It’s clear thatSuperMario Sunshinewas one of the best games on the GameCube, and stands to be one of the best Mario games of all time. Of course, titles likeSuper Mario OdysseyandSuper Mario Galaxyhave outshined it easily. But for a game made in 2002, it was a reason why most people bought a GameCube.
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However, it was also one of the most controversial games, sparking debate on whether it was really worth the “best game on GameCube” title. While the game had flaws, it also had good qualities that can make the case for either argument. Whichever side you’re on, these qualities cannot be ignored when trying to determine the judgment of how this game stacks up.
11Love: The Look
When you first turned onSuper Mario Sunshineand touched down at Delfino Airport, the beautiful creativity of Nintendo is clear. Just from the tutorial level, the water is crisp, the colors are bright and the Piantas are different colors and vibrant. Even the goo that Mario needs to clean has that beautiful glimmer to it as he goes for the F.L.U.D.D. With water being the primary focus of the game, it only makes sense that it would be one of the best-looking things in the title. And for a game that released in 2002, its graphics still hold up today, aging beautifully.
10Hate: The Controls
Controls in Mario Sunshine were a mixed bag. Sometimes while traversing levels, the controls worked fine, especially the camera. Other times, it was like you were fighting against your own camera just to be able to see where Mario was going. At times, you needed to make small movements and precise directional steps, but sometimes the movement for Mario was reminiscent of Luigi in most Mario games, slippery and hard to control. Tapping the control stick can sometimes send Mario off the side of the platform. It doesn’t happen with everyone, but it has been a criticism of the game for a while, so it needs to be mentioned.
9Love: The Story
While this game ends up being the classic tail of Peach getting kidnapped by Bowser, it doesn’t necessarily start off that way. When Mario arrives with Peach, Toadsworth and some other Toads, he sees the runway covered with a goo that is causing trouble for the natives. After he assists with the help of F.L.U.D.D., a water pump developed by E. Gadd, he is approached by police officers and arrested. That’s right, Mario goes to JAIL.
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He learns that a clone of him is running around causing mischief, and it is up to him to clean up his mess to clear his name. Of course, Peach ends up being kidnapped by the clone, known as Shadow Mario, multiple times while Mario collects Shine Sprites to return the isle of Delfino back to its bright, lively form. Eventually, Bowser ends up behind most of the issues, and Mario defeats him soundly. But keep in mind…he’s responsible for MOST of the plan.
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7Hate: The Levels
The base levels ofSuper Mario Sunshinewere a mixture of both pleasant and unpleasant sights to see. But this is more focused on the repetition. This game takes on theSuper Mario 64style of gameplay, having a set of eight missions to complete in each level. But on levels with F.L.U.D.D.-less sections, you will have to complete the level twice, once to get the initial Shine Sprite, and twice to collect eight Red Coins in the level with the F.L.U.D.D. equipped.
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It can become repetitive at times, especially when completing a 100 percent run. While the levels are beautiful to look at, the game suffers the same problems that Mario 64 had when it came to repetition. Or it just had levels that were annoying to deal with, like pushing a watermelon to a juicer or popping balloons in a time limit.
6Love: The Bosses
This game had iconic bosses that reappeared in other Mario games, such as Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper and Wiggler. The bosses have intense attacks and force Mario to control his environment in order to defeat them. One of the most iconic fights in the game is against Mecha-Bowser, where Mario fights the rampaging machine on a roller-coaster. A roller-coaster! You collect Bullet-Bills that he attaches to F.L.U.D.D., and as he rides around the track, he shoots them at the machine to defeat him. That is ten-thousand gallons of AWESOME!
5Hate: The Glitches
With this being a 2002 game, and the first of its kind on a system as graphically enhanced as this one, it was bound to have glitches. With most of them being graphical, there are some glitches that could be game-breaking, such as Yoshi freezing in mid-air, or different items or terrain becoming invisible.
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And these weren’t just glitches that happened sometimes in a blue moon. Visual glitches were common without the use of emulation, while the most serious bugs and glitches were uncommon. But they were still aggravating for players to deal with.
4Love: The Music
The island, Hawaiian themed music that plays at every level helps the player immerse themselves in a happy environment. Even in places like Hotel Delfino, the music matched the creepy environment Mario moved through, making haunting, ghostly noises as he climbed the floors. Pinna Park had a track of carnival, fun music that played in the background of the rides going on around him. Also, the boss music in the game is top-notch. It has the jazzy boss music that Mario games are known for, while the Mecha-Bower boss music was the best fight music in the game, perfectly coupled with the grinding of the roller-coaster tracks. And the final level, Corona Mountain, has the best level music in the game.
3Hate: Chucksters
A F.L.U.D.D.-less level in Pianta Village has been the subject of memes of this game before memes even existed. In the level called “Secret of the Village Underside,” Mario needs to speak to Piantas of different sizes and heights, and they will throw him to different platforms in order to reach the Shine Sprite. The issue? You need to speak with them while they are in a specific position. But the position and the timing are very specific. VERY specific. If you’re even off an inch, you’ll be tossed over the side, falling into oblivion and losing a life. Many players will get used to seeing “I’m a chuckster,” before getting tossed off the edge, hearing Mario fall to his demise.
2Love: Bowser Jr.
Finally, something not Bowser! Except…it is his son. But Bowser Jr.’s first appearance is special in this game. This is one of the major moments where someone, other than Bowser, is getting their hands dirty to cause mischief for Mario and his friends.
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Being the true identity of Shadow Mario, he uses his magic paintbrush to spread paint and graffiti across the lands, trapping people and places under the gunk. He even manages to kidnap Peach himself, leading to the nostalgic “Mama Peach” line. But the significance of this Bowser Jr., compared to later installments of him is that he feels more like the main villain here, rather than a sidekick to Bowser. He’s getting his hands dirty to defeat Mario himself, without the help of Bowser or the other Koopalings.
