One of the Nintendo Switch titles that propelled its meteoric rise in the gaming scene, Super Mario Odyssey is a fun adventure that sees Mario exploring many worlds and eclectic locations that are nothing short of dazzling and spectacular! Behind that spectacle is an interesting background, myth, and history that (potentially) underpins the framework of the game; first of all, what is an Odyssey? The Odyssey?? The Lore Research Lab’s verbally incoherent duo returns to theorize about this game, to explain how Mario’s journey in this game is closely rooted in a ‘mythical homecoming’, and a whole lot more.

Timestamps:

00:26 - The Basic Story of Super Mario Odyssey

07:42 - Gameplay Overview

21:06 - Exploring the Kingdoms

31:11 - Theorizing about The Odyssey

46:46 - Conclusions & More

Resources/Helpful Links:

- Super Mario Odyssey 

- Super Mario Odyssey Kingdoms 

- Pauline 

- Donkey Kong (1981) 

- Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind 

Homer, 2018. The Odyssey. Translated by Emily Wilson. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia - The Official Guide. Translated by William Flanagan and Zack Davisson. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books. 2015.

(Creator's Note: Some content in this episode deals with religions and myths in the real world; all research discussing such information is explained and described solely from a scholarly perspective. We do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from our own copies of the game and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)