Capture

Artwork of Mario capturing a Goomba

Capture is an ability that Mario gains in Super Mario Odyssey. His Bonneter friend, Cappy, grants him this power when they team up in the Cap Kingdom. The name itself is a wordplay on "cap." When Cappy is thrown at certain enemies, creatures, or objects, such as Goombas, Cappy pulls Mario into the enemy, creature, or object. Once the action is complete, Mario is able to take control of it and use its abilities. Many of these are new to the Super Mario franchise. Captured entities are still "Mario," in that they can collect items and take damage. The latter depletes Mario's Health Meter. When Mario captures something, that thing gains his hat and usually his mustache, as well as blue pupils or his irises (if it has eyes). Mario can also "de-capture" his host at will when the player presses /. (In-game, this is written as Release Capture.) If he was capturing an enemy, it is stunned for a while, with some exceptions. Some scenarios prevent Mario from releasing a captured entity.

The warp involved for capturing can occur over any distance. Time is frozen for the animation's duration. While Cappy is on the captured entity, the hat is shown to be Mario's cap and does not correspond to any hats Mario wears. When Mario collects Power Moons not tied to objectives, he is shown outside the entity for the cutscene. When gameplay resumes, Mario is still capturing the entity.

Mario can capture only entities or objects that are not wearing hats (or similar headgear). Sometimes, he is able to remove such a hat by jumping or hitting it with Cappy. Other times, the hat cannot be removed, and capturing is not possible at all. If an instance of an object can be captured when most other versions of it are not, a pin with a question mark icon on it usually sticks out of the top of the object. The pin is usually green, but it has some color variation depending on the object. Certain unique objects, such as Puzzle Parts, have these pins.

Many captures of characters allow Mario to move around freely as them. Even still, there are some restrictions placed. A captured character cannot move into a separate map: They disappear if Mario goes through a Pipe, including 8-bit pipes, and Mario appears on the other side of any transition without the captured character. Only Cheep Cheep and Gushen can touch deep water, so all other characters disappear on contact with it. This means Mario stops capturing the character and pops up as though he released them. This also happens if any character touches lava or poison that defeats Mario instantly. Captured characters cannot start conversations or read Travel Tips. They cannot ride motor scooters or the Jaxi. Non-player characters are usually scared of enemies, having a different animation and differing text compared to their normal state. Captured characters vanish when collecting any Power Moon that completes an objective because of the resulting cutscene.

In single-player mode, Mario cannot use the Cap Throw while capturing another entity. Therefore, he cannot capture other entities until he releases the first entity. Spark pylons are a exception; if Mario touches one while capturing some characters, he swaps over to the spark pylon. In two-player mode, Cappy is capable of taking off while something is captured, and he can capture another entity. This releases what Mario is currently capturing and swaps to the second entity. However, captured characters cannot cap-jump. Cappy cannot capture other things while Mario is on a motor scooter. He instead lands then pops back off.

When Mario captures something for the first time, that thing is added to the Capture List, in addition to the Capture Actions section of the Action Guide. The Capture List has a complete list of all 52 of the game's capturable entities, while the Capture Actions list includes only 24 of them. Both menus list out that character's or item's basic actions, but the Capture Actions menu shows a short video of those moves.

Capturing can have a lingering effect on the user, as the first time Cappy and Mario used a spark pylon, Cappy noted that he still felt amped afterward. Capturing is something that all Bonneters are implied to be able to perform. The Power Moons with names featuring the recurring phrase "Hat and Seek" all involve finding Bonneters hidden on people. Dialogue implies they are capturing those people. Two Bonneters in the Cap Kingdom reference capturing. One wishes there was something for them to capture; the other questions if capturing will become popular.

Capture List

#	Capture	Description	Controls	Has Pin?	Is in Capture Actions?
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. They control identically to Bullet Bills, though Knucklotec's Fist does not explode and instead forces Mario out when it runs out 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 (which award coins or hearts) and Big Cheep Cheeps (which award Power Moons).	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 Sherms and use them to fire rockets 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, and an exception to a number of capture rules.	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

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  Mario, Cappy, and captured transformations

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  Mario capturing a Goomba

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  An illustration showing Mario capturing a Goomba

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  Captured Goomba

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  Captured Chain Chomp

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  Captured Bullet Bill

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  Captured Hammer Bro

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  Captured Hammer Bro drawn by Kinopio-kun

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  Captured Lava Bubble

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  Captured Cheep Cheep

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  Captured Sherm

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  Captured Moe-Eye

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  Captured Uproot

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  Captured T-Rex

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  Captured Yoshi and Bowser from Super Mario-kun

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  Captured Poochy from a 2018 New Year greeting card drawn by Yukio Sawada

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  Captured Kinopio-kun from Nintendo's official LINE account

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  Various captured transformations from a Japanese commercial promoting the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	キャプチャー[?] Kyapuchā	Capture
Chinese	附身[?] Fùshēn	Possess
French	Chapimorphose[?]	Portmanteau of "chapeau" (hat) and "métamorphose" (metamorphosis)
German	Capern[?]	From "Kapern" (capture)
Italian	Cap-tura[?]	Cap-ture
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. There is also a picture of Mario capturing Princess Peach, which implies that she was originally intended to be a capturable character.
• In the E3 2017 trailer for Super Mario Odyssey, Mario's pole capture was shown to have Mario's mustache. 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.
• 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.
• The capture mechanic coincidentally resembles the Swipin' Stu gaining Mario's mustache after stealing and donning his cap from Super Mario Sunshine.