Am I the only one who thinks this game is getting a bad rap when it comes to graphics? It has huge environments with vibrant colors, and it all looks pretty crisp, as well. I think people are just expecting way too much because its a Mario game. Also, Mario is basically a video game cartoon character in a cartoony world. That kind of game doesn't exactly allow for incredible detail and subtlety in the textures.

the only specific complaints in reviews I've read about graphics are that there are "a couple" bad textures.

After deciding not to get this game I played it more today at Best Buy and the darn thing is growing on me. The more I play it, the more I like it. At first I wasn't crazy about the water pack, but I'm really starting to get the hang of using it.

Needless to say, I placed my preorder today at EB.

Does anyone else dislike how you cannot control mario in the middle of a jump? This is my biggest gripe with the game so far. I want to be able to turn around in mid-air, or at least shorten my jump distance by pulling back on the controller after a jump. The demo i played at best buy would not allow for this type of control.

I was actually referring to the "It looks like Mario 64" complaints from people on the 'net. The reviews have been pretty good about it, I think.

Anyone preordering this one at EB? I'm hoping I can just walk in on Tuesday and pick it up. Oh, is it even coming out on Tuesday?

They told me they will have it on Tuesday and to just come in and get it.

Awesome, can't wait.

Well if you did then you got this bad boy...

My only beef with Mario games is that the story sucks! I mean I think Sonic GC had a better story. The lack of story isn't going to prevent my from buying this sucka.

By next week I'll be locked in my room playing Mario non-stop before college starts. Need to finish it before school....dont need one more distraction in my life

When you're in midair you won't be able to turn around, unless you have the hover water pack. I know that in high jumps you can move back and forth to adjust your landing, but in normal jumps I don't remember if you can pull back to shorten. I know you can control the jump distance by how hard you push forward. If you have the hover water pack you can always use that to adjust your jumps in mid air.

I can't recall any platformer that has had a good story. Sonic, Crash, Spyro, Banjo-Kazooie, Rayman, etc. have always just had lame stories to give you some idea of why you're going around collecting this or killing that.

The whole genre is just based on fun gameplay, it's not meant to be a story driven, immersive type of game like an RPG or adventure game.

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure why IGN Cube decided to rag on the story since there is little to no story in ANY mascot straight action game. I think the biggest minus to some game players (not including myself since I am getting the game) is that it is not a REVOLUTIONARY step for Mario like Mario 64 was. Here's what I say about that...

Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a revolutionary change, but Majora's Mask was evolutionary from OoT. Same can be applied to Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, except that the latter is coming out on a newer system with more power. I guess people were expecting something different from SMS. The thing is there are differences there, but the core gameplay is still there.

The perception is that Mario has been revolutionary for a long time, which is very true. Each and every Mario (minus IMO SMB2 since it was a different game in Japan with different characters before it came over here as a Super Mario game) has been revolutionary in some way, shape or form.

SMB1 = original

SMB3 = the path element and the adventure feel

Super Mario World = arguably evolutionary from SMB3 on a new system. Also had the cape, reversible fences (also in SMS), the Koopalings and Yoshi (also in SMS)

Super Mario 64 = the landmark for 3d gaming

In some ways SMS is also revolutionary over even Mario64...

Super Mario Sunshine = water pack, more colorful, ability to see the whole world, boss battles outside of Bowser, jobs to do.

In some ways SMS is very much like Majora's Mask. It takes the main character out of their main home and into a new situation, compelete with new ideas.

Majora's Mask was not as well liked as OoT overall, much like SMS probably will not be as well liked as Mario64.

I just think it is sad that SMS is not getting a fair treatment because it is "too much like Mario 64". My question is: if you think that, is that such a bad thing?

I also want to add that some people jumped off of Mario when it went 3D, including some people I know.

I would rather have no story than a godawful one with obnoxious voice acting. I suspect the IGN guys would, too.

Most everyone is slavering over the game, I don't think it's getting unfair treatment at all.

I'll admit I did... I didn't even get an N64 until Kart came out... but something about Sunshine is drawing me back... maybe just b/c FINALLY after a year of mediocrity the GameCube is gonna have an AWESOME couple of months!!

Yeah seriously. I bought my Cube back on Memorial Day with the price drop and besides a couple weeks of NBA Street/Melee fun, I've been bored for months. About time Nintendo brings out its big games.

Anyone pick it up yet? My EB had them today but only for pre-orders...which makes no sense since they had plenty extra. Still, I can wait one more day, but it does make me want to actually preorder next time. Couldn't hurt.

I'm picking up my copy in a few minutes. It wasn't supposed to be in until tomorrow, but EB called this morning and said I could pick it up between 8-9 p.m.

Agtfox

I'd actually compare SMS to Super Mario World. Super Mario World took the previous 2D mario from the previous Nintendo console, and perfected it with better graphics and sound on the new console. SMW wasn't revolutionary at all. It was basically a better looking version of SMB3 with some new moves.

SMS does the exact same thing to Super Mario 64. It's a better looking version with some new moves.

Josh, let us know how it is, eh? And go easy on the spoilers if you can.

I think all EB's across the country are giving those who pre-ordered their copies tonight. I was certain it wouldn't be out before tomorrow, but I guess I was wrong.

Been playing the game since 3 this afternoon. GameStop sold the copies to reservist only. I need to delete some info out of my mem card in order to save properly. Great game

I'm regretting ordering from Ebgames online. They originally said on their webpage that the game would ship today, but my status hasn't changed from "Suspend." Now, when you click on the game itself on their webpage they say it's "No longer available." Well, this was my first and last time ordering from that High School Internet Commerce Project.

Gamespy's review is up:

Score: 94

Outstanding

The Lowdown: A little rushed at the end, with too few worlds to explore. Other than that, SMS is an absolute classic.

Pros: Massive, beautifully constructed environments; an amazing amount of height and depth to the stages; hopelessly addictive.

Cons: A lack of stages; fiendishly hidden shines and blue coins in the later stages; a shockingly easy final boss; a sometimes-wonky camera.

sorry man

I played it for a about an hour, and loved it so far. I'd have played longer but I had to go to a training session for a new part time job and now I'm getting ready for bed.

The graphics are very good. I was surprised as I had only seen screens, and fairly old ones at that as I was trying to keep the game as "fresh" as possible. Everythings crisp and clear, the colors are great, and you can see really far in the background. The animation is very good as well.

The control is naturally spot on and the water pack is fun to play around with and adds a good big to the gameplay, making it a good bit different than Mario 64.

I'll post more impression when I spend some more time with it.

I don't start work until Sunday night, and grad school till Tuesday evening, so I'll be able to play it a good bit the next few days.

Gamespot's review is up, and more negative than I was expecting...

Gamespot's Mario Sunshine Review

Anyway, I'm getting the game today and I'm really looking forward to it.

here's my one sentence review....

THIS GAME IS FUN!!!