Super Mario Sunshine

 GameCube
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1033 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 843 out of 1033
  2. Mixed: 126 out of 1033
  3. Negative: 64 out of 1033
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  1. nintendopwns
    Nov 15, 2017
    2
    It's not just the blue coins that are the problem. There is just an insane amount of unfun things that the game wants you to do. The hub world is absolutely incredible though and is clearly the best thing about the game.
  2. Bmorello232
    Mar 20, 2021
    0
    I don't know how people can say this game is a great game. I won't say it's terrible but it's an extremely unfair and unforgivable game. Your life system is complet garbage, the controls don't work, and mario doesn't do what you control him to do. The eel boss level is extremely annoying and you constantly are having to worry and stress about your lives constantly going down. AnotherI don't know how people can say this game is a great game. I won't say it's terrible but it's an extremely unfair and unforgivable game. Your life system is complet garbage, the controls don't work, and mario doesn't do what you control him to do. The eel boss level is extremely annoying and you constantly are having to worry and stress about your lives constantly going down. Another moment that really pissed me off was when I revisited the platform level. I didn't make the time and it kicked me out. This is the worst mario game and I hate it and never will play it again. Nintendo are idiots for making this game so unfair.… Expand
  3. PacMax
    Oct 6, 2018
    2
    A huge step down form 64, with awful graphics, awful music, and a load of trial-and-error nonsense, this game is one of the most annoying ever to be made.
  4. RealMonkey
    Oct 1, 2021
    0
    This game is one of the most overated games i had ever played the audio is compressed the controls are extremely difficult.
  5. Linkfan
    Mar 28, 2017
    2
    Freaking voice acting! The most fun levels are the bonus super mario galaxy-esque levels. Some of the levels in this game are really frustrating and the voice acting is awful!
  6. DemonicAngel
    Nov 26, 2003
    3
    I want some of what these reviewers were obviously smoking. Either that, or I must be playing the wrong game. Graphics and sound are lovely, but the controls seem too loose for a Mario game, and the third-person camera is the single worst third-person camera I have ever experienced. Combining these faults makes accurate control no more than a crazy dream, and a platformer lives or dies by I want some of what these reviewers were obviously smoking. Either that, or I must be playing the wrong game. Graphics and sound are lovely, but the controls seem too loose for a Mario game, and the third-person camera is the single worst third-person camera I have ever experienced. Combining these faults makes accurate control no more than a crazy dream, and a platformer lives or dies by the accuracy of its controls. This one is dead and buried.… Expand
  7. Uter
    Jul 10, 2003
    4
    Hugely Disappointing - while it's fun at times I must say that I was expecting a lot more from the Mario series. The part that I find most disappointing is that you've got to load up the level for each star separately. If 1 goal stumps you, you've got to exit and reload the level if you want to attempt another. I just don't understand why they took a step backward from Hugely Disappointing - while it's fun at times I must say that I was expecting a lot more from the Mario series. The part that I find most disappointing is that you've got to load up the level for each star separately. If 1 goal stumps you, you've got to exit and reload the level if you want to attempt another. I just don't understand why they took a step backward from Mario 64. Another gripe is with the control, especially during the underwater and pinball machine areas. Yet another problem is with Yoshi. Quite frankly, he stinks. The Yoshi music is awful and cluttered; Yoshi dies if he touches water (hmm i seem to remember kinda liking water in mario world 1 and 2). Using Yoshi is more of a chore than a reward, which is just plain wrong. I dislike how Nintendo decided to ditch the 1st Bowser kids in favor of a generic one. Remember Wendy, Morton, Lemmy and the rest from Mario 3? What happened to them? It just seems poorly conceived on the whole. I'm sure others have probably mentioned this, but the levels all have the same theme which becomes a bit tiresome. Oh 1 final gripe is with the camera - my gosh, it's the worst ever in any game I've seen. It's also de-evolved from Mario 64 and become much worse. It's always wandering and adjusting by itself which can be frustrating while making tricky platfroming jumps. On the bright side, I was entertained enough to play through and beat it (109 shines!). I think die hard Mario fans will be very disappointed Mario SUnshine, but I could see newcomers thinking it's a quality title.… Expand
  8. Fremenwarrior
    Apr 27, 2003
    3
    I liked this game but I was very disappointed. It wasn't like the other mario games, you don't get to use koopa shells and throw them at stuff or get a fire flower. It just didn't seem like a mario game at all much like Luigi's mansion. At least that had boo's but it still wasn't a classic mario game. Am I the only person that was disappointed?
  9. RyanB.
    Jul 10, 2005
    4
    Feels like it's lost the magic; the rhythm of the game is all wrong, and compared to the previous 3D Mario encounter, Sunshine is extremely restrictive on the player's actions in favor of telling a coherent plot - something Mario games have never, ever needed. The game holds your hand far too much, forcing you to complete events in a preset order rather than allowing you to go Feels like it's lost the magic; the rhythm of the game is all wrong, and compared to the previous 3D Mario encounter, Sunshine is extremely restrictive on the player's actions in favor of telling a coherent plot - something Mario games have never, ever needed. The game holds your hand far too much, forcing you to complete events in a preset order rather than allowing you to go anywhere and do anything as the level design suggests. Controlling Mario is amazing, though. The portly plumber stops on a dime - it's too bad most of the levels never really put his skills to the test. The game is full of boss encounters that look tough but aren't, and vice versa - bosses that you'd think to be easy are often times the hardest ones in the game. Overall - fairly unpolished, a Mario game that fires on all the wrong cylinders. It's not BAD, persay, but falls way below the standard we've come to expect from Nintendo.… Expand
  10. JasonC.
    Jun 14, 2007
    2
    Maybe as a fan of the old 2D Mario, I am biased, but this game just seemed like a mess of poor controls, unresponsive camera, and mindless repetition. A couple of the boss fights were original, but mostly the game was frustrating. It seems to cater to kids, but would be way too hard for younger kids to beat.
  11. mrscoolman
    Nov 14, 2017
    0
    This game is easily the worst 3D Mario platform game. Super Mario Sunshine is a game that feels unfinished and rushed. The camera is mediocre and a lot of the levels is this game feel very repetitive and glitchy. Some of these levels would be the Il piantissimo levels, the shadow mario chase levels, and the giant blooper boss fight levels. These levels appear frequently throughout the gameThis game is easily the worst 3D Mario platform game. Super Mario Sunshine is a game that feels unfinished and rushed. The camera is mediocre and a lot of the levels is this game feel very repetitive and glitchy. Some of these levels would be the Il piantissimo levels, the shadow mario chase levels, and the giant blooper boss fight levels. These levels appear frequently throughout the game with little to no changes which make them feel stale very fast. The controls are said to be the best controls in a 3D Mario game ever which if you actually played the game, you would know is completely false. Mario slips and slides everywhere which makes the game frustrating as it is tiring to land on a platform only for Mario to slip right off. The physics engine in this game is unbelievably terrible because of this. Another example of terrible controls would be the levels where you're underwater collecting red coins and cleaning an eel's teeth. These levels are bad and aren't fun in execution because of the terrible controls not allowing Mario to go where you want him to. The worlds aren't very interesting to explore and it's a good thing too (probably the only good thing you can say about this heaping pile of trash) since Mario Sunshine doesn't reward you for exploration at all. You could argue the blue coins exist for this reason, but the blue coins don't do anything useful so they're completely pointless! Fludd doesn't do much to the gameplay, in fact he hinders it because of the removal of the long jump. Because of this, the levels where you don't have fludd are some of the worst in the game. After playing the extremely forgettable and overrated super mario sunshine, it's clear to see that people only like it because they are extremely blinded by nostalgia for the sonic 06 of the mario series. Maybe if the game wasn't so rushed it could actually be considered playable. I expect much more from Nintendo. You should too.… Expand
  12. ShawnT.
    Feb 23, 2003
    4
    Im sick of seeing Mario kick bowser's ass. Yes besides that this game is very bad. I rented it and i couldn't stand it!!! It got a 4 because i thought it had amazing graphics........dont buy this game it's like foreign Dilbert for preschoolers.
  13. MichaelF.
    Aug 23, 2002
    0
    He uses water for his attack and he uses it to clean the island. i wouldnt waste my time playing a fake world.
  14. KillaRiku
    Jul 19, 2013
    4
    I think, that this game is the most bad mario game I've ever played (I don't count Games like "Mario teaches typing" or "Hotel Mario"). For me as Ultimate Mario Fan, I can count myself to one of those who were disappointed. Why do you have a watercannon? And what's with the synchronisation of everyone?
    If you want to play a good 3D-Mario-Game: Buy Super Mario 64.
  15. BetaQuote
    May 6, 2018
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can't believe this like the game is not even 2D Nintendo has betrayed me, with the big hit of the acclaimed Super Mario Bros 2 for the NES not to mention 30 YEARS WINNER IN A ROW of game of the year award you would think Nintendo wouldn't risk it and continue with the so awaited Super Mario Bros 2 31 but they did risk it and they fu**** it up BIG and instead we got this abomination of a game, like Super Mario Sunshine what kind of name for a video game even is that? It doesn't even have the number 2 in it.

    0/10 WORST MARIO GAME EVER.    … Expand
  16. FilemonBR
    Aug 31, 2016
    2
    O jogo é tedioso, o gamecube nao tem um jogo memorável do mario, fases chatas, musicas fracas, estilo de jogabilidade nada divertida, os graficos estao bons
  17. WWWWWWWWWp
    Dec 21, 2020
    0
    Terrible game. It's rigged. The secret levelz are impossible to finish. Waste of time.
  18. CaptainRaz
    Jan 30, 2023
    2
    Nintendo forgot how to balance a game, and went back to the times of NES Ninja Turtles or SNES Lion King. FFS, the game is bad.
  19. PrincePond558
    Apr 2, 2019
    3
    To be honest with you, The Mario series is a wonderful series, but this is one of the games that pissed me off. The plot and game play is decent but the physics are godawful! When I tried to hop on the other side on the cube when it was Rotating, it just made me slide! No wonder why I activated cheats for this game. If you want, you can play this, but in my personal opinion i wouldn't.
  20. Arat_Ntor
    Feb 12, 2023
    3
    When I played it back when it was new it was great and tough. Now It mostly seems as if the game wasn't play-tested at all, because it's flaws are clear as day now. The "action" music is stressful, the controls didn't develop since Mario64 and the camera is one of the main reasons you fail and/or die. There's a crapload of glitches. If you die a level have to reload and you can't skip theWhen I played it back when it was new it was great and tough. Now It mostly seems as if the game wasn't play-tested at all, because it's flaws are clear as day now. The "action" music is stressful, the controls didn't develop since Mario64 and the camera is one of the main reasons you fail and/or die. There's a crapload of glitches. If you die a level have to reload and you can't skip the cinematics when entering a level again. Should be named S&M Sunshine instead, the worst of the series imo… Expand
  21. Robertinho123
    Feb 3, 2021
    0
    Terrible game, Hotel's secret can do one and made me finally quit this game that's not fun at all.
  22. ORHUN
    Aug 2, 2021
    4
    oyun sıkıcı oyunun ilk saatini sıkıntısız oynadım ama sonrasında kendini tekrar etmeye başladı mario 64 oyunun'un aynısı olmuş hep aynı şeyleri yapıyorsunuz geçmişte oynanılabilirdi lakin günümüzde oynanılabilecek bir oyun değil.
  23. hpinder0105
    Jun 14, 2020
    1
    Imagine not having a camera. and having poor platforming in a Mario game and instead being forced into playing a water sandbox experiment on the Gamecube
  24. mroistein
    Mar 27, 2023
    2
    The graphics, story and world is really charming but the game is designed in such an annoying way that it makes me hate every facit of my life
  25. rubenrueda
    Dec 5, 2022
    0
    mario sunshine es una trampa
    no acepto ningún tipo de comentarios en mi contra
  26. Bazdmeg
    Aug 24, 2021
    2
    Fking hard game, very annoying. Not for casual, not for kids. This game is ****
  27. BigJimmy
    Jun 26, 2021
    0
    Fun game, would be even better if it was in space. And Delfino Plaza slaps!
  28. Phah
    Apr 20, 2022
    0
    I **** hate durians

    Why does me review have to be this long what is this a school assy
  29. GDsReviews
    May 27, 2022
    0
    Super Mario Sunshine is a spectacularly bad game, and it is as a bad as its predecessor on the N64 in Super Mario 64 was great. I remember playing it for the first time and hating it from the very start to end, and it is a miracle I even beat this game now looking back.

    I honestly do not know what Nintendo was thinking while making this game because it puts Mario in a situation that no    Super Mario Sunshine is a spectacularly bad game, and it is as a bad as its predecessor on the N64 in Super Mario 64 was great. I remember playing it for the first time and hating it from the very start to end, and it is a miracle I even beat this game now looking back.

    I honestly do not know what Nintendo was thinking while making this game because it puts Mario in a situation that no thinking person will ever see as fun. The game starts with Mario being wrongfully accused, and then is sentenced to community service that consists of almost entirely of cleaning up gunk and graffiti. (Does this sound like a game you would like to play?) It gets worse. You have a talking water pack called FLUDD, and Mario is absolutely useless without it, and the courses are just bland tropical regions filled with gunk.

    Contrast that to Super Mario 64 that took you through ice, fields, caves, lava, sand, inside a clock, and up in the sky besides just water, and you have no attachments that make you useless without them.

    The soundtrack pales in comparison to Super Mario 64 too. Super Mario 64 established some of the greatest pieces of music in the entire series to this day. Sunshine’s soundtrack becomes grating extremely fast when you spend most of the time cleaning up the same gunk in the same places over and over again.

    There was one genuinely funny thing in this game though, but I did not catch it until well after I gave away the game. The Sirena Beach stage when viewed from above has the hotel’s beach patio arranged in the shape of a Game Cube Controller, and the hotel is in the shape of the Game Cube console. Fitting when Super Mario Sunshine is a Game Cube game.    … Expand
  30. Sprig
    Jun 14, 2022
    2
    Listen The Game Is Fun But Way Too Hard No Too Hard AND Glitchy I Hate This Game

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best GameCube Game of 2002
2
#2 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
2
#2 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 61 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 61
  3. Negative: 0 out of 61
  1. Inside Gamer Online
    76
    The FLUDD system is used throughout the game and can either be why the game is so great or why the game is so mediocre.
    Read full review
  2. GameCritics
    60
    To say that the camera in this game is atrocious is like saying being kicked in the teeth kinda hurts-it gives the person an idea about how bad it is, but it doesn't even begin to describe the agony in detail.
    Read full review
  3. GamePro
    100
    A masterpiece of superior game design, infinite gameplay variety, creativity, and life-and it's got a water cannon…and a damn brilliant one at that.
    Read full review
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