5 Reasons Why Super Mario Odyssey Never Got Major Story DLC (And What We Got Instead)

Despite being one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful games on the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey stands as a unique outlier in Nintendo’s modern library: a first-party title that never received a major, paid story Downloadable Content (DLC) expansion. As of December 2025, years after its initial release, the conversation has officially shifted from hoping for new kingdoms to anticipating its successor, Super Mario Odyssey 2, rumored to be a launch title for the next-generation Nintendo console. This article dives deep into the official statements, the free content we did receive, and the incredible fan-made expansions that kept the dream alive.

The absence of a substantial DLC pack, similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's 'The Champions' Ballad,' has been a continuous source of curiosity and debate among the Mario fanbase. We break down the key reasons behind this decision and analyze the impact of the game’s only official content update, "Luigi's Balloon World."

The Official Stance: Why Nintendo Skipped Paid DLC

When Super Mario Odyssey launched in 2017, the gaming world immediately began speculating about a massive story expansion. The game's open-world structure and the sheer fun of Cappy's Capture mechanic seemed perfectly suited for new content. However, Nintendo’s development team had a different vision.

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1. The "Really Cool" Standard for Expansion

The most telling insight came directly from the game's producer, Yoshiaki Koizumi. In an early interview, Koizumi stated that while paid DLC was not out of the question, the team would only pursue it if they could come up with something "really cool". This suggests that the development team felt the core game, with its 17 distinct Kingdoms and hundreds of Power Moons, was a complete and perfect package. They were unwilling to release a simple, tacked-on expansion that didn't fundamentally change the game or introduce a truly innovative mechanic.

2. The Development Shift to the Sequel

A common theory in the gaming industry is that the ideas and resources that would typically go into a large DLC expansion were immediately redirected into the development of the sequel. Given the massive success of the first game, it’s highly probable that the core team transitioned directly to pre-production on Super Mario Odyssey 2 shortly after the original's launch and post-release support. This strategy allows Nintendo to deliver a full-priced, groundbreaking sequel instead of a segmented expansion.

3. Nintendo’s Post-Launch Content Philosophy

Nintendo’s approach to post-launch content is often distinct from other major publishers. While games like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses received major paid expansions, flagship titles like Super Mario Odyssey and Pikmin 4 often rely on free updates and full sequels. For Mario, the focus was on continuous, free engagement rather than a single, high-cost expansion.

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The Only Official "DLC": Luigi's Balloon World

While a new story was absent, Nintendo did provide one significant free update in February 2018, introducing the mini-game "Luigi's Balloon World." This content, while not a new Kingdom, provided a compelling reason for players to return to all 17 Kingdoms.

How Luigi's Balloon World Works

To unlock this mode, players must first complete the main story and ensure their Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet. Luigi, the perennial sidekick, appears in every Kingdom, offering two modes of play:

• Hide-It Mode: Players have a limited time to hide a balloon anywhere in the Kingdom. The difficulty of the hiding spot determines the potential coin payout.
• Find-It Mode: Players pay a coin entry fee to search for a hidden balloon left by another player somewhere in the world. Successfully finding it within the time limit earns a massive coin reward.

This asynchronous multiplayer mode transformed the game into a global time-trial challenge. It encouraged players to master advanced movement techniques like the Cap Jump, Roll, and Dive, and to explore every nook and cranny of the Cap Kingdom, Cascade Kingdom, and every other world in search of the most devious hiding spots. Reaching the highest rank of 50 in Balloon World earns the player the prestigious Gilded Balloons for Luigi.

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Continuous Free Updates: Costumes and Filters

Beyond the major Balloon World update, Nintendo continued to release a steady stream of free downloadable content in the form of new costumes and photo mode filters. These items, often unlocked at Crazy Cap stores or through new amiibo, kept the game fresh for completionists and fashion-forward players.

New costumes were often themed after classic Mario games or seasonal events, including the 8-Bit Mario Costume, the Diddy Kong Outfit, the Waluigi Suit, the Santa Outfit, and the King's Outfit, which is unlocked after completing the Rabbit's Ridge challenge. While not a new story, collecting all outfits and souvenirs provided a significant post-game goal for dedicated players.

The Fan Dream: Major DLC Ideas That Never Were

The lack of official story DLC fueled an explosion of creativity within the community, resulting in numerous fan-made concepts, mods, and wish lists. These ideas provide a clear picture of the untapped potential many felt the game possessed and highlight the game’s topical authority.

Fan-Requested Kingdoms and Expansions (Entities)

The most common and passionate requests centered around new Kingdoms, often drawing inspiration from past Mario games or entirely new concepts. Some of the most frequently discussed fan DLC ideas and entities include:

• The Isle Delfino Kingdom: A tropical, water-themed world based on Super Mario Sunshine, complete with a F.L.U.D.D. Capture mechanic.
• The Sarasaland Kingdom: A return to the four distinct regions of Princess Daisy's homeland from Super Mario Land (e.g., Chai Kingdom, Easton Kingdom).
• The Bianco Hills Kingdom: A direct homage to the iconic first level of Super Mario Sunshine, often featured in fan mods.
• Super Luigi Odyssey: A full-scale expansion where Luigi is the playable character, potentially with his own unique Cappy-like partner and a new set of Kingdoms, or even a harder, mirrored version of Mario's adventure.
• The Wario/Waluigi Odyssey: A comedic, anti-hero focused expansion exploring the villains' perspective and their own unique Capture abilities.
• The Kingdom Expansion Pass: A comprehensive fan project dedicated to adding new zones and Power Moons to existing Kingdoms like the Cap, Cascade, Cloud, and Darker Side Kingdoms.
• A Peach's Castle Rework: A request to make Peach's Castle feel more like a proper, grounded Kingdom instead of a small hub area.

These concepts, often visualized through impressive fan art and game mods, demonstrate the community's desire for the game's innovative mechanics to be applied to new, nostalgic, and creative environments.

The Future: Why DLC is Now Super Mario Odyssey 2

As of late 2025, the conversation has definitively shifted away from DLC and towards the highly anticipated sequel. The consensus among industry analysts and leakers is that Super Mario Odyssey 2 is in active development, likely targeting a launch alongside the rumored Nintendo Switch successor console in the near future.

Nintendo's decision to forgo a major expansion for the original game now appears to be a strategic move. By saving their best ideas for a full sequel, they ensure the next 3D Mario title can deliver the same level of innovation and polish that made the original a masterpiece. The sequel is expected to introduce entirely new Capture mechanics, new Kingdoms (perhaps some of the fan-requested ones), and a new overarching storyline that will once again redefine the 3D platforming genre.

While the dream of a massive Super Mario Odyssey DLC expansion remains a beloved "what if" scenario for fans, the legacy of the game is secure. The free "Luigi's Balloon World" update provided endless replayability, and the promise of a full sequel ensures that Mario's adventure with Cappy is far from over.