Even video game characters need a vacation, but it seems that Mario can’t catch a break no matter where he may end up. Mario has gone through several different changes over the years and has experimented with different ways a game of theirs can be played and in the case of Super Mario Sunshine, there are many unique and interesting changes to both gameplay and story that help sunshine stand out from the crowd making it another worthy addition to the franchise’s long line up of classics.
Mario, Princess Peach and Toadsworth are heading to the sunny resort of Isle Delfino for a vacation. When they land, Mario is suddenly greeted with anything but welcome as the local islanders the Piantas suddenly frame Mario for committing the crime of spraying graffiti and polluting the waters of the island. Mario is sentenced to community service to clean up the island with the help of a backpack water machine named F.L.U.D.D. Now it's up to Mario to clean up the mess while also figuring out the one responsible for the crimes he did not commit in the first place.
The story goes in a different direction compared to most Mario games but it still keeps the aspects from the other Mario games to still make things fun and entertaining. You can definitely expect the usual stuff such as Peach getting captured again but sometimes the game will throw a curveball by introducing new characters and unique enemies to face off against. It's a little off putting to hear actual voices being dubbed for some of the characters because most of us are used to hearing simple oo’s, ahh’s and grunts. It’s different for sure and I'm glad they didn’t do this for the other games but still it was weird to have actual dialogue for some of the characters to speak.
The game takes elements that worked in Mario 64 and expands with different uses of gameplay. The most notable being the F.L.U.D.D, which allows Mario to hover or spray down enemies and objects. Occasionally you will play separately without F.L.U.D.D for brief periods of time through straightforward and challenging platforming sessions. Speaking of which, This game is very challenging and some parts were really hard to get through (I’m looking at you final level) but it’s rewarding all the same for beating the entire thing overall. Most of the areas you visit will have eight or fewer Shine Sprites to collect and every challenge to get a said Shine Sprite presents different mechanics you’ll need to get used to in order to collect them. The only problems I do have with the gameplay are some of the floaty controls that are inconvenient when trying to land a jump especially in the platforming levels.
The setting is really unique to a Mario game and graphically it looks really really good for it’s time. The Hub world and each level has a very tropical feel and the music reflects that. I also like how during the platforming challenges they use an accapella track of the main Mario theme. The locations on the island have a very tropical and yet otherworldly feel being a Mario game. You’ll be visiting many cool places such as an amusement park, a shipyard or just the plain warm and relaxing beaches of Isle Delfino.
This was possibly the most riskiest Mario game Nintendo has put out and the end result is a highly enjoyable game that while it has its issues, it still holds its place among the library of Mario titles. It’s different but also unique story, solid gameplay and pretty good graphics make this game a must play for Mario fans of all ages. Whether you play it on your gamecube or on your switch, Super Mario Sunshine is sure to be a very good experience for any level of gamer.
(Final Grade: B+)