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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. Kacak321
    Apr 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game. A lot of fun! ............................
    .............
    .. ........    … Expand
  8. S3XU4LH34L1NG
    Apr 11, 2021
    8
    A fun and suprisingly challenging classic. I'd say its not quite as good as SM64 especially due to the annoyance of getting the 100% the worse controls and the slightly worse level design.
  9. WWWWWWWWWp
    Dec 21, 2020
    0
    Terrible game. It's rigged. The secret levelz are impossible to finish. Waste of time.
  10. 2bitplayss
    Jun 1, 2021
    9
    i understand this game was rushed but i enjoy this way more then super mario 64.
    i know most shines aren´t required to beat the game which is kinda lame but...
    i love the beach theme of this game and most levels are fun to play so positives great levels great theming blue coins (yeah i like these because you need to explore the level.. i don't like that most coins can't be collected    i understand this game was rushed but i enjoy this way more then super mario 64.
    i know most shines aren´t required to beat the game which is kinda lame but...
    i love the beach theme of this game and most levels are fun to play
    so positives
    great levels
    great theming
    blue coins (yeah i like these because you need to explore the level.. i don't like that most coins can't be collected in 1 episode)
    bosses are fun
    mario controlls really good the best i have ever seen

    negatives
    pachinko machine level
    poison river level
    there are a lot of 8 red coin mission
    bowser's voice sounds stupid    … Expand
  11. 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
  12. doodlerman
    Apr 9, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I absolutely loved this game as a kid, but it was too hard for me to power my way through. Unlike Zelda games of the era, it required more finesse to master. Even if you knew the solution to the occasional platforming puzzle, you still had to muster the skill to overcome the challenge. Even now, a good deal of it is difficult. I only recently beat it for the first time with the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection.

    On the GameCube, the camera and Fludd controls weren't an issue for me as a kid, but it's hard to revisit since they're inverted. There isn't an option to un-invert these controls, so I had to wait until 3D All-Stars before I really gave this another go. Still, even when the camera controls are fixed, the camera oftentimes gets stuck on or behind walls. It's a major improvement in that department over Super Mario 64, but there are still issues.

    Playing it now, I see why it's considered a sort of black sheep of the Mario family. The oddities of the levels aren't anything new, but there's a surprising lack of visual variety. Each stage is just a part of the tropical Isle Delfino. Maybe it's a beach or harbor or amusement park or village, but they're all of the same tropical local. This didn't bug me much - I thought it all looked gorgeous - BUT I understand why Mario fans were let down by it.

    Moreso than aesthetics, there's also the matter of super annoying challenges. Most stages feature what I feel are some of the best examples of platforming challenges you can find in games, period. However, there are some stages that are so mind-bogglingly frustrating, it's like they're trolling you. There's a stage where you have to push a gigantic watermelon across the level, but if it touches anything with too much force or is tossed into the air by one of the dozens of ducklike monsters waddling about along the way, you gotta start all over. Then there's this ridiculous pachinko level. And don't even get me started on the 'poisonous lily pad' level or what it takes to get there.

    The story is also pretty bizarre. Essentially, as soon as he arrives to Isle Delfino on vacation, Mario is arrested and falsely charged with polluting the whole island, and will only be released after he's cleaned up the whole place. The real culprit is a mysterious doppelganger, called Shadow
    Mario, who leaves behind puddles of muddy paint and graffiti. There are also a variety of polluting monsters encountered along the way that we can only assume are minions of this Shadow Mario. Shadow Mario is later revealed to be Bowser Jr., son of Mario's nemesis Bowser (obviously). Only, Bowser Jr. is under the impression that Peach is his mother and that Mario kidnapped her, a lie fed to him by Bowser. This is strange on its own, but what's really weird is that when Peach is confronted with this lie, she doesn't make any effort to deny it. "Maybe I really could have given birth to this scaly, spiky turtle dragon," she must be thinking. Then again, birth has never been something taken seriously in the Mario universe. Mario and Luigi were being carried to their parents by storks in Yoshi's Island before Kamek kidnapped them. In that same game, we see that Yoshi lays eggs simply by eating monsters or bonking their heads on Yoshi-egg patterned boxes. Though, perhaps those eggs are inseminated the same way salmon procreate... I'm thinking too much about this now.

    Anyway. Great game. The most annoying levels aren't necessary to beat it, so it's completely worth it.    … Expand
  13. Javis
    Jun 4, 2013
    10
    What I have to say about this game is... MY FAVOURITE VIDEOGAME! It is the best Mario game that could have been made! The graphics are marvelous, the platforms are very, very different, from the other Mario games, this time are bigger, hilarious and fun, and I think this the only game when the characters talk all the time, that was funny, and even the new characters are very funny. I willWhat I have to say about this game is... MY FAVOURITE VIDEOGAME! It is the best Mario game that could have been made! The graphics are marvelous, the platforms are very, very different, from the other Mario games, this time are bigger, hilarious and fun, and I think this the only game when the characters talk all the time, that was funny, and even the new characters are very funny. I will never stop loving this game.… Expand
  14. EtaYorius
    Jul 17, 2023
    9
    My second favorite Mario game after 64 and a worth successor, The mechanics with "Flood" are fun, difficulty is good and the amount of shine sprites is huge too! i Got no idea why this game was not very popular back then.

    I even like this one a bit more than Odyssey. My score is 91 - 100.
  15. 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.
  16. GamerNick
    Dec 16, 2013
    10
    Hands down my favourite game on the Gamecube. This game sucked me in, and took me on a ride! Beat it 100% and proud. Story is fantastic! Gameplay is fluid (except for the occasional camera spasms). Regular story is a bit short but there is much more to do after. If you have a Gamecube, GET THIS GAME. I guarantee you'll be entertained for hours and will love this game for the rest of your life.
  17. 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
  18. ThisMustBeHalo
    Jan 4, 2014
    9
    One of the most memorable games of my childhood, I still return now and again to beat the game in one long session. Of course, it has that huge trouble with the camera, but I personally never noticed it until I looked. So -1 for that flaw. It really does a sort of timeless charm that makes people come back for more. I beat the same boss 3 times in a row just because it was so satisfying toOne of the most memorable games of my childhood, I still return now and again to beat the game in one long session. Of course, it has that huge trouble with the camera, but I personally never noticed it until I looked. So -1 for that flaw. It really does a sort of timeless charm that makes people come back for more. I beat the same boss 3 times in a row just because it was so satisfying to pull off his tentacles. The game was a bit of a challenge, especially with those darn secret stages. But I was looking for a challenge, and I was happy with that. The only real gameplay criticism I have is that the game could've been a bit more innovative with how you used the FLUDD. Moving along, the graphics are beautiful, especially for a GameCube game. The Delfino Isle hub is fun to mess around in, and it wasn't too painful looking for all the hidden Shines. All in all, definitely a game any GameCube/Wii owner should play.… Expand
  19. aves88
    Jan 15, 2014
    10
    Super Mario Sunshine is a beautiful game. The graphics are stunning for the gamecube, and leave the player visually satisfied in every moment of play. My favorite visual is the water, the physics are great, the crystal clearness with the sunlight shimmering off the surface is enticing, making the player wish they could jump in themselves. The controls are innovative and create opportunitySuper Mario Sunshine is a beautiful game. The graphics are stunning for the gamecube, and leave the player visually satisfied in every moment of play. My favorite visual is the water, the physics are great, the crystal clearness with the sunlight shimmering off the surface is enticing, making the player wish they could jump in themselves. The controls are innovative and create opportunity for a vast array of moves, however they can be frustrating in the frequent occasion where their functionality wavers. The physics often fail the user leaving you glitched on an edge or falling through a solid surface. Frustrating glitchyness aside, the gameplay is great, constantly keeping the player immersed and having fun. The difficulty level is not extraordinarily high, but, i wouldnt call it an easy game, there are definetly some challenging elements such as the secret levels, sometimes genneral levels. All in all it is a fantastic game and is one of if not my alltime favorite mario game. Definetly worth a play through.… Expand
  20. PrimetimeGoody
    Jan 18, 2014
    9
    My favorite and most played game of all time. From when I was 6 years old, to now, 16 years old, I can never get enough of this game. One of the most challenging yet fun Mario games ever. Graphics are stunning for a Gamecube game, and the music is perfect.

    Only complaints I have that doesn't make it a perfect 10: Some levels are a pain, and just not that fun and by far the worst part    My favorite and most played game of all time. From when I was 6 years old, to now, 16 years old, I can never get enough of this game. One of the most challenging yet fun Mario games ever. Graphics are stunning for a Gamecube game, and the music is perfect.

    Only complaints I have that doesn't make it a perfect 10: Some levels are a pain, and just not that fun and by far the worst part about this game, the camera angle. The camera can be really annoying at times, but doesn't take away from the game to the point where you can't enjoy it.

    9/10    … Expand
  21. TehBwitzie
    Feb 8, 2014
    8
    I see this game getting compared to super Mario 64, and I'm surprised people don't like this game because it's not as good as that beautiful sparkling cider on the n64. There's a very good hover plat forming game in sunshine if you look hard enough. Sm64 and this are both good games.
  22. andrefray
    Feb 25, 2014
    7
    Personally, I think the Mario games from the Game-cube era were the best of all time. I love Super Mario Sunshine, Paper Mario Thousand Year Door, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Party 4, etc. etc. even more than the N64 counterparts that I grew up with. I love the N64 ones of course, but the Game cube sequels brought so much innovation and creativity they were ultimatelyPersonally, I think the Mario games from the Game-cube era were the best of all time. I love Super Mario Sunshine, Paper Mario Thousand Year Door, Mario Power Tennis, Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Party 4, etc. etc. even more than the N64 counterparts that I grew up with. I love the N64 ones of course, but the Game cube sequels brought so much innovation and creativity they were ultimately very enjoyable games. Although Luigi's Mansion had no N64 counterpart, it is also a prime example of an innovative Gamecube Game. Great Review :)… Expand
  23. Toad5x
    Feb 26, 2014
    10
    This is a very good game, yes it has it's glitches and stupid missions. Once again it is a good game fun and decent physics. (Again the glitches). And it is different, but does it matter? It is still at least ok. You will not come across most of the glitches in normal gameplay so don't worry. If you haven't then you should try it. If you hate it then replay it please. Thank you for reading.
  24. DrewtheDude85
    Mar 30, 2014
    10
    Words almost cant describe how much I love Super Mario Sunshine. I know this is one of the most underrated Mario games out there and it's such a shame because SMS is one of the greatest gems Nintendo has ever made and I loved it more than Super Mario 64 for sure! It took some of the great things about SM64 like the hub and level traveling, the star system (even though it's shine spritesWords almost cant describe how much I love Super Mario Sunshine. I know this is one of the most underrated Mario games out there and it's such a shame because SMS is one of the greatest gems Nintendo has ever made and I loved it more than Super Mario 64 for sure! It took some of the great things about SM64 like the hub and level traveling, the star system (even though it's shine sprites this time) and made them even better. Sure FLUDD was kind of weird but I was okay with her, I thought the system controlled well. I am of course not a fan about the lack of the long jump and backwards jump that were in SM64 but luckily they returned in the Galaxy games. I guess one of the biggest reasons I love this game so much is probably the fact that it's one of the first Mario games I've ever played, or maybe I'm just blinded by nostalgia too much. I just really like the whole vacation theme of this game. I suggest that everyone should give this game a try; it's really not as bad as people say.… Expand
  25. fijiboy
    Apr 21, 2014
    9
    this game is totally different compared to other Mario games, kind of in the same way of luigi's mansion which I loved, but this is a different game entirely. exploring all the different worlds is awesome and flood is a creative gimmick in the game. most of the objectives in the game are so much fun, but there are a few that I can remember that were quite frustrating, but It never feltthis game is totally different compared to other Mario games, kind of in the same way of luigi's mansion which I loved, but this is a different game entirely. exploring all the different worlds is awesome and flood is a creative gimmick in the game. most of the objectives in the game are so much fun, but there are a few that I can remember that were quite frustrating, but It never felt like It was frustrating for the sake of being frustrating,(most of the time) but was instead truly challenging. a great Mario game, that as good or better than Super Mario Galaxy. yep I said it. :)… Expand
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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...
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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

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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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