Mario proves he can still drive the clouds away

Mario is simply the most identifiable icon in the history of video gaming and has graced every Nintendo platform in exciting and innovative games. "Super Mario Sunshine" continues his legacy in an engrossing adventure.\n"Mario Sunshine" begins as the plumber and crew head off on a vacation to tropical Delphino Island. Upon arrival, a Mario look-alike begins vandalizing the island, and it is up to Mario to save the day. Mario spends most of his time using a water cannon on his back to clean up graffiti and navigate the island.\n"Sunshine" plays much like "Mario 64" with some added features. The water cannon initially seems like a gimmick to differentiate this from other platforms, but it becomes an integral part of the gameplay experience. Mario explores the island in a variety of chapters that are non-linear. This keeps the game from becoming stale, especially if you get frustrated with a certain mission.\nControlling Mario is a breeze after about 30 minutes of gameplay. Having a mastery of Mario's moves is essential to getting through the usual fare: platform jumping, coin collecting and fighting enormous bosses.\nThe visuals in "Mario Sunshine" are nothing short of stunning. While the bright Crayola colors are to be expected, the graphics are by far the best on the GameCube thus far. The water effects are photorealistic, and the sheer detail and vastness of levels is impressive. The only real visual issue is the game's camera, which has a tendency to leave you blinded by obstruction unless you manually move it. The sound effects and music are top-notch, but the game suffers from over-the-top voice acting in the cut scenes.\nThe game is incredibly addicting and very lengthy. It would take several weeks of hardcore play to see and do everything. Beyond beating the game for the first time, the replay value is relatively low. The only saving grace is the large number of secret items and areas to find, which would make it worth multiple playings.\nIf you own a GameCube, then this is an instant must-have for your collection. It may not be the most revolutionary game, but "Mario Sunshine" is a classic worthy of Nintendo's greatest character.