Super Mario Sunshine (Nintendo GameCube, 2002)

Takes Some Getting Used To, But Unique and Definitely Worth Having

The gimmick of the game (F.L.U.D.D.) is unusual and can take some adjusting to if you’re used to more traditional Mario games. But it makes for some unique challenges and is quite fun to play around with. Tasks can be repetitive and at times feel like filler. For example, a shine in every world that involves nothing but chasing down Shadow Mario. But the majority of shines in the game are creative. Most of them are significantly more challenging than other Mario games, although this is in some part due to the game’s occasionally wonky physics that can make it difficult to land the precise jumps necessary for this type of platformer. When you do finally get a difficult shine, though, it’s very satisfying. Visually, the game is gorgeous. Especially the water, which wouldn’t be out of place in a modern Mario game. The story mostly follows the typical Mario storyline we’ve come to expect. But it is special in the fact that it features one of the very few instances of fully voice acted cutscenes in a Mario game.
Overall, I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The mechanics can initially seem polarizing, and gameplay is sometimes repetitive. But the pros outweigh the cons and once you get the hang of it, it’s pure Mario fun.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: cw-diversified

This game played for about 10 minutes an...

This game played for about 10 minutes and would crash at the same place every time. I am going to try and get it resurfaced and see if that fixes the issue, but I’m disappointed. I bought this copy because it was a not for resale version. I am going to keep it because I wanted the case and will have to order a disc only copy because this disc doesn’t work.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: jwsales-8

Super Mario Sunshine Had Not Aged Well

This was regarded as one of the greatest Nintendo games of all time. I can see how this might have been amazing in 2002 but it hasn't aged well at all. The camera is very frustrating. It is either too close, too far, wrong angle, or just trapped in a wall. The controls are sluggish which make using the water canon difficult. The story is wonderful! I especially liked all the characters. The levels are very small by today's standards but well built. Overall, unless you just want to play all the Mario games and this one is on the list I honestly don't recommend it.Read full review

A new addition to my favorite Mario games!

I always desired this game as a kid, but never acquired it. But I sure am glad I made up for lost time, as it gave me a lot of fun! It has the same appeal as my favorite Super Mario 64, as it is a 3-d platformer with large environments to explore, and fun challenges! I think it is more advanced than Mario 64 due to better graphics, more voice acting, more actions due to flood etc. All in all, it's a pretty fun game! One of my new favorite Mario games!Read full review

One of Mario's Better Entries

A bright, colorful and open level design compliments smooth (albeit a little frustrating at times) controls for a fairly relaxing 3D platformer that lets you set your own pace. The camera, as with many 3D games of the era, is not perfect, and the different environments can occasionally blend together in a sort of tropical paradise soup, but these are more nitpicks than anything.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: avilaulau

Mario’s Underrated Adventure

In between the phenomenal Mario 64 and Mario Galaxy, is Super Mario Sunshine. This game is worth the play through. For the GameCube and it’s era, the graphics were great! The story was a typical Mario tale but the setting and locales is what made the game. The concept of the water pack was hit or miss with the controls. Overall, I would recommend this Mario adventure to any Nintendo fan or any fan of the plumber himself. Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: getsomegames2012

Super Mario Sunshine: The “black sheep” of 3D Mario Games

When you see people talk about Mario games, specifically the 3D games, you always hear them gush about 64, Galaxy and the most recent, Odyssey. But you don’t hear about Sunshine as much. Despite releasing to critical acclaim overall, the game was a bit polarizing with fans. Coming off the massive shoulders of Super Mario 64 and releasing during a time where 3D platformers were still over-saturating the market, Sunshine was a curiosity.

Gone are the traditional fire, ice, forest, etc themed levels, replaced by an tropical-island filled adventure. Each stage still has a specific theme( a lazy country-side, a harbor, a amusement park, a massive beach, a hotel resort, etc) but they are drenched in sunny rays and lots of water. The lack of thematic variety may be a let down for some, but they absolutely nailed what they were trying to achieve with their tropical paradise and gameplay mechanics tied to them.

Speaking of unique gameplay mechanics, Sunshine introduced the F.L.U.D.D. device, which basically functions as a water jet pack for Mario with additional properties( a weaponized water gun, rocket jumps, etc). It enhances the gameplay by making combat have a bit more depth and allowing the platforming to be more challenging and varied as you have significantly more aerial maneuverability.

Outside of the thematic change and introduction of the F.L.U.D.D., the game is very similar to 64. You have a sizeable hub world filled with hidden secrets and and collectibles, and each stage is entered by jumping into an M-like graffiti tag(ala paintings from 64). You must collect a certain amount of Shine Sprites to unlock new levels and ultimately proceed to the final stage. Each level contains 7 or so specific challenges that reward a single Shine Sprite. It’s a bit more linear than 64, where you could collect the Stars out of order, but the principle remains the same.

As with most Nintendo games, the presentation is top notch. The graphics are colorful and vibrant and still hold up pretty well today. The music is catchy and while a little cheesy, the (surprising) amount of voice acting is endearing. The story itself is a little more involved than most Mario games, though that’s not saying much. After setting the stage as a tropical vacation for Mario and company, it plays up a “whodunit” mystery in the early hours, but it quickly reveals the twist of the main bad guy(and an amusing reference to Luigi’s Mansion), and is a straightforward “save the princess!” plot after the reveal. The game is solid in length. Depending on your level of skill, it should only take 8-10 hours(give or take) to get to the final boss, but as the game is fairly challenging, you can add several more hours if you plan to collect all the Shine Sprites.

One specific gameplay element I’d be remiss to not give a mention is the challenge stages. Throughout each level, there are various...challenge encounters, we’ll call them. In these stages, you lose your F.L.U.D.D. device, and must rely on pure platforming skills to win. The levels are very clearly the precursor to the entirety of Super Mario Galaxies’ level design. These levels are often suspended high in space/the sky, with fairly psychedelic imagery. They are among the hardest levels in the game, with rotating blocks and disappearing platforms doing their best to lead you to an untimely demise. It is both ironic and unfortunate that what is arguably the most memorable of Super Mario Sunshine’s levels do not use the games primary new gameplay mechanic.

Other than the aforementioned thematic changes to both environment and gameplay(which are definitely just personal preferences), the only real complaint I can leverage against Sunshine is its camera. As with most 3D platformers of that time, camera control could be awkward and frustrating. Unfortunately, thanks to the verticality and labyrinth-like design of some of Sunshine’s levels, the problems are exacerbated. The game even features a camera mechanic that does this sort of “see-through” effect if you’re behind an object, showing Mario and his very immediate surroundings as black silhouettes. While it’s a solid attempt, it’s still a case of knowing the problem was there to begin with.

Overall, Sunshine is a really great game that unfortunately had to live in Super Mario 64’s shadow and was followed by the best in class Super Mario Galaxy. It was unique and tried to change up the status quo of 3D platformers. I personally really enjoy this game and the changes it brought to the table, both when I was a teenager back in 2003 and now when I’m a bit older(and possibly wiser). Aside from the camera, it has aged fairly well. A good condition copy will run you around $40 now, and I say it’s worth every penny, considering it was $50 back at launch. You owe it to yourself to play the oddest and most unsung of Mario’s 3D platforming days. This is one vacation you definitely want to take!Read full review

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Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: reaper_games

A great classic.

Mario Sunshine is still a great game and a pretty decent albeit frustrating, difficulty curve (you know the Pachinko level). The graphics for the time were amazing. It is a game that is still just as great now as it was when it was released way back when. Brings back memories of childhood with this game.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: anaraybar121

Plays Well Despite Loose in Case

The game did arrive loose in the case, moving all around when I opened the package not knowing. I'm guessing it would have been moving all around in transport too. It fits perfectly onto the area where it's supposed to be pushed down onto, so I'm not sure what happened. Luckily that didn't do any damage and it still works, plays fine, no glitches. Please be more careful when packaging up and shipping a gameRead full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: good-az-new

Great game, great game disc

The game's in good condition and works great! I lost my own copy like 15 years ago, but I've had the manual and case this whole time. Now it has a game disc to go with it!

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: apgames1

Relieving my childhood

I was looking for Super Mario Sunshine to replace the one I had as a child, as that disc will no longer read.

This brings back many memories from way ago, however one complaint I do have is that the disc gave an error after starting a new game on the FLUDD tutorial cutscene. Rubbing the disc with a damp towel and wiping it with a soft cloth did fix the problem and I haven't encountered any disc errors.

An 8.5/10 for me considering the disc is scratched and did give me a disc error mere minutes of playing, but that problem is easily mitigated.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: sooyoung365