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Super Mario Sunshine (JP) (abbreviated as SMS and also called Mario Sunshine) is a Mario action-adventure 3D platformer released in mid-2002 for the Nintendo GameCube. It's the second 3D Mario platformer, following Super Mario 64. This game introduced many recurring characters and bosses in the Mario series, including Toadsworth, Bowser Jr., Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper, Piantas, Nokis, Shadow Mario, and F.L.U.D.D. Super Mario Sunshine is the second game in the Mario series to feature extensive voice acting, the first being Hotel Mario, making it the first, and thus far, the only 3D Mario game to have it. It also pays homage to Mario's Italian heritage and upbringing, with many of the locations in the game (including the island itself) having Italian names and sometimes referencing Italian culture.

This game, along with Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, are part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars game, that was released for the Nintendo Switch on September 18, 2020 and was available until March 31, 2021 as part of the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Event.

Plot[]

Isle Delfino

Isle Delfino.

The game starts off in the Toad Express, where Mario, Princess Peach, a few Toads, and Toadsworth are flying out to Isle Delfino for a vacation. While watching a video advertisement showing its numerous attractions, Peach notices a Mario-shaped shadow figure jumping around in the background. Mario and Toadsworth do not notice this, as they dream about the food and having a good time.

They make a rough landing on Delfino Airstrip, as a large amount of strange, moving goop in the shape of Mario's head is blocking the runway and has formed a pit. Mario goes on a brief search for something to assist him and soon finds a unique water pump invented by Professor E. Gadd named F.L.U.D.D., the Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device. The machine scans Mario and identifies him as its customer. After user instruction, Mario uses F.L.U.D.D. to clean the goop and defeat a Gatekeeper, after which the runway returns to its normal condition, and a Shine Sprite appears, which Mario collects.

After collecting the Shine Sprite, however, a pair of Pianta Police officers arrest Mario. In court, the prosecution reveals that the island is covered with similar goop, and the graffiti has forced all the Shine Sprites to flee. Eyewitness accounts indicate that Mario is the guilty party, and despite Princess Peach's attempted objection, Mario is found guilty and is ordered not to leave until the entire island is cleaned.

SMS Screenie

Mario using the Hover Nozzle.

After defeating another Gatekeeper, the Grand Pianta Statue comes out of the ground with the mysterious character resembling Mario on top. This Shadow Mario attempts to kidnap Princess Peach, but Mario foils his plan and he escapes into the Rainbow M he paints on the base of the statue. This allows Mario to access Bianco Hills and recover more Shine Sprites. Later, similar incidents of various landmarks disappearing in goop happen around Delfino Plaza, and cleaning the goop reveals that these places also have portals to different areas of Isle Delfino.

Once Mario recovers ten Shine Sprites, Shadow Mario kidnaps Princess Peach again and flees to Pinna Park. Mario chases Shadow Mario there and takes down his weapon, Mecha-Bowser. Shadow Mario comes out of Mecha-Bowser's head and reveals himself to be Bowser Jr., Bowser's son. He says that Bowser told him Peach is his mother who got kidnapped by a bad guy named Mario. He also reveals the graffiti to be the work of his magic brush, which he claims was given to him by "a strange old man in a white coat". Bowser Jr. then takes Peach to Corona Mountain by flying in Mecha-Bowser's head. Unable to rescue Princess Peach, Mario returns to cleaning up and recovering Shine Sprites. He also finds Yoshi and new Nozzles for F.L.U.D.D. to use, and unlocks more areas of Isle Delfino to explore. In Episode 7 of these areas, Mario must chase down Shadow Mario to obtain a Shine Sprite from him. After these episodes are cleared in every area, Delfino Plaza is suddenly flooded after a surge of water came gushing out of the cave behind the Shine Gate. This flood also wound up destroying the barrier obstructing the cave entrance, allowing Mario access into Corona Mountain. Working his way to the top of the volcano, Mario finds Bowser and Bowser Jr. relaxing in a huge hot tub of sludge with Peach with them. Mario then battles Bowser and Bowser Jr. by using the Rocket Nozzle and then Ground Pounding onto the five platforms protruding from the tub from high up while avoiding Bowser and Bowser Jr.'s attacks. The force of the Ground Pound on the last platform flips the tub end-over-end and everyone plummets down out of Corona Mountain, while a large Shine Sprite hidden in the pool flies out.

Bowser, Bowser Jr., Mario, and Peach fall from the sky, with Mario landing head-first onto an island just west of Delfino Plaza, while Peach is floating down with her umbrella and lands softly on the same island Mario has landed on. However, their reunion is cut short when they see F.L.U.D.D. malfunctioning. After looking at Mario giving its last words, F.L.U.D.D shuts down. The Shine Sprite from the hot tub returns to the Shine Gate as the residents of Isle Delfino apologize to Mario for falsely accusing him. Far away from the island, Bowser and Bowser Jr. (who landed on a raft) watch the celebration from the raft. Bowser Jr. says he knew all along that Peach wasn't really his mother, but wants to fight Mario again. Bowser praises his son and says that for now, they should just rest a while. Later on, as Mario and Peach enjoy a sunset at Sirena Beach, they notice the Toads carrying F.L.U.D.D., which is okay and states, "The vacation starts now!" Pictures of their vacation are shown during the credits, showing Mario and his friends enjoying the island and its wonders. After the credits, a picture of Il Piantissimo discovering the Magic Paintbrush in the sands of Gelato Beach is shown, along with "The End" displayed in the lower right hand corner. However, defeating Bowser after collecting all 120 of the Shine Sprites replaces this picture with a group picture of friendly characters in the game posing in Hotel Delfino, with the the phrase "Have a relaxing vacation!" on the bottom.

Gameplay[]

Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D platformer where players control the environment around them in a similar manner to its predecessor, Super Mario 64. As with all 3D platformers, players can adjust the camera to their liking. Due to closer objects obstructing features on the level, when certain characters and items are obscured by minor objects such as walls or trees, their silhouettes are marked by a big '?'. This does not apply to Mario and his F.L.U.D.D., to differentiate him from the features.

Super Mario Sunshine is the first game where Mario extensively uses an accessory to complete his mission. F.L.U.D.D. (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) features spray and hovering capabilities when it is first acquired; other nozzles can be unlocked to extend F.L.U.D.D.'s functionality, such as the "Rocket Nozzle" which propels Mario high into the air, and the "Turbo Nozzle" that lets Mario sprint 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. Gameplay is based around collecting Shine Sprites by completing various tasks in the levels and over world, very similar to Super Mario 64, but with Shine Sprites instead of Power Stars. However, unlike in Super Mario 64 where the player could usually get most Power Stars no matter which mission was chosen, this game usually lets Mario obtain only the Shine Sprite the player selects from the screen prior to the level.

There are 120 Shine Sprites and 240 Blue Coins in the game. Ten blue coins can be exchanged for a Shine Sprite at the Boathouse in Delfino Plaza. There are two Shine Sprites at the Airstrip, seventeen in the plaza (including one for collecting 100 Coins and one in Corona Mountain), and 11 in each of the seven other areas (eight from main episodes, two hidden, and one for getting 100 Coins). There are 30 blue Coins in each of the seven areas, making 210, there are 19 in the plaza, one in the Airstrip, and ten in Corona Mountain, making 240 altogether.

At first, each of the seven areas features one task which may be completed to acquire a Shine Sprite. The player is then returned to Delfino Plaza and a new task is unlocked in the area they just played. Each area consists of up to eight of these tasks, as well as two hidden 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, such as Shadow Mario appearing in the Plaza.

Gameplay proceeds in this fashion until all of Shadow Mario's related missions are completed (the seventh mission of each level), which unlocks Corona Mountain, containing the final boss. As the total number of Shine Sprites available to obtain at any given point is greater than the number of Shine Sprites needed to unlock the next area, players may choose which tasks they want to attempt.

Mario can also ride Yoshis in this game, making Super Mario Sunshine the first 3-D Mario game to incorporate this functionality, being followed by Super Mario Galaxy 2. Yoshis can be used to eat enemies, as well as certain insects and Birds that can produce Gold, Blue, or Red Coins, and even Shine Sprites in a few cases. Yoshis can also eat fruit and squirt the juice of the color of that fruit, just like F.L.U.D.D sprays water. This juice can be used to dissolve certain kinds of pulsating goop acting as obstacles, as well as to briefly transform enemies into platforms for Mario to step on. The color of the Yoshi, as well as the effect of its juice, depends on the type of fruit last eaten. However, Mario can't take Yoshi with him when he accesses a new area, meaning that Yoshi is only usable in certain areas and certain missions, and if Yoshi runs out of juice or touches deep water he will vanish, requiring Mario to find the egg and hatch it again.

Characters[]

  • Mario - The main character of the game. His first appearance in the game is on the airplane to Isle Delfino
  • F.L.U.D.D. - A sentient robotic water pack that can squirt water and clean up goop. His first appearance in the game is in Delfino Airstrip.
  • Yoshi - A dinosaur that can jump high and do other sorts of tricks. He can turn enemies into platforms by squirting Juice. If he touches water, he'll disappear and want a random kind of fruit each time. Yoshi first appears in the game after Episode 4 in Pinna Park where he gets kidnapped by Shadow Mario in Delfino Plaza and Mario must defeat Shadow Mario to earn Yoshi.
  • Peach - Comes along with Mario on his vacation. She first appears in the game on the airplane to Isle Delfino.
  • Toadsworth and the Toads - Peach's steward who also takes care of the Toads during their stay at Isle Delfino. They first appear in Delfino Airstrip.
  • Bowser - Mario's worst enemy and the final boss of the game. He gets his son to kidnap Princess Peach. He doesn't appear until the very end of the game.
  • Bowser Jr. - Bowser's apparent 8th son and Mario's main unexpected enemy who disguises himself as an imitation of Mario, also known as Shadow Mario. He is not seen until Episode 1 of Pinna Park in his real form.
  • Piantas - A kind of people in Isle Defino who have trees on their heads to have relief from the sun's heat.
  • Nokis - One of the residents of Isle Delfino who wear seashells as a reminisce of their home.

Levels[]

Level Name: Description:
Bianco Hills A grassy area with a small village, and a huge windmill. A lake surrounds the area, and the boss in this area is Petey Piranha.
Ricco Harbor A big harbor with a small little shopping area next to it. A ton of construction pieces hang over the polluted lake, including a yellow submarine. A race takes place here where Mario races on Bloopers.
Gelato Beach A nice beach with plenty of Cataquacks that throw Mario up in the air. A local celebration takes place here where Mario must find the biggest watermelon. In the center is a tower with a Giant Wiggler on top of it holding the egg of the legendary Sand Bird.
Pinna Park An amusement park on an island south of the mainland featuring a giant roller coaster, two swing ships, a huge Ferris Wheel, a Yoshi-go-round, and other rides. Right outside the park is a huge patch of Sunflowers. This is where Bowser Jr. reveals himself.
Sirena Beach A beach with a hotel and casein resort. The hotel is overrun with ghosts scaring away visitors. Inside the casino are a couple of casino games, including the boss fight against King Boo.
Noki Bay An island inhabited by the Noki people. Huge cliffs surround the bay with a waterfall and spikes shoot out of the water, atop one is a massive shell. Underneath the water lies a huge eel named Eely Mouth.
Pianta Village A village that is built atop a giant plant overhanging a deep pit. A huge tree is in the middle with smaller trees surrounding it. Below the village are mushrooms growing from below and a mass of platforms.
Corona Mountain A huge volcano with lava traps surrounding it, as well as the final boss battle with Bowser Jr. and King Bowser, who kidnapped Princess Peach.

Table of episodes[]

Stage Stage
Delfino Airstrip
Delfino Plaza
Piranha Plant in the Generator Airstrip's Red Coins In the Pipe on the Islands Clean the Southwest Bell
Bianco Hills
Spray the Sand near the Lighthouse Box Bashing Minigame
Road to the Big Windmill Down with Petey Piranha! Harder Box Bashing Minigame Get Chucked through a Window
The Hillside Cave Secret Red Coins of Windmill Village Red Coin Pinball Machine Spray the Golden Bird
Petey Piranha Strikes Back The Secret of the Dirty Lake The Very Annoying Yoshi Shine Blast Through the Guarded Doors
Shadow Mario on the Loose The Red Coins of the Lake Blast Through the Bell Tower Doors Clean the Shine Gate
Hillside Cave Secret Red Coins Dirty Lake Red Coins In the Pipe Near Pinna Park's Entrance Super Ground Pound the Lighthouse
Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2 Clean the Other Bell Blue Coin Shine #1
Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins Blue Coin Shine #2 100 Gold Coins (This can alternatively be gotten in Delfino Airstrip)
Ricco Harbor Gelato Beach
Gooper Blooper Breaks Out Blooper Surfing Safari Dune Bud Sand Castle Secret Mirror Madness! Tilt, Slam, Bam!
The Caged Shine Sprite The Secret of Ricco Tower Wiggler Ahoy! Full Steam Ahead! The Sand Bird is Born
Gooper Blooper Returns Red Coins on the Water Il Piantissimo's Sand Sprint Red Coins in the Coral Reef
Shadow Mario Revisited Yoshi's Fruit Adventure It's Shadow Mario! After Him The Watermelon Festival
More Blooper Surfing Safari Ricco Tower Secret Red Coins Hidden Shine Picture Under a Sand Bud Dune Bud Sand Castle Secret Red Coins
Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2 Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2
Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins
Pinna Park Sirena Beach
Mecha-Bowser Appears! The Beach Cannon's Secret The Manta Storm The Hotel Lobby's Secret
Red Coins of the Pirate Ships The Wilted Sunflowers Mysterious Hotel Delfino The Secret of Casino Delfino
The Runaway Ferris Wheel The Yoshi-Go-Round's Secret King Boo Down Below Scrubbing Sirena Beach
Shadow Mario in the Park Roller Coaster Balloons Shadow Mario Checks In Red Coins in the Hotel
Beach Cannon's Secret Red Coins Yoshi-Go-Round's Secret Red Coins Hotel Lobby's Secret Red Coins Casino Delfino's Secret Red Coins
Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2 Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2
Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins
Noki Bay Pianta Village
Uncork the Waterfall The Boss of Tricky Ruins Chain Chomplets Unchained Il Piantissimo's Crazy Climb
Red Coins in a Bottle Eely-Mouth's Dentist The Goopy Inferno Chain Chomp's Bath
Il Piantissimo's Surf Swim The Shell's Secret Secret of the Village Underside Piantas in Need
Hold It, Shadow Mario! The Red Coin Fish Shadow Mario Runs Wild Fluff Festival Coin Hunt
The Golden Bird Shell's Secret Red Coins Cool It, Sunshine! Village Underside Secret Red Coins
Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2 Blue Coin Shine #1 Blue Coin Shine #2
Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins Blue Coin Shine #3 100 Gold Coins
Corona Mountain
Defeat Bowser Blue Coin Shine

Development[]

Reception[]

Super Mario Sunshine received widespread critical acclaim, currently holding an aggregate score of 91.50% on Gamerankings based on 76 reviews. [1] While praise was directed towards the wide array of moves, criticism was directed towards the camera, the gimmicky nature of F.L.U.D.D. and the Yoshis, and the game's voice acting. Super Mario Sunshine is the 3rd best-selling game for the Nintendo GameCube as it sold about 6.3 million copies as of December 31, 2009, and was the 10th best-selling game of 2002, according to the NPD. [2]

Credits[]

Gallery[]

  Main article: Super Mario Sunshine/gallery

Cheats[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • This is the only game in the Mario platforming series to be released on the GameCube console, though was welcomed to critical (92% average on GameRankings) and commercial (5.5 million copies sold) acclaim (despite its predecessor and successor performing better on both fronts).
  • The year after the game was released, it was introduced to the Player's Choice line of products, making it a mere $20 (USD).
  • This is the first Mario-themed GameCube game re-released for the Nintendo Switch (via Super Mario 3D All-Stars).
  • Despite being developed in Japan, the Japanese version of the game uses the English voice with Japanese subtitles.
  • During the short movie where F.L.U.D.D. examines Mario, he will see a screen on the bottom left showing screens from Super Mario Bros., Super Mario World, and Super Mario 64. This actually confirms that this game takes place after those three games.
  • In the Pinna Park's first secret world, the background will have a Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island theme.
  • In a few of the backgrounds of secret worlds, you'll see an old school Mario sprite from Super Mario Bros.
  • Episode 4's secret stage in Ricco Harbor also appears in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
  • Even though the cutscenes in Super Mario Sunshine make Delfino Island look like a Dolphin, in-game, it doesn't.
  • This is the first game to feature Peach, Toad and Yoshi's current design in this game.
  • This is the fourth Mario game where Luigi doesn't appear in the game at all, nor is he mentioned, following Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, and Super Mario 64. He also didn't initially appear physically in Super Mario Odyssey until the February 2018 update.
  • This is the first time where Princess Peach wears her hair in a ponytail. This would later be used in the later Mario Kart and Mario Sports games, starting with Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. It is the only time in the mainline Mario game as well.
  • This is the only Mario game where Mario wears a T-shirt as opposed to his long-sleeved shirt.
  • Sometimes, when losing a life, Mario will say "Arrivederci" which is Italian for "Goodbye". In the German translation, the words "Too bad" will display as "Arrivederci".
  • According to the Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros., all the enemies and even the Yoshis of the game are derived from the scribbling of Bowser Jr., hence their weakness to water, as well as the slightly different appearance of enemies.
  • The shine on the box art of the American, Japanese, and British versions of this game roughly says, "Mario has more moves than ever, you'll have to master them all to sprinkleAmerican / sprayBritish water in the sunshine." All the other European box arts have this sentence as well, but translated.
  • Mario's voice actor, Charles Martinet, considers this to be an "underrated game".[3]
  • This is the one of only five 3D Mario games where Mario does not say "Thank you so much for playing my game!" at the end of the credits, the others being Super Mario 64, Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario 3D Land, and Super Mario 3D World.
  • This has been the only game in the overall main Super Mario series that has never been available for digital download up until 3D All-Stars' release.

References[]

  1. Super Mario Sunshine for GameCube- GameRankings. Retrieved October 21st, 2015
  2. NPD Press Release- January 28, 2003(January 28, 2003). Retrieved October 21st, 2015
  3. CooperMcHatton (Jul 22, 2012) Charles Martinet on Super Mario Sunshine at SDCC 2012. YouTube. Retrieved August 2, 2018.


External links[]

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