I always got the feeling that this game was seen as a classic. I never owned a Gamecube growing up, but I’m pretty sure I remember my friend having one and playing Sunshine a bit (although he was way more into Zelda and Smash).

Eventually I got round to playing Sunshine the other year when Nintendo released a triple pack on Switch. It was fun! I loved the aesthetic and interesting water spraying mechanics. However the other day I had a friend round and we were emulating the game, taking turns to beat levels. It struck us how frustrating the game was at points - especially those platforming levels in which you lose the FLUDD. You really notice how slippy and floaty Mario feels in this. In Mario 64 and Galaxy, the movement felt so precise in comparison and you knew exactly how the character would react to your inputs.

The levels too seem quite harsh at points. The Ricco Harbor level which introduces the rocket nozzle has frustratingly narrow platforms with constantly spawning wind enemies. My attempts to get back up to the top after falling off felt like cheating - i.e. lining up the rocket to land on different ledges rather than going all the way around the map again. I couldn’t tell if that was what the developers intended.

Overall I do really love the game, but it feels like an awkward transition in the 3D Mario series. As if Nintendo were trying to innovate with new mechanics before they’d perfected the basic 3D platforming. Is it just me, or do others feel the same?

  • magic_lobster_party@kbin.run
    33·
    6 months ago

    It’s a bit hit and miss. Some parts are glorious. Other parts are just frustrating.

    There’s too many parts that are “Oh you failed this jump? Now you need to start all over again”. I’m thinking especially on that Yoshi mission in Ricco Harbor.

    Or that lilly pad bonus level on that island that you must bring Yoshi to, but Yoshi can’t swim so you need to ride those slow ass boats. Ensure you don’t miss any jump, because then you need to start all over again.

    The visuals are incredible for its time. The water is one of the most beautiful on that generation.

    It’s a game that could’ve benefited from being easier, or at least be more forgiving. I just want to soak in all the visuals.