Super Mario Sunshine 2002

About

Super Mario Sunshine is a Mario action-adventure 3D platformer. It follows Super Mario 64, and is the second 3D Mario platformer. Gameplay features a combination of action and puzzle solving, with numerous stages and multiple episodes to each stage, and plenty of hidden secrets and surprises. This game introduced many recurring characters and bosses in the Mario series, including Toadsworth, Bowser Jr., Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper, Piantas, Nokis, Shadow Mario, and F.L.U.D.D. Super Mario Sunshine pays homage to Mario's Italian heritage and upbringing, with many of the locations in the game having Italian names and sometimes referencing Italian culture.

Story

Close your eyes and imagine…soothing sunshine accompanied by the sound of waves gently breaking on the shore. High above, seagulls turn lazy circles in a clear blue sky. This is Isle Delfino. Far from the hustle and bustle of the Mushroom Kingdom, this island resort glitters like a gem in the waters of a southern sea. Mario, Peach, and an entourage of Toads have come to Isle Delfino to relax and unwind. At least, that’s their plan…but when they arrive, they find things have gone horribly wrong... According to the island inhabitants, the person responsible for the mess has a round nose, a thick mustache, and a cap… What? But…that sounds like Mario!! The islanders are saying that Mario's mess has polluted the island and caused their energy source, the Shine Sprites, to vanish. Now the falsely accused Mario has promised to clean up the island, but...how? Never fear! FLUDD, the latest invention from Gadd Science, Inc., can help Mario tidy up the island, take on baddies, and lend a nozzle in all kinds of sticky situations. Can Mario clean the island, capture the villain, and clear his good name? It’s time for another Mario adventure to get started!

What is happening now

Super Mario Sunshine is a 3D platformer that released on GameCube in 2002, sending Mario to a tropical island setting with the help of FLUDD, a sentient water pump. The game has long occupied a divisive place in the franchise's legacy, though it continues to attract both defenders and critics of its mechanics and design choices. The game is experiencing a notable resurgence. Nintendo announced a Switch Online release for August 2026, making it available on the Nintendo Classics GameCube emulation service for Switch 2. The soundtrack joined Nintendo Music's library, while Mario Kart World added free roam tracks from the game. Meanwhile, the modding community has been active - a new online mod called Better Super Mario Sunshine enables multiplayer sessions with up to 10 players, including cooperative and hide-and-seek modes. The native Mac and iOS ports have also expanded accessibility. Recent coverage has revisited the game's legacy, examining both what it gets right and the frustrations that persist in modern play.