10 Video Games That Are Flawed Masterpieces
8. Super Mario Sunshine (2001)
Gamecube titles like Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Strikers and Smash Bros. Melee all came with more vibrant colours, and more outlandish animations than Nintendo had ever pumped out before. And the fact the system launched with Luigi's Mansion rather than an original Mario title was evidence Nintendo were ripping up the rulebook for the Gamecube era.
Eventually, the Gamecube's sole Mario title did release: 2001's Super Mario Sunshine.
Off the bat, whilst no Mario game ever manages to flop too hard, this is a title that loves to divide opinions. Following Mario on his holiday across Isle Delfino, criticism for the game tends to swing either towards the gimmicky nature of F.L.U.D.D., the dodgy camera or just how painstaking some of the challenges can be, with the Blue Coin and 'Fluddless' levels being especially brutal.
Nevertheless, there's a charm and character to Sunshine that arguably no other title has managed to recreate yet. The open-world elements from Super Mario 64 are expanded upon to great effect, the wide variety of moves capable with F.L.U.D.D. are really impressive for the time, and the blend of tropical beats, bright visuals and lighthearted tone make this holiday getaway one for the ages.