MarioGameCubePlatformer

Super Mario Sunshine

Developer: Nintendo EAD · Published by Nintendo · 2002

Mario's tropical GameCube debut, armed with a water pack and a mountain of Shine Sprites to collect.

PlatformerGameCubeNintendoCollectathonFLUDD

About This Game

Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D platformer developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the GameCube, released in Japan on July 19, 2002 and in North America on August 26, 2002. It is the direct follow-up to Super Mario 64, marking Mario's first solo 3D platforming adventure on the GameCube and the second mainline entry in the 3D Mario series.

The game is set on Isle Delfino, a tropical resort island where Mario, Princess Peach, and a group of Toads arrive for a vacation. Upon landing, they discover that a mysterious figure resembling Mario has been defacing the island with graffiti and toxic goop. Mario is blamed for the damage and sentenced to clean up the island using FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device), a water-spraying backpack invented by Professor E. Gadd that serves as both a cleaning tool and a versatile movement aid with hover, rocket, and turbo nozzle attachments.

Gameplay follows the structure established by Super Mario 64, with a central hub world (Delfino Plaza) connecting to individual stages where players collect Shine Sprites by completing objectives. The game features 120 Shine Sprites across its main stages and hub area, along with 240 hidden Blue Coins that can be traded for additional Shines. Several stages strip Mario of FLUDD entirely for pure platforming challenge segments that rank among the most demanding sequences in the series.

Directed by Yoshiaki Koizumi and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, with music composed by Koji Kondo and Shinobu Tanaka, Super Mario Sunshine received generally positive reviews at launch, with praise for its vibrant visual design, tight platforming, and the FLUDD mechanic, though critics noted occasional camera issues and a difficulty curve that could swing from breezy to brutally punishing. It was a commercial success on the GameCube and was later reissued as part of Super Mario 3D All-Stars for the Nintendo Switch in September 2020, a limited compilation alongside Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy that was removed from sale in March 2021.

Screenshots8 shots

POCG ReviewOriginal: September 15, 2002

4.0

Excellent

Review Verdict

Private: Super Mario Sunshine

Mario's first GameCube outing delivers vibrant visuals, tight platforming, and a clever water pack, held back by weak sound and safe ambition.

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Release

How to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026

Original Hardware

Requires a GameCube and a copy of the disc. Widely available used for $30-50 complete. Compatible with all GameCube models and plays natively on the Wii, which accepts GameCube discs and controllers.

Modern Re-release

The only official re-release is Super Mario 3D All-Stars for Nintendo Switch (September 2020), a limited compilation that was removed from sale in March 2021. Physical copies run $50-80 used; the digital version is no longer available for purchase.

Emulation / Other Options

Dolphin handles Super Mario Sunshine well on modern hardware, with HD resolution scaling, widescreen support, and improved texture filtering. Dump your own disc to play legally.