Remember when the internet lost its mind over Bowsette?
Has there been enough of a gap that you could head back intoSuper Mario Odysseyand experience it with mostly fresh eyes? I think I’m about at that point. Some key moments in the game–a certain musical number, a world fueled by pure nostalgia, and a painful gauntlet–will have lost their original impact, but otherwise? The rest feels like a blur. I’m ready to play this precious adventure again.
If and when that time comes for you, it might be worth picking upThe Art of Super Mario Odysseyto supplement your playthrough. Following its release in Japanlast year, the English-language version of the book is finally out this week in North America courtesy of Dark Horse. I didn’t end up importing it.
The 368-page art book goes on sale atAmazonandBarnes & Noblestarting November 5. It’ll normally cost $49.99, but right now, retailers have it for $34.99. An early Christmas present, perhaps. (Just in case Santa’s helpers are reading, I have an extra-wide stocking to accommodate cool gifts like this.)
Along with concept art, sketches, and notes,The Art of Super Mario Odysseyoffers “insight into some early ideas that didn’t make it into the game itself.” One high-profile example:Bowsette.
I sincerely hope Nintendo explores some of its unused concepts in aSuper Mario Odysseysequel.
