Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D platforming video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo GameCube. It was released in Japan on July 19, 2002, in North America on August 26, 2002, and in Europe on October 4, 2002. It is the first original traditional Mario platformer since Super Mario 64, six years earlier. It was followed by Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii.
Story
Mario sets out for the prestigious tropical retreat Isle Delfino, for a well-deserved vacation with Princess Peach, Toadsworth, and other many-colored Toads. Upon arrival, Mario finds that the once-pristine island has been vandalized with graffiti and toxic goop. As a result of this pollution, sun-shaped objects called Shine Sprites, the island's source of power, have dispersed, and the island is covered in a perpetual shadow. Even worse, the culprit seen spreading the graffiti is disguised as Mario (he is later referred to as "Shadow Mario"); thus, Mario is promptly arrested as he steps off the plane. Shadow Mario is identified as a blue, paint-like version of Mario with red eyes and a large paintbrush he uses to paint graffiti, including his double-arch-like tilted "M" symbol (similar to the McDonald's one) with a vertical dash above each hump of the "M".
Mario is put on trial, found guilty, and ordered to clean up the mess and return the Shine Sprites. To help with the cleaning, Mario finds FLUDD, a powerful water cannon touted like a backpack ("FLUDD" stands for "Flash Liquidizing Ultra Dousing Device"). Mario sets out on his adventure, promising to clear his name and locate the real criminal while restoring tranquility and order to Isle Delfino.
Gameplay
Super Mario Sunshine is the first game where Mario extensively uses an accessory (FLUDD) to complete his mission. The pair work together as team, not unlike the teamwork in the Nintendo 64 title Banjo-Kazooie, which featured a partnership between the characters Banjo and Kazooie. When Mario first acquires FLUDD, he can spray and hover in the air using its nozzles. Two other nozzles can be unlocked later in the game to extend FLUDD's functionality - the Rocket Nozzle which propels Mario high into the air, and the Turbo Nozzle which lets Mario sprint super-fast on land and water, as well as break down wooden doors.
The game contains a number of independent levels, which can be reached from Delfino Plaza (the hub or overworld). Gameplay is based around collecting Shine Sprites by completing various tasks in the levels and overworld.
At first, each level features one task (called an "episode") which may be completed to acquire a Shine Sprite. There are 7 episodes per level. The player is then returned to Delfino Plaza and a new task is unlocked on the level they just played. Each level consists of up to eight of these tasks, which may be played again at will once they are completed. Once the player has collected enough Shines in total, a new level is available at Delfino Plaza, either by the acquisition of a new ability or some plot-related event. Shines (as they are called in the Japanese version) are also available by collecting blue coins. Ten of these coins may be traded for one Shine in the overworld.
Gameplay proceeds in this fashion until all of the Shadow Mario–related missions are completed, which unlocks the level containing the final boss. As the total number of Shines available at any given point is greater than the number of Shines needed to unlock the next level, the player may choose which tasks he/she wishes to attempt.
In homage to Super Mario World, Mario can also ride Yoshi in this game. Yoshi can be used to eat certain insects and birds to produce yellow or blue coins or Shine Sprites. Yoshi can also eat fruit and squirt the juice of that fruit. This juice can be used to dissolve orange Generators acting as obstacles as well as to briefly transform enemies into platforms for Mario to step on. The color of the Yoshi and the effect of its juice depend on the type of fruit last eaten. Yoshi will disappear if he touches a deep body of water or if Mario dismounts him while in water. While Mario is riding Yoshi, a woodblock will accompany the background music as in Super Mario World.
Table of Contents
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan) (The Lost Levels)
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario All-Stars
- Yoshi's Island
- Super Mario Land
- 6 Golden Coins
- Super Princess Peach
- Super Mario Maker
- Super Mario Run
- Super Mario Maker 2
- Super Mario Bros. 35
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Princess Peach: Showtime!