Zack plays the Mario game that came after Super Mario 64 but before Galaxy.
While playing Super Mario Sunshine for the first time, I was stunned by how different the concept of the game was in comparison to other 3D Mario games. In Sunshine there is more of a story beyond just saving Princess Peach. Instead you have Mario on some weird island with a bunch of people who share striking resemblance to Max Rebo from Return of the Jedi. Not only that, but there is voice acting!
The plot involves Mario being framed for vandalism, where he ends up locked in a jail, brought to court, and sentenced to clean up the mess. Hilarious enough was that there is an actual courtroom scene in the game, something I never expected to see in a Mario game.
Isle Delfino, and Delfino Plaza, the hub world of Sunshine, is a reminder of what has been missing from recent 3D Mario games. The idea of having an open area to explore at any time in a Mario game is something I miss from his most recent adventures. Although it may not have the nostalgia factor for some that Princess Peach’s Castle in Super Mario 64 has, Isle Delfino is unique in its own right. Its tropical feel along with its residents make it a fun place to explore.
Super Mario Sunshine may still be a pretty game, but it without a doubt proves that the Wii was more than just a GameCube with motion controls. The visuals of this compared to the graphics in the two Super Mario Galaxy games leave no question in my mind of the power difference between the two systems. This discussion is now a moot point, with the Wii U bringing us a beautiful HD 3D Mario, but I think it is worth noting.
I was under the impression, from others thoughts online, that Super Mario Sunshine was the worst 3D Mario, and now that I’ve played it I really don’t see why. Unlike other recent 3D Mario games I feel there is some control quirks with moving, but beyond that it plays fantastically. The one problem with Super Mario Sunshine is its place in the Mario series. As a follow up to Super Mario 64 expectations could not have been higher. While it may not be groundbreaking, Sunshine is a great evolution of the Super Mario series. Playing it for the first time many years later shows just how well the game holds up.