Skip to main content

Long read: How TikTok's most intriguing geolocator makes a story out of a game

Where in the world is Josemonkey?

If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Super Mario Odyssey - Pest Problem and A Fresh Start for the City

How to complete the Metro Kingdom objective.

Pest Problem and A Fresh Start for the City are objectives you'll encounter about halfway through Super Mario Odyssey, which follow on from Super Mario Odyssey - New Donk City, The Scourge on the Skyscraper.

You'll find our full walkthrough for them here, whilst you can head back to our main Super Mario Odyssey guide, walkthrough and tips hub for plenty more on all aspects of the game!

Pest Problem

Immediately run over and posses the Sherm tank to your left, then use its cannon to shoot out all the lights on its body (one shot is enough to take out quite a few, so it shouldn't take too many to knock them all out). Keep firing now it's gone still until its flashes, turns orange and disappears into a purple vortex.

A vortex will open in front of you with an orange light aiming out at you from it. Strafe to the right and avoid the boss as it rushes towards you and another purple vortex. After two or three passes, the vortex will fire out some slow moving energy balls at you. This can be tough to avoid so keep moving.

Repeat the process twice more, but watch out for the increased number of energy balls. These are also fired from any glowing sections on the boss that haven't been shot out by your cannon. When it's beaten, the boss will explode, revealing a Multi Moon for your troubles.


Need more help? Our Super Mario Odyssey guide and walkthrough goes through every objective in each Kingdom, while our Power Moon locations can help you track down the likes of Cascade Kingdom Power Moons, Sand Kingdom Power Moons, Metro Kingdom and New Donk City Power Moons and more collectables. We also have Purple Coin locations for each Kingdom, and if you want to know what to spend it on, we have a hats list, outfits list, stickers list, a souvenirs list as well as a music list to kit out the appearance of both Mario and the Odyssey. Once you've finished the game, check out the free Balloon World update, too.


A Fresh Start for the City

Now the boss has been banished, the rainy noir look has left with it, turning New Donk City into a bright metropolis. You still need lots more Power Moons, so it's time to head into the city and speak to Mayor Pauline.

From this point on, New Donk City is no longer a walled-off, rain-soaked nightmare. Practically everything can be explored and collected (bar a few things that unlock after you finish the story). On your travels be sure to keep an eye out for a Jurassic Park-style chase involving a T-Rex and a moped (check out our Power Moons Guide for more info on that little doozy), a hidden mini-game involving a horde of Bullet Bills and plenty of Moons to grab.

Verticality is a huge part of this level, so look out for Poles (which fling you up to higher levels) and your old friend the Spark pylon). So keep things moving, fling Cappy onto the newly-placed Spark pylon and ride it down to the street. Run across the checkpoint (Main Street Entrance) and run down the long street to reach the mayor at the end.

Next up: Super Mario Odyssey - Getting the Band Together: Band member locations
Also see: Metro Kingdom Power Moons
And: Purple Penny locations

Run across the checkpoint here (New Donk City Hall Plaza) and press 'A' by Mayor Pauline to speak to her.