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Super Mario Sunshine (GCN) Nintendo
Ever since the release of the GameCube, Nintendo gamers were desperately waiting for a new 3D incarnation of the Mario franchise. Given the massive success of Super Mario 64 on the N64 console, hopes and expectations for Miyamoto's cash-cow franchise were incredibly lofty. Super Mario Sunshine turned out to be a really, really great game in its own right, but it certainly wasn't the quantum leap that most of us were wishing for. The gameplay took a lot of direction from its predecessor, but overall, the whole package seemed to be lacking in longevity and innovation.
It's always about Mario, but where's Luigi?
The original step of taking Mario and his universe from 2D into the 3D realm was perfectly executed by Super Mario 64. SMS, however, failed at some level to inspire and excite gamers in the same revolutionary way. Shigeru Miyamoto even recognized this fact and has stated that SMS is pretty much more of the same -- he says that the next big Mario title, which is currently in development, will be the leap that gamers wanted SMS to be. SMS is still a fun game that's challenging and rewarding in its own right. However, it isn't the be-all and end-all of gaming as we'd have hoped it would be. Maybe next time.
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hardcore_pawn: I think the real problem with Super Mario Sunshine stems largely from the ridiculously large volume of hype surrounding any and all new Mario games from Nintendo. SMS was simply a victim of too much hype. Even Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto commented that SMS didn't innovate gameplay in the 3D platform/adventure genre that much. Was it a question of lackluster game design? Was the development team at Nintendo simply churning out another clone attempting to cash in on the glory of Super Mario 64 on the N64? Well, that's all up for debate.
In my eyes, Super Mario Sunshine was still a great game. It played well, it had a solid game engine and engaging qualities, but it just wasn't everything that fans of the previous Nintendo hits were looking for. I guess most of us at this point in time have already played a zillion games that are just the same in terms of originality and implementation. But then again, surely The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was under just as much pressure in terms of hype and expectations? Whatever you might think, Super Mario Sunshine remains a good game -- but it fell short in delivering "the next big thing." I really hope that Miyamoto and the guys developing the new Mario game for GameCube have taken a lot of notes. The pressure is now greater than ever before.
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ferricide: Ooh, this is a bit tough for me. You see, I unabashedly love this game. I can recognize it has its flaws, though. In one way I would say it's even underrated; so many times I've been told by gamers that they just rejected it after barely scratching the surface. But there's no doubt that its lack of levels holds it back. It may have as many shines as Mario 64 has stars, but it has less game wrapped around 'em. SMS doesn't ease you in, either -- it lacks a smooth difficulty curve, instead throwing the player to the wolves straight away. Fine for me, as I've been around the Mario 64 block a few times, but not so good for the average player. Nintendo could have taken what's here, and by adding a few more levels and re-using resources in creative ways, made a game that truly stood head and shoulders above Mario 64. Instead, Sunshine just feels like a slightly evolved version of it that ends too quickly.
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Fargo: "Unabashedly love this game?" Ferricide when did you get dropped on your head? Sunshine was a terrible throwback, especially given how innovative Mario 64 had been for its time. Mario 64 took platform games to 3D and made them work, with an array of cool moves and gameplay that was easy and fun to get into for everyone. It also had an open-ended game system where you could just run around and explore levels, choosing which stars to get in any order. In contrast, Sunshine is much more linear, forcing you to get shines in order. The controls were frustrating and the levels were hard. Every other level was a fall-to-your-death-er. That's not fun for anyone. I'm not sure if it was the timing or the name behind it that made everyone gush over this game, but it was undeserved attention.
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