Though it’s been some time sinceSuper Mario Odysseyfirst launched and helped secure the Switch’s legacy, fans are still hopeful that this won’t be the last time they see Mario and Cappy team up as fears grow of the latter’s FLUDD-like fate. TheSuper Marioseries has always proven that it will revisit concepts that proved popular and successful, whether it’s planet-hopping inSuper Mario Galaxy 2or letting players' creativity run wild inSuper Mario Maker 2.But despite this, with littlenews about the nextSuper Mariogame, the possibility ofSuper Mario Odyssey 2gets more unlikely as time goes on.
Yet the defining gimmick ofSuper Mario Odysseywas Cappy, something which was arguably the reason behind the game’s success. Not only was Cappy’s ability to capture various enemies, creatures, and objects a huge selling point for the game, but being able to throw and bounce off of Cappy let players get creative with how they got around. This expanded maneuverability has been seen before, however, asSuperMariofans recalled the similar versatility that FLUDD had provided inSuper Mario Sunshine. But just as FLUDD never returned forSuper Mario Sunshine 2, so too might Cappy never come back forSuper Mario Odyssey 2.
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The Uncertain Fate of Super Mario Gimmicks
Over the many years ofSuper Mariogames, there have been countless different gimmicks. It is never clear whether these gimmicks might simply be one-off features, if they’d return in a follow-up sequel, or if they could even become a series staple. For example, whileSuper Mario Galaxyproved its worth for a sequel, games likeSuper Mario Bros. 2went on to establish many new enemies and features still used throughout the series to date, such as the ability to pick up certain items and blocks.
So while some gimmicks can be given a second chance in futureSuper Mariogames, many are still relegated to the game they were introduced in. For instance, despite the series regularly granting the player the ability to fly,Super Mariohas many different power-ups and itemsthat offer this ability in their own way, such as the Super Leaf, Cape Feather, Wing Cap, Propeller Box, Red Star, and more. The Wing Cap fromSuper Mario 64or the Red Star fromSuper Mario Galaxyare both stuck in their respective games, even though their flying ability proves worthy of a reprisal.
Cappy: From Yoshi to FLUDD
Super Mariogimmicks that are introduced as more than just surface-level gameplay mechanics present a more complicated challenge for the series. In particular, this problem lies withSuper Mariointroducing companions who help the player by granting them special abilities Mario otherwise wouldn’t have. Though it’s not the most memorable feature of the twoSuper Mario Galaxygames, Mario’s ability to spin is actually thanks to the Luma companion traveling with him. ThoughYoshi inSuper Mariois the modern norm, his ability to eat things, briefly hover, or take an extra hit are still unique gimmicks.
There doesn’t seem to be much interest or outcry for the more obscure companions to return in futureSuper Mariogames, even though they’ve earned their keep.Companions like FLUDDand Cappy differ from the standard Yoshi appearances because not only did they accompany Mario for most of their games, but they were given actual agency and personality, which made them more than mere mechanics. FLUDD’s apparent “death” inSuper Mario Sunshine’s ending is more keenly felt than sacrificing Yoshi to make a higher jump on the regular.
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It’s possible the lack of characterization for companions like Yoshi is what let them reappear throughout theSuper Marioseries, even with their own spin-off games likeYoshi’s Island. Unlike other companions, FLUDD and Cappy bring with them particular backstories that would need to be addressed if Nintendo wanted to reintroduce them for new games. For example, FLUDD was only given to Mario as part ofSuper Mario Sunshine’sstory and was created by E. Gadd ofLuigi’s Mansion, meaning its return would need to work around these, just as Cappy allied with Mario due toSuper Mario Odyssey’sstory.
Cappy Has More To Offer the Super Mario Games
Though there are various reasons whySuper Mario Sunshinenever received a sequel, it’s possible that FLUDD’s abilities didn’t justify its return. The gimmicks Cappy would offer are arguably far more substantial than FLUDD’s, as beyond both expanding the player’s movement mechanics, Cappy’s capture ability still has a significant amount of potential. It could offer a lot, with new characters and objects that might be introduced ina hypotheticalSuper Mario Odyssey 2, as well as with returning enemies from across theSuper Marioseries.
For instance, just asSuper Mario Odysseyintroduced new enemies based on their powers and kingdoms, Nintendo could invent more foes whose abilities reflect past power-ups like Ice Flowers, Spin Drills, or Bee and Rock Mushrooms. Alternatively, classic enemies such as Boos could let players phase through objects or hazards, Thwomps' limited movement to cardinal directions could be used for puzzles, or Monty Moles could dig underground to access hidden areas or secrets. Even enemies who appeared inSuper Mario Odysseyalready could return and offer new functions when possessed, such as Kleptos, Maw-Rays, and Stingbies.
Moreover,Super Mario Odysseyproved its capture ability could be applied to practically anything and everything, with surreal examples including taxis, slabs of meat, and even dinosaurs. So just as a T. rex dramatically introduced Cappy’s ability, a sequel could return to the Cascade Kingdom to use other dinosaurs like a pterodactyl or a diplodocus. But even ifSuper Mario Odyssey 2isn’t in Nintendo’s future, thenCappy should still return toSuper Mariosomehow, whether it’s in the nextPaper Mario, Mario Kart,orMario Party.Its unique contributions to the series are too good to give up on.
