9: T-Rex
If you had told anyone years ago that the next Mario game would allow Mario to become a photo-realistic Tyrannosaurus Rex, nobody would have believed you. Yet, here we are. As early as the Cascade Kingdom, Mario encounters a T-Rex and, as you do in Mario Odyssey, you throw your hat at it and take it for a ride.
What makes the T-Rex such a delight is how empowering it is. When you’re controlling this beast there is nothing that can stand before you. The biggest boulders crumble like pebbles and even the biggest, baddest Chain-Chomps are no match for you. It’s close to, if not the strongest capture in the entire game. So why is it only at ninth place?
Well, for one thing the T-Rex is actually a bit of a pain to control. His movements have a slow, cumbersome windup and turning him can be a chore. Not to mention in all of the game you encounter it only a few times and there’s not a lot you can do aside from “Roar, Smash Smash.” There’s a lot of initial fun to the T-Rex, but not a lot of depth. Factor this in with its limited use and short timer and it makes the list. Just not very high on it.