Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube Platformer) 1996. November 1996. On a sunny November day, I took all the money I'd saved and ran over to the then brand new Target they'd built near my house. It was about noon or so. I purchased Super Mario 64 and hurried home to read the manual while I waited for my mother to buy my N64 on her way home from work. Approximately 5 years since the addictive system selling Super Mario World and the wait was not in vain. Until about February of the following year, I gave it my ALL to locate all 120 Stars and beat King Koopa more times than I can count on my fingers. It was a great day for gaming. Now, here we are, 6 years after Mario 64. Can Super Mario Sunshine measure up as the 6th Mario game? Read on, but here's a hint: It's a MARIO GAME! Whaddayathink?! After 6 years of doing... Nothing. Other than sporting events and party games, Mario and the Princess decided to take a nice relaxing vacation to the wonderous tropical paradise of Isle Delfino. Clear turquoise water... White sandy beaches... Clear blue skies... Palm trees, old World architecture, and... Gallons of muck?! Poisonous piranah plants plaguing the peaceful Piantas?! Bubbly Bloobers blurting out bad vibes?! I smell a- Well... I shouldn't spoil it for those of you haven't reached the end or even started. ^^;;; Well, according to the locals, Mario's responsible and he's taking the rap for it. Sentenced to community service, he must clean up the island's mess before he can start his vacation. And the Princess? Take a wild guess. :p Gameplay Think Mario 64 and you're half way to what Mario Sunshine's all about. Much like Mario World simply took the ideals of Mario 3, slightly improved upon them, and prettied them up in glossy 16 bits, Mario Sunshine takes Mario 64's basic lesson plans, adds a bit to it and beautifies them with 128 bits of graphical power! Just like in Mario 64, you're presented with various Worlds, seven in all, where Mario has about 9 main Shines to earn (the last one being the 100 Coin Shine), though, there may be more Shine than that for ever intrepid Mario gamers to find! The game also returns most of Mario's old M64 moves (some though, couldn't make it, probably due to the weight of FLUDD on Mario's back) and adds a couple more. Additionally, aside from spraying water, Mario can climb fences, Mario World style, and even ride Yoshi so there's plenty to do in this game. And yes, folks, there are 120 Shines to get. In anycase, the controls are as good as you'd expect from a Mario game. Nadia's had some issues with the camera, but that's probably due to her lack of Mario Sunshine 1337ness. :p Graphics Remember all the moaning and groaning some people did over Mario Sunshine's graphics at previous E3s and such? Now may be a good time to introduce them to the business end of a crow for them to wolf down. Mario Sunshine's absolutely BEAUTIFUL! From the shining blue water to the extremely detailed environs of the Hotel Delfino, Mario was certainly pretty enough for me, at least. It really reminded me of being home or on that cruise I took long, long ago. Kinda like taking a vacation to the Caribean without actually leaving your house. ^^;;; Music Wow. I can't wait to get the CD for this one! From remixes of classical Mario themes to all new highly tropical tracks, Mario's music is both relaxing and very, very Mario. Koji Kondo really did a number on this one! ^^ Conclusion Well, what can I say? It's Mario, pure and simple. If you haven't gotten this game yet, either you can't afford it, or you may be coming down with something and should probably consult a doctor immediately. Score: 10/10