Super Mario Sunshine[a] is a 3D platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It was first released in Japan on July 19, 2002, and was later released in North America, Europe and Australia. It is the second 3D platformer in the Super Mario series, following Super Mario 64 in 1996. The game takes place on the tropical Isle Delfino, where Mario, Toadsworth, Princess Peach and five Toads are taking a vacation. A villain resembling Mario, known as Shadow Mario, vandalizes the island with graffiti and Mario gets blamed for the mess. Mario is ordered to clean up Isle Delfino, using a device called the Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device (F.L.U.D.D.), while saving Princess Peach from Shadow Mario.
Super Mario Sunshine received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the game's graphics, soundtrack, Mario's array of moves, and the addition of FLUDD as a mechanic, though some critics criticized the game's camera control. The game sold over five million copies worldwide by 2006, and is the third best-selling GameCube game of all time. The game was rereleased in the Player's Choice range in 2003.
