Genre: Platformer
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Year: 2002
Platform: GameCube
Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D platformer and the second major 3D Mario game after Super Mario 64. Set on Isle Delfino, Mario travels there with Princess Peach and her entourage for a vacation, only to be framed for polluting the island with graffiti. Equipped with a water-spraying device called the FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device), Mario must clean up the island, restore its Shine Sprites, and uncover the culprit behind the mess — Shadow Mario.
Gameplay revolves around exploring large, open-ended levels, cleaning up goop, and collecting Shine Sprites. The FLUDD enables a variety of movement options, such as hovering, spraying enemies, and boosting jumps. Levels combine platforming challenges with puzzle-solving, and some areas strip Mario of FLUDD for more traditional platforming tests.
Released in August 2002 in Japan and North America, and in October 2002 in Europe, the game was praised for its vibrant graphics, expansive level design, and fluid controls, though some critics noted camera issues and occasional difficulty spikes. Super Mario Sunshine remains a standout GameCube title, influencing later 3D Mario games with its emphasis on unique movement mechanics.
