Mario’s latest adventure opens from a familiar point – Bowser kidnaps Peach, yet again – but this time the rescue effort takes the agile plumber in exciting new directions. This is largely thanks to Cappy, a living hat and Mario’s new partner. Throw Cappy at practically anything, from enemy Goombas to snoozing T rexes, and Mario takes control of it, offering new ways to play and explore. Many of these transformations are crucial in hunting down “Power Moons”, the game’s main collectible.

While the platforming remains as precise as ever, the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers give players more control. Coupled with Cappy’s other uses as a ranged weapon or hovering jump pad, Mario springs around like never before. A good thing too, as the colourful, imaginative and keenly designed worlds they visit will test players’ skills to their utmost with fierce challenges to get the tougher Moons. Packed with inventiveness and simply joyous moments of gaming, this is an essential Switch purchase.