In the right light, Nintendo’s much-anticipated new Mario game Super Mario Odyssey is very disturbing. 

In the freshly-revealed gameplay released at this week’s E3, fans finally got to see the mechanics and features of a game they had only seen bits and pieces of since it was announced last winter. And while it looks great and will surely sell through the roof when it releases Oct. 27, there’s something intrinsically weird about one of the game’s core mechanics. 

You see, in this game, Mario has a new hat. The hat’s name is Cappy. Isn’t that cute?

Cappy has eyes. Which is a little weird.

Cappy also allows Mario the ability to inhabit many other objects, including the bodies of most other life forms. 

Wait, what?

Yes, most of the semi-sentient, or at least conscious, beings in the world of Super Mario Odyssey can be taken over by the Italian plumber. He simply becomes that koopa troopa, or that bullet Bill, or that Tyrannosaurus Rex.

If you’re one for philosophical pondering, or if you’re stoned, this might seem pretty upsetting. 

In one swift toss of a hat, these poor creatures immediately lose all control, all self automation, all free will. Mario is the co-opting, invasive force that removes the very basics of personal sovereignty from those he chooses. He’s like that spore that turns ants into zombies. He is the puppet master. He is the antithesis of instinct and choice. He destroys self preservation. 

It’s quite the distressing realization that the one of, if not the most, recognizable video game hero has sunk to this level of sinister occupation, this possession.

I mean, this dinosaur was just sleeping peacefully, until some plumber wanted to take over its body.

The dread, the existential dread, that this arises has cast its shadow over Twitter as well, which has tried to deal with what this exactly means to consciousness, to ourselves. Many have been very creative with trying to wrestle with that very idea.

I suppose the best thing to do is just not think about it. Let’s just all not think about it. 

Wait, but you are playing Mario controlling other things. YOU are the real villain after all! But then, it’s the developers who MADE this game and so…

NO. Just don’t think about it. Just continue to believe in the existence of free will. 

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