before you will get the two sets in the middle. You cannot get both sets in one go, so you are going to have to remember to ground pound to make the platform ascend.
16 Diving From The Big Pot – Long Way Down
This is a difficult Power Moon to get, but it is actually not that frustrating. It is as the name of the Power Moon implies: you have to dive from a big pot. From the giant pot, you can look down at Peronza Plaza. On top of the Slots Shop, there should be a small pot. You are to leap from the giant pot and somehow land in the smaller pot below. Upon landing in the small pot, you are rewarded with a Power Moon. You are likely not going to land in the small pot the first try (impressive if you do!), but don’t worry. Jumping off of heights in Super Mario Odyssey is fun even if you fail. The only downside is that you will have to make your way back up to the top.
15 Spinning Athletics – Obstacle Course
The second Luncheon Kingdom Power Moon to make this list is Spinning Athletics. Start by going to Quadrant A4 and warping to the Remote Island in the lava flag and capture a lava bubble. Swim northwest to a small island found on the edge of the map. You should see a scarecrow on the island, which will open a door if you toss your hat on him. Inside is where the madness happens. There is a huge obstacle course with rotating platforms. The rotations are rigid and fast, particularly with the rectangular shaped platforms. Standing on the rounded platforms when possible is a good technique to ensure you are not flung off when they begin rotating. Because the platforms are rotating, it is difficult to avoid enemies. The frustration is worth it because a Power Moon awaits you at the end of the course with a pipe to leave through.
14 Fruit Feast On The Sinking Island – Fruit Is Good For You
This challenge room has you capture Yoshi in order to collect enough fruit to gain a Power Moon. You need to collect 10 fruit in order to get the Power Moon. As you move upwards, the island will begin to skin into lava. The trick is to use your tongue to grab the ledges of the platforms above you to pull yourself up quickly.
Here are the locations of the fruit (in ascending order):
- Two on the left corner at the base level
- Two on the opposite edge of the first raised platform
- Two on the two small platforms that have two short Rock Snakes
- Two on the platform above on the far side
- Two on the next platform with a long Rock Snake
- Two fruit on the next platform up
- Two on either side of a small platform above
- Two on the left side of the long narrow platform
- Two on the ledge above
- Two final fruit at the top of the island
13 Waves Of Poison – Hop Over Waves
Like many of the Power Moons that one can only obtained after the main story is beaten, the Waves of Poison can be difficult. This Power Moon can be found in Quadrant D5 near the Odyssey Landing Site. Hop into the pipe and into the challenge room. You will find that you are greeted by a large room full of waves of poison. When you hop onto a platform, they begin to lower. Capture the frog on one of the platforms to jump more effectively from platform to platform. Be careful because the waves often go over the platforms, and the camera angle can be a bit awkward. It is simply a matter of timing in this room. Grab the key at the end of the room which unlocks a Power Moon.
12 Vanishing Road Rush – Don’t Fall
This Power Moon can be found on the alcove behind a large rock on the North East side of the main island platform. The goal of this challenge room is to make your way across the platforms while dodging incoming fire from Sherm Tanks. As if the incoming fire was not enough, the platforms quickly vanish.
The beginning is a relatively straight shot. Make sure that you are rolling throughout the entirety of the challenge in order to maintain speed and momentum. Reach the next switch, and you will need to jump up several platforms. You must be precise here because failure to jump onto the next platform will slow you down. As you get near the end with a fork in the road, stay to the right and avoid the Sherm Tanks.
11 Wooded Kingdom Master Cup – Another Racing Challenge?
The Wooden Kingdom Master Cup Power Moon can only be obtained after the player has completed the main story. You must have also completed the regular cup, which hopefully makes you prepared for the Master Cup! This Power Moon is found in Quadrant C2, where you are to warp to the Forest Charging Station to race the green Koopa. You can get an early head start by jumping off the platform to the left of the charging station, but some Koopas will quickly follow behind you. One you reach the Uproot Maze, take a long jump off the side towards the other side of the maze. You will be ahead of everyone else and quickly find yourself near the end. Reach the finish area and collect your Power Moon.
10 Iceburn Circuit Class S – Why So Many Racing Challenges?
This is another Bound Bowl racing Power Moon, but this one happens to be a post-game Power Moon. You can find this Power Moon in Quadrant B4 where you will find a door. The advice I offered previously would also be appropriate with this challenge as well. You can roll around like a ball and bounce to gain momentum. You gain more momentum by bouncing on impact, and the direct of your bound depends on the angle of your landing. Use your bounce early in the race to get ahead, and use your bouncing to gain momentum on downward slopes and flat parts of the road. If you utilize your bounces correctly, you should have no problem winning the race. Remember that bouncing off of an upward steep surface will throw you backwards and slow you down.
9 Arrival At Rabbit Ridge – Bunny Bosses
This is the first Power Moon of the Dark Side, but it is still difficult to obtain. You must make your way to the carrot-like tower in Quadrant A4. You must face four Broodals in succession with a final fight against RoboBrood. Your first opponent is Topper. You can use Cappy to deflect his hats, and attacking a hatless Topper will damage him. For the second battle, you will face Harriet. Deflect her bombs back at her, and dodge her giant bomb attacks. The next opponent is Spewart. Get rid of his poison with spin throws from Cappy. Jump on his head three times to proceed to your next opponent, Rango. Rango is not too difficult. Deflect his hats, and spin down onto his head. The last opponent is RoboBroodal. The aim is to capture the Hammer Bros so you can pound the several domes.
8 Herding Sheep Above The Forest Fog – They’re So Cute!
This Power Moon can be found in Quadrant D2. There is a brick pipe in the Goomba area, you can’t miss it. Upon entering, you will be met with a room containing sheep and a lot of fog. The goal of this challenge is to herd the sheep up the platform. This is easier said than done.
Keep in mind that the sheep will run away from you. Aim Cappy so the sheep are being pushed in the right direction. You can also use the behavior of the sheep to your advantage. By gently walking up to them, you can goad them into position you want before tossing Cappy at them. Once you get close to the end, goad the sheep around the barrier and toss Cappy to throw the sheep up the platform.
7 Small Bird In Bowser's Castle – How Can A Bird Glow?
This Power Moon is the only Power Moon on this list that can be found in Bowser’s Kingdom. Start by heading to Quadrant E1. Warp to the Odyssey and walk through the gate. Head right and jump up to the top of the roof. After crossing to the other side, you should see a glowing bird. You must sneak up to the bird and hit it with Cappy in order to get the Power Moon. It is difficult for many players to hit the bird, but keep trying. If you want to get the bird to come back, you must walk about halfway back to the higher part of the roof and turn the camera away from the bird. Turn around to face the bird, and it should reappear.
6 Powering Up The Power Plant – Plug It In
This is one of the Power Moons that can only be obtained after you have finished the main story. You can find it at the power plant in Quadrant B2 of the Metro Kingdom. Make your way through the manhole that leads to the power plant. You’ll have to get past Poison Piranha Plants before you reach the power plant room. Once you are inside of the power plant room, there will be a large power plant puzzle piece. Capture this piece in order to gain control of it. You will notice that the side of the piece has a plug on the side of it. It must fit inside the corresponding power plug. Once you take control of the piece, follow this path to ensure the piece gets plugged in: down, left, up, right, right, up down.