GameCube Classic Super Mario Sunshine Joins Nintendo Switch Online Catalog Next Month

Nintendo has confirmed that Super Mario Sunshine, the distinct and colorful platformer from the GameCube era, will be the next legacy title to join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. The game will be available to subscribers starting next month.

This addition continues Nintendo’s strategy of bolstering its premium subscription tier with significant titles from its past hardware generations, following the additions of titles from the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance.

Super Mario Sunshine: A Unique Vacation for Mario

Originally released in 2002 for the Nintendo GameCube, Super Mario Sunshine stands out in the Mario franchise for its unique setting and core mechanic. The game sends Mario on a vacation to Isle Delpino, a tropical resort that has been tarnished by pollution and the malicious actions of a shadowy doppelgänger.

The defining feature of the game is the FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device), a water-pack contraption that Mario wears on his back. This device is not merely a tool for cleaning up the island’s grime; it is integral to platforming and combat. With various attachments like the Hover Nozzle for gliding and the Squirt Nozzle for dousing fires and enemies, FLUDD provides a fresh and fluid take on classic Mario movement.

Key Features and Expectations

Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can look forward to experiencing the full game, including:

The Complete Single-Player Campaign: Navigate through over 40 courses, from the sunny beaches of Gelato Beach to the perilous Pianta Village.
Unique Boss Battles: Engage in encounters that often require creative use of the FLUDD pack to solve environmental puzzles and defeat foes.
Pure Platforming Challenge: The game is known for its tight controls and sometimes demanding secret levels, which strip Mario of his FLUDD pack for classic, precise platforming.
Nostalgic GameCube Presentation: The game will be emulated with enhancements consistent with other titles on the service, such as the ability to rewind gameplay.

The Expansion Pack’s Growing Library

The inclusion of Super Mario Sunshine is a significant announcement, as the GameCube library has been a highly requested addition for the service. It joins other Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance titles, further justifying the higher price point of the Expansion Pack tier for fans eager to revisit these classics on modern hardware.

The game will be accessible through the existing Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Switch Online application on the Nintendo Switch. Its release next month adds another heavyweight to the service’s catalog, providing a perfect opportunity for new players to discover this unique Mario adventure and for longtime fans to return to the sunny shores of Isle Delpino.