Another classic from my childhood. I definitely understand why it has its current reputation. And I get why the opinion on it has so drastically changed into the negative. It's one of the only Mario games that lacks the Nintendo standard of polish, and almost every bit of it feels like it is being held together by shoestrings and chewing gum. But Super Mario Sunshine is creative, and unique.

The Fludd adds a good deal to the platforming, it makes me wish there was a Sunshine 2 where they could have expanded it further. Clearing off the goop with the water jets is satisfying, and you get to use it in a couple creative ways. Sure, a lot of times moving and jumping with Mario feels wonky, but the different secondary nozzles are all fun enough to make up for it.

So yeah, it's good, and yes it has problems. Yes, the brightness is legitimately blinding and they lock the ability to adjust it behind 50 shines, and yes they make you reset that again every time you go back to the hub. Yes the final boss is piss easy. Yes the secret red coin pachinko game is really annoying and made me want to shove Miyamoto in the face, and sure, on my 5th time trying to get through that boat section in Corona Mountain I wanted to hurt him physically. Absolutely.

But the game is still a blast. It's pretty, the music is great, and it feels different to other games like Mario 64 or Odyssey. Try it out again. For me.