Super Mario Odyssey on Switch: The Complete Tech Analysis

Super Mario Odyssey pushes Switch really hard, with fascinating techniques in ensuring great visuals and performance in both docked and handheld configurations. John has the complete breakdown.

[MrWillypanda]

when the framerate drop is only down to 58-57 fps, that is a miracle in itself

[PanRysownikRysuje]

To tell the truth, I'm perfectly fine with lower resolution if I'll get 60 fps. I'm glad Nintendo took it that way, and I hope more games in the future have the same option Tomb Raider or FE Warriors have - to choose between resolution or framerate.

[NeroyDJ]

"It's one of the most inspired Mario game in years and it runs like a dream"... ok, I'm sold.

[superlosia]

This looks phenomenal. Congratulations Switch owners, and Nintendo on the rave reviews! It makes me genuinely happy to see Nintendo succeed!

[TheMassgames]

The amount of work that Nintendo put on this game to achieve the 60fps mark without many compromises is remarkable.

[JimmyMarrow]

This game is unreal. I cannot believe its running on a tablet. I'm 38 and have owned so many systems I can't even remember. The Switch might end up being my favorite system of all time.

[dylansheehy]

Some nice geometry and textures, I’m also happy with the resolution in home console mode, and 60 FPS 😍

[trafalgar]

Awesome work as always Digital Foundry. Very much looking forward to this.

[pinkspider]

Nintendo once again the masters of optimization, loading times and frame rates

[animegamesonline]

To summarize - Odyssey doesn't the graphics of a PS4 Pro game, but it looks good enough to be the best game of the year!

[vj]

Ultimately the switch is a statement of Gameplay>Graphics. But what nintendo shows is that design>graphics too.

Its something consoles have needed. The “console wars” have been freaking out over graphics for way too long when in reality they dont matter anymore. The charm is gone. EA can pump billions of dollars into battlefront2(2017) and make it the most beautiful game ever, but no time was spent on the gameplay.
Nintendo puts time into making the gameplay fun and enjoyable while making everything designed well too.

Im glad that the general mass of gamers now wont give shitty games with pretty graphics a pass now, and good games can be recognized for what they are, good games.

[drecksbongert]

"switch doesnt have any games"
two GOTY contenders in launch year alone. yeah sure

[thebahooplamaster]

You know a game is big when you go to thw grocery store and see its on cereal boxes.

[pcgameboy]

97 metacritic score. Another masterpiece for Nintendo. Game is gorgeous. When was the last time a console got 2 masterpieces, and GOTY possible winners in its first year?

[plutonicearth]

i can't wait for my copy to arrive tomorrow!

[blue]

This and legend of Zelda breath of the wild are masterpiece's. In my opinion the best value for money this generation goes to the Nintendo switch.

[jrvbamafan]

All people care about is graphics....sad. Nintendo has 2 games out this year on an "inferior" system, both of which will be goty contenders, so clearly they are doing something right. Not to mention that same system is selling left and right. I have to laugh at the people commenting that weren't even alive back in the early 80s when Nintendo basically resurrected gaming back from the dead. So all these critics can thank them as they wouldn't be able to come on here and brag about their super, ultra high 300 frames per second $30, 000 20k resoultion capable supercomputer, and how great it is while we play our lowly consoles, without Nintendo doing what they have done for the industry with their massive contributions. Instead these same people will criticize Mario or Zelda, calling them kids games or unoriginal, all while loading up the 30th version of the same COD game that's been out for 10 years....lol. sad, like I originally said

[alexatkin]

Watching this video is hugely reassuring that Nintendo were able to make excellent choices of where to scale the game, especially in portable mode. It also should finally put paid to the people who thought "720p is not high enough" for the Switch screen. They knew exactly what they were doing when designing the Switch and made compromises in all the right places.

I'm still absolutely amazed at how a game engine is able to scale resolution and certain effect quality based on how much time it has to render the next frame. Just thinking about how complex that algorithm must be hurts my head. I think any developer attempting that deserves a lot more credit than they typically get.

[Archivist]

I can’t believe how good this looks on the Switch, all AAA developers take note.

[porjay]

Excellent video. Thank you for the in-depth analysis it is always fascinating to see the tricks they use to reach 60fps and love how you point out things i would normally miss. Love your work!