Much like the topic of my previous post, Super Mario Sunshine features yet another iconic Nintendo character with a new tool to aid in his journey to retrieve all of the shines. Quite uniquely, the new tool is a water-spraying device known as F.L.U.D.D. whom has a personality of its own. Mario must jump, dive, and now spray his way to the finish where Bowser awaits him once again.
Mario's new tool helps him to clean the tropical island of Delfino which has been covered in a toxic paint-like substance. However, the only reason that Mario has to do this is because he has been framed by Baby Bowser for contaminating the island in the first place. By imitating Mario, Baby Bowser was able to get our favorite red-capped man put in jail upon his arrival. Without any means of arguing with the local judicial system, Mario is sentenced to cleaning the island himself.
I find it interesting that Nintendo would pick a story like this. It's almost like they are giving kids a taste of what the real world can be like. Mario's and Peach's attempts to argue with the judge at their trial were hopeless because everyone on the island was convinced that since he looked like the perpetrator, he simply had to be. It was a hopeless cause to argue.
This conflict is apparent in a lot of movies where the hero is wrongfully accused for doing something that they didn't do. This story is usually found in PG-13 type films where there is a big court case and the trial is about some sort of terrible crime. So, I find this to be a rather advanced type of story line; one that is not commonly found among child-friendly Nintendo games. In fact, this was probably one of the first Mario games to have a story more involved than just having to save the princess.
I don't find this to be a good thing or a bad thing. I do think that this was a good move on Nintendo's part to introduce a more meaty story to a younger audience. It makes the player feel for Mario in a way that they haven't before. If even for a moment, I actually felt wrongfully accused for something that I never did. This creates a bond between player and character that most games lack. Having to try and prove yourself when no one believes you is a hard spot to be in and no one likes that feeling.
I think that games with stories should shoot for meaty topics like this. Placing a player in a very restrictive situation allows for a very controlled game and gives the player something to fight for. Sure, saving the princess will always give someone some sort of driving force, but I think that there are better options oout there today.
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