Super Mario Sunshine

The premise of the game is that Mario's tropical holiday is ruined when he's stitched up by an evil lookalike for daubing graffiti all over the island. Rather conveniently there's an extremely useful water pump waiting for him to use, which not only washes away the mess but also doubles as a handy jet pack. The jet pack aspect means that whenever you fall off something you have the chance to immediately recover yourself; this built-in safety net means the game can afford to be far more ambitious in its level designs than ever before, with massive levels filled with trampolines, tightropes, water-powered windmills, huge coral reefs and mountains and mountains of platforms.

The whole thing looks amazing, too, with the most realistic water ever seen in a video game and a near infinite draw distance. And that's without evening mentioning the rideable, fruit juice-spewing Yoshis, the extra water nozzles, the super-hardcore platform levels where Shadow Mario nicks your jet pack, or the goop-generating bosses who seem to live to make Princess Peach's laundry a nightmare.

After the sweet but rather short pleasures of Luigi's Mansion and Pikmin, you need have no fear that Mario Sunshine is of a similarly brief nature. There are a total of 120 shines to collect--the same number of stars as in Super Mario 64--and the game world is at least as large and far more interactive. This is without question the best game on the GameCube yet; that may be no more than you'd expect from a Mario game, but it's certainly more than most of us mere mortals deserve. --David Jenkins

Mario, Princess Peach and Toad are heading on a plane towards their holiday destination, Isle Delfino. But trouble begins from the moment they land as some form of goo covers the runway. Mario immediately takes on FLUDD (Flash Liquidiser Ultra Dousing Device), a water-squirting backpack courtesy of Professor E. Gadd enterprises (remember the scientist from Luigi’s Mansion?) and begins to clear the mess. To thank Mario though, the island’s citizens throw him into prison, accusing him of causing the foul graffiti.

When he is finally released, his relaxation time is over, as his sentence is to clean the island and trap a fiend impersonating him…and naturally, Peach is kidnapped. The plot is of little importance but it’s intriguing to see this game containing more story than its predecessors, as you actually feel like taking part in an adventure rather than persistently tackling new stages. This is aided by the central hub being a vibrant seaside town instead of a deserted castle (i.e. Super Mario 64), although the tropical theme, while Making SMS feel unified and whole, lacks the abstract inventiveness of Super Mario 64. Still, the move clear of the forest-sand-ice-lava world custom is refreshing and each stage seems to have its own originality of carribean influences.

Speaking of originality, this games primary feature is the FLUDD. Now when I first heard this before the games’ release, the idea of a water-squirting backpack in Mario’s first GameCube title was about as bizarre as the idea of a vacuum cleaner in Luigi’s first GameCube title. I criticized and criticized, despite not having played the game. Yet all the time I forgot my status as a keen Nintendo and Mario fanatic and Mario’s status as the spearhead of Nintendo, who has rarely (if ever) let us down in any of his games. It’s easy to criticize anything when you haven’t actually tried or seen it, but the fact I did at Mario is simply unforgivable.

Those fortunate enough to have owned Super Mario 64 will feel at home with the game physics. The jumping, back flips, wall jump etc. naturally make an appearance but it’s the combat system that has undergone dramatic changes. By simply squeezing the right trigger, the FLUDD propels a blast of water that whacks your enemy. It isn’t only used as a weapon but is also your primary means of exploration and is vital to retrieving Shines (SMS’s Star equivalent). Beside the spray, there are three additional functions. The jetpack launches Mario into the air and allows him to move whilst hovering, the jet boost is a more powerful version of the jetpack although you cannot continue hovering, and the propeller is a speedy alternative of transportation on land or water.

It all sounds like a huge and daring step to have taken since Super Mario 64, but this is precisely what makes it complete fun to play. You didn’t have to follow a linear path on the N64, and Mario’s incredible agility showed that a daunting degree of freedom is infinitely preferable to the sensible yet boring thing. SMS has the exact feeling, but somehow it excels its predecessor as it makes everything much harder. It does feature an excellent learning curve but when it gets challenging, it is challenging. This is evident in the hanging-in-space levels when your FLUDD is often removed. Your immediate impression is fear because you have been naturally dependent on the FLUDD and you are forced to fall back on Mario’s innate abilities you mastered on the N64. When there is risk, there is fun and therefore, these stages are a massive thrill.

But what is a Mario game without impressive visuals. This game is simply gorgeous. It’s breathtakingly colourful and lush to look at, even if lacking in immense detail. That’s the cue for anti-child game players to nitpick, but they are missing the point. Mario doesn’t need realistic textures, although the water effects are literally to die for, they are that amazing, and it isn’t since Zelda: Ocarina of Time that I’ve felt transported to a virtual environment. In general, every sun-kissed polygon is like an eye-massage and is a consistent treat of sheer beauty for your eyeballs.

As good as the game is, those expecting a quantum leap since Super Mario 64 will be disappointed. It’s a case of evolution not revolution and is a refinement of what’s gone on before; essentially it’s a glorified version of the N64 classic. I found other disappointments too. Some activities are repetitive (chasing your rival), Yoshi (yes, the lovable green dinosaur!) is useable but not enough for our needs, the difficulty can be terrifically hard (yet it’s always challenging and never unfair) and the camera has opted toward manual control, which does enable greater precision but a lot of adjustments during gameplay…but these are little irritations.

The homage detail is done in a subtle yet brilliant manner, enough in fact to bring along fond memories of past legends staring the plump Italian plumber, such as staring at the sun to enter a bonus stage or even the themes and game sounds. There are lots of simply magical moments, but it’s far better to experience them for yourself. Even if over a year old, it will take many years before this game (like its’ predecessor) begins to show age. Super Mario Sunshine has not triumphed over Super Mario 64, but has definitely earned more than the right to stand next to it proudly and hold its’ head high.


Excellent game! 9/10   September 16, 2006
 14 out of 16 found this review helpful

I'm really annoyed. I'm annoyed at the fact that Sunshine has had some terrible reviews, causing its average score to plummet to an average 4 stars! First of all, the people who have given this game a 1,2 or 3 star review are not providing a lot of detail and aren't really conveying their opinions to the best of their ability- this automatically should cause their reviews to be ignored, and maybe even deleted.
Sunshine's an excellent game, offering beautiful sceneries and worlds, filled with lots of colour and water! The graphics are amazing, especially as it was released very early in the gamecube's lifespan. The water may very well be the most realistic looking water ever in videogames, and i'm not using the word "ever" in vein at all. It's wonderful and amazingly fun to splash about in the deep oceons that Sunshine provides, and also rewarding as you can find hidden treasures and mini-games, resulting in Shine Sprites! By the way, Shine Sprites are the new Stars, and they look so cool, believe me!
The game mechanics are similar to 64, except that this time around you have a new compadre, Fludd! This doesn't ruin the game at all, but merely improves it. For example, if your simply running around with mario, you could spray a bit of water in front of him and slide down the path with sprays of water rushing from mario's sides. This is both, fun and visually stunning. Sunshine offers everything you could want from a platformer. Cool, unique bosses, big and bright levels and simple controls. This results in a game that is, without a doubt the best platformer of this generation. I've played lots of platformers, jak and daxter (all of them), ratchet and clank (all three) and even that platformer on the xbox based around a stupid racoon. Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank are amazing games, flawless on the PS2, but compared to Sunshine they're nothing. I'm not a nintendo boy, but Sunshine is the best. I can understand people complaining about the fact that its worse than Mario 64, but be realistic, no game is going to have the same impact Mario 64 did, ever! Bottom line, this is the best this generation is going to offer when it comes to platformers. 9/10. It's not a 10 because the background characters are simply annoying, and because it's not mario 64;) Just give it a chance.


A solid game   January 4, 2007
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Mario has been around a while, and has starred in some ace games, such as the brilliant Mario 64. Mario 64 set the standard for all platformers to be at if they were truly great. Mario Sunshine is a great game but does not have the qualities to match the awesome Mario 64. This is probably the first mario game with a 'gimmick'. FLUDD is a back pack which mario wears and can spray water. This adds some new puzzle elements to the game, but also takes some away. For instance FLUDD can be used to clear away mud, whereas in Mario 64 this was imposible. However, now Mario can use FLUDD to cross big gaps, whereas in Mario 64, Mario would have to find a switch to make platforms appear. It swings in roundabouts. But what I first noticed about the game was the graphics. These are the most beautiful graphics on the GC. Overall i like this game. It is not more of the same. Which is is good and bad points. I still recommend it highly


Great!   December 1, 2003
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Has it really been 6yrs since Mario 64, Arguably the greatest platformer ever, Blessed our little old N64's ? Thats a Tradgety to the gaming world. Mario Has always prided himself on having fun, Addictive games....Heck nothing's changed!

The Story --

Mario, Peach and her followers go on Holiday to Isle Delfino. When the plane touches down theres a mysterious figure that looks strangely like Mario who is Spreading "Goop" all around the city. The "Goop" Takes all of the Isle's Shine Sprites - the things that make the sun shine, so the city is in total darkness. Mario is then wrongfully arrested amd his punishment is to clean up all the "Goop", ofcourse Mario also plans on finding the real criminal. And a few plot twists later Bowser comes into the game (Didn't see that coming).

The GamePlay --

The biggest Obvious difference from Mario 64 is the inclusion of the FLUDD. This is a type of water pack that has 4 different uses. You can use it to shoot water foward, Backwards to push you foward faster, Down Like a rocket to make you jusp super high, and the hover nozel to help make those jumps last abit longer! This makes this game very different from the previous Marios. You have four different options on how to get from A to B. you very rarely come across a jump that you dont need the FLUDD for. This FLUDD can be very confusing and annoying at first but once you get used to it you'll love it! You'll find yourself feeling quite naked without in on certain bonus levels, it really does add to the gameplay! The swimming tho is quite bad, it was a joy in Mario 64 to jump into the water but in SMS swimming underwater is hard and frustrating - probally the reason you hardly do any! As always Mario has numerous types of jumps, although the FLUDD prevents him from bending down which means not backwards summersault! But with the loss of one comes 3 new moves, the spin jump, Sideways jump, And wall kick (yes it was in Mario 64 but its much, much better now). You can also Squirt water infront of you the slide on it for quicker travel (although i didn't use this once!).

The Graphics --

If you think Mario 64 was bright think again, this game occastionally dazels you! That said the water is absoulutely beautiful and you wont find effects like this anywhere else, not even on that big black box! Mario, the towns people, and enemies are as detailed as ever and are very imaginitive.

LifeSpan --

This game is really massive, Each level has 8 missions, 2 secret missions, and a collect 100coins challenges. in all theres 120shine sprites to collect. you need a minimum of 80 to complete the game and to get all 120 you have to do all missions, and collect every single coin....thats tough. To complete the game with the minimal number of shines it will take you 2 - 3 weeks.

Overall --

Ok so it isn't the classic that Mario 64, so what! This is the Best Platforming game that you will get on Gamecube, it's also heaps better than any other consoles platformers! This game shows you that Mario still has it unlike his Blue Spikey Freind, and is a great challenge! Just please Ninty - Make another Mario game before the Gamecube dies, or within the next six years for that matter! 96%