The GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox are now generally considered retro systems. That means each console’s star games are becoming older, leading to many important anniversaries in the near future. Althoughthe GameCube was lambastedtwo decades ago for being unwilling to engage in the “mature” tone adopted by the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, it was also beloved then and now for its library. One big name in the industry took a strange direction that might have alienated some older fans at the time, but created an army of new ones:Super Mario Sunshine.
Plenty of Nintendo franchises experimented on the GameCube.Metroidwent first person,Star Foxdecided to emulateZelda-style adventure mechanics, andZeldaitself embraced cartoonish visuals.Pokemonhad antihero protagonists inColosseum, whereasMario Kartpromoted teamwork withDouble Dash. This is what makes the GameCube stand out, andSuper Mario Sunshinewas the console’s mainlineMarioinstallment, which put it under a lot of pressure. The public got a taste of whatSunshinehas to offer 20 years ago today, and throughout the years it has attracted some controversy, but has ultimately proven to be an example of the GameCube’s willingness to stir the pot.
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The Strengths of Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Sunshinewas not the franchise’s debut on the GameCube, as a year beforehand Nintendo’s cult-classicLuigi’s Mansionwas the unimposing gamethat would hint atSunshine’s new approach to theMariouniverse.Super Mario Sunshine’s premise and aesthetics are unique to this day; few attempts to revisit its new characters and set pieces have been attempted outside direct references to the game. Instead of letting Mario’s acrobatics do most of the platforming, the game integrates the water pack F.L.U.D.D. into its gameplay.Sunshine’s controls, which are looser than usual, use F.L.U.D.D. as an extra push, and the water-based gimmicks complement its level design.
Like its predecessorSuper Mario 64, this game puts Mario into a 3D environment. To contrast64’s experiment with standard platformer gimmicks,Super Mario Sunshinethemes itself around the tropical locales of Isle Delfino. Beaches, hotels, harbors, and theme parks are all used to develop this sector of the wider world beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. Rather than inserting as many themes as possible into a gameplay gimmick, likeSuper Mario Galaxywould down the line,Sunshinededicates itself to the vacation and heavily aquatic premise.
Super Mario Sunshinedoes not feature the typical coin blocks and Goomba armada of averageSuper Mariofare. Most of the species inhabiting Isle Delfino are completely original, and familiar foes were provided a different flair. That being said, the game still impacted the Mario cast in a waySuper Mario 64did not. Some newcomers to the franchise, such as Toadsworth andPetey Piranha, became recurring characters in spin-off titles following their debut, which was less common for64characters like King Bob-omb.Sunshine’s biggest contribution is Bowser Jr., who would become a major character after his introduction and more-or-less replace the Koopalings in the process.
That all being said,Super Mario Sunshineis not perfect, despite getting the same kind of acclaim as other titles in the mainline series upon release. Some side activities, especially getting every collectible, can make 100 percent completion difficult. Glitches are more of a hindrance, and hearing Mario characters actually speak has proven to be jarring for many. It may not have as impacted gaming as much asSuper Mario Bros. 3,Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, orSuper Mario Galaxy, butSunshinesucceeded in delivering an entertaining experience that’s still remembered fondly after 20 years.
Super Mario Sunshineis available now on GameCube and Switch.
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