Following the success of Super Mario 3D All-Stars and reintroducing the current gaming generation to older Super Mario classics such as Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, there's huge potential for a sequel to Super Mario Sunshine. Despite its success and critical acclaim, the full Super Mario Sunshine collection has been discontinued by Nintendo and removed from its eShop with only the physical copies now remaining. The collection was only intended to celebrate the franchise's 35th anniversary and wasn't a model Nintendo carried forward, explaining its limited availability.
But while fans might be calling for Super Mario 3D All-Stars to return at some point, the work that went into the remastered collection doesn't need to go to waste. Nintendo proved that even some of its older ideas still hold up today. Combining the gameplay improvements Nintendo made in Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury with Super Mario Sunshine's core concept could form the foundations of a sequel to the classic GameCube title. The opportunity to return to Isle Delfino with F.L.U.D.D.'s comeback has never been better, and it's the perfect chance to capitalize on both Super Mario's recent success and Sunshine's lasting nostalgia.
Super Mario Sunshine's Standout Design
In contrast to previous Super Mario games, Sunshine was a fresh take on the traditional game design that had characterized the franchise for so long, leaning into its tropical aesthetic to deliver a distinctive style. Likely the first game to popularize Super Mario games with unique gimmicks like the future Galaxy's use of gravity, the introduction of a water backpack opened up different gameplay mechanics and means of traversing levels, ultimately adding a new dimension to the 3D Mario format. Even by making F.L.U.D.D. its own character, the change could arguably be a forefather to Cappy in Odyssey.
However, while Galaxy received a second adventure with Yoshi and fans are still hoping for an Odyssey sequel, why Sunshine did not receive the same treatment has remained unclear. While it's possible that the development of the Wii likely influenced Super Mario's direction, it's evident from not just Super Mario Galaxy 2 but The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask that Nintendo is more than prepared to revisit strong concepts for an additional adventure. As Sunshine was and continues to be one of the more distinct and creative Super Mario games, there's a new opportunity to finally create a sequel.
Shaping Sunshine 2 from 3D All-Stars, Odyssey, and Bowser's Fury
With the success of the latest Switch Mario games, Sunshine 2 is a very attainable project. For instance, 3D All-Stars demonstrated that the base game is workable for the Switch, while Odyssey and Bowser's Fury provides a new groundwork of movement mechanics and game design that should be blended into Super Mario Sunshine 2. Additionally, Bowser's Fury could actually have a greater influence on a sequel as it marked the return of Bowser Jr, showing the role he filled could similarly be translated into Sunshine's design.
Beyond this, a sequel could then build upon the original core designs that Sunshine introduced, like all the features scrapped during Sunshine's development. As Sunshine only had a handful of nozzle attachments for F.L.U.D.D., a sequel could include those cut from the original game like the Sniper Nozzle, or add new ones altogether. It could also take the opportunity to become a completely open-world Super Mario game with seamless transition between areas, especially if the sequel were to return to Isle Delfino and take advantage of it being a self-contained island.
Super Mario Sunshine is available now on GameCube and Switch.
