Latest news with #SuperMarioSunshine
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Super Mario 3D All-Stars Gets ANOTHER Switch 2 Update... But You Still Can't Buy It
Way back in 1993, Super Mario All-Stars released for the Super Nintendo, featuring re-made versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, updating the visuals of the old NES games to the standards of SNES titles like Super Mario World. Fast forward a few decades, and 2020 saw the release of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, which collected two of the greatest games of all time, Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy... And also Super Mario Sunshine. (I kid, I kid. We love you, Sunshine!) For some reason that's still unknown to this day, Super Mario 3D All-Stars was marketed as a "Limited Edition" release and was only on sale between September 2020 and March 2021. Today, if you want the game, you'll need to shell out well over $100 to buy a physical copy. Thus, it came as a surprise when Super Mario 3D All-Stars was updated for the launch of the Switch 2 last month. The patch notes were vague, with unspecified "improvements" to make optimize the game for Switch 2. Then, it came as an even bigger surprise when 3D All-Stars was updated AGAIN. Version 1.1.3 is similarly vague with its patch notes, with "several adjustments" to "improve gameplay on Switch 2." Neither of these patches transform the games. Super Mario Sunshine and Mario 64 still only run at 30 FPS, for example, and Mario 64 is still only in 4:3 aspect ratio. Alas, the dream of a 120 FPS 4K version of Mario 64 is still just a dream. It's absurd that Super Mario 3D All-Stars is currently unavailable for purchase. We can only hope that the folks at Nintendo are working on a true Switch 2 version of the game, perhaps including Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D Land, which are kind of like "lost episodes" in Mario's 3D oeuvre. Then again, Nintendo marches to its own drum, for better or worse. If something seems expected, then Nintendo is more than likely to do the exact opposite. But hey, maybe that's just part of what we love about them. Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Stuff.tv
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
The 14 best Mario games of all time: where is your favourite?
It's been well over 40 years since Mario – first called 'Jumpman' in those simpler days – first leapt into our hearts in the original Donkey Kong, and we've savoured nearly every moment since with the loveable action-plumber. He's appeared in hundreds of games now, spanning all manner of genres, platforms, and styles, but Nintendo's impressively mustachioed mascot has an incredible legacy for quality: his core games, in particular, have consistently defined and redefined genres, not to mention single-handedly made pricey gaming hardware into essential purchases. To keep things focused, we're only including Mario platformers here, with all 2D and 3D games considered. If we started factoring in the plumber's love of sport, go-karting, tactical combat and papercraft, we'd probably be here all day. But check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch games for the entire Mario experience. 14. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992, Game Boy) Play The original Super Mario Land is a landmark Mario game as the first one to be released on a handheld system. It's still fun to revisit today, but we'd lean towards the wonderfully weird follow-up. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins was the game that introduced us to Wario, who is the main antagonist here, and can only be fought once Mario has collected the titular six golden coins. With an overworld that lets you tackle the various themed zones in any order, and power-ups such as the Magic Carrot, which turns Mario into Bunny Mario and is every bit as fun as it sounds, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins is an oddball classic. 13. Super Mario Maker (2015, Wii U) Play True, this isn't a typical Mario game in the sense that creation is the defining element, but Nintendo did a fantastic job of making the process fun, accessible, and totally perfect for the Wii U GamePad. And believe it or not, this is some of the most fun we've had playing classic-flavoured Mario stages in some time. The wealth of player-created challenges can keep you going for some time, and Nintendo's own quick-hit creations are loose, silly, and completely fab. A sequel, Mario Maker 2, was released for Switch in 2019, but we thought this game was at its best when you can tweak your levels on the GamePad. 12. Super Mario Sunshine (2002, GameCube) As the first 3D entry to follow the utterly brilliant Super Mario 64, the GameCube's Super Mario Sunshine couldn't help but be let down by expectations – not to mention the seeming reliance on a weird new gimmick. Yet Nintendo's creativity overcame any concerns, naturally, as the FLUDD water-sprayer – used to clean up gunk around the sunny island – unlocked great new platform gameplay elements. 11. New Super Mario Bros. (2006, Nintendo DS) Play What's old was made new again (obviously) with New Super Mario Bros, which put a modern twist on the classics for the Nintendo DS. By and large, the game stuck to the old playbook: side-scrolling challenges in themed stages, albeit with 3D graphics instead of the old sprites. But newer elements, like the ground pound and super-sized Mario power-up, helped give it a fresh, exciting feel. Follow-ups – including New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe on Switch – have worn the premise a little thinner; the first is still our favourite of these. Read: The 10 best gaming controllers ever – ranked! 10. Super Mario 3D Land (2011, Nintendo 3DS) Play It was Nintendo's task to make the visual depth capabilities of the 3DS handheld seem like more than a mere gimmick, and the company nailed it brilliantly with Super Mario 3D Land. Essentially a blend of the 2D and 3D branches of the franchise, the game nimbly bounces between free-roaming and fixed-camera segments while being a total blast throughout. And the 3D effect not only made the game look amazing, but also informed the gameplay too. 9. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010, Wii) Nintendo rarely makes direct sequels to its Mario games, but when the idea is as good as the original Super Mario Galaxy it's very much a case of more is more. Galaxy 2 has less of a story focus than its predecessor, but that means it takes less time to get to all the glorious gravity-manipulating platforming Nintendo serves up, and this time Yoshi is along for the ride. This is also a game for the Mario hardcore, with some of the later levels really testing your skills. It's very hard to choose between this one and the original, which we may or may not revisit in a bit, but both Galaxy games see Nintendo at its creative peak, and it's a crying shame that you can still only play the first one on Switch. 8. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995, SNES) To some, Super Mario World 2 will always be the 'whining baby' game – it's the one in which Mario is a little infant being shepherded around by Yoshi, and if he pops off your back, the sobbing and waterworks kick in immediately. Yet there's a totally awesome platformer built around it: a smart, strategic spin on the classic 2D design that feels very different, yet is just as satisfying. And the hand-drawn look is still marvellous. An updated version – technically a separate game but very similar to the original – called Yoshi's New Island was released for the 3DS in 2014. 7. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021, Switch) Play Super Mario 3D World was one of the Wii U's best games, but the Switch port that inevitably arrived later is undeniably the best version of the game. You get a perfect port of Super Mario 3D World, the ultimate realisation of the 2D-meets-3D Mario game design that Nintendo started exploring with Super Mario 3D Land, with deliriously inventive stages that are even more fun in multiplayer, but that's not all. The Switch version also came with a brand new standalone Mario adventure called Bowser's Fury. This remixes 3D World's assets in an open-world environment in which you're being hunted by a Kaiju-sized Bowser. It's a scrappy, fascinating little game that has you hopping between a series of themed islands in any order you like, and could give us an insight into what Nintendo has in mind for its next full-length Mario adventure. 6. Super Mario Odyssey (2017, Switch) Play Given all the hype around Super Mario Odyssey, its 7th place finish here might seem disappointing. But just look at the legendary games that land before it – not to mention the brilliant ones it just topped! Indeed, Super Mario Odyssey is another truly excellent 3D entry in the series, acting as a long-overdue successor of sorts to Super Mario 64 while bundling in an absolute wealth of new ideas. By and large, it sticks to Nintendo's 3D Mario template, but thanks to Mario's new companion Cappy, you can inhabit loads of different creatures in the world. That makes it perhaps the most diverse 3D platformer in the franchise, and every intensely weird bit of it is pretty wonderful. 5. Super Mario Bros. (1987, NES) How do you rank one of the most important and influential games of all time? We were tempted to put it up top, but on a list like this, the competition is stiff (yet so very friendly). Super Mario Bros. essentially defined the platformer template for countless games to follow, with each side-scrolling sprint delivering the right blend of challenge and fun. Later games took the design to new heights, but the original remains utterly essential. 4. Super Mario World (1992, SNES) Released alongside Nintendo's 16-bit juggernaut, Super Mario World was the culmination of the series in its classic state. It took advantage of the new hardware for improved graphics and a superb soundtrack, but also expanded the game design with fresh power-ups, level themes, and everyone's favourite rideable dinosaur, Yoshi. Best of all, it was huge, delivering an engrossing adventure to get lost in with your shiny new console. 3. Super Mario Galaxy (2007, Wii) Play If you needed proof that the Mario platform design can be twisted into pretty much any wild, winning concept by Nintendo's geniuses, then Super Mario Galaxy is it. The outer space theme and globe-like, camera-twisting stages showed that Shigeru Miyamoto and crew could still reinvent the game, and it truly is one of the most joyful, boundlessly creative games we've ever played. Why do we place it above the sequel? Well, Galaxy did the whole planet-hopping thing first, and got nearly everything right. It's a bit more forgiving too. Plus you can play this one easily today in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on Switch, which gives the game an HD lick of paint. 2. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1991, NES) Play Can you believe that Super Mario Bros. 3 came out on the same system as the original game (and the weird mess that is Super Mario Bros. 2?). It's such a huge advancement in terms of gameplay design and aesthetic, and the impact was incredible. Some 30 years later, it holds up as a paragon of platform game design, with some of the most memorable stages you'll ever play and creative power-ups aplenty. Plus, it set much of the thematic tone still used in the series today. 1. Super Mario 64 (1997, Nintendo 64) Some might call it heresy to not pick a 2D game for the top slot here, but over 25 years later, we're still in awe of Super Mario 64. It not only brought the most important series in gaming into the third dimension, but once again set the template for the entire genre. And best of all, Super Mario 64 did it with so much infectious and imaginative charm that it still holds up strong today. It's a legendary game in a series absolutely stocked with them. Roll on Super Mario Holographic 8 on the Nintendo 5D MegaBrain VR... Read: Mario: How a plumber inspired today's gamers and creators
WIRED
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- WIRED
How the GameCube Controller Works on Nintendo Switch 2—and How You Can Get One
One of Nintendo's best and most influential controllers is making a comeback on Switch 2, alongside a host of classic games. Photograph: Julian Chokkatu After months of silence, Nintendo has finally confirmed that the Switch 2 is coming soon, launching worldwide on June 5 (even if preorders are delayed for the US). But what accompanied that announcement was the confirmation that GameCube games will be coming to the new console, along with a dedicated controller to play them with. Although the GameCube never achieved the success of rival PS2—selling approximately 22 million units worldwide, far short of the Sony juggernaut's 160 million—it became a fan favorite. A strong library of first-party titles, including Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Metroid Prime , alongside some key third-party releases such as Resident Evil Zero and SoulCalibur II , earned it a loyal following. It was the controller that earned it a spot in gaming history though, in large part because of its compatibility with Super Smash Bros. Melee. So perfect was the symbiosis of game and controller that custom GameCube controllers have launched alongside every Smash Bros game since. A GameCube revival on Switch 2 had felt like an open secret for months. Rumors of the classic console's controller making a return had been swirling, and reports of parts involved in its manufacture seeing a surge in shipments only lent credence to the idea. Similarly, speculation was rife that GameCube games would be joining the Switch Online lineup for the Switch 2 launch. Given that Nintendo had produced wireless replica controllers for the NES, SNES, N64, and even Sega Mega Drive/Genesis to support games from those classic consoles played through Nintendo's subscription service, it was only logical that the GameCube would get the same treatment. However, it's not without a few updates and changes to the original model. So, What's Different? The biggest difference in the GameCube controller coming to the Switch 2 is that it's cordless—keeping the same overall aesthetic of the original without requiring a bulky battery pack or receiver. Front on, it looks exactly the same as the 2001 pad, right down to the signature purple hue. Face buttons sit on two 'islands' either side of the curved controller. The central green A button, smaller red B, curved X and Y satellites, and the iconic, nub-like C-stick are all present and accounted for on the right side. Then there's the D-pad on the left, and the eight-way thumbstick return, while the singular Start button sits in the middle. Looking at the top of the pad though, the differences become clearer. While the gray left and right triggers and dark purple Z shoulder button on the right hand side return, they're joined by a smaller ZL shoulder button on the left. This is presumably to maintain compatibility with any non-GameCube games users may want to play with this revised controller, though it does appear significantly smaller than a typical shoulder button. It may not make for the most comfortable of play sessions. Also visible are the Home and Screenshot buttons of the Switch, a small pairing button, four LEDs that will indicate connection to the console and which player is which, a USB-C charging port, and the brand-new C button that's coming to the Switch 2. This brings up the new system's GameChat features, activating the console's built-in mic and the menu that governs voice controls, screen sharing, and other social features. All told, it looks like the features required for the Switch 2 have been neatly integrated into the shell of the classic GameCube controller, without sacrificing the original look and feel. How to Get the Gamecube Controller for Switch 2 At present, it seems as though the official Nintendo GameCube controller for Switch 2 will only be available to purchase through Nintendo's own My Nintendo Store site. A price hasn't been announced for it yet, but as far as release date goes, Nintendo says it will be available 'the same day as Nintendo Switch 2'—so June 5. However, like the replica pads for other retro consoles, sales of the GameCube controller will be restricted to those subscribing to the Nintendo Switch Online service. That's likely Nintendo's way of preventing scalpers, but we wouldn't be surprised if supplies are stretched thin anyway, at least at launch. While a GameCube controller is going to be the most authentic way to play GameCube games on Switch 2, you won't be left out if you can't snag one. All titles will be playable on the Switch 2's own Joy-Con 2 controller duo (most likely when paired as a single controller on the updated Joy-Con 2 grip) or the new Switch 2 Pro Controller. The Switch Pro 2 Controller. Photograph: Julian Chokkatu Nintendo has also confirmed that players will be able to check controls for each game using a system menu, and even remap them according to preference. Remapping looks to be supported on both the Joy-Con 2s and the GameCube controller, which is a nice extra. How to Play GameCube Games On Switch 2 Unlike classic games getting a digital rerelease on, say, Steam, retro titles on Switch typically can't be purchased individually. Instead, access to a curated library of select titles is a benefit for subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online service, Nintendo's answer to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass. That looks set to be the case with GameCube games too. However, Nintendo Switch Online itself has two tiers. The basic tier, which costs $20/£18 per year, and the "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack" tier, which costs $50/£35 per year. You'll need to be a member of the latter to access the new GameCube games, which is where they will live alongside retro libraries for N64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. The important distinction is, unlike those other games, they will also only be playable on Switch 2. Even if you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack at present, GameCube titles won't be accessible on the current Switch. It's also worth noting that the classic game libraries will be renamed to simply 'Nintendo Classics'—which should be interesting when it comes to those Sega titles … What Games Are Coming? Now we're into the fun stuff. Nintendo has confirmed that the first GameCube titles to be added to the library will be some of the classics— The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX . All three will be available at the Switch 2 launch on June 5. It's a strong trio to kick things off— The Wind Waker remains one of the most beloved Zelda adventures, SoulCalibur II still holds up as a fighting game, and we haven't seen a new F-Zero , Nintendo's high-speed sci-fi racer, since GX itself. Still from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Courtesy of Nintendo Other GameCube classics confirmed to be coming to Switch Online subscribers include Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon Colosseum and its sequel XD: Gale of Darkness, Mario Smash Football (aka Super Mario Strikers), Chibi Robo , and Luigi's Mansion . The arrival of these games is undated at time of writing. Still from F-Zero GX. Courtesy of Nintendo Still from SoulCaliber II. Courtesy of Nintendo It appears all GameCube games will be joining the service essentially as-is (or as-was, technically), without any remastering. Nintendo does say that the games will have 'clearer image quality and higher resolution than the original releases,' but it's unclear at present if this is simply due to upscaling. One modern benefit however is that 'in games that support multiplayer, up to four can play together locally, or online.'
