Though not as groundbreaking as Super Mario 64, Sunshine will surely not disappoint the fans who were waiting for it.
Super Mario Sunshine's environments are vastly different from his previous games. The storyline has Mario take a vacation away from the Mushroom Kingdom. Himself and Princess Peach take a trip to Isle Delfino, where a Mario look-alike is causing havoc throughout the island. It's up to mario to stop him!
The stand-out feature of the game is Mario's new sidekick FLUDD - a water pump Mario carries on his back to clean up "goop," battle enemies, and hover across obstacles. This new feature enhances the traditional Mario gameplay very well, and adds a new twist on the series.
Levels are accessed through various spots on the island, and some have to be unlocked by collecting the Sprite Shines, which are similar to the stars from Super Mario 64. Fans will also be happy to know that the Mario's lovable companion Yoshi makes a return.
Graphics:
The cartoony look fits the characters perfectly, and the game's water effects are some of the GameCube's best. Super Mario Sunshine also earns points for having original character design as well as bright and colorful environments.
Sound:
Instead of the traditional Mario music we are used to, new island music takes its place in Sunshine, but it isn't nearly as charming or catchy as the series' classic tunes. The voice-acting is present only during the rare cutscenes, but isn't at all impressive.
Value:
Collecting each of the 120 Shine Sprites will take long enough, but there are no bonus features or side-quests.
Though not as groundbreaking as Super Mario 64, Sunshine will surely not disappoint the fans who were waiting for it, and is still a must-have title for GameCube owners.