24 Years Later, Nintendo’s Most Divisive Mario Game Is a Miracle on Switch 2
Super Mario Sunshine, originally released on Nintendo GameCube in 2002, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. The 3D platformer was initially embraced by critics and players alike, earning high review scores including a 9.4 from IGN and 9.75 from Game Informer, and becoming the third best-selling GameCube game. However, over the past 24 years, the game’s reputation has evolved into a more divisive one within the gaming community—simultaneously regarded as both overrated and underrated depending on perspective.
The port to Switch 2 is being presented as significant news for the franchise and platform. Super Mario Sunshine remains a notable entry in the Mario legacy, featuring the game’s distinctive FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) mechanic that defined its gameplay. While the game has its passionate defenders who argue for its qualities, it has faced criticism from players who found its controls and water-spraying mechanics cumbersome compared to other mainline Mario titles.
The announcement suggests Nintendo’s continued effort to bring its GameCube library to modern platforms, allowing a new generation of players to experience the controversial platformer firsthand.