I do not subscribe to the idea that this game is lesser because of some sort of nitpicking analysis about its padding or its several design gimmicks, or various reports of the results of a rushed development. I have no interest in comparing this game to the others.

What I know about this game if anything is that there are few games in Super Mario Sunshine's entire genre that are as joyful, bright, and clever. I love the cute little story and bits of characterization. I love the diegetic little platforming structures that give the game a sort of free-wheeling parkour feeling that is only enhanced by the sense of space. I think I prefer Mario games that sort of lean into levels where you bounce around real spaces like a little harbor complex rather than an abstract floating platform affair.

Isle Delfino is a real all-timer in the annals of comfy video game towns to me. Tiled roofs and towers made of tan bricks and little canals. Games got baja blast water and shit, too. It feels like a real place in the way it's expanded in the game's levels, with little bits of the town suggested and explorable outside of just the overworld.

I think F.L.U.D.D is pretty fun too. I think they're a real cutie pie on top of adding a lot of fun momentum to traversal and opens up a lot of silly explorative moments even if not directly contributing to platforming depth.

Overall I just think it's a pretty cool and unique game! It's definitely my favorite 3D Mario. Awesome music too. Shoutouts Shinobu Tanaka.