Raising Super Mario Odyssey: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Super Mario Odyssey is rated E10+ (everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB, for cartoon violence and comic mischief, with no interactive elements and no in-game purchases notice. PEGI rates it 7 in Europe, for violence and fear. The ESRB says Mario hops on enemies or throws his cap to defeat them, and enemies blink, yelp or turn into coins. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 10 and up.
Super Mario Odyssey at a glance
- ✓Official rating above age 7
ESRB: E10+ (PEGI 7) - –Contact with other players or strangers
ESRB: No Interactive Elements; NSO features per Nintendo - –Purchases with real money
No In-Game Purchases notice from ESRB - –Paid random items
None listed - ✓Violence or scary content in rating descriptors
ESRB: Cartoon Violence; PEGI: Violence, Fear - –Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
None found
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.
| Type | Nintendo Switch 3D platformer (2017): Mario and his hat Cappy rescue Princess Peach source |
|---|---|
| US & Canada (ESRB) | E10+ (everyone 10 and older) — Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief; No Interactive Elements source |
| Europe & UK (PEGI) | 7 (suitable from age 7) — Violence, Fear source |
| Players | 1–2 on one system: player 1 controls Mario, player 2 controls Cappy source |
| Common Sense Media | 10+ |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is Super Mario Odyssey?
Short answer: A 3D Mario adventure for Nintendo Switch, released October 27, 2017.
Mario teams up with Cappy, a living hat, to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, traveling through themed kingdoms. Cappy can be thrown to "capture" enemies and objects and control them. Two players can share one Switch: one plays Mario, the other plays Cappy with a Joy-Con, per Nintendo. PEGI lists it on Nintendo Switch 2 from June 5, 2025.
Super Mario Odyssey age rating: what's in it
Short answer: E10+ in the US, 7 in Europe.
- US & Canada (ESRB): E10+, cartoon violence and comic mischief; no interactive elements.
- Europe & UK (PEGI): 7, violence and fear.
- Common Sense Media: 10+.
The ESRB describes a boss fight in which players capture a "cartoony" tank and fire cannonballs, with large explosions, and a sequence in which Mario punches a boss. Common Sense Media lists cartoonish violence with no blood, and no language or sexual content. It notes that awkward camera angles and split-second timing may frustrate some players.
Does Super Mario Odyssey have online play or purchases?
Short answer: The ESRB lists no interactive elements and no in-game purchases.
Nintendo's store page lists internet play, a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and GameShare over GameChat. The two-player mode works on one system.
The habit kids may copy: try, fall, try again
Mario falls off ledges and loses health often, and players restart from the last checkpoint.
Try tonight: the third try
When a level beats your child, put the controller down for a breath. Then say: "Not yet. What will you do differently on the next try?" Let them name one change before playing again. In our program, this is the lesson "Not Yet": the trying matters.
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FAQ
What is Super Mario Odyssey rated?
E10+ by the ESRB, for cartoon violence and comic mischief, and PEGI 7 in Europe.
Is Super Mario Odyssey 2 player?
Yes, on one system: player 1 controls Mario and player 2 controls Cappy, per Nintendo.
Does Super Mario Odyssey have in-game purchases?
The ESRB lists no in-game purchases notice for it.
What age is Super Mario Odyssey for?
E10+ means everyone 10 and older. PEGI rates it 7, and Common Sense Media lists it for 10+.
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