The Game

Mario is back in a game that is very similar to Super Mario 64. This time, he has teamed up with FLUDD, a device on Mario's back that allows him to shoot water, hover or rocket in the air, or run at really fast speeds.

Mario has been accused of polluting the vacation resort called Isle Delfino. With FLUDD's help, it's his job to clean up the mess, collect Sun Sprites (just like the stars in SM64) and chase the man who framed him - Shadow Mario.

You have to rescue the princess at the end. Surprised?

The Good

• If you liked SM64, than you'll like this follow up.
• FLUDD's hover option is fun. What especially helps is that if you miss a jump, you can use hover to keep from falling.
• Each level has a "secret" area. Here, you'll lose FLUDD and have to worry about falling to your death. These areas are frustrating, but being able to play without FLUDD is a fun challenge.
• The tree-head people (I forget their name) are fun to listen to, whether they are singing ( o/' Doo doo! o/'), or mumbling.
• Bouncing from wall to wall - which was something I hated in SM64 - seems to be easier in this game.
• Yoshi is back! Yet...

The Bad

• This game has fewer levels than SM64. There are more sprites to collect per level, but the lack of levels feels like a rip off.
• FLUDD loses its hover option when you switch to the rocket or turbo option. While rocket and turbo has their advantages, you'll miss the hover option.
• Mario's punch from SM64 is gone. It has been replaced by ... nothing. When you push the B button in this game, he looks like he's trying to do something, but forgot what it was that he was trying to do.
• All the voices are terrible. Bowser's voice is embarrassing, the princess sounds like she's bored (probably from the constant recycling of the "kidnap the princess" plot, and I will never like Mario's voice. It sucks.
• Only one boss.
• After beating the game, collecting the blue coins and the rest of the sunshine sprites is dull.
• Each level has the same 3 scenarios. First, you'll always have a "collect the red coins" sprite. Second, there is always a "secret" area sprite. Third, there is a "chase after Shadow Mario" sprite. Boring! Variety would help.
• Who is Shadow Mario? The answer is really lame.
• ...Collecting the right fruit for a Yoshi egg is annoying, plus he is also kind of a let down.
• To get to the final level, you have to beat Shadow Mario in each level. He is always the seventh scenario, so you can't skip a boring level if you want to beat the game. This is too linear.

...And The Rest

• Whatever happened to the Koopa Kids from Super Mario Bros 3? I want a GameCube game where they are the bosses.
• Everytime Mario collects a sunshine sprite, he poses and the game flashes the word "Shine!". It makes me sing, "Shine your love" everytime I see that.
• The game never bothers to explain what the goop is.
• The new people aren't as lovable. I'm glad they threw in a few mushroom people.

Back to Video Game page