8. Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube)
Like a lot of GameCube games, Super Mario Sunshine didn’t advance the series so much as take it sideways. The result isn’t always perfect, but it can still often manage to feel revelatory. Mario’s vacation to Isle Delfino Island sees him strap a robotic water pump to his back to clean up goop and rescue Princess Peach from the consequences of Bowser’s poor parenting. Between detailed, open-ended levels and Mario’s new water jetpack, Sunshine transforms where Mario can go and how he gets there. It’s not quite an open world, but it feels almost as liberating.
The story beats and sporadic voice acting don’t always land, and the Pianta and Noki islanders haven’t etched themselves into the series’ lore the way other, more beloved creatures have. In fact, Super Mario Sunshine has a lot of rough edges, not the least of which are the finicky camera controls. Halfway between a Super Mario 64 sequel and a completely new type of 3D Mario game, Sunshine still managed to rise above its flaws thanks to some clever puzzle mechanics and imaginative map designs. It’s a Super Mario game based around a gimmick, but still a great one. — Ethan Gach
