Super Mario Sunshine (Nintendo GameCube, 2002)

I bought this because I've liked Mario titles in the past and wanted to see what this was like.
Like all the ones before it, there is a little story attached to this one. Someone is spreading grafitti around this island paradise that Mario and Princess Peach have decided to vacation at. Oh well, so much for the vacation, Mario! The first few levels were pretty easy, but don't let that fool you. This game is really challenging. If you have a problem with getting aggrevated too easily or a problem with motion sickness, this game probably isn't for you.
I've done a few levels on this so far, and there are some really nasty challenges. But when you beat them, it makes it even that much more sweet. I'm almost inclined to open the manuel and see what I need to learn.
Mario gets a pretty cool water gun in this game. You can switch between the spray nozzle and the hover nozzle. You only get to use it for a few seconds before it runs out of pressure and you have to push the button again. At first I thought it was going to be kind of stupid but it turns out this thing is really cool! As you progress you get different attachments. The two I've gotten so far are a rocket attachment and a turbo attachment. For some reason you don't get to keep those. They revert back to the hover nozzle if you leave the area.
There are lots of hidden things around the town you start out in. Some of them won't be revealed until you have the help of a little hungry friend. Which you won't get until you've gotten so many 'sun sprites' Hey, they look like stars to me. Blue coins are hidden in a lot of places, use these to buy more sprites.
Everytime you get a blue coin, it asks if you want to save your progress, which is somewhat annoying, but probably a life saver at higher levels.
There are also lots of 'mini levels' in the different areas of the island that you're on. Win or lose, these will kick you back to the starting area. And some of them are nearly impossible!
I sometimes like to blame the limited camera angles for my misfortunes in this game. Once you get used to switching around your point of view, it gets a little easier.
The ride on the roller coaster...it's amazing! But you do have to keep changing which direction you're looking in. I could see someone with motion sickness having a problem with this. I loved it!
It's easy to get stuck on a few things in this game. There's a water race that I finally got a decent time running. And these electric turtles behind the ferris wheel are such a pain! But I'm sure I'll get past them eventually, like the pirate ships which almost had me tearing my hair out.
Your water nozzle is also some kind of robot, and it will give you tips from time to time. So will the sound. If you get close to a building with something in it, you'll know it.
Like other Mario games in the past, the music in this is pretty good. And it won't drive you crazy like some games.
I look forward to playing this many times in the months to come. I might even read the manual if I ever get around to it.

In Mario's GameCube adventure, we find a similar style to the N64 game. The 3D adventure can have it's downsides, mainly in the form of camera control. Often there will be times when you need to get a particular angle when you're walking on a small ledge or something of that nature, and you just can't seem to get the camera positioned where you want it it. That's really the only complaint anyone should have about this game, because it is an all around fun title to have. The story here is a bit different, because this time you're on an island with some crazy looking characters and you're trying to clear your name due to the presence of an imposter wreaking havoc on the little island. So you're forced to strap on this water pack and clean up all the mess. Much like in the Mario 64 title, you'll enter worlds and then have to complete several challenges in each level. The more stars you earn, the further you can advance. The water pack is used to clean off the weird paint sludge that's all over, you can fight enemies and even use it to temporarily fly. The water pack really takes Mario to a whole new level of gameplay and present Sunshine from being nothing more than another version of the N64 game. Plus, the new characters and enemies are a nice break from the same old-same old faces. I think the story will surprise some people as it develops, but in the end, you may not be so pleased. Now, the basics...

Graphics: These are pretty good. The water looks good and everything is well colored and smooth. Since Mario games tend to look more cartoony than real, you can only expect so much.

Sound: Sound is good, there isn't anything which excels the game...but there isn't really anything that takes away from it. The music can be catchy at times, though.

Difficulty: This game can have its really hard moments that may frustrate you; but, if the game was easy all the way through, it would be boring. I'm not sure why people would complain about how difficult it can be. Not to mention, you don't need to complete ALL the challenges in EVERY level to be able to move forward and beat the game.

Controls: The controls are fairly easy to get ahold of. You'll have lots of practice, so anyone can master them.

Replay Value: The replay value here is medium. It's fun to put this away and come back to it some time later just to have another go through it. Also, if you don't complete all the challenges before beating the game, it's also fun to go through and try to finish them all.

Overall, a great game and you'll find no true complaints from me. Let's just hope the next Mario title can be just as creative, unique and fun.

Mario is a favorite in our house so we naturally purchased this game. Everyone in the family loves it from my 4 year old son up to myself and my husband. It provides a challenge for almost any stage gamer. There are areas that are too difficult for my youngest son to beat but with a little help from another family member he keeps it going. The object of the game is to clean up Isle Delfino and track down the real character behind all of this so the Shine Sprites can shine again. An imposter Mario has plastered the entire island with graffiti. Along the way you run into many obstacles to beat along with some interesting puzzles. A great game for hours and hours of entertainment.

If you think this game will be the typical rescue the princess from Bowser story, that's where you'll be wrong. It starts when Princess Peach, Mario, and quite a number of toads arrive on an Airplane to a peaceful tropical island full of strange people which inhabit the lands many shops and hotels attracting tourists young and old. Just when Mario was about to relax he was disturbed by the folks of the land accusing him of polluting the island, and writing Graffiti scribblings all over the towns walls. Mario of course is innocent but it appears that the actual perpetrator of this crime was dressed in a Mario suit. Whoever it was his intents are clear to comit crimes dressed as Mario so that Mario would be captured and thrown in jail allowing the true criminal to do as he pleases. Mario though won't allow this so he made a deal with the people of the land to clean up the mess and discover the identity of the man behind the suit. The game features many worlds, and enemys. Enemys from the past are back, from games such as Super Mario World. Not just enemys but old friends, Yoshi made his debut back in Super Mario 64 but he appears again in Mario Sunshine but this time you can ride on him and use his tongue to eat or spit out enemys along wiht the old jump on their heads routine. Mario equipped with a water shooting backpack can use it to clean up oil and attack enemys, he can also use it as a jetpack to reach high places. His old moves are back such as the triple jump, wall kick, Hip Drop, sliding, and much much more. For those who think this game is too short don't worry, all the screenshots shown are just one World, in a game that features many of them each 5 times bigger than the ones in Super Mario 64. This game is guaranteed to keep you at the edge of your seat at all times. Tremble as you fight a Giant Oil Piranha, Giant Squid, and Giant Caterpillar. Sigh as you dive deep into the worlds ocean. Smile while you run across the islands vast fields and lands. This is a game you should not miss, I await this game with great anticipation and you should too.

This was one of the strongest classic games for the Nintendo Gamecube. The controls take a little getting used to. There is not much of a learning curve though. You can run, hover, cleanse, rocket vault, and propel Mario through many different levels. It is fun for any age and skill level. Experienced gamers might find this game a little on the easy side once comfortable with the controls. This is a must have title for the Gamecube and if you have a Gamecube controller and memory card get it to play on the Wii. The graphics aren't like the High Definition graphics offered by the next generation platforms but the gameplay and replay value make up for it. For a last generation game Super Mario Sunshine does have some eye catching graphics and non-stop fun for the whole family.
You start as Mario in a tropical paradise where someone that resembles the famous plumber has been vandalizing the town. You are taken to court and ordered to clean up this villain's mess. There are many boss battles, levels to explore, and of course.... Bowser. This adventure platform game will keep you glued to the TV until your thumbs are numb. Good title for any one and any age!