Super Mario Sunshine's a weird one, but one I love. Coming off of a legendary game like that would not be an easy task, especially with the expectation of newer more powerful hardware. Polarizing does not even begin to describe how this game has been received over the years online. And yet despite everything, I still love this game dearly.
Mario in this game controls exceptionally well. Yeah he may not have much momentum to him considering you can stop on a dime almost immediately, but it makes platforming feel a tad more satisfying especially in those secret stages. This is all enhanced thanks to F.L.U.D.D., who can give you an incredible amount of versatility with air time that feels valuable in this game. Using a GameCube controller is exceptionally recommended for this game, as its notches make it easier to hold a specific direction for those tough platforming parts.
Super Mario 64's general structure of a main hub with portals to multiple different worlds is followed through here, although now you have a water jetpack named F.L.U.D.D. in a tropical beach setting, and Shadow Mario has stolen your Princess. Unlike 64, the worlds are segmented into episodes that usually only contain that episode's shine sprite. Forcing you to complete the main objective instead of getting a vague hint for what shine you should get. There may be some repetitiveness in theming due to the fact the entirety of Isle Delfino is a tropical paradise, but the levels manage to feel extremely fresh despite the same setting being used throughout. A harbor, a beach, a windmill village, a resort hotel, and a treetop village are some of many creative worlds you'll explore throughout. So the game sounds great so far, but what's so polarizing about the game?
Well it may be due to the fact that the game doesn't tell you that you have to beat Shadow Mario in every world before the final stage opens up. Yes, Every Mission involving him. It's not like all the shines you've collected are counting towards anything other than restoring the sunlight to the island, those extra shines you getting are pointless. This makes blue coins, extra shines, and even the secret levels feel pointless since these would've worked exceptionally well if they had followed 64's progression of just needing 70 stars to access the final level!
Overall, Super Mario Sunshine to me feels like the sequel to 64 that deserves it in almost every way, even with its faults. There may be issues in how its structure is laid out compared to 64 and the future games, but it still has that Nintendo charm and quality that makes me love and appreciate it even to this day. Now, what about getting a Sunburn?
the Sunburn mod changes up a few things. For one, the old 70 star requirement from 64 is backported, now finally giving more reason collect the useless shines that the original's progression made worthless. The worlds are also structured more like 64's in the sense that extra shines from other episodes can be collected outside their required episodes, making getting shines without exiting stages easier to do. Oh, and shines no longer boot you out of the stage after collecting one. Also you have a long jump, boom. Basically this mod combines the best of 64's mechanics into Sunshine's engine without changing too much of the original's structure. The mod would be a 4 & 1/2 stars if I was able to count this as well.
Mario in this game controls exceptionally well. Yeah he may not have much momentum to him considering you can stop on a dime almost immediately, but it makes platforming feel a tad more satisfying especially in those secret stages. This is all enhanced thanks to F.L.U.D.D., who can give you an incredible amount of versatility with air time that feels valuable in this game. Using a GameCube controller is exceptionally recommended for this game, as its notches make it easier to hold a specific direction for those tough platforming parts.
Super Mario 64's general structure of a main hub with portals to multiple different worlds is followed through here, although now you have a water jetpack named F.L.U.D.D. in a tropical beach setting, and Shadow Mario has stolen your Princess. Unlike 64, the worlds are segmented into episodes that usually only contain that episode's shine sprite. Forcing you to complete the main objective instead of getting a vague hint for what shine you should get. There may be some repetitiveness in theming due to the fact the entirety of Isle Delfino is a tropical paradise, but the levels manage to feel extremely fresh despite the same setting being used throughout. A harbor, a beach, a windmill village, a resort hotel, and a treetop village are some of many creative worlds you'll explore throughout. So the game sounds great so far, but what's so polarizing about the game?
Well it may be due to the fact that the game doesn't tell you that you have to beat Shadow Mario in every world before the final stage opens up. Yes, Every Mission involving him. It's not like all the shines you've collected are counting towards anything other than restoring the sunlight to the island, those extra shines you getting are pointless. This makes blue coins, extra shines, and even the secret levels feel pointless since these would've worked exceptionally well if they had followed 64's progression of just needing 70 stars to access the final level!
Overall, Super Mario Sunshine to me feels like the sequel to 64 that deserves it in almost every way, even with its faults. There may be issues in how its structure is laid out compared to 64 and the future games, but it still has that Nintendo charm and quality that makes me love and appreciate it even to this day. Now, what about getting a Sunburn?
the Sunburn mod changes up a few things. For one, the old 70 star requirement from 64 is backported, now finally giving more reason collect the useless shines that the original's progression made worthless. The worlds are also structured more like 64's in the sense that extra shines from other episodes can be collected outside their required episodes, making getting shines without exiting stages easier to do. Oh, and shines no longer boot you out of the stage after collecting one. Also you have a long jump, boom. Basically this mod combines the best of 64's mechanics into Sunshine's engine without changing too much of the original's structure. The mod would be a 4 & 1/2 stars if I was able to count this as well.