18 years ago on 19th July 2002, Nintendo released Super Mario Sunshine on the GameCube in Japan. It was followed by a North American release in August, and a European release in October. If this game was a person, it would have now reached adulthood in a lot of countries.
This tropical-themed entry saw Mario travel to Isle Delfino to clean up the graffiti mess made by a villain known as Shadow Mario - with the assistance of the water-powered device F.L.U.D.D. It's still one of the most unique 3D Mario games to date.
Super Mario Sunshine went on to become one of the best-selling GameCube titles - shifting more than five million copies worldwide and was easily one of the highlights of this particular generation. Although, sales reportedly did not live up to Nintendo's expectations at the time.
Earlier this week, Sunshine artwork was spotted on a Monopoly Super Mario Celebration Edition box - which also happens to be linked to rumours about Nintendo potentially remastering Mario's back catalogue (including Sunshine) for his 35th anniversary.
What do you think? Is it about time Nintendo re-released this game? Do you have fond memories of playing this title back in the day? Tell us down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 92
My brain filled in the headline with "Is now coming to the switch," and I had to do a double take.
The only Super Mario game, along The Lost Levels, that I don't like.
@TG16_IS_BAE I have a heart attack every time NL does one of these anniversary articles. 😂 I should probably have learned by now but I just can’t help it.
My favourite Mario game personally. Probably due to the fact that my brother got this on release and I grew up playing the Cube from the age of 3, albeit badly. FLUDD was a great addition and helped to correct jumps and I just love the environments. Delfino Plaza was a better hub than Peach’s Castle to be honest, there was so much to do and explore. I did love Galaxy but the Observatory just wasn’t as interesting to me.
This is my favourite one and I grew up with the classics
Hopefully, this will be on eShop on Monday
Would really like to see this one back, as long as it’s had a bit of work done. It has real potential. As it stands it’s a good game by the standards of most series but a lower level Mario game. If they remaster it without any fixes it won’t stand up very well.
Loved it, played it with my girlfriend when I just went living in my own. I buy any Mario game they release, anyday....
I feel older than I've ever felt before.
Next to the obvious SM64, this is my fav Mario game. Can't believe its already been 18 years, gods above I feel old.
And I still hear Toad's voice(s):
"What is this icky paint-like goop?"
"It's moving!"
"Now now boys, don't touch that stuff!"
And Peach...
"...Mario?"
Gamecube was my first tv console (before I even had a tv in the first place), and me and my little sister loved playing tis game among others. A few years ago, for her birthday, I bought her a used gamecube with Mario Sunshine, LoZ tWW, Mario Kart DD, Paper Mario TTYD, and quite a few other games still, as a massive bundle for pretty cheap, and some games that didn't interest her but that I added to my NGC collection (almost every worthy NGC game was there but I had pretty much all of them already, some pretty mint, RE2 and MGS Twin Snakes were sealed still...), used to make my copies better (replacing manuals and inlays for example), and / or just sold separately for a decent price, well below ebay standards, and still getting my money back (wasn't looking for profit).
@Blooper987 They should only do them on anniversaries that are multiples of five. This is two years too soon.
I loved this game when I was a kid, still have my GC copy. For some reason, I never had the heart to get rid of it.
This is my 3-year-old's favourite game. Whenever we're playing on my consoles he always wants me to fire up the Cube for a bit of Mario Sunshine (that or Sonic Chaos on my OG Master System MK1. Probably sacrilegious to mention here). He's crap at it, but I think I'm supposed to forgive him that at this stage. Really hope it becomes a proper memory for him.
Played through Sunshine at some point not too long ago with a friend. As I suspected it has aged terribly, it controls fine and looks nice. But so many of the mission are just obnoxious and/or really haphazardly designed, the resort theme gets old very fast, the soundtrack is among the series worst (if not the worst period). It's just not a very fun game to me.
If it comes to Switch, it will be my first time buying it. On GC, I borrowed it from a friend and played through it once.
I remember having it and didn't like it as much as Mario 64. I remember certain levels felt more frustrating than fun
I foolishly sold it along with my game cube a long long time ago. Its only now looking back that I regret selling it.
Probably due to the fact that it's just about the only Mario game you can't play unless you happen to have an old game cube knocking around (or a mk1 Wii of course but you'd still need a gamecube controller)
I really hope that I'd does get a remake as I'd definitely love to try it again
I hope they include gamecube adapter support
I gave up so quickly on this game.
Time for a remaster!
I predict GameCube virtual console will be a real thing....in 2060.
Such an underrated game, I always loved it even when I 100%ed it, although getting the blue coins was a pain at times! But this is the one I want to replay most out of all the rumors.
Not my favorite 3D Mario, but I liked my time with it overall. Some of the Shine Sprites and Blue Coins are obnoxiously hard to get, though.
I'd love to see this game get the remaster treatment the same way Wind Waker did.
Still never played this game... I hope they add this to the 35th anniversary collection
Good game, far from being one of the best ones in the series, but it was quite nice. I'd be up for a remake, if Nintendo ever delivers!
I’d just be happy if more people get to play it. Bowser has a voice in this.
Now then everybody I keep going on about this but recently I picked up an mClassic and oh my word does it do absolute wonders for GameCube and Wii games (basically 480p games look unreal). Mario Sunshine and the Galaxy games In particular look like HD remasters on my 49 inch TV. It takes my breath away. If you’ve got an old cube or Wii (Mark I) lying around then why not treat yourself to an HD adapter (Carby/EON for GC - pricy or Wii2HD - really cheap) and an mClassic and your whole cube/Wii catalogue will come alive again. Seriously.
This and Super Mario 64 have always been my favourite Mario 3D games.
And if you’re an NTSC N64 gamer then the mClassic paired with the EON Super64 is the dream ticket. F-Zero X is one game of many that looks close to an HD remaster. Seriously.
Love Mario Sunshine! Some of my favourite music in the Mario series, great locations and fun mechanics. It’s a bit rough in places, especially the camera, but I’d love to see a return in a remaster or direct sequel one day!
I never got how people keep saying this games aged worse than 64. 64s controls, physics, hit detection, and camera is way more jank than Sunshine since its the first 3d platformer in existence, its gonna be worse by default just by the minimal knowledge of translating 2d platformers to 3d. Also just because 3 shines out of 120 were not designed well doesnt mean all 120 werent designed well. All levels arent Pachinko or Corono Mountain. All collectables arent vague blue coins, vague blue coins are way less common than the opposite. We talk about getting booted out every Star but nobody ever talks about Rainbow Cruise, missing jumps in the clock level because of the camera, or the arguably bland level design of levels like Dire Dire Docks (love the music tho).
When it comes to this game it always feels like people exaggerate its issues and devalue its accomplishments as the next evolution of 3D Mario in ita own right. I dont mean to generalize everyone but I feel like its because 64 has this defence of being the first 3d platformer and having this revolutionary status that criticism against it is either washed away and ignored.
Maybe its because we play these games tons and tons of times so anything janky gets adapted, this applies to all games, thats why the issues I said doesnt affect my enjoyment of this game, they are all muscle memory now. Im sure this is the case with the old games you love as well, im not saying im any different.
Sunshine is my favorite game in the series despite Odyssey still being objectively better in design due to the advancements in time, Sunshine made a major impact in my life and I wouldnt be playing Nintendo games without it.
I never liked this game actually IMO. It was definitely the most beautiful of the games, and had a nice touch and originality to it, but the actual level and level design was awful. Almost no original stages. And half of the game revolves around red coins, secret stages, and those blue coins. It also has over the top difficulty and morbid controls. I would love a remake that would fix all these problems, but for now I’m just going to stick to other games with better controls.
@Apportal I definitely would want a remake so more people can appreciate Sunshine today if they didnt like the original very much!
It would be cool if Isle Delfino was open world and they add new locations and features like mario 64 ds
I absolutely despise this game's levels and some of the mechanics and stuff, where levels didn't need to be needlessly frustrating at points (I'm looking at you, poison river and ESPECIALLY pachinko machine!), as well as those accursed Blue Coins (Seriously, Nintendo? Making Blue Coins episodic? Come on! >:c) AND the AWFUL, janky camera, but I did enjoy the music. That's a good plus to me! Also the graphics look alrightish, but just picturing it upscaled to HD on the Switch, especially if they fix the difficulty from being way too all over the place, making the Blue Coins non-episodic dependent, making a better camera and most of all: The nozzles permanent upgrades! But I digress, like I said: The game has a pretty boppin' soundtrack.
@1UP_MARIO I thought it was real cool tht bowser got a voice It got me excited the mario series was going through evolution. Then it went back :/
@Freddyfred I think it might be because it saves money. Its a lot more interesting and bring more spice into Mario but its not 100% neccessary since they arent story driven games like say Zelda.
@Ardisan Thank you for writing that. I also think that Super Mario Sunshine is the best. Super Mario Odyssey is so boring compared to Sunshine. The evolution over Super Mario 64 is incredible, with much smoother controls, a lot of gameplay mechanics, delightful environments, interesting level design and beautiful music. Can't judge a game for three frustrating shines or some hidden blue coins.
I'm ready to return to Subcon and Sarasaland.
It would actually be a dream sequal. I loved this game!
Still hoping for a direct.... still thinking that nothing is gonna happen on the 20th....
Please Nintendo!
@Shambo Dude that's such an awesome, thoughtful gift! Just wanted to say that because that was a really nice and wholesome little story to read, you're an awesome brother!
Gotta agree with brentalfloss’s take. Weakest of the main series.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O6WwtmDKOJI
@Moistnado yes, 2060 sounds right to me as well.. since Nintendo is like 5 gens behind the current gen.. Nintendo will keep the trend and stay behind and charge people same price as the much stronger consoles from the future.. It's like Apple Nintendo
If the Mario collection is real I would buy 20 of them
I need Mario sunshine on my switch
I had the game back in the day as well, and my opinion is like many others in that I didn't like it overall. I don't remember a lot of specifics, but I recall issues with control and stage design. But I do remember finding the camera very annoying and the game wasn't fun enough to tolerate it. That's my own experience. I know the game has plenty of fans. I do think it's one game that would likely benefit from some changes or updating.
I grew up with this one and whenever I got stuck i would goof off and just play around in this world. I have fond memories of this one.
My country doesn't have a lot of heatwave. But it did the entire summer I played this game. It added so much to the tropical vibe that it's still one of my favorites. (in a remaster I would like if they didn't force you to reach a certain star in every level. It made all the other stars and blue coins worthless! Because they didn't count to unlocking anything, story or otherwise! )
Sunshine had the best Mario to control in a 3D game. I just love the moveset. A lot of people complain about the lack of long jump while I always complained about the lack of slide move in Galaxy games. It got replaced with... the ability to shoot stars? Bleh!
@Hask What remastered games?
Keep hoping for these so called remasters of Mario games, and Metroid. But I won't hold my breath. Don't know what's going on in the house of Mario at the moment, but they need to pull there finger out.
It may not be my favorite 3D Mario game but I absolutely love how Mario controls. Though one thing that always bugged me since when I was a kid was how obtuse it was to unlock Corona Mountain. There's like no hint at all on the requirements and when you do find out you realize how all of the side shine sprites that aren't the first 7 missions in each level are completely worthless.
@DK-Fan
I loved Sunshine, but totally can see why some people wouldn't. The timed, sand filled levels were annoying. The sand bird was annoying. But the look was clean, and I loved the tropical aesthetics of Isle Delfino.
I would love a sequel that takes the concept of FLUDD and changes it. A crossover with Luigi's Mansion is my dream, with push-pull puzzle mechanics.
Tried to play it in my Wii when I tracked down a GC copy. Wasn’t for me. I will replay both galaxies first
At this point, if Nintendo don't release these 3D remasters/remakes, anything short of Mario Galaxy 3 or Mario Odyssey 2 would be a massive disappointment.
God knows what Nintendo first party studios do, nothing amazing has come out of them for a while, so I’m hoping for a new Mario not a remaster of a game I’ve all ready enjoyed playing. I do wonder how big there internal first party studios are.
I pretty sure they can’t have as many as Sony or maybe even Microsoft now.
They seem a bit of mystery the ole Nintendo.
Maybe we might have BOTW 2 surprise.
They came out of the starting gate with the Switch like a company on fire, the Switch was almost never off in our house but now it’s the least played of all three apart from the odd round of Mario Kart.
@Axelay71
Well said totally agree, they need get a bit lively and releasing some new top end games.
It’s my least favorite Mario 3D game, but it’s a awesome title.
I managed to get 94 shrines.
And revisited the game in this quarantine.
Just kind of finally built my own video game “area” in my house and connected all of my Nintendo systems. Considered booting up the GC Sunshine and thought... better wait JUST in case.
If you want to test your Sunshine meddle, play an Only-Hover Nozzle challenge. It makes some stages mighty tough. Others are impossible--you need to use other sprays no less than 16 times over the whole adventure (1-5, 4-1, Corona). But other than those, it's satisfying to play.
Fun fact: You can reach Pianta Village before unlocking Bianco Hills, so you can totally defeat Shadow Mario once before his official introduction.
@Apportal You do realise if you start a sentence with “I didn’t like the game” you don’t need to finish it with “IMO” ? Of course it’s your opinion 🤣
I love Sunshine. I think 64 will always be my favorite, but 3D Mario games are one of the major experiences that keep me gaming. It would be awesome to have remasters. I really hope this fabled collection is real.
@Si-Po it doesn’t sound right to me. Soz
Give me the game already for the switch!
@Hask I want hard cold facts, not
conjecture
@TG16_IS_BAE
Exactly what I thought. I was scrolling on my phone and my heart stopped a second, thought it said “...is finally coming to the switch!”
One of my fav mario games outside 64... oddessy was just ok for me... sunshine and 64 bring the memorys. Bring back the memorys nintendo
Sales may be low, but at least it outsold Super Mario 3D World!
y'all knew exactly what you were doing posting something with a mario Sunshine thumbnail . . .
@hotgamer77
Only 70,000 copies of difference. Maybe the WiiU game will sell a little more.
A Super Mario Sunshine remake would be dreamy
I remember the first day I put mario sunshine into my GameCube and before I could boot up the console it fell of the shelf and snapped the disk in half. Ah the memories
I never got Mario sunshine.. so if the rumors of a Mario 3D collection with 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy are true.. then I will definitely pick it up day 1, a $60 price tag for 3 games is a steal in my books
Strange we haven’t gotten Mario 64 yet on NSO. In addition to the DS version, we got VC versions of it for Wii or Wii U. Mario All Stars 2? Remaster? NSO? N64 mini? Something has to be in the works.
Great game; warts and all. Very fond memories with this one. Who knew community service would be so fun and addicting?
I’d definitely play it again if it was remastered for the Switch. Having said that, this is my least favorite Mario game after Super Mario Bros 2. I remember the controls feeling cumbersome and it felt like there were too many cut scenes.
Used to love this game when I was a kid! Hope it gets remastered at some point, way underrated (assuming that’s not just nostalgia talking)
I'll get it - obviously - if and when rereleased. But for now it's playing rather well on a GCLoader modded cube with Carby video out
My favourite Mario platformer, closely followed by Odysssey.
Sunshine is still one of my favourite Mario games. I really liked FLUDD, the sunny environments, Delfino Plaza, all the different moves you could pull off, having Yoshi.
Can understand why people are put off with the difficulty but I enjoyed the challenge. Must admit I had to use a guide to get every single blue coin and there needs to be some sort of indication as to where you're missing them from though, otherwise it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.
@Ardisan Really liked your comment. Seems like a lot of people have rose tinted glasses when it comes to Mario 64 but decide they hate Sunshine.
@DK-Fan The Lost Levels is the original Super Mario Bros. 2
@wazlon @Ardisan
I’ve played some of both 64 and Sunshine this year and much prefer 64. Nothing to do with muscle memory or rose tinted glasses or anything. In fact it’s amazing to me that there’s 6 years between them.
Ah the mario game where bowser sounds like cookie monster and every world is tropical themed. The blue coins that are basically filler for the lack of worlds is what bored me about this one. Some were really annoying to get. Remember that pinball machine one? Good looking game I'll be honest but playing it was a whole different thing. Frustrated the hell outta me!
Is was my favorite Mario game until Mario Odyssey!
I loved - and still do - the levels design of Sunshine...however there should have been more options for the controller; more specifically an inverted control for the camera and Mario movement.
Underrated game (though far from my fav 3D Marios).
Would absolutely love a remaster
This game has its messy parts and its shortcoming, but it's still weird how it's the only mainline Mario game to stay out of circulation for this long. :X
Yoshi vomiting fruit juice on everything was good times.
As long as it's an actual remake/sequel with added content and updated controls I'll be in. I played Mario Sunshine so many times that there has to be new content for me to be interested personally.
@Hask I hope they use the Mario 64 DS and upscale that because it was a way more fleshed-out version of the game with more playable characters and more stars and they added some levels which was really nice.
With regards to a Mario All Stars 2, I’m actually most interested in Sunshine. It just lacked the expected polish: bad camera, bad pre-rendered cutscenes and some pretty noticeable bugs, such as falling through solid ground.
There’s an opportunity to get it right. Sunshine can be great, if the opportunity to fix its flaws is taken.
I've never owned the game so I never got the chance to play it to completion. I really hope it gets some remaster treatment in a near future.
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