The Complex Beauty of Super Mario Sunshine 

How dare you call the Toads' voice acting anything less than an artistic masterpiece.

Something I love about sunshine that captures the progression aspect is how every time you get a shine, delfino plaza gets brighter, with the circle of light around the center expanding every time. A small detail, but it's just something really nice about the game and its presentation

Super Mario Sunshine is the only Mario game I remember playing that made me feel like the setting actually mattered. It felt like a place where people lived, and stories unfolded for Mario to get involved in. That connects to me on a deeper level than any random assortment of worlds/levels, regardless of the gameplay. This is why, to this day, I continue to tell others that Mario Sunshine is my favorite Mario game. Not even Odyssey, as great a game as it is, could compare.

i love how peach sounds so shocked that she could be bowser jrs mom. like girl you would have been there

I just wish Nintendo would build characters, atmosphere, and general memorability like this game had. Odyssey was a huge, huge step in the right direction and I'm so thankful for that.

As a kid, the levels never felt linear. I think mainly for two reasons. One because it didn't force you to play each shine in a row. You could play one mission of one map and then go to any other map that was unlocked as you pleased, or you could even unlock shines in the plaza. And two because the progression of the story and the missions just felt so natural and because they were all located within the same map. So it just felt like these things were simply evolving as you played, rather than the game herding you from location to location like other more linear games do.

It absolutely DESTROYS me that it took so long for this extraordinary video essay to appear in my recommended. Brilliantly edited and written!!

One thing that wasn't mentioned was how Isle Delfinos flooding was one of the most shocking things to come back to. And also a poignant reminder of rising see levels

Thank you SO MUCH for discussing the actual themes of Mario Sunshine- you might be "reading too deeply" into a Mario game, I don't know, but as someone who grew up in a tourist trap beach town (and playing Sunshine as well...), your analysis really resonates with me. As a kid, I remember the only field trip I ever went on was to the local hotel, where they showed us the kitchens and discussed how they handled things like laundry and cleaning. Sure, at the time it was a fun break from class and a free source of cookies, but as an adult, I can't help but feel that it was preparing an oversized class of kids at an underfunded elementary school for reality- that most of us would find our livelihoods serving the tourists visiting our community. Our streets were littered with garbage, it was often unsafe to swim in our beautiful waters because of sewage, and I can't help but feel that I loved Super Mario Sunshine because of some form of catharsis.

its kinda weird how the imperfect games are the ones we look back on fondly the most, huh?

Speaking from the perspective of someone who played all the main Mario games before playing Sunshine and therefore has no hint of nostalgia for the game, I must admit I was surprised by how much I liked it. I completely agree with everything you're saying. It might sometimes sound like an overanalysis, but you can really feel that storytelling and world-building. Galaxy and Sunshine are the Mario games that focus the most on the player's aesthetic experience, immersing us in a unique and interesting atmosphere, completely different between the two. And as much as I love Galaxy, I must admit that Sunshine's atmosphere is much better implemented. Thanks for the amazing video!

The longer time goes on, the more I realize that we don't engage with video games on a level of trying to find objective perfection - Kirby Super Star came out in 1996 and is utterly flawless and for some reason we kept making games after that for some reason. Instead, I find what makes for a legendary game is how willing we are to look past its flaws because of the generosity and joy that its positives instill in us. And Mario Sunshine is, like, a primo quality example of that. After Odyssey came out, I was admittedly wondering to myself where I stood with Sunshine - its movement was wholly unique amongst the Mario pantheon, yet after Odyssey's jumping ended up being "that, but more, and with an even bigger city to bounce around in", I did start to wonder why I connected so much with Isle Delfino and regarded it fondly, rather than just letting it fall into antiquity. And yeah, nostalgia exists, but there was something more there that you really put wonderfully into words. That slow progression with and connection to the game world, seeing all these little stories unfold, repairing the island - that's a special feeling that's very unique to Sunshine, especially with how in-depth it goes. And relating that to the vacation theme, especially in an era where Nintendo seemed super conscious about the environment (hi Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, Pikmin, Kirby 64's Shiver Star) is incredibly well done, kudos to you there. Looking forward to whatever you decide to discuss next, was a pleasure watching!

12:00 as a kid I saw the ad for Super Mario Sunshine on TV and asked for a Nintendo 64. when I got SM64 i was so disappointed lol 1-2 years later we got Mario Sunshine and it was the happiest day of my life. I enjoyed SM 64, but Sunshine vibes are just different. my father and I enjoyed it much more

I remember when I was young and played SMS, I had a fascination with some of the secret level backgrounds. Seeing how Sky ones were in a cloudy infinite expanse high high above the planet, or train tracks looping all around you which you could sometimes spy a little train drawing chugging along was just pleasant to take in.

I also love how you spend the whole game slowly reviving isle delfino to it’s former glory, experiencing pianta’s stories play out as you watch more and more light return to the isle, just to have it all flood right before corona mountain. If you continuously kept up with the piantas in the hub world throughout your gameplay and start to know each one, talking to them durning the flood feels like you’re genuinely experiencing this disaster alongside them. It’s not just random piantas standing on the roof tops, it’s market workers and native islanders you’ve gotten to know. I still remember instantly worrying about the pianta who was stuck on the island and didn’t know how to swim, frantically looking for him to make sure he was ok the first time I experienced the flood as a kid. It’s things like that that make me realize sunshine was so much more than a game to me. It felt like a real community with genuine inhabitants and I felt so immersed. I truly can’t think of many other games I can say had this type of emotional effect on me outside of super Mario sunshine :’)

I don't comment very often, but I just love this video! For years I've heard a variety of takes on Super Mario Sunshine that I couldn't disagree with on a technical level, but there was always some aspect that didn't capture the *vibes* I feel for the game. This is easily the first time to memory that I've seen someone put just what I feel to words and I'm very glad to see that. Looking forward to future videos of yours!

This was also the first Mario game I played. I had no idea that all the cool gameplay mechanics I kept finding, like falling through the pool behind the tower into the sewers, were glitches. This game made me very interested in exploring every last inch of the island to find more neat gameplay mechanics, and it's still one of my favorite games for that.

I remember watching kingK's vid years back and thinking some of the same things you mentioned here. I adore how this game develops the story for each of these levels, and I'm really glad someone was able to put it to words like this. Stellar vid dude, waiting for your channel to blow up!

This is what I remember the most of the game and what I love about it, people often overlook isle delfino as a whole character, a character that evolves among its habitants and most of all, it’s so cohesive in its settings (something that no other Mario game has ever achieved). That’s why I get the most involve on this game.

Talking about the lack of long jump in Sunshine, there's actually a hidden mechanic where, if you input a b-dive just after performing a high turn flip, you can cover a huge leap with your jump. I called it Mario's Rocket. The thing is, when a game is so rich with different and organic mechanics, new ones start to emerge from the players sheer will to experiment and try new things. What a beautiful game Sunshine is!

I used to think the courtroom cutscene was the worst cutscene I've seen in my entire life. Then I realized that Japanese court probably works in a similar manner, and appreciated their attention to detail

loved this video! your analysis of the game's narrative as a commentary on tourism is brilliant, that's not really a persepctive i've heard before and your examples were on point. definitely looking forward to whatever you make next!

That's a really interesting take, eco-mario is definitely headcannon for me, it's such a cool interpretation

It's not a bad game if you enjoy it.

This is by far the best Super Mario Sunshine review I’ve ever seen! Like you, this was also my first Super Mario game and it has a very special place in my heart. But I’m still amazed by your narration of the whole story and how much attention to detail you’ve shown, it just made me love it even more. Seeing other videos on this and knowing how much hate this game has received made me really sad that they were not appreciating the complexity of the storyline in almost a cinematographic way and I sincerely thank you for all the dedication you put into making this analysis. YOU ARE THE BEST ❤

This is an absolutely amazing video. The editing and writing are so good. I really can't believe you don't have more Subscribers. Super Mario Sunshine is one of my favorite games of all time and after watching this video, I can appreciate it even more. You went into so much detail that it really made me think about things I've never even thought about before. Like the Gooper Blooper for example. I never thought that it might be inside the shipping containers because Bowser is importing them. That's a really good theory. Hoping more people will find your channel because your videos are top-notch. Looking forward to future uploads. Amazing work.

I... I am so happy that someone made a video this complex and narratively engaging with regards to Sunshine. It's such a wonderfully made game and the positively WEIRD reception it got is probably why other Mario games are, with some exceptions, far more... normal, even though there are a lot of people who find it even more enjoyable than 64. This is such an astounding video and I am so happy I sat down and watched it!

Finally, someone that actually appreciates this game. I didn’t connect all the dots here on my own, but I felt the vibes, and when you alluded to the tourism being the problem with the island my brain connected all the dots. You’re so right, though I’m curious how you missed the “Shadow Mario” aspect: Mario is a tourist too. He came here to exploit the island as much as the Bowser and Son did, and he fights his own shadow everywhere he goes before finally being welcomed into the communities he’s helping in their 8th shine levels. Something to think about

this was such a fantastic video essay, it's refreshing to hear someone talk about/analyze a piece of media they really love while acknowledging its flaws. This angle to mario sunshine makes SO much sense. I always found it deeply satisfying to see levels get clean and back to normal and to see the residents actually benefitting from that

Beautiful video and great analysis! I really loved you digging into how the progression of the gameplay tells a story.

Really enjoyed this video :) Super Mario sunshine will always have a place in my hearth even though most of my exposure to it was trough old let's plays ten years ago, the atmosphere and the world of the game are so enjoyable and full of life, so much so that cleaning them feels more an activity to enjoy than a chore

This is the best Mario Sunshine retrospective/video essay I've seen. Hands down. Mario Sunshine has always been my favorite 3D Mario game (with Odyssey coming really close), and it's mostly because of its organic and interconnected setting, atmosphere, and environmental storytelling. Yes, the game is easily the most technically flawed: It's extremely unpolished and glitchy for a Triple-A Nintendo game, it's full of padding, the inability to track blue coins makes 100%-ing the game a pain in the ass, and a good handful of the missions are just... not fun. But it's something that I can easily overlook because I just get so immersed in the cohesive tropical setting. I love the creativity brought about by limiting the level environments to a tropical island setting. Sure, we don't get a snow world or desert world like we get in other Mario games, but we do get environments that we just never would have seen otherwise: a tranquil lakeside village, a bustling harbor, an amusement park, a cliffside bay, a haunted hotel on the beach at sunset, a mountain village. It's amazing how much the devs were able to get out of limiting themselves to a tropical island setting, and it's something I would love to see in a future 3D Mario. On another note, I love that you defended the Piantas. A popular thing to say about the natives is that they're all assholes, and yes, several of them are extremely rude. But most of them are just natives in a state of crisis. Their homeland and culture are literally being defaced by outsiders. Of course they're a little on edge. Also, one more thing: Something that not many people really notice is how the same NPCs' dialogue often changes from episode to episode in most of the levels, signifying some sort of arc. For example: In Ricco Harbor, in most of the episodes, you can talk to these two custodian Piantas on the deck of one of the ships just mopping, and when you talk to them in the first couple episodes, they'll tell you about how much they love mopping. But in the later episodes when you talk to them, they'll sort of have a meltdown and confess to Mario that they really hate their jobs and that the captain is making them mop as punishment for slacking off. Or in Sirena Beach, if you go into the women's bathroom, you'll find a female Pianta who will at first be flabbergasted that you're in the women's bathroom, then politely tell you that the men's bathroom is on the other side. Then in later episodes, if you go in there again and talk to her, she simply says something like: "You came in here KNOWING it was the women's bathroom. Shame on you!" Then in Episode 7 when all the hotel patrons are evacuated outside due to Shadow Mario, the woman will be out there as well and when you talk to her, she'll say: "Hey! Stay out of the women's bathroom!" It's little details like that that really make me love the game.

i just discovered your channel from the pokemon black & white and b2w2 videos and i really love your work. your videos are emotionally honest, well thought out, and fair in a way i rarely see not just on youtube but in general. i hope you do much more, and find some measure of fultillment in doing so!

"to truly love something you must first understand it's flaws" - some wise guy a long time ago

This is a phenomenal video essay, can't wait to see what games you cover in the future!

Just found your channel and I love it!! SMS never really has anyone touch on just how integrated the culture and subtle world building is despite it being such a key factor in the game's narrative and world as a whole, and I think you touched on its nuances really effectively!

Very inspiring and well-made review. I enjoyed the editing and everything else about it a lot!

Mario Sunshine is a perfect imperfect game. It's clunkyness can be frustrating and it's worst levels are brutaly unfair. That being said, I replay it every summer because the things it does do right... Hoh boi does it do them right. I actually do wish we could receive a finished version that wasn't rushed in development. Great Video! Especially the part about storytelling, on point.

Just mesmerizing work here. Loved every second of the video and how you turned typical readings of this game around in my mind. In recent years I have to say I was much more on the "Sunshine meh" train, but when I was younger it really was unlike anything I've ever played. I'm also just a humongous Bowser Jr. fan, so that probably helped more than anything lol. But yeah, fantastic stuff in this one and happy to see more charitable takes on games who's discourse gets muddied over years of analysis. Hope the rest of 2021 is great for you, Skye!

To me, Galaxy is the one that sticks out, while I see Mario 64, Sunshine and Odyssey as a continuum.

I felt as though you were speaking on my behalf. I loved how the duds didn't take away from your enjoyment of the game because, at the end of the game, those didn't matter to the world and the fun you were having along with the main mission, helping the island. Not because you had to but because the game shows you that this is the right thing to do. Love the bio major, and how you bring that into this. Beautifully done. You've got a new subscriber! (LOL jk but yea actually)

I love your analysis, these videos are so well put together

A double dash video would heal my soul 🤍 that and sunshine were also my introduction to video games as a whole! :)

Lovely personal essay and analysis! Great work! :D I recognize Sunshine's flaws will still finding a lot to enjoy - the water and paint effects/cleaning are wonderful, and I will never tire of spraying water ahead and diving into to slide! Odysee is fantabulous (and more recently, Bowser's Fury proved a real treat) but Galaxy remains my fav. It just exudes exuberance and boundless creative energy, and when the music kicks in it makes my soul soar.

Hey! I know I’m a year late here, but I just wanted to say that I think I’ve watched just about every review and retrospective available for Mario Sunshine at this point, and I think that this is one of the best. I love your commentary around storytelling and the overall game atmosphere. As you said, it’s easy to get caught up with the mechanics and miss the game’s golden heart. Great video, thanks for making this!

It really is a shame that Sunshine was a victim of being on the GameCube. It’s become the most mysterious mainline Mario game just because of what got cut from the final release and what little ideas remain on the disc.

This is such a wonderful, thoughtful, and sweet analysis of a classic. I haven't played this game since I was a little child without a whole lot of media comprehension, but within a few minutes of listening to this essay, all the points you were trying to make began clicking into place. Incredible execution. You can really feel the abundance of love that went into this. I agree. They're boyfriends.

It makes me smile to see someone talk about Super Mario Sunshine in a positive light! I can see how you'd come to the conclusion about the effects of tourism thing. It really does seem like that was the message they had in mind!

This video was absolutely incredibe. I never realized how much depth a game like Mario Sunshine could have. From a technical standpoint, the controls and physics of the game might not be the best, but if you look into it a little more the game has excellent storytelling that helps immerse the player in it's tropical setting. Most importantly, it sends a message, and I don't feel like every Mario game can say it does that so that just makes Sunshine even more unique. It makes me happy I can look at Sunshine with this perspective and appreciate it even more now so thanks. :)

great video! i was recommended this by someone, and wow i’m glad. while i never beat sunshine as a kid, the way you speak about it i wish i had. your love of the game is so clear by how you speak about it. i never thought about the ecosystem approach to it, it’s coop !! the themes are surprisingly tight for a mario game. your editing style is sharp too, definitely earned yourself a sub and a watch of your other videos. keep up the good work!

As a huge fan of Sunshine (it is also my favorite of the mainline Marios) this video was a super fun watch. I think out of the handful we've recieved over the last couple decades, Sunshine is the most unique which naturally creates these polarizing opinions. And as a huge fan of King K, it's been a pleasure watching your Reconstructed videos. You've got a wonderful voice for this sort of thing, and the script/reading is paced very relaxed. Thanks for all the effort you've put forward! :)

"Mario has access to technology that makes him uniquely equipped to clean the pollution, more so than the actual victims, so it is still his responsibility to do what he can." It's always so refreshing to encounter this mindset. So long as it's being applied respectfully. (The UK went through a fairly lengthy period where their colonial empire was justified by claiming that the people of those colonies could not rule themselves, and that Britain was uniquely capable of bringing them the benefits of civilization. Which...uhh...hence the need for respect to be included if you decide to take that sentence as a mission statement.)

Thank you for this video! I crave videos that analyze games with this depth

I believe this is the first of your videos I've seen, but I'm already enthralled. Sunshine is a game that did a lot for me as a child, and even though it wasn't my very first Mario game, it was one that influenced me greatly over time. Seeing an analysis this deep and complex over a game this special to me is truly a unique little treat. Well done.

Super Mario Sunshine was also my first game. We had to live with my grandparents after our house became overrun by mold, and my Uncle gave me his gamecube thag has Sunshine and Double Dash. I pourd my life and soul into sunshine. Its very special to me in particular because of my dad. I was probably 5 or 6 (so obviously bad at games) and so when i was stuck my dad would come walk me through it or beat it for me. Those were some of the best memories I had with him. As i got older our relationship crumbled, and in 2018 he passed. But as bad as our relationship got, i can still look back at Sunshine and the memories we made playing that game so fondly. Its such a special beautiful game

This was such an incredible video, I loved your analysis of the story and the message behind it and your passion was so lovely to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts ❤

I really hope your channel explodes in popularity, you do an amazing job. And you reminded me of one of my all time favourite game ever, thank you !

You. You get it. THANK YOU for encapsulating the underlying genius of this game and what I believe so beautifully sets it apart from all the rest of the series! I love the progressive nature of the episodes and how they gradually evolve the world and its stories therein. Plus, who doesn't love the feeling of escaping to a tropical getaway with such memorable races and vibrant colors? I personally advocate for Sunshine every chance I get - and I hope future Mario games learn from the golden nuggets hidden within its shortcomings. P.S. I am here for this enemies-to-lovers Pianta agenda

You have no idea how much this video warmed my heart. Sunshine was also my first videogame and seeing someone talk about it with as much love as I hold for it while also still discussing it in such a nuanced way truly made my day

Sunshine might not be the best mario gameplay wise, but it is the most fun mario game to me. The atmosphere, the music, the characters... Its not just random levels, its a connected world that feels alive and invites you to become a part of it. I love it!

Idk man I’ve never understood why people dislike it. It’s my favorite mainline mario game, easily.

Beautifully said! I live in Hawaii and am witnessing firsthand the destruction of ecosystems caused by rampant monetization and over tourism…maybe that’s why I loved this game so much as a kid and still love it to this day. I appreciate the content!

This made me emotional! Thank you! Super Mario Sunshine was the first video game I ever owned and it shaped what I look for in a game. My favorite thing about so many of the mainline GameCube era games is the character and personality they all had. Sunshine, TTYD, WindWaker, and Pikmin 2 all stand out to me for this reason. They weren’t ashamed of being fun, bright games with exploratory mechanics and interesting subtext. I’ll forever love this era of Nintendo for that. Anyway! Great video essay ☀️✨

This is the first video of yours I've found and can't wait to watch all the rest, I've always liked Sunshine I think because I never had that SM64 comparison. The vibes of 64 always felt off to me whereas sunshine just felt like diving into a sunny new world 🌞

I really think story matters in games, a good motivated, well acted/written story will engage the player and get them to buy in. Often gettkng us to overlook flaws, because we're into whats going on. I think alot of modern games overlook that now-a-days.

I’m a Chuckster.

Man these videos are so well thought out and high quality, can’t believe I haven’t come across this channel before. Mario Sunshine is an absolute classic imo and will always have a special place in my heart, glad to see it getting the love it deserves 💚

Excited to watch this when I get off of school :D

very very nice video, i've been wanting someone to make a video about sms for quite a while, without saying "sunshine bad, 64 good" and leaving it at that. i commend you for actually finding a deeper meaning in this seemingly random game. fantastic work, great editing, and you have a good voice too :) hope your channel pops off

Very impressive and pleasing writing and editing! Congrats and thank you! 😊 I will also always vibe with Sunshine 😌

I like the "bad" levels. The throwing thing is weird and out of nowhere but it is fun to do and fun to fuck up just because it's absurd. It's mario so it isn't really hard enough to be an issue. The variety is nice regardless if it doesn't land.

Excellent videos, looking forward to watch more of them!

Great video. I saw the "shout out" to this video on Adam Millard's channel. Happy to subscribe to your channel! Keep up the great work.

Sunshine is my favorite of the 3d titles and you did a great job exploring facets that are missed by so many players. Well done! You’ve earned my sub. ❤️

This video was amazing. Rediscovering the joy of Sunshine and why I loved it so much

The music in the game is top tier stuff too, next to the graphics. I love the pianta village bgm, those bass heavy drums in the second half of the song (if you heard the track you know what I’m talking about) are the best part, real groovy stuff from Koji Kondo. Ps, I find it funny now I love this games atmosphere even though I suck and the game and couldn’t get past the level with Shadow Mario during the intro but I did do it all those years ago on my GameCube, guess the switch version completely ruined my gameplay or I just am not that good at it.

I absolutely love your perspective on this game. I've always enjoyed Sunshine for the world, vibes, and its overall sense of personality - but you went way beyond surface level about its environmentalist themes in ways I hadn't considered. Sunshine had a sense of magic that I didn't really get anywhere else in the Mario series, outside of Galaxy 1's Observatory. The only game that ever caught that magic and even surpassed it - at least for me - is an indie game called A Hat in Time, which took Sunshine's charm and immersion and bumped it up to 11. Nowadays, Mafia Town is probably my favorite location to explore in any game, beating out Delfino Plaza. And it's Nyakuza DLC is a close second. Regardless, I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I enjoyed Matthewmatosis and KingK's analyses on the game, and your analysis covered a lot of new ground for me. While this game isn't perfect, it definitely made me smile.

Love the video, and the humbleness, glad yo see it at 200k views, i really feel like its so tainted by the past and the few bad levels

Wow, what an impressive video essay! I thought your points were all very well researched, laid out, and reasoned, but without wiping any part of the video clean of your own personal feelings and memories regarding the game. Probably the fairest retrospective of this game I've seen. Fun side note: Sunshine is the first Mario game I've learned speedrun short cuts and sequence breaks for just so I didn't have to play some levels the intended way. That in and of itself is a pretty neat feature, though.

This game was my childhood, thank you so much for putting into words why it means so much to me. The story of Sunshine is all within the land and its residents and it's super cool to see all of the NPCs evolve episode after episode. No one really talks about that! I feel seen.

I like to use the Victoria Kramkowski video game rating system to determine if a game is good or not. The rating system is as follows. "Do you have fun playing it?" If "yes", it's a good game, if "no", it's not. The best part is everyone has different opinions of a good game and a bad game. Super Mario Sunshine is tons of fun.

1. Thank you for putting all my thoughts and feelings towards Sunshine into video essay form. You have read my mind every turn of the way and I’m glad that I can easily explain my opinions by showing others this video. 2. Considering the marketing for the game showing pollution cleanup as the goal of the game, I don’t think you are reading too deep into the games core ideas at all.

Oh my god! You didn't even believe in 10K views 2 years ago and look at you now!!! 150K views and 21K subs! I hope you're absolutely proud of yourself - you should be. This videos is amazing and gave me a whole new perspective on a game I completed numerous times! Keep rocking

i love galaxy so much, its probably my favourite gameplay in a mario game, but aside from a few notable galaxies i find myself forgetting many of them whereas i can remember most if not all of sunshine's areas and how to get to them like the back of my hand. its a game full of so much heart its one of the games i find myself going back to semi-regularly during transitional points in my life for just the joy of it all.

I love watching your video about Super Mario Sunshine!

every video you make is just so good man, keep it up

Good analysis! Sunshine still has striking moments so many years later, especially the Sand Bird. I like the interpretation of preserving Defino from tourism, it's also a very timely message. Thanks for the video!

0:57 Is no one gonna talk about that goofy shine sprite transition he did to hide yoshi’s death, lmaooo.

Watched black and white episode earlier and so far I rly enjoy ur videos found one of my new favourite yt channels

I’ve only watched up to 3 minutes of the vid rn but I 100% agree with the whole environment of Isle Delfino being a part that makes it wonderful. The thing that separates stuff like Paper Mario, Mario sunshine, and Dream team from the original platformers is the environment. It’s an entirely different story half way because of the environment. All the original Mario’s even up till now with stuff like Mario wonder, it’s all pretty much the same. Different biomes with the same enemies. The only buildings being castles, haunted mansions, and road houses. I have no idea where the Koopas and Goombas sleep, eat, or really do. In the games like sunshine it’s clear, they have hotels, restaurants, even prisons. There’s life with the actual environment that takes away from a lot of the attention on gameplay, but gives it to the story and environment. It might seem “harder” because of that but it’s much lively and unique and fun.

Since water is not compressible, there is no way that the amount of water in the backpack is actually stored inside its container.

Glad i saw this video, never really played the game in the right order so i never really saw it's story as a whole. This makes me love Sunshine even more, if it's possible, it's gameplay, vibes, music are all superb and always fun to come back to.

excellent vid, I agree with everything. I also never played Mario 64, only Mario Sunshine, and loved it for itself. i love that Sunshine is about cleaning up pollution, that is excellent plot, i love that you leave places better than you found them instead of blocks destroyed and valuables pillaged (I love hitting blocks and getting coins as much as the next player but if you want to talk subconscious messaging then lol), i love that delfino always felt like a place people lived instead of mushroom kingdom with bad guys all coming at you from the right side of the screen like they are being personally deployed by bowser against you. i love that you return to the plaza and things have improved from your success on a level, i love that you return to levels where new things have happened for bad or good and have to get a shine in a new way based off that (progression!). i never understood people badtalking sunshine - it always has been and always will be a good+special+fun game to me. The Vibes Are On Point.

Only at the beginning part, and I’m already giving you a like JUST for that splat transition! ❤

This video speaks to me so much, sunshine has what I love from videogames, a breathing believable world that makes a place on my heart. Yes I also like good gameplay and challenges, but the world stories and characters are what sticks with me most, and sunshine is so charming, I love it so much

Came here because of Adam Millards recommendation in his Tunic video. I was not disappointed. Nice work there! You gained a new subscriber. Oh and BTW I never understood the hate Sunshine has gotten. And my first Mario game was SMB1 on the NES back in the day and I had played 64. Sunshine was different, but in my opinion also really really good.

sunshine drips with nostalgia for another time and place. its a game with faults, sure, but I don't think people would remember it so fondly if it didn't have heart and character too, if there wasn't something particular and special about it and all its little talents. I wish we could get a game that feels like it again, but knowing we won't is part of what gives it such a strong and unique identity. not every game can or should be mario sunshine, but but I'm glad that mario sunshine was.

Great video! I never looked too far into this game. I'm starting to question everything now.

I’m glad to see someone else loves this game while also accepting the affect nostalgia has. I remember being a kid and going to Sam’s Club (not sure if they have those everywhere or not but I’m from Michigan and it’s a big box store where you pay a yearly membership fee and can buy stuff in bulk for good prices) and they had a demo copy of SM Sunshine available to play near checkout. My family didn’t have any game consoles yet but I hopped on there and probably played for maybe 10 minutes but I was enamored. When we finally got our first console (GameCube was also my first) one of the first games we got was SM Sunshine because I remembered that experience in a Sam’s Club and my brothers and I spent many hours together taking turns playing it. We never beat it, but I bought it again as part of the SM All Star bundle game and had a blast replaying my childhood and beating what kid me struggled with. Great analysis and a good video.

I have a similar history with Mario Sunshine being one of my earliest video game experiences with the small caveat of playing Super Mario World first .. that leap in visual fidelity blew my mind as a kid and Noki bay always filled me with this overwhelming sense of wonder and awe