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. piscesperiod
    Oct 13, 2020
    8
    Super Mario Sunshine is an ambitious game; Mario controls are much more fluid than it was in Super Mario 64, and as much as I hear valid complaints about the camera system, it still represents an improvement over Super Mario 64. The introduction of Fludd in the franchise was a high-stake gamble, which in my opinion paid off. Mario's movements with Fludd make traversing and exploring areasSuper Mario Sunshine is an ambitious game; Mario controls are much more fluid than it was in Super Mario 64, and as much as I hear valid complaints about the camera system, it still represents an improvement over Super Mario 64. The introduction of Fludd in the franchise was a high-stake gamble, which in my opinion paid off. Mario's movements with Fludd make traversing and exploring areas a lot of fun, it's a fresh and new way of controlling Mario. There's a wide range of different mini-games and platforming challenges, so you always want to keep going to find out what's next.

    On the flip side of the coin, the whole experience feels a bit short with only 7 areas (8 if you count Corona mountain) and 2 overworld hubs. The camera still goes all over the place at certain portions of the game and Mario's controls feel loose at unforgiving, tight sections (especially when platforming without Fludd). If you want to complete the game 100%, expect a lot of camera-driven or loose-controls-driven 'game over'.    … Expand
  2. ZeoN
    Oct 11, 2020
    8
    Apartado positivos:

    - Su apartado artístico está muy trabajado - Introducir una isla ajena al Reino Champiñón y dotarla de tanta personalidad fue muy buena idea - El "ACUAC" es una herramienta muy divertida - Aporta detalles importantes al lore general de la franquicia - Algunos de sus amplios niveles están bien diseñados - Su banda sonora no es la mejor de la franquicia pero es    Apartado positivos:

    - Su apartado artístico está muy trabajado
    - Introducir una isla ajena al Reino Champiñón y dotarla de tanta personalidad fue muy buena idea
    - El "ACUAC" es una herramienta muy divertida
    - Aporta detalles importantes al lore general de la franquicia
    - Algunos de sus amplios niveles están bien diseñados
    - Su banda sonora no es la mejor de la franquicia pero es muy buena

    Apartados negativos:

    - Las físicas del juego están mal implementadas en algunos niveles
    - Sobran elementos aleatorios como que Mario se caiga solo en niveles sin ACUAC
    - Puede llegar a ser frustrante que te introduzcan un nivel sin explicarte que hacer y esto ocurre en varios
    - Faltan jefes en diferentes zonas y varios se repiten
    - La batalla final es un poco decepcionante
    - El juego es demasiado "libre" sin seguir un hilo argumental como en otros Mario 3D. Una sucesión de niveles sin más puede ser un poco aburrido

    No es el mejor Mario de la franquicia, me parece el peor de los que he jugado de momento, pero no deja de ser muy disfrutable y tiene elementos para atraparte a pesar de su caos en los niveles y lo repetitivos que pueden llegar a ser

    Valoración:

    Apartado técnico: 79/100
    Apartado artístico: 97/100
    Jugabilidad: 87/100
    Historia/Lore: 69/100
    Banda sonora: 75/100

    8️⃣1️⃣/1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

    En las valoraciones tengo en cuenta que es un juego de hace muchos años, si no hubiese sido mucho más duro    … Expand
  3. Icyymike16
    Oct 4, 2020
    10
    I love it not really much to wait Nintendo did Alr right here they change Mario and I see why people dislike the culture change but I think it’s a great idea and Mario really had a fantastic role in this game the story with school involves more you getting friend profiles with Junior which I think is a better idea than the same old kidnapping story Where peach is unexpectedly kidnapped byI love it not really much to wait Nintendo did Alr right here they change Mario and I see why people dislike the culture change but I think it’s a great idea and Mario really had a fantastic role in this game the story with school involves more you getting friend profiles with Junior which I think is a better idea than the same old kidnapping story Where peach is unexpectedly kidnapped by Bowser and Mario just Hass to go save peach instead you have to resolve the situation and it’s way different than any other Mario and it’s a lot better This game has been heavily underrated and I believe it deserves better treatment from Mario fans… Expand
  4. Azuris
    Oct 1, 2020
    7
    I really really tried to like this Game more, but it has to many annoying Points.
    - The inverted Camera is terrible
    - There are so many annoying Stages - In the other Hand it is not as easy to gain Health or Lifes as in Mario 64 - To have to use the Watergun often breaks the Flow of the Game The Music and the Style of the Game have such a great Vibe to it, but the Game has just to    I really really tried to like this Game more, but it has to many annoying Points.
    - The inverted Camera is terrible
    - There are so many annoying Stages
    - In the other Hand it is not as easy to gain Health or Lifes as in Mario 64
    - To have to use the Watergun often breaks the Flow of the Game

    The Music and the Style of the Game have such a great Vibe to it, but the Game has just to many annoying Points.
    Rather play Mario 64 or Galaxy if you want a pure 3D Mario Title.    … Expand
  5. TheBeast11
    Sep 29, 2020
    10
    By far the most underrated Mario of all. However, certainly one of the best. Improved gameplay compared to Super Mario 64, very good soundtrack, matches the warm, tropical climate of the game. It is a little difficult to complete 100%, but it is something fun to do. The addition of Yoshi and its different forms is really cool. That is, one of the best Super Mario games.
  6. DrClutch117
    Sep 25, 2020
    10
    I believe that this is the best Mario star collector. A lot of people have reviewed in some way, but I want to call attention to the atmosphere of the game. This game probably has the most pleasant atmosphere that I have ever come across. It really does feel like a vacation.
  7. Nerocz1
    Sep 25, 2020
    6
    Iam not the smartest, not the most patient gamer in the world, but I find really hard to love this game. I just never know what to do. And no, i don´t need arrows and pointers in games, I loved Zelda games, but to me Super Mario Sunshine was just going in cirles forever until i luckily found what to do. That made in bored in about 3 hours. I do see what people like about this game, but itIam not the smartest, not the most patient gamer in the world, but I find really hard to love this game. I just never know what to do. And no, i don´t need arrows and pointers in games, I loved Zelda games, but to me Super Mario Sunshine was just going in cirles forever until i luckily found what to do. That made in bored in about 3 hours. I do see what people like about this game, but it is not for me.… Expand
  8. OmegaChase1002
    Sep 18, 2020
    7
    It's insanely fun, but it has 2 really, REALLY major flaws.

    1. The game has a set list of Shines to collect to make any real progress. - In Super Mario 64, it did not matter which Stars you got, what order you got them in, or how you got them. All that mattered was you were able to collect enough Stars to open that next door. And because Sunshine is a direct sequel to Super Mario 64,    It's insanely fun, but it has 2 really, REALLY major flaws.

    1. The game has a set list of Shines to collect to make any real progress.

    - In Super Mario 64, it did not matter which Stars you got, what order you got them in, or how you got them. All that mattered was you were able to collect enough Stars to open that next door. And because Sunshine is a direct sequel to Super Mario 64, every first-time player is going to instantly assume that the same rules apply here. But this isn't true. You have to do episodes 1 to 7 in every stage to unlock the final level, nothing more and nothing less. So of course every first-time player is going to waste tons of time collecting all the other side-level Shine Sprites and wondering why they're suddenly not making progress anymore. If you play the game a second time with this information in mind, of course you're gonna have fun. But that first run, you're gonna waste a lot of time and get really bored.

    2. None of the side-missions are any fun.

    - The pachinko table is bugged, the poison river lilly pad never goes where you want it to, moving that giant watermelon is stupidly tedious, some of the Shine Sprites are insanely cryptic, getting all the Blue Coins is an unlikeable chore, etc. So on top of wasting time and wondering why you aren't making progress, you're getting frustrated while you do it too.

    If the game simply TOLD the player something like "look sport, ya can't play this the same way ya played 64" at the beginning, then these wouldn't even be issues. Even though I now enjoy this game and can play it correctly, that still doesn't change the fact that these two little problems soured a LOT of people's first-time experiences.    … Expand
  9. neojotic
    Aug 26, 2020
    7
    Mario Sunshine was not your standard Mario release - No, it did not see launch day and in fact for the first time ever the green hat overshadowed the red one. In this game itself Mario borrows it's innovation from Luigi (thanks to Professor E Gadd and his inventions). However, putting Gamecube politics aside, this was a step in the right direction for the series and a step above MarioMario Sunshine was not your standard Mario release - No, it did not see launch day and in fact for the first time ever the green hat overshadowed the red one. In this game itself Mario borrows it's innovation from Luigi (thanks to Professor E Gadd and his inventions). However, putting Gamecube politics aside, this was a step in the right direction for the series and a step above Mario 64... but not by much.

    Pros:
    -Nintendo takes a risk by introducing Fludd, moving towards a more original story and changing scenery away from traditional Mario levels
    -Utilizies Gamecube hardware for great graphics and sound for that time.
    -Fun story that's light and doesn't take away from the gameplay.

    Cons:
    -Controls and camera angles can add to the difficulty and hinder the experience of the game. Fludd isn't as smooth as the Poltergeist.
    -One of the least traditional Mario games. Hardcore fans may find the innovation to take away from the Mario and experience they know and love.
    -Mario Sunshine can fail to captivate some gamers after the first few hours. It has been criticizing for not providing enough incentive for the gamer to reach the end.

    I wasn't huge on Mario 64 and I was definitely open-minded and excited for this game. I do think that this is a good game but it's nothing more or less. It's a must have for any Gamecube or Nintendo collector but for a gamer there's more reward from Luigi's Mansion or Sonic Adventure 1+2 as there was more reward from the Rare games on 64 than Mario 64. This was just standard.    … Expand
  10. Zethor
    Aug 17, 2020
    7
    Super Mario Sunshine's beautiful soundtrack and art bring together a wonderful world, controlled through the most technical, tightest controls the platforming genre has ever seen. The game's 50 required missions are mostly solid, and serve as a strong experience from beginning to end, making this game a joy to replay again and again.

    However, these required missions do not make up the    Super Mario Sunshine's beautiful soundtrack and art bring together a wonderful world, controlled through the most technical, tightest controls the platforming genre has ever seen. The game's 50 required missions are mostly solid, and serve as a strong experience from beginning to end, making this game a joy to replay again and again.

    However, these required missions do not make up the majority of the game's content, with 70 of the game's shine sprites only describable as padding, with most of them sitting at a much lower standard of quality that does not incentivize 100% completion, neither through the quality of the missions themselves nor the paltry reward one obtains for doing so. As long as one is aware not to bother with these optional missions, then Super Mario Sunshine stands as one of the strongest entries in the series, but if one is not then the quality of the game drops drastically. Since these optional missions are still a part of the experience, however, I have rated the game as a whole, not just the required part.    … Expand
  11. Gerbityblah
    Aug 2, 2020
    7
    Very high highs, very, very low lows.

    The game isn't perfect, but It's fun when it wants to be. The game has pretty tight controls, a bit too how to say- heavy? But that's why F.L.O.O.D. is here, to make Mario control better. The game when it's at its best when it is interpreting the formula of 64, so a fun 3D platformer at its heart. The problems start to come in when F.L.O.O.D. is    Very high highs, very, very low lows.

    The game isn't perfect, but It's fun when it wants to be.
    The game has pretty tight controls, a bit too how to say- heavy? But that's why F.L.O.O.D. is here, to make Mario control better. The game when it's at its best when it is interpreting the formula of 64, so a fun 3D platformer at its heart. The problems start to come in when F.L.O.O.D. is taken away from Mario, the lack of it puts a light on how bad Mario feels here. This among many, many ridiculous, un-fun gimmicks the game throws at you makes the game a Mario game that I wouldn't introduce to someone as their first Mario game personally. The game is also stupid to 100% so don't do that (Who the hell decided to add Blue Coins?) but nonetheless the game is fine, I'd just have difficulty suggesting it to someone over Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Galaxy.

    7/10 Games not bad, but it's a third-rate Mario.    … Expand
  12. davidESP9
    Jul 28, 2020
    10
    Un juego en 3D de Mario que cada vez me gusta mas,una jugabilidad impecable con acuac una especie de propulsor que sirve para echar agua y con este aparato debemos limpiar toda la isla delfino para conseguir todos los soles y devolver la luz a la isla.Una variedad de niveles increible pese a que el juego entero se desarrolla con una tematica veraniega.Desde un hotel hasta un puerto conUn juego en 3D de Mario que cada vez me gusta mas,una jugabilidad impecable con acuac una especie de propulsor que sirve para echar agua y con este aparato debemos limpiar toda la isla delfino para conseguir todos los soles y devolver la luz a la isla.Una variedad de niveles increible pese a que el juego entero se desarrolla con una tematica veraniega.Desde un hotel hasta un puerto con barcos,por no hablar de los niveles secretos en los que debemos utilizar nuestras habilidades plataformas para completarlos.Una joyita.… Expand
  13. Alex684
    Jul 20, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Super Mario Sunshine is my favorite game of all time so I’m a little bias but it is my favorite game for a reason with its amazing platforming and its fludd mechanic. Also another reason why this is so great is the collectibles while the blue coins are hard to find it is still enjoyable to find them and get all the sunshine’s, but even though I love fludd one of my favorite part of the game is the secret areas where you have to put your platforming skill to the test. Lastly another reason why is game is great is the graphics with the beautiful sites full of color areas and this games still look good to this day. But even thought the games graphics are still good a remaster of this game would make it so much better.… Expand
  14. Frobird
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    Such a cheerful game, the platforming is all fun and novel but I keep coming back for the bright and fleshed out world.
  15. Denvers
    Jul 5, 2020
    7
    Super Mario Sunshine is filled with so much character and an actually somewhat interesting plot, especially for a Mario game. The game has aged fine, but doesn't feel particular smooth to play. I felt like there wasn't enough to keep my attention even though it's a well polished experience. Overall, it's not a bad game, but it's pretty mediocre for a 3d Mario.

    Final Verdict : 7 (Good)
  16. BM30
    Jun 30, 2020
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine is a really great game! The story is a interesting concept (Also Mario going to jail is hilarious) and I love the new setting because Mario games usually lack in themes of location. The gameplay is so amazing and I love the use of F.L.U.D.D and the controls really improves from SM64.
  17. Chuck_Buskee
    Jun 28, 2020
    10
    Amazing game 10/10 Logan ur a great man hahahaha
  18. Sniperviper3210
    Jun 24, 2020
    10
    Super Mario Sunshine to me is a classic game for the Nintendo Gamecube. It was one of my favourite video games to play when I was younger, and was amazing when I played it again later in life. Coming back and hearing that nostalgic music and seeing those dancing piantas was an amazing feeling. Traveling to each different area feels great with their own themes. The visuals are nice andSuper Mario Sunshine to me is a classic game for the Nintendo Gamecube. It was one of my favourite video games to play when I was younger, and was amazing when I played it again later in life. Coming back and hearing that nostalgic music and seeing those dancing piantas was an amazing feeling. Traveling to each different area feels great with their own themes. The visuals are nice and collecting the shine sprites were very satisfying. Using FLUDD is always fun and helps in almost everything you do, besides the secret courses on the first go because you don't have it. I think Super Mario Sunshine is a great game and deserves to be played/tried by all Mario lovers out there.… Expand
  19. B-Bog
    Jun 20, 2020
    6
    I was inspired by dunkey's recent review to dig up this game, that I thought of as a classic up until now. Back when it came out, I was 12 years old and totally enthralled with the tropical setting and the advancements in theming, atmosphere, 3D graphics and platforming from SM 64.

    Playing it now, sadly, I have to say it doesn't really hold up that well (neither does SM64 IMO).    I was inspired by dunkey's recent review to dig up this game, that I thought of as a classic up until now. Back when it came out, I was 12 years old and totally enthralled with the tropical setting and the advancements in theming, atmosphere, 3D graphics and platforming from SM 64.

    Playing it now, sadly, I have to say it doesn't really hold up that well (neither does SM64 IMO).

    Controls can be PRETTY clunky, e.g. getting Mario to do a sideways flip. Camera is super-problematic as well, especially in levels where you need to zoom out to stay aware of the action, like the Mario Morgana chases. It does this early-2000s thing where it actually behaves like a physical camera that cannot move past objects in the game world and so gets stuck super-often, which is reeeaaally irritating nowadays.

    In general, I would say that the game starts out great. Scoring early shines isn't that difficult MOST of the time, and opening up new levels, unlocking FLUDD nozzles and Yoshi, moving along what little of a story there is, exploring all the nooks and crannies of Delfino Plaza and getting it to be bathed in sunlight again is really motivating. The tropical setting, as I said, is really cool and Isle Delfino really feels like an inter-connected world with real inhabitants that are super-charming and that you can actually talk to, a stark contrast to the very "video-gamey" SM64 where you've got the typical lava world, ice world etc.

    But as you get to the mid-game of SMS, it very quickly loses steam. There aren't as many levels as in SM64 and you have to complete 7 out of 8 shines in EVERY level to be able to get to the final boss. And let me tell you, not all of these shines are what I would call "inspired". Many are pretty fun, a few are even great (The Mystery of the Hotel comes to mind, possibly the highlight of the game), but many are really dull and repetitive. Piranha Plant and Blooper fights (the exact same ones every time mind you), Red Coins, Morgana Mario chases... There's a ton of content getting recycled over and over again. Some shines, though, are downright INFURIATING, sometimes because of a totally broken physics engine (Pachinko is the worst example here), some because the design of the mission is just a**.

    Take for example, the eighth shine in the harbour level. You have to ride on Yoshi to complete it. To get him out of his egg, you need to feed him a certain fruit. Can you just get it from a stand like in the hub world? Noooo, far too easy! You have to do ground pounds, alternating between two buttons on top of a giant fruit vending machine. You have no choice over what type of fruit comes out. But the kicker is: Should you not get the desired fruit, then you'll have to go down where it came out and remove it, because the next fruit that appears will otherwise bounce off of it, down a ledge and you won't be able to get it to Yoshi. So for every wrong fruit you have to ground pound, jump down, pick up the fruit, throw it away, do a side-ways jump into a wall-jump and hover to get back onto the platform, and then repeat this until the RNG gods decide to have mercy on you and give you the fruit that you actually need. Who in the hell thought that this was going to be fun??? Well then, moving on, you've got the right fruit, you can give it to Yoshi. With his help, you can turn jumping fish into moving platforms (don't ask, I know it doesn't make any sense) which which you can access steel platforms far away from the shore. The thing is, you have to hit the jumping fish on the exact right height, otherwise you won't be able to make the jump to the next steel platform. And you can't fall back down onto the fish platform if you realize you don't have enough height, either, because it immediately STARTS MOVING AWAY. Should you fall into the water, guess what? Yoshi dissolves, you have to find a way back to shore (btw, Mario swims incredibly slowly in a game that is FULL OF WATER) and then you get to REPEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN STARTING WITH THE GOD-DAMN FRUIT MACHINE!!? WTF??? That's just straight-up trolling and that shine alone probably takes the rating down one point for me, even if it's optional.

    Then we have the blue coins...I don't think there's much more to say about this topic. There are 240 of them in the game. For every 10, you get a shine, which means that they make up 20% of all the shines you can get. This fact, together with the many repetitive and uninspired mission shines (and quite a lot of muddy textures) makes me think that the game was rushed and they just somehow needed there to be 120 shines, because SM 64 had 120 stars. The absolute worst thing about the Blue Coins, however, is the fact that many of them are mission-specific, which pretty much ensures that you're going to need a guide to be able to complete the game.

    All in all, SMS has plenty of positive qualities, but they cannot distract from its unpolished, repetitive and sometimes infuriating nature.    … Expand
  20. CB186
    Jun 18, 2020
    10
    In MY OPINION, this is far and away the best 3D Mario game. I love difficulty in my Mario games and this one is not too easy but never annoyingly hard. A fantastic world to explore, wonderful music and a creative and unique story makes me love this Mario game even more. There's a reason its my second favourite game of all time.
  21. 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
  22. XxAlbertoBuzzxX
    Jun 2, 2020
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine
    ......................................................
  23. mugsy
    May 9, 2020
    8
    Maybe not quite as good as Galaxies or even Mario 64, but still a great game. All this sunny vacation with focus on water was very relaxing
  24. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    9
    When i have to say that it is not the best super mario in 3D perspective and still putting a 9/10 on it makes you realize the masterpieces we are talking about. Again, a great game for the GameCube and one of its best games. Fun, imaginative, creative, funny and with a soundtrack to match. An excellent game after all.
  25. Gi_otm
    Apr 12, 2020
    10
    The worlds and their designs are excellent
    And Mario has more moves than all the Mario games (except Odyssey)
    Flood (Jet-back) was an excellent addition
    I hope they will return him with Mario game in the future
    The frankness of the story, once upon a time, is focused (simple)
    They added new cut-scenes and characters
    Frankly, it was a sweet try
  26. Kacak321
    Apr 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game. A lot of fun! ............................
    .............
    .. ........    … Expand
  27. drlowdon
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    Jetting of for a holiday on the tropical Isle of Delfino, Mario soon finds himself embroiled in trouble when Shadow Mario vandalizes the island with graffiti and he gets blamed for the mess.

    As the first mainline Mario title since the iconic Mario 64, Sunshine had a lot to live up to and it has often suffered from unfair comparisons. Of course, Sunshine can’t match the innovation of the    Jetting of for a holiday on the tropical Isle of Delfino, Mario soon finds himself embroiled in trouble when Shadow Mario vandalizes the island with graffiti and he gets blamed for the mess.

    As the first mainline Mario title since the iconic Mario 64, Sunshine had a lot to live up to and it has often suffered from unfair comparisons. Of course, Sunshine can’t match the innovation of the series first foray into 3d but it has plenty of new ideas of it’s own, the controls are pretty much perfect and the tropical island setting makes a nice change from the Mushroom Kingdom we’ve become so familiar with. This may often be viewed as the black sheep of the Mario family but it is still a great game in it’s own right.    … Expand
  28. Jjdm11
    Mar 23, 2020
    7
    Super Mario sunshine is proof of what happened when developers get lazy.The control and story are good but everything else is not great especially the level design huge difficulty ups and downs and for the majority of levels it’s a boring open field with good graphics ,good for it’s time .overall the worst 3d mario
  29. Z4C18
    Feb 5, 2020
    8
    This game has a place in my heart, I love the gameplay with F.L.U.D.D, the hub world looks great for a 18 year old game.

    The platforming works really well with an array on moves and collecting the shines is good fun.

    It’s a game that deserves a sequel!
  30. mutemeister
    Dec 28, 2019
    10
    In my opinion the best Mario game. I like the FLUDD system and the setting is great. 10/10
  31. gddurruti
    Oct 25, 2019
    9
    A greastest games of Nintendo game cube, a Mario vs Mario, great graphics, stunning audio, great control and no loading times to play... Excellent!
  32. Indigo_
    Sep 27, 2019
    8
    As with all games I review, I will review this game like I played it in 2002, as well as seeing how it does next to games from the same generation. The only issue with reviewing SMS is that you can look at this game in two ways: Subjectively, and more objectively. With that being said, SMS is a 6/10. It's a buggy mess that needed more time to cook, and the story is just ludicrous. But withAs with all games I review, I will review this game like I played it in 2002, as well as seeing how it does next to games from the same generation. The only issue with reviewing SMS is that you can look at this game in two ways: Subjectively, and more objectively. With that being said, SMS is a 6/10. It's a buggy mess that needed more time to cook, and the story is just ludicrous. But with that being said, I subjectively love this game.

    Story: 6/10

    Super Mario Sunshine's story is the messiest Mario story ever told. It tries many new ideas but fails at all of them, in admittedly charming ways. The cutscenes don't look too bad for 2002 and are terribly voice-acted in the best way possible. Nobody plays Mario games for the story, but I'd rather have a ambitious story like SMS instead of a by-the-books, safe Mario story like the ones in the NSMB series.

    Level Design: 8/10

    Super Mario Sunshine has the most unique and consistent level designs in the entire franchise. All levels are based around locations on Isle Delfino, the tropical island where the game takes place. Each of the nine main locations are all based off of locations, from a volcano to an amusement park to a beach hotel to a harbor. This helps the game immerse you in its charming world, and you eventually start to forget about how you fell into the void in Pianta Village and ended up on an invisible floor at the bottom.

    Control: 10/10

    The best thing about each of the 3D Mario collect-a-thons is the movement/controls. In SMS you get F.L.U.D.D. which is a water jet pack that shall assist you on your journey. F.L.U.D.D. manages to both make the game easier, but way more fun. The hover nozzle is one of my favorite abilities in any video game as it opens up so many opportunities for moving around areas.

    Completion: 8/10

    Once again, there are 120 main collectables, no longer known as stars but known as shine sprites. Any% is definitely the best way to enjoy this game, as 100 coin missions and the Blue Coins won't be worth it for most people. Personally I think Blue Coins are okay and would be decent if you could keep track of them easier, and 100 coin missions are fun most of the time, but SM64's completion is way more fun and less monotonous.

    Speedrunning: 10/10

    Once again, speedrunning brings a new life to an old game. As someone who has dabbled a small bit in Any%, this can be a great speedgame. The community of this game goes back over a decade ago, and the level of optimization that has been done to this game is shocking to see. If you want to see why this game's community is so great, I recommend watching AverageTrey's videos on the topic if you have two hours to burn.

    Final Score: 8.4/10

    In essence, Super Mario Sunshine is although a rushed and buggy game, its charm and gameplay make up for its shortcomings and deliver an experience worth coming back to once in a while.    … Expand
  33. robertoiglesias
    Sep 1, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Super Mario series makes another astonishing game, yet again. I enjoyed playing this so much. However, I don't like the blue coin collection problem. Still a great game though.… Expand
  34. Leo13022006
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    I love this Game ,okay it got‘s some Problems but the setting ist so cool .who don’t wants to fly with Mario in Vacation
  35. DarrionVale
    Aug 15, 2019
    9
    My personal rating for "Super Mario Sunshine" (GC): 9/10 - Awesome
    Gameplay: 9,5
    Video: 8
    Audio: 8,5
    Scope: 8
    Balance: 9,5
    Story: 9
  36. 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.
  37. FNaF
    Dec 10, 2018
    10
    This is GCN's best game of 2002 for the future summer, tons of levels, & unique music!
  38. 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.
  39. JPK
    Aug 19, 2018
    9
    At This Point
    It’s Safe To Say That Mario Will Never Overstay His Welcome Because Sunshine Continues To Prove That Mario Is Special.
  40. SonicSpeedo92
    May 24, 2018
    9
    This is one of the more unique Mario games out there. While the game was limited to the vacation or beach theme (excluding Corona Mountain), Nintendo still managed to get creative with the limited resources. The true innovation to this game is the FLUDD pack. Using this, you can spray water at enemies, and hover in the air for a short time, serving as a double jump. The controls areThis is one of the more unique Mario games out there. While the game was limited to the vacation or beach theme (excluding Corona Mountain), Nintendo still managed to get creative with the limited resources. The true innovation to this game is the FLUDD pack. Using this, you can spray water at enemies, and hover in the air for a short time, serving as a double jump. The controls are perfect. They are sensitive, but they feel great once you get used to them. And the secret stages are all a blast to play. This game is definitely difficult... Sometimes for the wrong reasons. Like the secret stage where you have to use Piantas to throw you across platforms, or having to use the boat in Corona Mountain to get across. These are clunky gimmicks that didn't need to be there. Aside from that, Mario Sunshine is one of the best Mario games ever.… Expand
  41. forevernes
    May 20, 2018
    9
    Super mario sunshine 9,5..................................................
  42. 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
  43. Meta1234
    Apr 20, 2018
    7
    First, Nintendo games tend to get high scores even when they are not perfect or bad. It is like a do not judge the authority review process.

    I give this game a 7, no way for a 10. The 2nd entry in the main 3D series Mario and the typical 3D platformer from the iconic series and all... but there are a few problems. Controlling Mario was very annoying considering the sudden changes in    First, Nintendo games tend to get high scores even when they are not perfect or bad. It is like a do not judge the authority review process.

    I give this game a 7, no way for a 10. The 2nd entry in the main 3D series Mario and the typical 3D platformer from the iconic series and all... but there are a few problems.

    Controlling Mario was very annoying considering the sudden changes in walking direction and momentum. Coupled with the imprecision of the Gamecube stick it made some levels extremely difficult.
    Some missions were impossibly hard to complete. There was either rushed or bad game design. There was lots of frustration there.

    About the story? Well there was no story ever in Mario games, only some short ever-reused cinematics Mariooooooo-style.

    No disrespect but no more than 7.    … Expand
  44. Daze072401
    Apr 1, 2018
    6
    Behind the gorgeous visuals and fantastic controls lies the result of a rushed development cycle. The horrendous collision detection and occasionally insufferable missions hold this otherwise brilliant game ransom. Approach with caution.
  45. Benniexotic123
    Apr 1, 2018
    7
    Super Mario Sunshine, the direct sequel to the critically acclaimed Super Mario 64, met with both praise and criticizm. And that is understandable. The game suffered from being really darn glitchy, and the blue coin missions and locations were unfair and cryptic. But, from another point of view, this game had stellar, near-perfect controls, thanks to the splashy, talky, watery backpackSuper Mario Sunshine, the direct sequel to the critically acclaimed Super Mario 64, met with both praise and criticizm. And that is understandable. The game suffered from being really darn glitchy, and the blue coin missions and locations were unfair and cryptic. But, from another point of view, this game had stellar, near-perfect controls, thanks to the splashy, talky, watery backpack known as F.L.U.D.D. F.L.U.U.D.D. added new elements and mechanics to this game, as he had countless abilities which were all useful in their own way. The game was hard, but beatable, the game was stunning, but vague. The game introduced Bowser's offspring to the midst, making him the primary antagonist, and from there creating sort of a triangle in this game, between the titular hero and the evil villain. It was still perfect to move in a free environment and the music is magnificent.… Expand
  46. ashketchum
    Mar 31, 2018
    8
    Sunshine, I feel, has some of the highest highs and lowest lows of all Super Mario games. FLUDD is a fantastic addition to Mario's moveset, allowing for one of the most enjoyable movesets in any platformer. The soundtrack is pretty great, the visuals look nice for the Gamecube, and the game, usually, is sufficiently challenging, and filled with memorable locations, like Bianco Hills andSunshine, I feel, has some of the highest highs and lowest lows of all Super Mario games. FLUDD is a fantastic addition to Mario's moveset, allowing for one of the most enjoyable movesets in any platformer. The soundtrack is pretty great, the visuals look nice for the Gamecube, and the game, usually, is sufficiently challenging, and filled with memorable locations, like Bianco Hills and Sirena Beach. The secret levels are extremely enjoyable, due to their pure platforming challenge, as well as Mario's moveset allowing for just playing through these levels to be enjoyable. Also the soundtrack to these stages is great. However, the secret levels visual design feels jarringly abstract compared to the other worlds. Yoshi sucks, King Boo sucks, Shadow Mario sections are tedious, and the final stage is tedious, as are the blue coins. However, the pros reach far higher than the lows go low, ending up in an extremely unique and enjoyable experience, unlike any other Super Mario game, as well as being simple to pick up and play at any time, due to Mario feeling great to control.… Expand
  47. Yushy
    Mar 16, 2018
    8
    - 8.5 -

    Beh, di sicurò non è un brutto gioco, anzi, è davvero niente male, livello grafico quasi odierno, ambientanzione e trama interessante, ed abbastanza differente dal resto dei videogiochi a tema super mario, ma sinceramente, è un po' meno piacevole da giocare degli altri capitoli.
  48. 1234JacobW
    Mar 7, 2018
    10
    This game is so much fun, all the worlds are fun the play through and fludd is a great idea
  49. overweightguy
    Feb 10, 2018
    9
    This was my first ever 3D Mario game, and after 16 years and 4 replays it still holds up amazingly. (The game itself, not the **** little miniDVD, haha). Despite being my least favorite of the bunch, all 3D Mario games are absolute masterpieces. The level design is brilliant, the art is beautiful, there's plenty of content, and the FLUDD is super fun. The only thing that knocks this down 1This was my first ever 3D Mario game, and after 16 years and 4 replays it still holds up amazingly. (The game itself, not the **** little miniDVD, haha). Despite being my least favorite of the bunch, all 3D Mario games are absolute masterpieces. The level design is brilliant, the art is beautiful, there's plenty of content, and the FLUDD is super fun. The only thing that knocks this down 1 point is that precisely controlling Mario in the secret levels without the FLUDD feels unpredictable and that the same piranha fight is reused many times.… Expand
  50. CyberRobotnix
    Dec 16, 2017
    10
    This is my second favourite Mario game ever.

    This game is just brillant, it uses a new gimmick (The FLUDD) to improve the gameplay over Mario 64 (After that game, we had a Luma and Cappy). The level design is the absolute best in the entire series, it uses puzzles and it is big, especially considering that it was on a gamecube. This game is one of the very few Mario games to have    This is my second favourite Mario game ever.

    This game is just brillant, it uses a new gimmick (The FLUDD) to improve the gameplay over Mario 64 (After that game, we had a Luma and Cappy).

    The level design is the absolute best in the entire series, it uses puzzles and it is big, especially considering that it was on a gamecube.

    This game is one of the very few Mario games to have a good story. Mario and Peach go to vacations, however Mario gets arrested because Shadow Mario, which is basically like Shadow from Sonic the hedgehog, caused chaos. I will stop there because I don't want to spoil you.

    It has a few stages that I will call "challenge stages" that are straight forward and kinda hard, it was very innovative, now most of the 3D Mario games have this.

    The unique thing that disappoints is the music, not that it's bad, but it COULD have been better.

    Play this gem, even on an emulator, it is worth it.    … Expand
  51. MikoSanaya
    Dec 9, 2017
    5
    This game is ruined by the terrible inverted controls for aiming and shooting water and for looking around. I even played this game on my computer and was not able to reconfigure the inversion for the aim and shoot because it uses the same buttons as moving around.. only inverted. I tried playing this game many years ago but couldn't remember why I never finished. I realize why now.This game is ruined by the terrible inverted controls for aiming and shooting water and for looking around. I even played this game on my computer and was not able to reconfigure the inversion for the aim and shoot because it uses the same buttons as moving around.. only inverted. I tried playing this game many years ago but couldn't remember why I never finished. I realize why now. This game is just highly frustrating to play simply because of the terrible controls.… Expand
  52. MarioBrax
    Nov 18, 2017
    8
    The game is pretty buggy at times, but it's really fun and enjoyable. F.L.U.D.D was a fun addition to the game. It felt like I was actually accomplishing something when I grabbed a Shine Sprite. I love the cartooniness of this game and the game-play is great.
  53. 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.
  54. wegie125
    Nov 14, 2017
    10
    A see a lot of mixed opinions on this game and I understand why, this game is missing a lot of defining features that other mario games had. Things like the triple jump, the long jump, and etc. Those are just minor things though and I really hope they make a tribute to this game one day. I think it's too late to ever make a second one but hey, I'll stay optimistic on this one. This gameA see a lot of mixed opinions on this game and I understand why, this game is missing a lot of defining features that other mario games had. Things like the triple jump, the long jump, and etc. Those are just minor things though and I really hope they make a tribute to this game one day. I think it's too late to ever make a second one but hey, I'll stay optimistic on this one. This game was really a breath of fresh air from traditional mario games and I'm glad they took that step because so many fun and original characters came out of this game. The environments are also spectacular in this game, I feel like I say that with most mario games though. I loved how the continued the idea of having a hub world in this game though because it feels closely linked to super mario 64. This game is so fun, so bright, and challenging enough to keep anyone playing. Once again Nintendo has found a way to make a perfect balance… Expand
  55. 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
  56. joacoandresen
    Nov 6, 2017
    9
    This is the best Mario 64 sequel we could have got. It improves in almost every way while having new mechanics to feel new. It would be a 10/10 if it wasn't for the lack of polish that other mario games have.
  57. spongeswift
    Oct 22, 2017
    10
    Super Mario Sunshine was amazing. It had a great story, soundtrack and it had an amazing feel to it. Would I call it better than 64, no... Would I call it worse, no... They are equally great games, F.L.U.D.D. was the cute little assist that really made this game what it was. Overall Mario Sunshine had some minor issues but they were all made up for with the game's charm.
  58. MrTacoBob
    Jul 8, 2017
    10
    While the story could have been better I like every other aspect of the game. The graphics are shiny, the gameplay is very addictive, F.L.U.D.D is a great new mechanic, and the levels are so fun! Very underrated but its a hidden gem a very shiny hidden gem.
  59. Perivan64
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    El mejor Mario de todos:
    - Excelente cámara
    - Excelente control - Excelente soundtrack - Niveles, dificultad y jefes INCREÍBLES. - Tiene la paleta de colores más bonita, pues combina todo a la perfección, tanto los colores del pasto, la arena y el agua (muy azul, lo cual me encanta) junto a la pintoresca Delfino Plaza. - Por la ambientación que tiene gracias al agua, este juego es    El mejor Mario de todos:
    - Excelente cámara
    - Excelente control
    - Excelente soundtrack
    - Niveles, dificultad y jefes INCREÍBLES.
    - Tiene la paleta de colores más bonita, pues combina todo a la perfección, tanto los colores del pasto, la arena y el agua (muy azul, lo cual me encanta) junto a la pintoresca Delfino Plaza.
    - Por la ambientación que tiene gracias al agua, este juego es sumamente relajante, no sé porqué.

    Gracias a Satoru Iwata, Yoshiaki Koizumi y Takashi Tezuka por este gran juego.    … Expand
  60. Daniel17
    Apr 8, 2017
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine is the best Mario game I've ever played in the Nintendo GameCube. It had more storytelling than Mario 64, beautiful graphics and designs, fun gameplay, a lot of new elements including F.L.U.D.D. and Yoshi, smoother controls, improved boss battles and difficulty over Mario 64 and excellent music. Unfortunately, it still has the same camera issues like Mario 64 and theSuper Mario Sunshine is the best Mario game I've ever played in the Nintendo GameCube. It had more storytelling than Mario 64, beautiful graphics and designs, fun gameplay, a lot of new elements including F.L.U.D.D. and Yoshi, smoother controls, improved boss battles and difficulty over Mario 64 and excellent music. Unfortunately, it still has the same camera issues like Mario 64 and the secret levels are a mix, sometimes it can be fun and challenging especially with F.L.U.D.D and the red coin missions, while others, it can get quite frustrating and annoying without F.L.U.D.D, and if you make a mistake once, you have to start all over again without any sort of checkpoints due to how short these levels are. That's all the flaws I can easily point out. If you loved Super Mario 64 so much, you'll love this game even more. And If you ever own a Nintendo GameCube, this is a must-own for your NGC library. I gave it the same score as Super Mario 64, a 9 out of 10.… Expand
  61. 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!
  62. dibdom
    Mar 14, 2017
    9
    Graphics - 10
    Music - 10
    Story - 7
    Gameplay - 10
    Content - 10
    Personal Fun - 9
    DIfficulty - 9 .
  63. MA3GNetwork
    Mar 11, 2017
    10
    So far this will be my favorite 3D Mario platformer ever. I love its Soundtrack, its Level design, its Setting, its Gameplay, etc. this is a very worth it game.
  64. Rstiles7
    Mar 9, 2017
    9
    When most people look at this game, they tend to believe it is a step back after Super Mario 64. However, if you look at this game from an unbiased standpoint, then you will realize it is superior to that game in every way. The most important improvement about this game is the controls. In 64, the controls ranged from being either decent to down right awful, while in sunshine the controlsWhen most people look at this game, they tend to believe it is a step back after Super Mario 64. However, if you look at this game from an unbiased standpoint, then you will realize it is superior to that game in every way. The most important improvement about this game is the controls. In 64, the controls ranged from being either decent to down right awful, while in sunshine the controls are nearly perfect thanks to the use of the amazing GameCube controller. Also, with the use of FLUDD and many new tricks Mario can perform, Sunshine's platforming and gameplay are much better in this game. Another important change was the implication of a bit more linearity in the levels. In 64, some of the levels were very tedious as you had no clue what to do or where to go sometimes, but in Sunshine, before the levels begins, you are given a glimpse at where you must go. However, even with both of these improvements, Sunshine has a difficulty level that is much higher than the previous game, which is most of the time a good thing, though sometimes it can really get frustrating. Other great parts of this game include the addition of Yoshi, beautifully designed locations, plenty of secrets to discover, better boss battles, unique concept, and so much fun to be had. Super Mario Sunshine is a truly amazing 3D platformer, though not quite 3D platforming perfection.… Expand
  65. Barnes1987
    Mar 6, 2017
    9
    Not quite as good as Super Mario 64 but still an amazing game and one of the best on the Gamecube. Graphics are far superior to SM64 but the camera can get annoying sometimes, Still a great game and well worth a look.
  66. Captain_Faramir
    Jan 30, 2017
    10
    The best 3d platform Mario game to date besides Mario 64. Had the most coolest and creative environments with great soundtrack and all new characters and bosses. Simply outstanding.
  67. GamecubeLover
    Nov 4, 2016
    10
    Super Mario Sunshine is more original than Galaxy which in my opinion is amazing. The plot is weird but we get to see great characters and much more. The gameplay is amazing and the game is always as hard as ever. Mario Sunshine is my FAVORITE mario game and one of my favorite video games.
  68. theflyestg
    Oct 23, 2016
    10
    By far, this game is among some of the best 3D Mario games, including Galaxy, and 64. This was my first Mario game, and it was quite frankly amazing. The use of F.L.U.D.D in this game is marvelous, It has a very relaxing atmosphere, because the game is set on a tropical island, and it really sets the mood for the whole game.
  69. natty637
    Oct 16, 2016
    8
    Super Mario Sunshine was one of my favorite GameCube titles growing up. I have replayed this game well over 5 times and have not once grown bored of it. Hopefully one day Nintendo can release a sequel.
  70. 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
  71. MiguelEsquivel
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    Belleza de juego
    Me encanto, su jugabilidad, la musica, la dificultad, los niveles o mundos y la duracion
    wow, una pasada de juego. Para mi, el mejor mario de la historia se sale de lo comun una joya de la Gamecube que su unico pecado del juego... fue salir en la consola menos vendida de la historia de nintendo (exceptuando a wii u obvio) pero no es mala consola. Juegazo y espero que    Belleza de juego
    Me encanto, su jugabilidad, la musica, la dificultad, los niveles o mundos y la duracion
    wow, una pasada de juego. Para mi, el mejor mario de la historia se sale de lo comun una joya de la Gamecube que su unico pecado del juego... fue salir en la consola menos vendida de la historia de nintendo (exceptuando a wii u obvio) pero no es mala consola. Juegazo y espero que algun dia salga Mario Sunshine 2    … Expand
  72. KuroDarx
    Jul 10, 2016
    9
    I used to love how Nintendo wasn't afraid of innovating and this was possibly one of the best examples of how a Mario game can be innovative. This game has hours of fun packed in and a lot of collectibles (120 sprites and hundreds of blue coins). This is how a real 3D platformer should be!
  73. UltraTektite
    May 27, 2016
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine was a game that if not for a faulty camera system, would've been the best main series Mario game to date. Other than that however, this game is a masterpiece from top to bottom, and it receives way more hate than it should. While FLUDD was fairly gimmicky, the platforming action was still top notch, and the gameworld felt more fleshed out than that of any other mainSuper Mario Sunshine was a game that if not for a faulty camera system, would've been the best main series Mario game to date. Other than that however, this game is a masterpiece from top to bottom, and it receives way more hate than it should. While FLUDD was fairly gimmicky, the platforming action was still top notch, and the gameworld felt more fleshed out than that of any other main series Mario game. In addition, the boss fights are immensely fun. Definitely one of the best Gamecube games out there.… Expand
  74. DerMeister
    May 16, 2016
    10
    Интереснейшая игра с очень красивой для того времени графикой и схожим с Super Mario 64 геймплеем! Атмосферные локации, которые просто не хочется покидать, да и музыка в общем то приятна на слух :) Очень жду версии на New 3DS :)
  75. Cosmozerk
    Apr 28, 2016
    8
    Super Mario Sunshine is to this day my only Gamecube game and one of my favorite games as a child. Now before i start i need to stress the fact that i have a bit of a nostalgia bias for Mario Sunshine, i'll try to be as objective as i can, but don't think that this review is going to be 100%...well...objective.

    STORY: After Mario finishes his adventure in Super Mario 64, the Princess,    Super Mario Sunshine is to this day my only Gamecube game and one of my favorite games as a child. Now before i start i need to stress the fact that i have a bit of a nostalgia bias for Mario Sunshine, i'll try to be as objective as i can, but don't think that this review is going to be 100%...well...objective.

    STORY: After Mario finishes his adventure in Super Mario 64, the Princess, the Uncle Toad and Mario go on vacation, but when they arrive a strange liquid is in the middle of the landing track so Mario goes to investigate and he founds F.L.U.D.D a water-spraying-talking-jetpack-rocket-turbo-backpack that helps Mario to clean the ugly liquid, but then he gets arrested by the police, this happens because a "Shadow Mario" has been painting the entire island with "Dark Paint" and now Mario has to go clean the island and find his evil doppelganger.

    Something that bothers me about the plot is that the isle defino residents are complete idiots when making this decision, because for 1 Mario JUST ARRIVED from an airplane, so how can he be the one responsible?. And 2, Shadow Mario is clearly black while the real Mario is in full color. But nah, it's just an excuse to set-up the adventure is no big deal. Plus it makes a lot more sense than a character not being able to open a door even tho he has a ******* bazooka.

    PRESENTATION: Super Mario Sunshine looks and sounds very good by today's standards and for a Gamecube game for that matter. The character models are really well done with lots of details within them and beautiful/vibrant colors. Same goes for the animations, they are responsive, they look good and in the cutscenes (yeah this time we have cutscenes for some reason) they shine...though is not always great. The game runs at 30fps and the resolution is around 360p-480p, but c'mon it's a Gamecube game cut it some slack.

    In terms of music...i mean it's Mario game of course it's gonna have amazing music. The game now has a beach theme to it and the music really reflects that, with catchy songs and melodies that fit perfectly with the environments.

    GAMEPLAY: Super Mario Sunshine is your standard 3D connectathon platforming game. You have different worlds to explore with creative, fun levels thrown about...for the most part.

    In each level you will have a certain objective to achieve like get from point A to point B or beat a boss, find this, get this, spray Shadow Mario a few times, collect a 100 coins, push a stupid watermelon that explodes at the slightest of wrong moves or collision, OR GET RED COINS ON A ******* PACHINKO MACHINE THAT CONTROLS LIKE **** or on a stupid lily-pad with poisonous water below you or...ok you get the picture. Not every level is great, some of them are pretty fun and easy, while others are unfair and hard. This content zig-zag of challenge is a bit frustrating, but with enough trial and error you will beat the stage. Each time you clear these objectives you will get a shine sprite, which are these game's power stars and there's 120 in total.

    The big feature of the game is F.L.U.D.D, you know the water-spraying-talking-jetpack-rocket-turbo-backpack that accompanies Mario throughout the whole adventure. F.L.U.D.D has 4 different modes that can be switched by pressing X:

    Spaying mode: You spray water to clean the environment or defeat the enemy. It's used pretty creatively the more you play, but it's the less interesting of the 4.

    Jetpack mode: The name says it all, F.L.U.D.D becomes a jetpack and it allows Mario to hover which in a platforming game is completely BROKEN.

    Rocket mode: This is an upgrade that you get from a box later on the game and...do i even need to explain it?, F.L.U.D.D becomes a rocket and with enough charge you get blasted to the sky!!. Really fun to use.

    Turbo-Splash-Water-Speed-Accelerator Mode: Mario gets a huge boots of speed both on the ground and the most useful and fun site to use it: water.

    F.L.U.D.D can only hold 2 upgrades at a time, but the spray mode is locked, so in order to switch from one to another you will have to open certain boxes, which can get a bit tedious, but it's no big deal. To use any of these you will need to have a certain level of water, without water F.L.U.D.D is useless.

    However in some levels not using F.L.U.D.D is the name of the game, because Shadow Mario will take it and you will have to complete an entire platforming based level in order to get it back. These levels are really fun for the most part and they show of the incredible control this game has with or without F.L.U.D.D.

    The last 2 things i have to say is that: Yoshi is in the game and he controls really well with his classic flutter jump and...spray juice ability...ugh. And **** the blue coins!!, there's 240 of them and many are hidden in very cryptic places and they're just a waste of time, but they are required to complete the game 100%.

    Overall Super Mario Sunshine is a must own for a Gamecube owner and i'll give it an 8/10.    … Expand
  76. brockcheese
    Apr 21, 2016
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine is a great game but it has some flaws. The camera is notoriously bad and the controls are not the best, but the design of the game is flawless.
  77. Shadow1
    Apr 18, 2016
    7
    This is very average game . Very good graphics for 2002 , but terrible storyline . Gameplay is normal . In this game Mario has got water gun . In this game is interesting bosses . This game is not one of the best game on Nintendo GayClub . Normal game . 5/10 , but thanks graphics and bosses .
  78. yoshistar456
    Mar 19, 2016
    8
    Sunshine is a pretty good game, if you're not going for 100% completion. If you are... you may be disappointed. Super Mario Sunshine also has somewhat of a story, but in the end, it's the same old Mario story we're used to, so no spoilers. But hey, Bowser Junior makes his first appearance in this game, so that's nice. It controls pretty well, the soundtrack, while not as good as previousSunshine is a pretty good game, if you're not going for 100% completion. If you are... you may be disappointed. Super Mario Sunshine also has somewhat of a story, but in the end, it's the same old Mario story we're used to, so no spoilers. But hey, Bowser Junior makes his first appearance in this game, so that's nice. It controls pretty well, the soundtrack, while not as good as previous games, is memorable. The graphics could be better, but they're still pretty good. Overall, Mario Sunshine is decent. I wish I could say that about the next games I'm going to review.… Expand
  79. EpicLadySponge
    Jan 28, 2016
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine is just what every Mario fan and GameCube owner wanted. The present was this impressing gameplay and the story here actually works.
  80. Rouce
    Jan 13, 2016
    10
    It was like Super Mario 64 to me, just better. Sure the water cannon led to a different gameplay and feeling. But not in a bad way. Performing and learning new techniques with that thing was enjoyable. The light-hearted location with its great soundtrack was enjoyable. And even the party frustrating "Galaxy" worlds were enjoyable. A classic.
  81. SmashBPG
    Dec 20, 2015
    9
    This game is awesome. It's one of my favourite Nintendo GameCube Games of All-Time. The graphics are amazing. The Storyline is one of the best things about this game (except for Mario being blamed). The music is good. The controls are okay. The gameplay is good. The level designs are awesome but some Shines are difficult to get. Super Mario Sunshine is a must own for All GameCube/WiiThis game is awesome. It's one of my favourite Nintendo GameCube Games of All-Time. The graphics are amazing. The Storyline is one of the best things about this game (except for Mario being blamed). The music is good. The controls are okay. The gameplay is good. The level designs are awesome but some Shines are difficult to get. Super Mario Sunshine is a must own for All GameCube/Wii Owners and you should go pick it up and if you hate SMS, you're silly as JB.… Expand
  82. DeulofeuFanRyan
    Sep 3, 2015
    10
    This is perhaps my favourite game to just sit down and play for fun. There is so much good to say about it: Graphics years ahead of its time, cool mechanics with the varying nozzles the game has to offer with the Zelda-esc partner of the game, Fludd. The voice acting is fantastic in my opinion and really adds to the character the game offers as well as the array of new enemies introducedThis is perhaps my favourite game to just sit down and play for fun. There is so much good to say about it: Graphics years ahead of its time, cool mechanics with the varying nozzles the game has to offer with the Zelda-esc partner of the game, Fludd. The voice acting is fantastic in my opinion and really adds to the character the game offers as well as the array of new enemies introduced to the Mario world including: Cataquacks, Petey Piranha and even Bowser Jr. showing the classic enemies do not leave the Mushroom Kingdom, adding a cool, yet uncharacteristic sense of realism to the game. Overall, I would suggest anyone play this game and will be playing it myself until (If) I stop playing video games all together!… Expand
  83. redyoshi777
    May 29, 2015
    10
    I adore this game! this is the first mario game i have ever played. i first played back in 2007, and to this day, I still belive that this is the best mario game out there! theres only one problem though, there are SO MANY BLUE COINS!!!
  84. Batfreeze
    Apr 13, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is possibly the best on the Gamecube. Not only were the visuals stunning at the time but also today, but the most amazing thing has to be the soundtrack. My word Sierra Beach astounded me by it's atmosphere the most, but there are some problems. First of all, the camera sometimes clips into walls, which is never good; but can become nauseating by the time you're done with a play session. This added with the tedious Red Coin levels and you've got yourself a problem. But besides that this game is fantastic, and despite many saying that the voice acting is atrocious I found that it added to the experience; I mean we've never heard Bowser speak or the Toads say anything but RAWR and HAI respectively. I gave it a 9.5 on my channel also titled Batfreeze, but seeing as I can't do that here a 9 will have to suffice. Bravo Nintendo on creating another masterpiece to last throughout the ages.… Expand
  85. Courageismight
    Apr 1, 2015
    8
    Super Mario Sunshine although great for a Mario game has its bonuses and its flaws the bonuses are the fun jumping and Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dowsing device Mechanics along with interesting levels full of weird shapes Shadow Mario Yoshi's along with a reasonably compelling story.
    The bad of Super Mario Sunshine well I don't like to be negative but there are problems with almost everything    Super Mario Sunshine although great for a Mario game has its bonuses and its flaws the bonuses are the fun jumping and Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dowsing device Mechanics along with interesting levels full of weird shapes Shadow Mario Yoshi's along with a reasonably compelling story.
    The bad of Super Mario Sunshine well I don't like to be negative but there are problems with almost everything in life depending on your perspective.
    From my perspective Mario Sunshine has really frustrating shines and can be almost unreasonably frustrating it also has somewhat of a lack of story compared to deeper Zelda games the game has glitches that are not useful rather just annoying and often make the game more difficult still.
    The biggest problem with Sunshine is that it gets repetitive in the same way that killed Hyrule Warriors but not quite as bad.
    Overall a good game but in my opinion Mario 64 is still the superior game    … Expand
  86. DailySalesman
    Mar 22, 2015
    9
    Mario Sunshine is often considered the "black sheep" (that's the term, right?) of the 3D Mario games and while I can see why, I hold no grudge over the tropical, water-filled experience. F.LU.D.D. is an excellent game mechanic that I won't forget for some time. The coin-collecting missions, I'll admit, were something that I don't enjoy but overall, Super Mario Sunshine is another greatMario Sunshine is often considered the "black sheep" (that's the term, right?) of the 3D Mario games and while I can see why, I hold no grudge over the tropical, water-filled experience. F.LU.D.D. is an excellent game mechanic that I won't forget for some time. The coin-collecting missions, I'll admit, were something that I don't enjoy but overall, Super Mario Sunshine is another great title in the Mario series. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely.… Expand
  87. WatsonStudios
    Jan 22, 2015
    9
    Classics never die:

    Super Mario Sunshine is a game that cannot be forgotten. The experience it creates is very important those who play it, and the fun never seems to stop! You can come right back only a week or 2 later and start playing again! See, replayability is the reason games like this stay strong for so long: you can just keep playing! Nintendo did it very right with Super    Classics never die:

    Super Mario Sunshine is a game that cannot be forgotten. The experience it creates is very important those who play it, and the fun never seems to stop! You can come right back only a week or 2 later and start playing again! See, replayability is the reason games like this stay strong for so long: you can just keep playing!

    Nintendo did it very right with Super Mario Sunshine. With decisions that defined the platforming genre forever as well as giving players a fun, memorable experience with plenty of challenge to try at.

    Control: The feeling of playing as Mario is very responsive, thanks to the GameCube's intelligently designed controllers that people still praise to this very day. The way Mario can be maneuvered in multiple ways was taken by the previous installment, Super Mario 64. Excellent choice by the way.

    Camera: Only at certain times does the camera seem to not perfectly work with the player, but it can get used to after awhile. The fact that the player can easily zoom in and out and rotated all around Mario was a smart idea!

    Story: This is part of the reason we didn't give Super Mario Sunshine a perfect 10: character's dialogues and actions seem hilariously silly and even awkward, but it's not a game breaking problem since the unskippable cut scenes are not at every single corner. It's not the worst story/dialogue ever though, it just seems the writers could've maybe did some polishing up, but we infer they were spending time on the gameplay instead. Good choice to say the least.

    Gameplay: This is the most important part of a game to us: the way Super Mario Sunshine challenges players in various ways that have a smooth difficulty arc that doesn't leave the level line upward very often. The way the game throws different scenarios and challenges at the player feels very natural, although some levels later on can be very difficult only due to the fact that there's more of a "get it perfectly right after a million tries" feel than just using action and thinking skills. The gameplay does feel diverse, and tends to not wear down on the player as they progress through the levels of the game. There's a good amount of hidden Shine Sprites, Blue Coins, and sometimes levels that are hidden in the levels of the game, giving the player the satisfying feeling of really adventuring through a big, paradise island.

    Graphics and Music: For it's time, it looked fantastic. For today's standards, it's not very behind. The colors are so bright and welcoming, but not over shining in the player's face that it hurts. The fact that the game has a very well created soundtrack only adds to the fun feeling of being in a unique world with original enemies, landscapes, and attributes. It's a blast to play a game that feels so welcoming and exciting at the same time. The amount of successful escapism is unbeatable so far.

    Super Mario Sunshine has many positive attributes that make it a great game, remaining forever as a classic with unforgettable memories for those who indulge in the experience.    … Expand
  88. grubtub19
    Jan 16, 2015
    10
    This game is the best mario for gameplay. The controls are EXTREMELY tight. Every move is very fluid. There are so many different ways to jump. The parkour tricks you can pull off are limitless. FLUDD was an amazing addition to the game. It let them make harder levels while still making it doable. By far my favorite Mario of all time. Only downside is the voice acting is bad, but who caresThis game is the best mario for gameplay. The controls are EXTREMELY tight. Every move is very fluid. There are so many different ways to jump. The parkour tricks you can pull off are limitless. FLUDD was an amazing addition to the game. It let them make harder levels while still making it doable. By far my favorite Mario of all time. Only downside is the voice acting is bad, but who cares about that when the gameplay is SO GOOD. My favorite videogame of all time. It is so free and open world. It is a great example of almost perfect gameplay. Also, the some people complain about the camera, but this game has one of the best camera systems because not only does it automatically change view, the c-stick can be used to manipulate the camera manually. This is very useful in this game because the levels are so complex. Im going to say it one more time because I can't emphasize this enough, the jump and movement mechanics in this game are LEGENDARY, fluid, innovative. Mario 64 used a lot of rigid jumps like the tuck backflip and the long jump. They didnt feel natural. Sunshine's backflip doesnt need a tuck beforehand. There are single, double and triple jumps, spin jumps, spin triple jumps, spin wall jumps, slides, dives. The dives can be performed in tandem with jumps that basically can substitute long jumps. The learning curve is decently quick, but it extends for a long time. Watch a speedrun of this game and you will see what I mean. This game is fun. Really fun. It is not perfect, but no game has given me more joy than this one.… Expand
  89. PeruvianGamer
    Jan 14, 2015
    10
    is absolutely amazing, the graphics are sick for a gamecube game. When you play you feel like if you are in the game. I played this on my summer vacations of 2008 and I enjoyed it so much, beautiful times when i had my cousins over in my house and play this like crazy and after that we going to get some girls on the streets lol lol
  90. Agent7300
    Dec 31, 2014
    9
    By far the best 3D mario. Many people rag on the FLUDD mechanic simply because it doesn't follow the average mario formula. i believe this Mario was the most creative, interesting, and just downright fun 3D mario game. it is the predecessor to Super Mario Galaxy, and the successor to Super Mario 64. Sporting one of the best controllers of all time as a tool to play it with to boot, theBy far the best 3D mario. Many people rag on the FLUDD mechanic simply because it doesn't follow the average mario formula. i believe this Mario was the most creative, interesting, and just downright fun 3D mario game. it is the predecessor to Super Mario Galaxy, and the successor to Super Mario 64. Sporting one of the best controllers of all time as a tool to play it with to boot, the Gamecube controller. This game is easy to pick up, easy to learn, and will have you addicted all the way through. this game gets a solid 9 from me. this game is not a ten for the sole reason that the game is fairly short, with only 5 or 6 worlds, you can get to the final shine fairly quickly. but there are tons of side activities and shines to grab to occupy even more of your time

    Conclusion: Definitely worth a play. Whether or not you think its the best 3D mario after playing, you will certainly be enjoying yourself all the way through.    … Expand
  91. nfc
    Dec 25, 2014
    10
    Super Mario Sunshine is hands down the best video game I've ever played in my entire life. Everything in this game is perfect. I'd love to see a sequel of some sort.
  92. magikarpow
    Dec 21, 2014
    9
    This game is actually quite fun, despite the haters. I loved it as a kid, and I still love it today. The reason it doesn't get a 10/10 is because there are some annoying levels, but even those aren't usually that bad. In the end, Nintendo tried out something new and creative and it may not have been perfect but it still worked very well.

    Here's hoping to a Super Mario Sunshine 2!
  93. skulltulainahat
    Dec 7, 2014
    9
    I really feel the general public was too quick to judge this game before they were even able to get their hands onto it. F.L.U.D.D. was a strange concept, yes, but not a bad one. Nintendo tried to do something new, and the people who made up their mind before giving this game a try missed out.
    With the releases in the New Super Mario Bros. series people have complained that nothing is    I really feel the general public was too quick to judge this game before they were even able to get their hands onto it. F.L.U.D.D. was a strange concept, yes, but not a bad one. Nintendo tried to do something new, and the people who made up their mind before giving this game a try missed out.
    With the releases in the New Super Mario Bros. series people have complained that nothing is really new, yet people complained when Nintendo tried to do something different by introducing the F.L.U.D.D. mechanic.
    Anyhow, if you still haven't played Super Mario Sunshine and are on the fence about it, give it a go. As long as you enter with an open mind, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
    Good graphics (for the time), good gameplay, and good game feel. 9/10.    … Expand
  94. thomasljogues
    Nov 13, 2014
    8
    It is evident that Nintendo made an island-themed platformer and then threw Mario into it. Apparently, that was the actual origin story, if one wants to do the research. It may seem that this would sink the Mario franchise, but instead lifts it up, proving that Mario can adapt to nearly any game, setting, and power-up system as long as quality is present. Now for Super Mario Hyrule...
  95. sonic4president
    Nov 11, 2014
    9
    This game is so stressful and unfair at some points but I love it because it's the first Mario game I ever played and the reason I love the series so much now.
  96. CPD98
    Jul 21, 2014
    10
    Super Mario Sunshine es sinónimo de diversión. He vuelto a jugar muy pocos juegos igual de divertidos que este. Los escenarios, los personajes que los habitan, las habilidades con la máquina del agua, la búsqueda de los soles,... Todo era colorido y te invitaba a seguir jugando, que difícil era soltar el mando! Podría volver a jugarlo ahora y volver a engancharme, es uno de esos juegos queSuper Mario Sunshine es sinónimo de diversión. He vuelto a jugar muy pocos juegos igual de divertidos que este. Los escenarios, los personajes que los habitan, las habilidades con la máquina del agua, la búsqueda de los soles,... Todo era colorido y te invitaba a seguir jugando, que difícil era soltar el mando! Podría volver a jugarlo ahora y volver a engancharme, es uno de esos juegos que no tienen fecha de caducidad. Imprescindible.… Expand
  97. guitarguy001
    Jul 3, 2014
    9
    I love this game so much. It is the first GameCube game i have ever played and have fond memories of it and to this day i enjoy it a lot. The music is great, the level design is excellent, the setting is cleverly implemented into the gameplay and the controls are smooth and responsive. The game is hard though, probably the hardest 3D Mario game so far. Easily one of the best games on theI love this game so much. It is the first GameCube game i have ever played and have fond memories of it and to this day i enjoy it a lot. The music is great, the level design is excellent, the setting is cleverly implemented into the gameplay and the controls are smooth and responsive. The game is hard though, probably the hardest 3D Mario game so far. Easily one of the best games on the GameCube.… Expand
  98. dinosauryoshi
    Jun 30, 2014
    8
    I loved Fludd and the bright colourful levels and visually it was perhaps the most impressive game on the Gamecube. I felt however that a lot of the stars were 'filler' and it began to feel like a chore to collect them all once I'd cost past the 80 mark. Something I don't generally feel in Mario Games, also I felt the controls weren't as smooth as they could have been and many deaths feltI loved Fludd and the bright colourful levels and visually it was perhaps the most impressive game on the Gamecube. I felt however that a lot of the stars were 'filler' and it began to feel like a chore to collect them all once I'd cost past the 80 mark. Something I don't generally feel in Mario Games, also I felt the controls weren't as smooth as they could have been and many deaths felt as if they weren't really your fault. As with any Mario game it's a lot of fun however and I thought the Fludd was a great and innovative idea. I'd absolutely love to see a remake of this on the Wii U with some of those issues sorted out.… Expand
  99. plime
    Jun 30, 2014
    10
    This is my favourite game of all time, and I say this having played pretty much every Nintendo game released since the N64 came out!

    I prefer this to Super Mario 64 for a multitude of reasons- it has more charm, the areas are creative and varied, the hub world is far more interesting and also, get this; it has voice acting and BOWSER SPEAKS!!!

    Anyway, in short- best game ever!
  100. SpiderPlayer
    Jun 22, 2014
    10
    My favorite 3D Mario game, I think the stages well made​​, and the various modes of play really cool, you can also play with Yoshi, you have to search multiple shines, the game has great graphics for the time of it, in some points it is very difficult, but in the end, is a very fun game.
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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

All reviews »
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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