Super Mario Odyssey Supports Up to 2 Players Locally and 10 Players Online through Fan Mod
Straight out of the gate, I want to clearly state that Super Mario Odyssey primarily supports 1 player locally on the Nintendo Switch. However, it also offers 2 player local wireless co-op functionality. Through an unofficial PC mod, it can even support up to 10 players online. Let‘s dig into the details!
Official Local Co-op Mode for 2 Players
Nintendo built in 2 player cooperative multiplayer for family and friends to explore the Mario Odyssey kingdoms together on one Switch system. This local wireless mode allows the first player to control Mario while the second player controls Cappy independently.
As Cappy, you can fly around stages, attack enemies, and manipulate the camera angle. This leads to chaotic (and hilarious) gameplay as you work cooperatively to collect Power Moons and reach each kingdom‘s goal.
Any moons, coins, or outfits collected are added to a shared total between players. Outfit selections apply to both characters too. So you can mismatch some wild costume combinations!
You have a few options for controllers in the 2 player co-op mode too. Each player can use a single Joy-Con, a pair of Joy-Con, or a Pro Controller. This flexibility makes it convenient to access 2 player with whatever Switch hardware you have available.
Gameplay-wise, the second player controlling Cappy is the biggest change from single player. Having a flying sidekick to handle enemies and camera controls easies some of Mario‘s platforming challenges. But coordinating as a team also introduces new chaos!
Check out this gameplay clip showcasing 2 player co-op in the Metro Kingdom:
[YouTube Video Showcasing 2 Player Mode]As a veteran Mario gamer myself, I can confirm that the 2 player co-op is a total blast with friends and family. The multiplayer functionality also earned Mario Odyssey the Best Family/Social Game award from the 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards.
So while primarily a single player adventure, the local co-op opens up the experience for some couch gameplay fun.
Unofficial "Super Mario Odyssey Online" Mod for 10 Players
This is where things get really interesting. An unofficial mod developed by fans allows Super Mario Odyssey to support up to 10 players online through networked multiplayer.
A programmer who goes by the handle "MrLlama" created a custom server and mod to enable online connectivity. The "Super Mario Odyssey Online" mod taps into the co-op functionality of the original game. But now up to 10 players can explore the kingdoms together over the internet, collecting Power Moons and causing mayhem.
The mod works by having one player host on their PC. Other players then connect to this host via an online server. Once connected, all Power Moons, Coins, Outfits and other collectibles are shared across the full player group.
With 10 players flying, flipping, and bouncing around stages at once – hilarity quickly ensues! Coordinating gameplay becomes far more challenging. But the expanded chaos also leads to emergent gameplay moments you won‘t find in single player or even local co-op.
Here‘s a montage showing just how crazy 10 player Mario Odyssey gets!
[YouTube Video Showcasing 10 Player Online Mod]While this fan-made online multiplayer is not officially supported by Nintendo, it shows the huge potential! Being able to explore Mario‘s worlds together online would add tremendous replay value.
The "Super Mario Odyssey Online" mod is only available on PC right now. But perhaps someday Nintendo will release official online co-op support to unite Switch players across the internet. We can dream!
Official Multiplayer Possibilities in Future Updates or Sequels
With the runaway success of Super Mario Odyssey, it seems very possible Nintendo could expand multiplayer support in a future update or sequel. The framework is already there with local co-op – online connectivity could simply build on that foundation.
Gaming culture has embraced online experiences too, with hits like Fortnite proving social gameplay is highly appealing. Adding Mario Odyssey multiplayer online would open up tremendous opportunities to unite players beyond just local couch co-op.
As a long-time Nintendo fan myself, this excites me greatly! An official Mario Odyssey online mode with 8 or 10 players would be incredible. Nintendo could host online servers and tournaments. They could add new outfits and kingdoms tailored for multiplayer engagement too.
My hope is that Nintendo notices mods like "Super Mario Odyssey Online" and recognizes the strong demand. Whatever multiplayer plans they have in development, this gaming content creator and many enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await what comes next!
Comparing Single, Local, and Online Multiplayer Modes
To summarize the various Super Mario Odyssey multiplayer modes, here is a helpful comparison table:
| Metric | 1 Player | Local Wireless Co-op | Online Mod |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max # of Players | 1 | 2 | Up to 10 |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch | PC Only |
| Internet Required? | No | No | Yes |
| Moons Shared? | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Official Support? | Yes | Yes | No, fan-made mod |
| Chaotic Fun Factor | Low | High | Extremely High |
This covers the key gameplay differences. In short:
- Single player is the core experience
- Local co-op amps up the enjoyment for 2 Switch players on one couch
- The online mod takes chaos to new heights for internet-connected PC gamers
As both a Mario fan and multiplayer enthusiast, I love what each offers! My dream is for Nintendo to embrace online communities in an official update someday. But for now, grabbing a friend or family member for local wireless fun is already hugely entertaining!
Let me know in the comments your thoughts on Mario Odyssey multiplayer – and how many players you think could handle before devolving into complete kingdoms-traversing madness!
