Metroid Prime 2 Echoes CIB With Strategy Guide (Nintendo GameCube, 2004)
$85.00
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Reviews (1)
Dec 24, 2018
Super Mario Sunshine: The “black sheep” of 3D Mario Games
5 of 5 found this helpful When you see people talk about Mario games, specifically the 3D games, you always hear them gush about 64, Galaxy and the most recent, Odyssey. But you don’t hear about Sunshine as much. Despite releasing to critical acclaim overall, the game was a bit polarizing with fans. Coming off the massive shoulders of Super Mario 64 and releasing during a time where 3D platformers were still over-saturating the market, Sunshine was a curiosity.
Gone are the traditional fire, ice, forest, etc themed levels, replaced by an tropical-island filled adventure. Each stage still has a specific theme( a lazy country-side, a harbor, a amusement park, a massive beach, a hotel resort, etc) but they are drenched in sunny rays and lots of water. The lack of thematic variety may be a let down for some, but they absolutely nailed what they were trying to achieve with their tropical paradise and gameplay mechanics tied to them.
Speaking of unique gameplay mechanics, Sunshine introduced the F.L.U.D.D. device, which basically functions as a water jet pack for Mario with additional properties( a weaponized water gun, rocket jumps, etc). It enhances the gameplay by making combat have a bit more depth and allowing the platforming to be more challenging and varied as you have significantly more aerial maneuverability.
Outside of the thematic change and introduction of the F.L.U.D.D., the game is very similar to 64. You have a sizeable hub world filled with hidden secrets and and collectibles, and each stage is entered by jumping into an M-like graffiti tag(ala paintings from 64). You must collect a certain amount of Shine Sprites to unlock new levels and ultimately proceed to the final stage. Each level contains 7 or so specific challenges that reward a single Shine Sprite. It’s a bit more linear than 64, where you could collect the Stars out of order, but the principle remains the same.
As with most Nintendo games, the presentation is top notch. The graphics are colorful and vibrant and still hold up pretty well today. The music is catchy and while a little cheesy, the (surprising) amount of voice acting is endearing. The story itself is a little more involved than most Mario games, though that’s not saying much. After setting the stage as a tropical vacation for Mario and company, it plays up a “whodunit” mystery in the early hours, but it quickly reveals the twist of the main bad guy(and an amusing reference to Luigi’s Mansion), and is a straightforward “save the princess!” plot after the reveal. The game is solid in length. Depending on your level of skill, it should only take 8-10 hours(give or take) to get to the final boss, but as the game is fairly challenging, you can add several more hours if you plan to collect all the Shine Sprites.
One specific gameplay element I’d be remiss to not give a mention is the challenge stages. Throughout each level, there are various...challenge encounters, we’ll call them. In these stages, you lose your F.L.U.D.D. device, and must rely on pure platforming skills to win. The levels are very clearly the precursor to the entirety of Super Mario Galaxies’ level design. These levels are often suspended high in space/the sky, with fairly psychedelic imagery. They are among the hardest levels in the game, with rotating blocks and disappearing platforms doing their best to lead you to an untimely demise. It is both ironic and unfortunate that what is arguably the most memorable of Super Mario Sunshine’s levels do not use the games primary new gameplay mechanic.
Other than the aforementioned thematic changes to both environment and gameplay(which are definitely just personal preferences), the only real complaint I can leverage against Sunshine is its camera. As with most 3D platformers of that time, camera control could be awkward and frustrating. Unfortunately, thanks to the verticality and labyrinth-like design of some of Sunshine’s levels, the problems are exacerbated. The game even features a camera mechanic that does this sort of “see-through” effect if you’re behind an object, showing Mario and his very immediate surroundings as black silhouettes. While it’s a solid attempt, it’s still a case of knowing the problem was there to begin with.
Overall, Sunshine is a really great game that unfortunately had to live in Super Mario 64’s shadow and was followed by the best in class Super Mario Galaxy. It was unique and tried to change up the status quo of 3D platformers. I personally really enjoy this game and the changes it brought to the table, both when I was a teenager back in 2003 and now when I’m a bit older(and possibly wiser). Aside from the camera, it has aged fairly well. A good condition copy will run you around $40 now, and I say it’s worth every penny, considering it was $50 back at launch. You owe it to yourself to play the oddest and most unsung of Mario’s 3D platforming days. This is one vacation you definitely want to take!