In this issue

Are you familiar with someone "who wears many hats"? Asking about the phrase itself here. If you're not, I should explain in order to make this issue's name and theme make sense – it's a title traditionally given to someone who has a lot of different jobs, but somehow manages to do them all well. Like a busy, overworked parent who's able to balance raising their kids with the demands of their work outside the home, or maybe someone in an office setting who runs around the building serving in several roles while most everyone else sits in one spot, doing just one thing.

We're taking the liberty of applying the title of "The Man of Many Hats" to Mario now, and we do so because, well, of what I just described: Mario is the most versatile character in the history of the video game industry, starring in a huge variety of different games, taking on more roles than anyone else ever has. A platforming hero. A go-kart driver. A prescription-hurling physician, a party animal . . . an Olympic athlete, for goodness sakes! There's nothing he can't do.

That's just covering the figurative meaning of the phrase, though. If you take it literally, it still holds true! Mario has worn tons of different actual hats beyond his signature red cap over the years, both through costume changes and from the power-ups he's grabbed that have shifted his shape and style. We look back on his changeable nature here in this issue, as Super Mario Odyssey is now giving him more wardrobe options and body shapes than ever before, all packed into one epic adventure around the globe! I hope you enjoy this all-new NF issue, and I hope it renews your appreciation for Mario – truly the Man of Many Hats!

NF Magazine - Made by the Nintendo Force! Description:

Nintendo Power got unplugged. It was the original source of news, previews and reviews of the Nintendo video game scene, published continuously since the '80s until being unceremoniously shut down in December 2012 – but its legacy didn't die. A new team of writers, artists and designers took up its torch. Calling ourselves "The Nintendo Force," we've ushered in a new era of Nintendo coverage in magazine form, paying homage to Power's past while moving forward to embrace the future. So join us! Join the Force of Nintendo fans. NP is no more, but NF is its next chapter!