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. Lugubra
    May 15, 2023
    10
    No entiendo porqué la gente lo pone como lo peór en juegos de Mario, es sumamente divertido, la camará puede presentar problemas pero en pocas ocaciones, en general se puede usar muy bien, y F.L.O.O.D me parece las mejores mecanicas de un juego de Mario en 3D
  2. Shinglinhg
    May 17, 2023
    10
    In my opinion, the best Mario game, I love the tropical atmosphere of this game, and the addition of F.L.U.U.D was amazing. It's very satisfying to use it. The game's camera is good, the controls are good, and the soundtrack is, in my opinion, the best soundtrack ever made in gaming history. It's a shame that the game was released for such a failed console like the Nintendo GameCube.
  3. Jaimelikegames
    Jun 17, 2023
    10
    Super mario sunshine is best game ever i love playing super Mario sunshine and it part of my childhood . ❤️❤️
  4. romstarr
    Aug 14, 2023
    10
    Gameplay 10/10
    Story 8/10
    Performance 10/10
    Characters 10/10
    Music 10/10
    Content 10/10
  5. RobW.
    Aug 30, 2002
    9
    The best platforming game to date. More than just Mario64 with a water gun.
  6. RobertJ.
    Mar 8, 2003
    9
    Mario is back. In super Mario Sunshine you get to explore the isle of Delfino, searching for shine sprites, and utilising a water pack to boost, propel, and spray. Besides spraying goop and grafitti, the water pack also allows you to extend your jumping range. This item is probably the most innovative facet of sunshines design and is so well implemented you may not immediately realise how Mario is back. In super Mario Sunshine you get to explore the isle of Delfino, searching for shine sprites, and utilising a water pack to boost, propel, and spray. Besides spraying goop and grafitti, the water pack also allows you to extend your jumping range. This item is probably the most innovative facet of sunshines design and is so well implemented you may not immediately realise how well they pull it off. Was Sunshine is too subtle for certain gamers? The levels all share a similar vacation and sunshine theme, yet they all have their mysteries. Each area is a host to seven levels, and each one of those levels just goes to show how ingenious each area's design is both conceptually and in execution. At times you might wonder out loud "is this a puzzle, or a playground". It is that sort of feeling which sets Mario Sunshine apart from its competitors. Less mature gamers may not have their hunger for gore and T n' A satiated, but for us Nintendo veterans Sunshine is great fun all the way through. But Sunshine is not perfect. Some of the enemies are not quite memorable, and there is a lack power ups(for some, power ups are the spice of life). Yoshi again makes an appearance, but he just isn't that integral to the game and almost feels tacked on. Much has been made of Sunshines camera, however I am resolved in the opinion that THE CAMERA ISN'T THAT BAD. In fact, I feel better controlling this camera than the one from Ratchet and Clank which for some odd reason gamespot rated higher than SMS(imo, a mistake). Basically the camera is as good, if not better as any other platformer. The controls are sharp and highly refined. The games levels are ingeniously devised. A few small thematic gaffes perhaps hold this game back from being Mario's finest, like maybe the vacation theme wears thin for one entire game. Maybe the enemies could have been better. Perhaps SMS was a tad too subtle for less mature gamers. these things don't over shadow the glowing positives I found in playing this game. The water pack, the level design, the beautiful graphics, precise control etc. Mario still sets the agenda, and remains the high water mark for platformers to aspire to.… Expand
  7. MikeD.
    Aug 15, 2003
    9
    The plot is odd but the graphics are great. The game is fun, but like i said, the plot is a little childish. but theres lots to be done, so you'll be plaing for a while.
  8. MatthewV.
    Mar 2, 2005
    9
    Best game of 2002 for the gamecube. Isle Delfino is eye candy, the perfect place for a Mario game. The only flaw is that when you fail inside a level you come out to Delfino Plaza everytime and have to go back in the level which is annoying. Overall an excellent game a must have for GCN owners.
  9. DonaldB.
    Nov 25, 2007
    9
    This game, with its bright colors, tight controls, and childishly amusing storyline, is perhaps the finest game in the series that I have played thus far. And the F.L.U.D.D. was cool too.
  10. SaintPuhn
    Sep 10, 2002
    9
    First off, the learning curve for mastering the water cannon is pretty high (but that could be my arthritis acting up), but once you've got it... sweet! second, the only time i got extremely frustrated was trying to move up the back of the ferris wheel. stupid camera. i had to move between camera positions (Y) way too many times to accomplish that one. anyways, other than those twoFirst off, the learning curve for mastering the water cannon is pretty high (but that could be my arthritis acting up), but once you've got it... sweet! second, the only time i got extremely frustrated was trying to move up the back of the ferris wheel. stupid camera. i had to move between camera positions (Y) way too many times to accomplish that one. anyways, other than those two bad points, this game is a definite keeper. although i've only completed about 40%. hope the ending is good.… Expand
  11. K.P.
    Sep 18, 2002
    9
    A moderately successful platformer whose lack of variety and occasionally frustrating camera angles sometimes get in the way of its enormous potential.
  12. DanielM.
    Nov 2, 2004
    9
    A great game, but won't last forever.
  13. Melody
    Jan 30, 2008
    9
    I love this game! My favorite village was the one on top of the big sunshine where there's this red warp pipe. Super Mario Sunshine is very beautiful and not just that, the game is very fun to play. I love this game a lot.
  14. ChrisS.
    Sep 29, 2002
    9
    Good game. Changed the classic mario a bit, but it still remains a good game. Much better then Luigi's Mansion which i thought was pretty lame. When you first get your "mission" you think it will be childish, but after about 1 hour (which soon turns into 15 hours) you will grow to love this game. I am up to 62 shines or whatever they are, and i am stuck. LOVE THIS GAME.
  15. puffy
    Nov 29, 2005
    9
    great game,,,,, real fun ..... lot of intresting ideas.... but kind hard..graphics are pretty godo... i thougth star fox adverure had great water afects.. i played this game an this game beats that ... the sand n water will flip ur mind out ... i luv knoick that big calapiller or what ever that thing on its back..... the stand it blows up as it runs buy u look pretty dang real...the great game,,,,, real fun ..... lot of intresting ideas.... but kind hard..graphics are pretty godo... i thougth star fox adverure had great water afects.. i played this game an this game beats that ... the sand n water will flip ur mind out ... i luv knoick that big calapiller or what ever that thing on its back..... the stand it blows up as it runs buy u look pretty dang real...the mirror afects are cool.... them are jsut trippy.... i can say this game is worth buyin for that fact even worth rentin...the camra does take some time to get use too but once u do .....ur flyin...one great gamecube game... one that u should not miss out on......… Expand
  16. 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
  17. makosheva7
    Nov 20, 2011
    9
    Super Mario Sunshine, the primary Mario game for the Gamecube is an amazing game. First off the story, is surprisingly compelling, and throughout the game you want to know what is going to happen next. The design in the levels is top notch. The main area, Delfino Plaza acts like a portal to many different areas on Isle Delfino. In these areas you collect 8 shines each. The game looksSuper Mario Sunshine, the primary Mario game for the Gamecube is an amazing game. First off the story, is surprisingly compelling, and throughout the game you want to know what is going to happen next. The design in the levels is top notch. The main area, Delfino Plaza acts like a portal to many different areas on Isle Delfino. In these areas you collect 8 shines each. The game looks great for a gamecube game. Gameplay is always the most important thing in a Mario game, and it's no different here. This time around you'll won't only be jumping around to get where you want to go. You now have a nozzle that can spray things, hover you to unreachable places and much more. There is so much water here you will want to take a washroom break eventually. The music is interesting and memorable in this game. If I was to score this game, I would give it a 9.4.… Expand
  18. 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.
  19. TTW107
    Feb 8, 2012
    9
    One of my favorite mario games and one of my favorite gamecube games. I was still in elementary school when i was playing this. I played this game so much back then it's ridiculous. I loved it.
  20. shprea
    Jun 26, 2013
    9
    As a sequel to Super Mario 64, I feel as though Nintendo made the right move. They incorporated entirely new elements, new locations, and a new feel that made this seem like a departure from the pre-established N64 norm. The level designs are great, the inclusion of Yoshi was awesome, and the setting was nice. The only issues with this game are the occasionally annoying camera, the poorAs a sequel to Super Mario 64, I feel as though Nintendo made the right move. They incorporated entirely new elements, new locations, and a new feel that made this seem like a departure from the pre-established N64 norm. The level designs are great, the inclusion of Yoshi was awesome, and the setting was nice. The only issues with this game are the occasionally annoying camera, the poor last level of the game, and the periodic annoying lever (I'm looking at you, Watermelon level). If you have a GameCube, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You won't regret it.… Expand
  21. CaptainCupboard
    Mar 22, 2013
    9
    One of my favourite games, I loved Mario as I child, still do. The game was so fun, there were so many different and interesting places to go, each with their own quests. The game can last for a long time and can be very enjoyable. There are sometimes where you feel like just jumping around and messing with water pumps but otherwise I got involved in the several quests. I didn't evenOne of my favourite games, I loved Mario as I child, still do. The game was so fun, there were so many different and interesting places to go, each with their own quests. The game can last for a long time and can be very enjoyable. There are sometimes where you feel like just jumping around and messing with water pumps but otherwise I got involved in the several quests. I didn't even finish the game...because I scratched the disc too much. I wish I had finished it but its too late now. I real favourite of mine.… Expand
  22. 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.
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. PolisKanin
    Feb 28, 2014
    9
    I prefer this to 64 for one reason. I don't know that reason though :P
    I just feel this game has more charm than 64. The difficulty was definitely toned up for this game.
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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
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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.
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  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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