SerpApi.Org
Most Super Mario games are critical and commercial darlings. Mario is Nintendo's mascot for a reason. Platforming through the Mushroom Kingdom is a tradition like no other, and these games are some of the best in video game history.
But every character or franchise can have a relative miss, and that's exactly what Mario had with 2002's Super Mario Sunshine. The long-anticipated sequel to Super Mario 64 didn't exactly hit the spot with a lot of Nintendo fans when it came out on July 19, 2002. The critics loved the game, giving it a 92/100 on Metacritic. The fans gave it an 8.2/10 on the site, which, while still a good score, is much lower than the critic score.
One fan gave the game a 0/10 and bemoaned several tedious and frustrating aspects of the gameplay.
"The entire premise is a delusional fever dream where Mario is arrested for a crime he didn't commit by a legal system that clearly hasn't heard of DNA evidence or basic security **** gameplay is a buggy mess of slippery physics and "FLUDD" mechanics that feel like trying to aim a fire extinguisher while standing on a bar of soap. Every time you try to do a simple platforming jump, the camera decides to hide behind a palm tree or clip through a building, leaving you to fall into the abyss while Mario lets out a pathetic yelp."
The tropical vibes, creativity, and soundtrack are all top-notch. Nobody can deny how unique this game is, but the detractors are still loud. Another fan compared it to other games in the franchise and said it doesn't measure up.
"Ultimately, while it has some moments of charm and creativity, Super Mario Sunshine feels more like a frustrating experiment than a timeless Mario classic. It lacks the polish, variety, and joy that define the best entries in the franchise."
Clearly, the people who don't enjoy the game are going to be louder than those who do. Haters always make it feel like something is more despised than it actually is, but Super Mario Sunshine is undoubtedly one of the most controversial games in a franchise that is usually universally adored.
