Video Games - http://maxpages.com/homeofmario/Super_Mario

Mario Sunshine Review
Reviewed by: Mario Fan

Reviewed: Sept. 7th, 2002

Age: Varied???

Country: USA

E-mail: mariofan444@yahoo.com

Opening Thoughts

When Super Mario 64 was released in 1998, it was our first venture into the totally different world of 3D, at least when talking about our favorite short, stocky plumber: Mario. My feelings on this game were anything but spectacular. The old feeling of crashing through multiple enemies with invincibility and that unique side-scrolling action (in case you didn’t know, Super Mario Bro.’s was the first to use this). So, you can imagine when, after six grueling years of plumber-void madness, Super Mario Sunshine was released, I was less than excited. Nevertheless, I decided to give Miyamato one more chance at regaining my trust in the hero of all heroes. Did the game do it for me? Read on to find out.

At First Glance

Imagine my position. I was sitting in front of my television screen, the first time in six years that I had turned on a new Mario game. After the usual gamecube bit, it happened-the first thing that makes this game great. The old red-framed Nintendo logo with the familiar old school twing appeared. I was hooked. Before I could move from my seat to call up Nintendo and thank each and every employee personally, my mind was blown away with a cinema scene (Usually reserved for those “other” games). After the crucial setting up point, you find yourself trapped on an Isle Delfino (Note: The game’s main plot is to run around a lush, tropical island, cleaning up t he mess of a mysterious figure who, I guess in the demented minds of Isle Delfino’s inhabitants, looks like you) airstrip. The game sets up very well by supplying you with a problem easily solved by FLUDD (which will be easily accessed and is the MAIN component of the game). FLUDD is a water squirting device which you will use to clean up the island. So, as far as setting things up, they do it well.

Gameplay

WOW! Ok, with that out of the way…remember the ridiculously easy stars in Super Mario 64 and the small levels with no real entertainment factors other than getting the stars? Well, that’s over with. The sun sprites (SMS’s version of stars (they’ll allow you to return the sun to Isle Delfino)) are challenging to win, indeed. In fact, there are, on average, 10 sprites to get in each level. All of them will require talking to people to get clues and exploring extensively. Exploring is something that you won’t mind either, considering the expansive levels which you can literally drown yourself in. There are so many things to do, people to talk to, and, yes, mi ni-games.

Ah, yes. The mini-games. These retro and, sometimes, annoying levels can be found in doubles, usually, in every level. (Note: FLUDD is not used in these at all) With a new scooby-doo like remix of the original Super Mario Bro.’s theme and plat forming nightmares, these secret levels can sometimes herald doom to your mushroom supply. Luckily, they place an extra life in each of these levels for continued tries. (Nice save Shigeru.) There is still one problem in these levels, though, which I will mention later.

The water pack is the biggest addition, and I feel that it is the best. With the hover option, guessing long jumps is no longer a frustrating matter. The squirting solves many of the game’s puzzles and does play a major part without taking away the feeling of plat forming. It’s mysterious, but it sure is great! I know you probably have your doubts, but trust me, you will regret it when the next game doesn’t include FLUDD.

Now for the difficulty overall. It was much harder than Super Mario Sunshine, and that’s not because of the water pack that was added. Along with the hectic mini-games and the hard-to-find/get sun sprites, the game expands on the skill needed in all areas. May it be noted, though, that I finished the game in four days. It’s one of those games that you are really good at only after playing with it awhile. Meditating couldn’t hurt.

Now for a very provoking thought about the genre of this game. Although it is largely a plat forming game, talking to the various people and completing task set by them is a major part of the game. Does this mean that Mario is, even if in a very small part, becoming a plat forming/RPG genre? The future and your opinions will tell.

Eye Candy

The thing that really strikes you in the eyes is the amazing water graphics. The water you swim in is so realistic, that it looks more realistic than real water. It’s just too hard to describe in words. Mario’s shape is rounder instead of the babyish look of 64. All the enemies are also spectacular, along with the helpful citizens. Still, the cut scenes are not that good compared to some other games’. It is obvious, even though the water graphics are stupendous, that Miyamato concentrated more on gameplay than on graphics. However, expect to be…amazed.

Controls

This…is…so…refreshing. The hard to perform moves of 64 are now like cutting through butter with a hot knife. The infamous cartwheel flip from the last game can be completed remarkably easy from a standstill. The water pack, after a few moments of practicing, also has no flaws. You can squirt it from any position, and you never have to second-guess which view to put it in. Miyamato knew this thing would work, and he made it work wonderfully.

Now to the bad. The camera is AWEFUL in some places. Although Mario’s shadow is seen when he’s behind walls, this is mainly a time to get the camera fixed. It’s especially annoying because of the hard-to-see places on the already frustrating mini-games. This is probably the game’s worst aspect. If you are an excellent camera controller from way back, though, you’ll do fine. Novices might want to take 15 minutes just practicing with it, ere your temper blows in the mini-games.

Audio

The music serves its purpose wonderfully: island themes. None of the music is bad, and all of it is good. For some odd reason, though, the only song you will get stuck in your head is the hub world’s. Weird, considering the quality of it all. I guess this good be a bad point, but, hey, as long as the music is wonderful, there’s no need to complain.

The one bad point cannot be fixed, because it would have to alter the make-up of the game. All you get is island music. There are no frozen or forest themes. Hopefully, you’re a Hawaiian fan, because that’s what you’re getting.

Closing Thoughts

This game has turned me from the anti-3D side. Even though I still shun the 64, I will continue to play this like the old ones. One more bad thing I would like to mention, though, is the total lack of mini-games. I thought they could at least have different characters in a water battle. The possibilities were great but, sadly, unexplored. Overall, this game is one of the best out there. It is definitely in my top ten. The replay value is always there, considering you still have about the same amount of sprites to find when you finish the game. My advice to you: Buy this game now.

(scores on a scale of 1-5)

Gameplay: 5

Graphics: 4.7

Controls: 4.6

Audio: 4.9

Replay: 5

Final Score: 4.8

Super Mario Sunshine:it's great! Let me tell you alitte about the game. It starts out in a cut-seen. Full voice action, no reading. The acting is pretty good, although I dont think Mario said anything. Mario is on vaction with Peach, her butler, Toad, and other mushroom people. Anyway, the plane lands on an island and they get out. Peach's butler is worried about her in the heat and tells Mario to get somthing. Then they see a "paint like substance" and the game begins. Soon you come to an other cut-seen inwhich mario gets his water pack thing, the Fludd. The cut-seen explane's how to use the fludd and it too is full voice, again no reading. You may think the pack takes from classic Mario style, but it really adds to it. In the biggining you can shoot a stream of water or use the jets to hover for a short time. From what I have seen of the town (serves the same purpose as the castle in SM64) and the first stage the game is so huge and so alive it would be like 10 SM64s. You keep the same moves from SM64 (they are easier this time) and also get many new ones(including hover and jet spray. The graphics arn't that bad either. They are MUCH better then those of SM64, but still, I think they could have been better. The games great even for some one wh likes 2D more(not that a 2D game wouldnt have been better..). I definetly suggest you get it today!
score 9 out of 10
Email Reviewer

Sign Guestbook

View Guestbook

eric@toadscastle.net

Visitors: 06303

Page Updated Sat Aug 16, 2003 4:56pm EDT