You’ve finally beaten Bowser. The credits rolled, the staff names scrolled by, and you’re probably thinking you’ve seen everything Super Mario Odyssey has to offer. Then you land in the Mushroom Kingdom. It’s nostalgic. It’s beautiful. But honestly? It’s also kind of overwhelming. Unlike the previous kingdoms where you’re basically led by the nose toward the next objective, the Mushroom Kingdom is a sprawling, open-ended playground where the Mushroom Kingdom power moons are tucked away in places you wouldn't expect.
Most people think they can just run around, talk to Toadette, and call it a day. That’s a mistake.
The Mushroom Kingdom serves as the "Post-Game" hub. It’s where the difficulty spikes and the game stops holding your hand. You aren't just looking for glowing spots in the ground anymore. You’re performing specific feats of skill, revisiting old bosses, and solving riddles that require a genuine memory of Mario’s history. If you're trying to hit that 999 moon count, this is where the real work begins.
The Achievement Grind with Toadette
Let's talk about Toadette. She’s sitting there in Peach’s Castle, looking all cute, but she is secretly the biggest gatekeeper in the game. A massive chunk of the Mushroom Kingdom power moons are tied to her "achievements." This isn't just about finding a hidden corner; it’s about how you’ve played the entire game up to this point.
Some of these are easy. You’ve probably already jumped enough times or collected enough coins to trigger a few. But then there are the ones that require you to have captured a specific number of enemies or spent a certain amount of "Regional Coins" in every shop. It’s a grind. There is no other way to put it. You’ll find yourself jumping back to the Sand Kingdom or the Wooded Kingdom just to find that one specific Spark Pylon you forgot to capture.
It’s easy to get frustrated. You might feel like the game is just padding its length. But there’s a logic to it. These moons reward mastery. They aren't just collectibles; they are trophies for actually learning the mechanics of the game. If you haven't mastered the hat-throw-and-dive jump yet, Toadette’s list is going to feel like a chore. If you have, it’s just a victory lap.
Why the Boss Rematches Change Everything
In the Mushroom Kingdom, you’ll find these gray chimneys scattered around the hills. Drop down into one and you’re suddenly back in a boss fight. But it’s different. It's harder. The bosses are faster, their arenas have more hazards, and you usually have less health or more restrictive conditions.
Take the Cookatiel rematch, for example. In the Luncheon Kingdom, it was a fun, messy fight. In the Mushroom Kingdom version, the lava rises faster and the projectiles are more aggressive. You have to be precise. These Mushroom Kingdom power moons are some of the most satisfying to earn because they prove you didn't just win by luck the first time around.
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The Ruined Dragon is another standout. It’s a dark, moody fight that feels more like Dark Souls than Super Mario. Winning here isn't about platforming as much as it is about timing and pattern recognition. If you’re struggling, remember that Mario’s movement is your best weapon. Don't just run; use the roll. It's faster and gives you a smaller hitbox for a split second.
The Art of the Secret Entrance
One of the coolest things about this kingdom is how it uses the 8-bit pipes. You’ll be running along a 3D field, see a pixelated pipe on a wall, and suddenly you’re playing a section of the original Super Mario Bros. but with a twist.
Some moons are hidden behind fake walls in these 2D segments. You have to literally walk through what looks like solid rock. It’s a callback to the "World 1-2" warp zone trick from 1985. It’s clever. It’s nostalgic. And if you aren't looking for it, you will miss it every single time.
There’s also the matter of the portraits. You’ve seen them throughout the game—those warp paintings that take you to isolated platforms in other kingdoms. In the Mushroom Kingdom, these portraits act as a bridge. They connect the world in a way that makes the game feel like a cohesive universe rather than a series of levels. Finding these is essential for completing your collection.
Yoshi Is Not Just a Cameo
You can find Yoshi on the roof of Peach's Castle. Once you capture him, the gameplay completely shifts. You aren't Mario anymore; you're a dinosaur with a tongue that doubles as a grappling hook.
A lot of the Mushroom Kingdom power moons are exclusive to Yoshi. You have to eat berries. Sounds simple, right? Well, some of those berries are tucked under moving platforms or high above fruit-filled tunnels. Yoshi’s flutter jump is your best friend here. If you’re trying to get the moons in the "Star Path" areas, you need to get comfortable with Yoshi’s momentum. He doesn't stop on a dime like Mario does. He slides. He floats. He’s a bit of a loose cannon, but that’s part of the charm.
The Small Details You're Probably Missing
Did you know you can get a moon just by dressing up?
The Mushroom Kingdom is very picky about fashion. There’s a Toad standing near a locked door who won't let you in unless you’re wearing the right outfit. Usually, it’s something related to Mario’s past—like the 64-bit costume or the doctor’s outfit. This is where those regional coins you’ve been hoarding finally come in handy.
Then there’s the music. Talk to the Toad with the headphones. He’ll ask you to play a specific track from the game's massive library. It’s a "sound quiz" of sorts. If you’ve been playing with the sound off (why would you do that?), you’re going to have a hard time. But for everyone else, it’s a nice little breather between the high-intensity boss fights.
Managing the Difficulty Spike
Look, some of these moons are genuinely hard. The "Secret of" levels—the ones where Cappy gets taken away and you’re left with just Mario’s base moveset—are brutal. They require frame-perfect jumps and a deep understanding of Mario’s physics.
If you're stuck, take a break. Go explore a different part of the map. Sometimes the best way to find a moon is to stop looking for it and just play. The Mushroom Kingdom is designed for curiosity. Poke the bushes. Ground pound the glowing spots. Throw your hat at everything that looks even slightly out of place.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you're serious about finishing this kingdom, you need a strategy. Don't just wander aimlessly.
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- Clear the roof first. Get Yoshi immediately. Having him available makes navigating the lower areas much faster, and you can knock out his specific "fruit" moons early on.
- Talk to Hint Toad and Uncle amiibo. There is no shame in this. The Mushroom Kingdom is huge, and some moons are literally invisible until you trigger a specific event. If you're tired of searching, let the game give you a nudge.
- Check Toadette’s list constantly. You might have already completed the requirements for five moons and just haven't claimed them yet.
- Master the boss rematches. These are the most time-consuming but also the most rewarding. Focus on learning the new patterns rather than trying to brute-force the old ones.
- Buy the shop moon. It’s easy. It’s cheap. Just do it.
The Mushroom Kingdom power moons represent the ultimate challenge in Super Mario Odyssey. They are a celebration of everything the franchise has been for the last forty years. By the time you collect that final moon and see the grand total hit its peak, you won't just be a player who finished a game. You'll be someone who mastered a masterpiece. Keep jumping, keep throwing that hat, and don't let the boss rematches get in your head. You've got this.