70%Nintendo Switch

A huge step back from SM64. Some stars are annoying and it was the only game that i wasn't able to get all the stars.

70%Nintendo Switch

Easily my most mixed 3D Mario game. It has an amazing theming brimming with charm. The controls are probably the second-best in the series. However, despite all the good in this game, it has some glaring flaws. First of all the linearity is a step back from 64. Linearity is fine but Sunshine does it wrong in my opinion. Having to play the exact same shines every time you replay the game goes against what 64 was doing and isn't as fun. Makes the bonus shines feel unimportant outside of 100% completion. Then there's the difficulty, a game being hard isn't a negative to me but this game can feel unfair at times. There's also the cryptic blue coin missions which are not fun at all. Sunshine also tends to be glitchy at times making it feel rough around the edges. Overall I like the game but it is one of the weaker 3D Mario games.

95%Nintendo GameCube

Amazing

75%Nintendo GameCube

Charming 3D Mario but definitely room for improvement, particularly with the camera that seems intent on fighting you and the pretty lame boss fight against Bowser.

70%Nintendo Switch

I abandoned this game originally because the clunky controls, but I guess that’s just something you should expect with an old GameCube emulation. This is probably the least favorite of my 3D Mario games I’ve experienced but it’s like pizza, it’s still Mario, it’s still good

90%Nintendo GameCube

El juego tiene varios "pecados" como el hecho de que se limita a niveles con temática de agua. Mario depende de la mochila para intentar lograr que el juego sea difirente a el Super Mario 64. Aún asi el juego es placentero de jugar, y divertido. La historia es muy simple pero funcional. La música acompaña muy bien los niveles, tiene partes de puzzle y buen plataformeo apesar de poder levitar gracias a Fludd (la mochila). Tiene varios picos de dificultad no muy coherentes pero tambien tiene varios niveles que me sorprendieron para bien. Su puntaje es de 91, sostenido mas que nada por ser un Super Mario 3D memorable.

80%Emulated

Ah man, quel jeu frustrant. Les contrôles sont encore une fois génial, personnellement j'adore F.L.U.U.D., et l'île Delfino à tellement de charme, mais l'exécution.. qu'est ce qui s'est passé?
Les fameuses Blue Coins sont aussi horribles qu'on le dit, et beaucoup de Shines sont juste wack et pas le fun.

Possiblement le jeu avec les plus haut moments de la franchise Mario 3D avec Galaxy et les plus bas moments avec Mario 64.

85%Nintendo Switch

After playing all 3D Mario games I can say this one is the weakest, but even being that its peak xD

some levels are a bit unfair or tedious to repeat after a fail.
music is nice
gameplay is Mario: a bit different from the rest at first but you learn so many ways of traversal and breaking the game with platforming its so cool
Some of the boss battles are cool like the king boo one its unique
100% complete reward is pretty much non existent

75%Nintendo GameCube

Music/sound Design. 5/10. Mid. Some of the songs are cool but feel repetitive. The low health sound is so aggravating

Gameplay 7.5/10 good. The gameplay feels solid but a little loose. This is mostly fine except for the secret levels that require you to be more precise.

Story/world 7.5/10 Good. The levels are pretty solid in this game over 64. Each one has a fair amount of puzzles and you can’t fall to your death. The exception is the secret levels. These do give you easy 1 ups so you don’t die out but they could really use check points.

Performance 10/10. Game run good

85%Nintendo GameCube

Game: Super Mario 3D All Stars: Super Mario Sunshine
Genre: Adventure Platformer
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
System: Nintendo Switch (NS) via Nintendo Switch 2 (NS2)
Year of Release: 2020
Date of Completion: July 28th 2025
Length of Playthrough: 10 Hours

---
Total Score: 83/100
Value Score: 8.3/10

• Story: 7/10
• Characters: 10/10
• GamePlay: 8/10
• Graphics: 8/10
• Sound: 9/10
• Music: 10/10
• Length: 6/10
• Replay Value: 7/10
• Player Value: 8/10

Pros
+Graphic Resolution increased and textures improved with HD touch up
+Great level design
+Great OST
+Colorful cast of characters mixture of new and old

Cons
-The wavy graphic for heat haze looks worse in HD and more noticeable
-Cutscene visuals look smudged up
-Shorter than other 3D Mario games

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Score wise comparison...

Super Mario Bros. (NES): 80
Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES): 73
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES): 92
Super Mario World (SNES): 93
Super Mario World (NSO): 94
Super Mario World 2 Yoshi's Island (SNES): 97
Super Mario 64 (N64): 90
Super Mario 64 (NS): 90
Super Mario 64 DS (DS): 86
Super Mario Sunshine (GCN): 84
Super Mario Sunshine (NS): 83
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii): 89
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 95
Super Mario 3D Land (3DS): 90
Super Mario 3D World (WiiU): 94
Super Mario Odyssey (NS): 98
Super Mario Bros Wonder (NS): 97
Super Mario Land (GB): 63
Super Mario Land 2 Six Golden Coins (GB): 80
Super Mario Bros Deluxe (GBC): 82
Super Mario All Stars (SNES): 100
New Super Mario Bros. (DS): 80
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 90
New Super Mario Bros 2 (3DS): 84
Super Mario Advance (GBA): 76
Super Mario Advance 2 Super Mario World (GBA): 93
Super Mario Advance 3 Yoshi's Island (GBA): 97
Super Mario Advance 4 Super Mario Bros. 3 (GBA): 92
Super Princess Peach (DS): 84

70%Nintendo Switch

Super Mario Sunshine left me somewhat cold. As the next 3D Mario and a generational leap, I don’t feel it's better than Super Mario 64, not even close. In fact, it feels like the core platforming mechanics were replaced by the water-spraying machine. It’s not bad, but it’s certainly not better.
There are also mechanics that don’t feel well-polished and stray far from perfection. It's generally known as the weakest of the 3D Marios, and I can see why.
That said, it’s not a bad game, and I imagine it must have been amazing back in the day. Playing it now in 2025, I can say it’s still playable, but it hasn’t aged all that well. It doesn’t help that this 3D All-Stars remaster lacks a 60 fps option either.
While I went for all 120 stars in Mario 64, in this one I was content just finishing the story.

60%Nintendo GameCube

Controls are too slippery and unprecise

90%Nintendo Switch

Really good, it’s innovative and feels like the bridge between Mario 64 and Mario Galaxy — the graphics make that super clear. Anyway, I loved the game and it looks awesome. It also has a great soundtrack.

60%Nintendo GameCube

Fun game at its core, but littered with garbage ironically enough. Don’t 100% this game as I have. Absolutely the weakest 3D entry and it is marginally worse than the runner up 3D Land

50%Nintendo GameCube

This game is absolute dogwater. The controls are retarded and I can't begin to count the number of times I died due to glitching through walls and poor controls. This game is inferior to mario 64 in most aspects. Even though this game is supposed to be played by kids I can imagine the frustration of every child who fails a jump and dies cause of the garbage movement mechanics. *Obligatory comment about the shitty 25 FPS cap and poor visuals of the game*. Story is almost nonexistent, no NPC backstory or depth, no lore, I got nothing more to add, 5/10 for the effort.

60%Nintendo Switch

The music and atmosphere were great, but the controls and level design was incredibly frustrating. Feel like the 3D mario games have generally aged poorly. Don’t have nostalgia for this game, so I’m not going to bother pushing through.

75%Nintendo GameCube

Mario's core moveset feels fantastic and FLUDD nicely compliments his base kit in a way which draws the levels towards more sprawling, towering stages. Aesthetically the sharpest 3D Mario by a wide margin as Isle Delfino and the various sub-areas perfectly sell the tropical vacation fantasy, theming is on point throughout the game. Early levels in particular (Bianco Hills, Ricco Harbor) and the final stages (Noki Bay, Pianta Village) are some of the best stages in a 3d Mario game by a good margin and I think are easily peak Mario. However, the game feels unfinished, as you need to exhaust every major stage of all objectives to challenge the final boss, and there are even less stages than in 64. Some of the stages feel half baked, or have irritating, lazy shine objectives (Pinna Park and Sirena Beach are particularly bad offenders), and optional content (like the secret pachinko stage) often ranks among some of the worst content in a mario game. Overall unbalanced game with amazing highs but pretty poor lows

80%Nintendo GameCube

F.L.U.D.D was a cool mechanic. fck fludd less levels.

95%Nintendo GameCube

Super Mario Sunshine is my favorite 3D Mario game by far. It's probably the most unique one they ever made. I really miss innovative games like this. The game was obviously rushed and ultimately did worse than all the other entries in the series but I don't care and it's not even that hard. Blue coins are a bit annoying though.

40%Nintendo GameCube

A terrible game with immaculate vibes. Controls? Dogshit. Gameplay? Dogshit. Level design? Dogshit. Structure? Dogshit. Technical quality? Dogshit. The game is hard carried by music, aesthetics and atmosphere, which in all fairness are all excellent enough to make you push through it. Unfortunately it's not enough to make the experience of an actual person with a brain and a pair of hands playing it anything more than subpar. The gameplay is just far too inconsistent and far too insufferable far too often for that to be possible.

95%Nintendo GameCube

banger game

60%Emulated

Not what I was expecting

85%Emulated

Easily the most creative Mario game.. Almost everything in the game is new stuff.. The setting, enemies, the water thingy and all that.. Yet it's extremely rough around the edges in level geometry, platforming and the camera.. Nevertheless a great time despite all that.. Also oddly the only Mario game with voiced dialogue and stuff

60%Nintendo GameCube

...
dont like the movement
quite long and borign tbh
too open levels

70%Nintendo Switch

I genuinely had more fun with this game than Odyssey, but my biggest issue in playing this as an adult is that not all of the missions/shines are created equal. Some can be collected in literally 45 seconds (the race ones, shadow mario) while others require a lot of tracking through the level to even attempt (the pianta village gooey volcano, for instance).

The creatures and world are really fun to see and it's clear that they wanted to go all in on the hot, tropical vacation theming of the game. The music adds on to that as well and although it's nothing I'll go back to I heard plenty of it while playing as a kid. A huge jump in fidelity over Mario 64 looking back.

I actually love the sections that you play as without FLUD. Contrary to online discourse, I think Mario controls totally fine (if not a little stiff in the air). He almost instantly accelerates and cannot change direction without taking tiny steps so I feel that's where a lot of the complaints that he's slippery come from. These sections challenge you to overcome some platforming by using all of Mario's moves successfully - except when you're just being chucked around.

The most annoying thing about this game are the boss battles. They're very simple and feel like a pace killer. It's also dumb that you have to fight the blooper boss three separate times.

The final area was way too short and the inclusion of the boat spraying thing is questionable too.

40%Emulated

Really disappointing. I thought it was going to be great. Too many gotchas and impossible puzzles in order to sell a magazine. Controls really got in the way, too. Look up all the controls before you start.

60%Nintendo GameCube

Well, that game was a mess. Since it was rushed, MANY things were untested and unpolished. Despite all of it, for what time they had they still managed to make the game fun to play, even if it's filled with bs. Fludd actually isn't really that unique of a concept, it's essentially just a jet pack, but it is implemented very well in here and is fun to use. Delphino Island was definitely a great location, I can tell the developers had a great time working on the atmosphere. Ok this is enough being nice, time for the bad things:

Normally the level design is pretty good, you know standard Mario stuff, but when it gets bad, oh my god. Completely broken physics and controls (pachinko), absurd amounts of waiting (red coins on the lillypad of death if you run out of lives), really stupid levels like the Casino where if you game over in the secret area you have to play all the mini games all over again, and so on.

The blue coins are definitely filler as well. I don't mind a secondary collectable, but there's WAY too many and half of them are in completely BS locations, I'm talking you need to spray Fludd on completely random background objects. One of them wants you to spray at the moon in only a specific part of the map!

Like I said, the biggest issue with this game is it was rushed. As I said, it caused a lot of issues with many parts being untested and not thought out well. For what we got though, it is still a fun 3D platformer, even if it is definitely the worst of the 3D Marios. Also who's idea was the 100% reward being nothing but a stupid post card? Really? Well, it was an enjoyable procss for the most part at least.

80%Nintendo GameCube

The first quarter of the game is a 10/10. The movement system and mechanics to go with it are incredible. It complements the level design extremely well (for a couple levels). The blue coins add incentive to experiment more. There is just this openess that it inherited from Mario 64 where the mechanics allow you to approach some of the levels in so many ways. While there are annoyances, like the game kicking you out of the level after failing. Just completely wasting your time. It can be remedied using emulation. Love how it's all thematically connected (seeing the locations from a distance). It's fun how worlds/levels progress and the NPCs along with them. Always appreciate this form of visual storytelling in platformers. However, there is the tradeoff that it doesn't have nearly the amount of creativity of other 3D Mario. It does have the atmosphere and I'd say Delfino Island is probably the most memorable. Sirena Beach is very gimmicky and I doubt it would be very fun on replay. Pianta Village as well is probably the worst considering it's also gimmicky but not in a fun way. Gelato Beach as well isn't distinct enough to seperate itself from the others. I do love the verticality of Ricco Harbour, Noki Bay, and Bianco Hills. They take advantage of the movesets extremely well. I didn't try to 100% since many things in this game seem impossible to know without a guide. Corona Mountain is probably the lowpoint in this game. Truly dogshit final level. It's a very flawed game at the end of the day, yet it's better than the sum of its parts. The movement, vibes, hub, and the levels that do excel keep it as one of my favorite 3D Mario's.

60%Nintendo GameCube

I appreciate that this felt like a real next iteration on Mario 64, but the camera & controls really bogged this down for me. Most of the time, I felt like I knew what I needed/wanted to do, but I couldn't see where to go or the controller didn't want to do what I wanted it to. Glad to have played this, but I doubt I'll ever be going back to it.

85%Nintendo GameCube

87%

60%Nintendo Switch

Could have been great but too buggy and unpolished. Feels like playing an early beta. Many shines are very problematic.

80%Nintendo Switch

needs a remake

90%Nintendo GameCube

Mon Mario 3D préférer. apres un Mario 64 incroyable, Sunshine sublime le tout.

80%Nintendo Switch

Good game overall. 8/10
Sunshine offers a vibrant and refreshing take on the Mario formula, with the introduction of the water-powered FLUDD mechanic adding a unique twist to the gameplay. The tropical island setting is full of color and charm, and the platforming is as tight and satisfying as ever, with FLUDD providing new ways to navigate, solve puzzles, and battle enemies. The bright, upbeat soundtrack and lively atmosphere help the game stand out in the series. However, some of the more precise platforming sections can feel frustrating, especially with the often finicky controls, and the lack of traditional power-ups makes it feel a bit different from other Mario games. Despite these flaws, Super Mario Sunshine remains a highly enjoyable and distinct entry in the series.

60%Nintendo GameCube

Memorable music and levels. FLUDD is a fun tool and safety net, but levels without it can be very frustrating. Mario loves to slip and slide off of angled platforms and he moves a bit too fast and jittery to me. There are some very clunky levels off the beaten path and weird bugs. It is obvious that development was rushed due to some levels being oddly difficult or finicky, hidden coins as stand-ins for 24 shines, and other repeat challenges.

60%Nintendo GameCube

https://pastebin.com/E0UT8Gvf

60%Nintendo Switch

20h Played
Story: 5/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Graphics: 6/10
Music & Sound: 8/10

24/40 = 60%

40%Nintendo GameCube

Uninspired

65%Emulated

Decent mario game

60%Nintendo Switch

作为公认最难的一代3D马里奥，我体验下来的感受是这一作与其说是困难不如说是有意折磨人。不带水枪的关卡，推西瓜，溶于水的耀西这些要素让我一遍遍地从头再来，消耗了不少时间与耐心，还有一些关卡完全没有引导让人不看攻略根本是一头雾水。局限于时代性本作在如今并不再是必玩的佳作了。

90%Nintendo GameCube

Everybody loves the sunshine

90%Nintendo GameCube

Ages surprisingly well and is still a ton of fun. Underrated among the 3D Mario games. Some wonky camera controls and the blue coin hunting isn’t my favorite part of the game, but overall excellent.

70%Nintendo GameCube

60x Shines - 50x Blue Coins

This game had so much potential but there were just too many levels that had bugs, weird mechanics, and just overall bad levels, that kept this game from being a 8 or 9. It’s a decent 3D Platformer and would probably recommend it to anyone with a GameCube or Switch (via 3D All Stars)

90%Nintendo GameCube

Has its flaws but still very dope game

80%Nintendo GameCube

Tinha tudo para ser melhor que seu antecessor.

100%Nintendo GameCube

A refreshing Mario game.

Good
- The tropical setting feels very up lifting.
- there’s something zen about cleaning up the world in Delfino.
- showing a preview of the shine objective is very helpful, instead of going by the small phrase only for the stars in Mario 64.
- the camera controls are so much better. Being able to freely move the camera, not fixed incremental movement. And L button being able to auto position camera behind Mario.
- movement options are great
- using Yoshi was really fun
- sliding on the ground with water is a fast way to get around, which is convenient.
- the run and shoot water controls makes good use of the unique trigger buttons of the GC controller.
- the isolated platforming segments without my fludd were fun. Adds some challenging classic platforming to the gameplay without the crutches of the hover nozzle.
- using fludd is a lot of fun and adds so much variety to the gameplay and platforming.

Bad
- nothing

90%Nintendo GameCube

Great Game

95%Nintendo GameCube

Janky, but hey what's this? Oh, it's another fuckin' classic

40%Nintendo GameCube

Worst 3D Mario by far.

The setting and music are just okay, considerably weaker than other 3D Mario games and can get incredibly grating since the gameplay is straight dogshit. Horrible camera, slippery and unresponsive controls, janky platforming and easily the worst bosses and level design of all the 3D Mario games. Let's also not forget how unlikeable the Piantas and F.L.U.D.D. are and how hilariously awful the story and voice acting is.

As we all know, water levels in gaming are seldom well-designed (even Nintendo can't get them right in some of their most well-regarded games), so why would Nintendo base a WHOLE FUCKING GAME around water??? Ricco Harbor episode 8, Gelato Beach episode 8, Noki Bay episode 4, Pianta Village episode 5, Sirena Beach episodes 1 and 6, Corona Mountain and the Pachinko and Lily Pad mini-games are the worst of the worst levels in Mario game history and that's not even to mention all the horrible levels where F.L.U.D.D. is taken away. Somehow I managed to do the Sand Bird and rollercoaster balloon ride levels on my first try but that doesn't take away from the fact that they are terribly designed. Instead of being excited to see what imaginative and beautiful levels Nintendo would come up with next -- as I am with most other 3D Mario games -- I was left shitting from fear by the mere thought of what man-made horrors would await me next as Sunshine endlessly dragged on.

I just can't believe that such a ridiculously unpolished and creatively bankrupt game could come from Nintendo. I could tell pretty easily that this game was rushed and my suspicions were confirmed once I read more about the game's development cycle.

People like to shit on the Crash Bandicoot games but then go on and praise absolute drivel like this. How this can be anywhere but the very last spot on anyone's 3D Mario game rankings is beyond me.