10 Times Gaming COULD NOT GET ANY BETTER
5. The Legacy Of Mario - Super Mario Odyssey
There are many moments throughout the Super Mario franchise that fans will remember to their dying day: using the whistle in Super Mario Bros. 3, flying with the Winged Cap in Super Mario 64, that moment you discover that Super Mario Bros. 2 is just a reskin of Doki Doki Panic...
And then, there’s Super Mario Odyssey. Although the Switch platformer is a marvel from start to finish, there’s a particular moment in New Donk City that stands out. After eliminating the boss, Mayor Pauline thanks the Italian hero with a city-wide festival.
After accessing a pipe, Mario reappears on the other side in his pixelated form, where he must traverse through girders and jump over barrels, much like when the moustachioed maestro debuted in 1982’s Donkey Kong. In that moment, it’s apparent this festival isn’t just a way of saying thanks, but a celebration of Mario’s long-lasting legacy. Also, once you get that jingle, Jump Up Super Star, in your head, it will never leave.
This sequence could’ve come across as pure nostalgia bait, but it perfectly demonstrates the influence the loveable plumber has had on the gaming industry. Even after 40 years, Super Mario's popularity has never been stronger.