Super Mario Odyssey: Ranking Every Boss Encounter From Worst To Best

Knucklotec is the boss of the Sand Kingdom, and features a stunning design which seems to be inspired by the Olmec civilisation of ancient Mexico. Observant players will have noticed the boss’ crystal headdress protruding from the desert sand throughout Mario’s adventures in Tostarena, an enticing tease of what's to come.

The Sand Kingdom introduces Mario’s ability to capture and pilot Bullet Bills, and this comes in handy during the Knucklotec fight, with the boss’ disembodied hands being the key to defeating him. Mario must trick the enormous entity into slamming his palms down onto the level’s hard ice crystals and then capture his weakened hands. After this, the player must pilot the bosses fists right into its own face, dodging Knucklotec’s attempts to stop them.

The boss has a juddering movement style, which suits his relic-like appearance (which might also be a reference to the Eyerock boss from Mario 64’s Shifting Sand Land). There’s always something satisfying about using a boss’ weapons against them; couple this with the fun Bullet Bill mechanic and some mild fan service and you’ve got the recipe for a great boss fight.