Artwork of Mario capturing a Goomba, from Super Mario Odyssey
Artwork of Mario capturing a Goomba

Capture is a unique ability that Mario gains in Super Mario Odyssey. His newfound Bonneter friend, Cappy, grants him this power when Mario first visits the Cap Kingdom. The name itself is a wordplay based on "cap." When Cappy is thrown at certain enemies, creatures, or objects, such as Goombas, Mario is able to take control of said enemy, creature, or object. This allows Mario to use new abilities, many of which he has never previously had, and collect Power Moons that would normally be out of his reach. When Mario captures something, that thing will gain his hat and mustache, as well as blue pupils or his irises (if it has eyes). Mario can also "de-capture" his host at will (by pressing ZL Button/ZR Button), stunning it for a while. However, if an enemy or other being wears a hat or similar headgear on its head, Mario can capture it only after knocking the hat by jumping onto it or throwing Cappy.

When Mario throws Cappy at an enemy or object and captures it, the hat is shown to be Mario's cap and does not correspond to any hats Mario wears.

Capture list

# Capture Description Controls
01  
Frog
Mario can capture a frog to jump extremely high and reach high platforms and places that he could otherwise not reach.   +   Dash
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to High Jump.
02  
Spark pylon
Mario can capture spark pylons in order to become electricity and zip across power lines. He can also "de-capture" the pylons at any point, allowing him to drop onto objects below him and reach some otherwise unreachable areas. If there are collectible objects like Coins or a Power Moon close to a power line, Mario can leave the power line to collect them; this is done by pressing the   button or shaking the controller at the right time.   Move
You can also shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to move.
03  
Paragoomba
Mario can capture a Paragoomba and use it to fly over bottomless pits of fog.   Fly
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to fly faster.
04  
Chain Chomp
Mario can capture a Chain Chomp and pull back on its chain in order to have it fly off in the opposite direction. This allows him to destroy rocks and other obstacles that Mario could otherwise not destroy himself. Pull   to Wind Up
Release   to Send Flying
05  
Big Chain Chomp
The Big Chain Chomps behave the same as the Chain Chomps; however, they have a longer chain, allowing them to fly further than their smaller counterparts. Pull   to Wind Up
Release   to Send Flying
06  
Broode's Chain Chomp
Mario can capture Madame Broode's Chain Chomp during his encounter with her. It behaves the same as the Big Chain Chomp, and it is used to defeat Madame Broode. Pull   to Wind Up
Release   to Send Flying
07  
T-Rex
Mario can capture a T-Rex in order to destroy stone rocks and enemies. However, Mario can only stay as a T-Rex for a short time, as it is too big for Cappy to hold on to for a long time.   +   Dash
  Attack
You can also shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to attack.
08  
Binoculars
Mario can capture a pair of binoculars and use them to look around the area and examine his surroundings. This is vital for collecting Power Moons from zooming into floating taxis or Sphynx.   Look Around
  Zoom
You can also look around with the   Joy-Con (R)/  Pro Controller.
  Reset
09  
Bullet Bill
Mario can capture a Bullet Bill and use it to fly around and destroy stone blocks or other objects that he could otherwise not destroy. After a short time, however, the Bullet Bill will explode, releasing Mario and dropping him off where ever it exploded. Hold   to Accelerate
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to accelerate more.
10  
Moe-Eye
Mario can capture Moe-Eyes in order to put on their shades, which allows him to see invisible platforms, Coins, and blocks that he could otherwise not see. Wearing the shades causes the Moe-Eyes to move slower than they do without their shades.   Put On / Take Off Shades
11  
Cactus
Mario can capture a cactus (in the Sand Kingdom) in order to move it out of the way of a glowing spot on the ground, which hides a Power Moon.   Move
12  
Goomba
Mario can capture Goombas in order to stack them into Goomba Towers, which allows him to reach high spots that he could otherwise not reach. As a Goomba, Mario can also interact with Goombette, who will award Mario with a Power Moon as a sign of affection. If Mario approaches the female Goomba in his normal form, it will instead disappear in fear. Goombas' feet are also able to walk across icy surfaces without slipping around.   +   Dash
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to High Jump.
13  
Knucklotec's Fist
During the battle against Knucklotec in the Sand Kingdom (and during the rematch in the Mushroom Kingdom), Mario can capture Knucklotec's Fist, which he can use to punch the foe in order to damage him. Similar to Bullet Bills, Knucklotec's Fist can only be captured for a short amount of time. Hold   to Accelerate
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to accelerate more.
14  
Mini Rocket
Mario can capture a Mini Rocket in order to blast off into the sky, where he can find a platforming challenge that awards a Power Moon when completed. He can also capture the Mini Rocket in the sky area in order to return to the main level he came from. Hold   to Launch
15  
Glydon
Mario can capture Glydon in order to glide across the Kingdoms and reach high areas that are too far for Mario to reach otherwise. Hold   to Glide
16  
Lakitu
Mario can capture Lakitu and use him to fish for Cheep Cheeps and Big Cheep Cheeps, the latter of which awards Mario with a Power Moon.   Lower / Raise Line
17  
Zipper
Mario can capture zippers in order to un-zip sections of the level and reveal hidden passages to Coins and Power Moons.   Move
18  
Cheep Cheep
Mario can capture a Cheep Cheep in order to swim faster and better while in the water. If the Cheep Cheep leaves the water, it will bounce around until it re-enters water. As a Cheep Cheep, Mario will not need to come to the water's surface for air.   Dive
  Surface
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to attack.
19  
Puzzle Part (Lake Kingdom)
Mario can capture a large stone rock in the Lake Kingdom in order to solve a puzzle for a Lochlady, who will award Mario with a Power Moon once the puzzle is solved.   Move
20  
Poison Piranha Plant
To capture a Poison Piranha Plant, Mario must first kick a rock into its mouth, which will then allow Cappy to land on top of the Plant's head (rather than the Piranha Plant eating Cappy). As a Poison Piranha Plant, Mario can spit balls of poison at other enemies or at the ground.   Spit
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to spit farther and faster.
21  
Uproot
Mario can capture Uproots in order to stretch their legs and reach high places that he could otherwise not reach. Mario can also use the Uproot to break otherwise unreachable Rock Blocks located high off the ground. Hold   to Stretch
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to stretch farther.
22  
Fire Bro
Mario can capture a Fire Bro to fire fireballs at enemies and objects, which will award Mario with Coins and, rarely, Power Moons.   Throw
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to throw faster.
23  
Sherm
Mario can capture tank-like enemies called Sherms and use them to fire cannonballs at enemies and mounds of dirt, which can open up the path to new areas.   Aim
  Shoot
You can also aim with the   Joy-Con (R)/  Pro Controller.
24  
Coin Coffer
Mario can capture a Coin Coffer and use it to fire his Coins at enemies and objects. Mario will also gain 30 free coins for capturing a Coin Coffer.   Shoot
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to scatter coins.
25  
Tree
Mario can capture a tree (in the Wooded Kingdom) in order to move it out of the way of a glowing spot on the ground, which hides a Power Moon.   Move
26  
Boulder
Mario can capture a rock (in the Wooded Kingdom) in order to move it out of the way of an alcove on the adjacent tree, which hides some regional coins.   Move
27  
Picture Match Part (Goomba)
Mario can capture a piece of a Goomba picture during the Picture Match mini-game in the Cloud Kingdom.   Rotate Left
  Rotate Right
  Place
28  
Tropical Wiggler
Mario can capture Tropical Wigglers and use them to stretch out and reach small platforms and alcoves that he could otherwise not reach.   +   Stretch
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to stretch faster.
29  
Pole
Mario can capture Poles (in the Metro Kingdom) to fling himself large distances and reach high or far areas.   Flick
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to flick farther.
30  
Manhole
Mario can capture the smaller manhole cover (in the Metro Kingdom) to move it out of the way and access a secret area containing two Power Moons and the bigger manhole cover (in the Metro Kingdom) to move it out of the way and access the Underground Power Plant.   Move
31  
Taxi
Mario can capture a taxi (in the Metro Kingdom), which will take him to a secret night-time area in the Kingdom filled with Sherms and Moon Shards, which Mario must collect to receive a Power Moon.   Move
32  
RC Car
Mario can capture a New Donker (in the Metro Kingdom) to control a small RC Car and drive it into a small cage holding a Power Moon.   Accelerate
  Steer
33  
Ty-foo
Mario can capture Ty-foos and use them to blow away enemies or blocks, which can open access to secret areas. Hold   to Exhale
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to blow harder.
34  
Shiverian Racer
Mario can capture a Shiverian Racer in order to participate in the Bound Bowl Grand Prix (in the Snow Kingdom).   Bound
You can also shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to bound.
35  
Cheep Cheep (Snow Kingdom)
Mario can capture purple Cheep Cheeps (in the Snow Kingdom), which behave exactly the same as the regular Cheep Cheeps, with the addition of not being hurt from freezing.   Dive
  Surface
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to attack.
36  
Gushen
Mario can capture Gushens and use them to spray jets of water, which can be used to reach high ledges where Power Moons can be found. Hold   to Jet Forward
Hold   to Jet Upward
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to spray in all directions.
37  
Lava Bubble
Mario can capture Lava Bubbles and use them to swim around lava and reach otherwise unreachable areas across the lava sea.   +   Dash
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to dash faster.
38  
Volbonan
Mario can capture Volbonans and use them to fling to high places that he could otherwise not reach.   Flick
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to flick farther.
39  
Hammer Bro
Mario can capture a Hammer Bro and use them to throw hammers (or frying pans in the Luncheon Kingdom), which can break mounds of dirt (mounds of cheese rocks in the Luncheon Kingdom) and reveal hidden objects underneath.   Throw
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to throw farther.
40  
Meat
Mario can capture a large slab of meat (in the Luncheon Kingdom) and use it to lure Cookatiel to pick it up and drop it in the large pot atop Mount Volbono, where a Multi Moon awaits. It cannot be captured again after defeating Cookatiel on the same save file.   Twitch
41  
Fire Piranha Plant
Mario can capture a Fire Piranha Plant and use it to spit fireballs at enemies or unlit torches, which can award the player with a Power Moon.   Spit
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to spit farther and faster.
42  
Pokio
Mario can capture a Pokio and use it to poke into a non-metal wall and fling himself upwards to reach higher areas that he could otherwise not reach.   Poke
  Jump
43  
Jizo
Mario can capture a Jizo statue and use it to line up with other Jizo statue rows, earn coins or Hearts from glowing spots on the ground, break cracked blocks, and weigh down certain P Switches.   +   Dash
44  
Bowser statue
Mario can capture a Bowser statue (in the Moon Kingdom) in order to move it out of the way of a small ditch containing a Power Moon.   Move
45  
Parabones
Mario can capture a Parabones and use it to fly across large pits of lava and reach distant platforms that he could otherwise not reach.   Fly
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to fly faster.
46  
Banzai Bill
Mario can capture a Banzai Bill, which will make him temporarily invincible (until the Banzai Bill hits a solid wall or blows itself up), allowing Mario to cross large areas of lava or destroy large blocks of stone. Hold   to Accelerate
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to accelerate more.
47  
Chargin' Chuck
Mario can capture a Chargin' Chuck and use it to charge through boulders or other tough obstacles in the way. Hold   to Charge Up
Release   to Tackle
48  
Bowser
Mario can capture an unconscious Bowser (during the story events of the Moon Kingdom) and use him to destroy large blocks of stone. He is the only capture that cannot be de-captured when used.   Attack
  Jump
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to breathe fire.
49  
Letter
Mario can capture the letters M, A, R, I and O (in the Metro Kingdom) and use them to spell out the word "Mario", which will reward him with a Power Moon.   +   Dash
Shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to dash faster.
50  
Puzzle Part (Metro Kingdom)
Mario can capture an uncharged block in the New Donk City Power Plant in order to place it on top of a socket, which will power it up and reward the player with a Power Moon.   Move
51  
Picture Match Part (Mario)
Mario can capture a piece of a Mario picture during the Picture Match mini-game in the Mushroom Kingdom.   Rotate Left
  Rotate Right
  Place
52  
Yoshi
Mario can capture Yoshi and use him to eat several berries scattered across the area where he is found. Eating 10 of these berries rewards Mario with a Power Moon.   Extend Tongue
Hold   to Flutter Jump
You can also shake the   Joy-Con/  Pro Controller to extend tongue.

Gallery

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese キャプチャー[?]
Kyapuchā
Capture
Chinese 附身[?]
Fùshēn
Possess
German Capern[?] From "Kapern" (capture)
Korean 캡처[?]
Capcheo
Capture
Russian Зашляпивание[?]
Zashlyapivanie
Verb derived from шляпа (hat).
Spanish Capturar[?] Capture

Trivia

 
Bowser after capturing Peach as shown in one of the pages of The Art of Super Mario Odyssey

   

A captured Goomba compared with a Goomba under the effects of a Big Mushroom

   

Bowser's captured sprite and his Big Mario sprite
  • According to The Art of Super Mario Odyssey, not only was Bowser going to have access to the capture abilities, but he would have used it to take over Princess Peach's body, with her gaining an appearance that bears a much closer resemblance to Bowser when captured by him than most captured beings in the final game do to Mario.[1] There is also picture of Mario capturing Princess Peach, which implies that she was originally intended to be a capturable character.[2]
  • In the E3 2017 trailer for Super Mario Odyssey, Mario's pole capture was shown to have Mario's mustache.[3] This is not the case in the final game. However, the pole's in-game model retains the mustache despite not using it, which can be seen via glitches.[4]
  • Many of the enemies captured by Mario resemble their Big Mario sprites in Super Mario Maker. The only differences between Bowser's appearance in the 8-bit section of the final boss sequence and his Big Mushroom form are the lack of cap and a different mustache.

References