I was having this discussion with some friends during AGDQ, and figured I'd bring it here.
Mario Sunshine and Mario Odyssey are both very bizaire games compared to the other 3D Mario games. And while they are both mechanically unusual compared to the Galaxy games and 64 (FLUDD and Cappy), I'm more referring to the aesthetics and tones of both games when I make this comparison.
Let's start with Sunshine. While it's primary theme could best be described as "tropical vacation", it's approach to the more familiar Mario elements would certainly be called "uncanny". Familiar elements are present, but they're all a little "off". For example, the new takes on classic enemies are the strangest in the series.
For example, there's not a koopa-troopa to be found, but instead we have the electrokoopas and snoozakoopas
These weirdly smiley bullet bills
The Chain Chomplets
A very chill looking King Boo with an aversion to spicy food
And of course we can't forget about Petey Piranha, who isn't just strange, but dissolves into sludge when he dies
Then there's just all sorts of weird little moments through out the game, including:
So yeah, while Super Mario Sunshine was an enjoyable game, it was certainly a weird game, definitely the weirdest in the 3D series, until Odyssey came along
Why yes, that is Mario possessing a realistic T Rex, which has gained his hat and mustache. Which is pretty representative of what makes Odyssey weird yet different than Sunshine. You see, where Sunshine is weird in that it takes familiar elements of the Mario series and puts an uncanny reinterpretation on them, Odyssey largely keeps the familiar Mario elements consistent with their regular designs, but then juxtaposes them with contrasting art styles. In a sense, Odyssey's dissonance is what makes it weird.
So we have things like Mario in a realistic city with realistic people
The Asian inspired Bowser's Kingdom
And all the new creatures and objects Mario can fight/capture
And you can't forget about that unexpected boss
And that's not getting into the fact that you can play the whole game in your boxers, or a wedding dress, or wearing a Diddy Kong or Waluigi outfit.
But anyway, which game do you find to be the weirdest 3D Mario? Not the best, not the most fun, but the weirdest?
Mario Sunshine and Mario Odyssey are both very bizaire games compared to the other 3D Mario games. And while they are both mechanically unusual compared to the Galaxy games and 64 (FLUDD and Cappy), I'm more referring to the aesthetics and tones of both games when I make this comparison.
Let's start with Sunshine. While it's primary theme could best be described as "tropical vacation", it's approach to the more familiar Mario elements would certainly be called "uncanny". Familiar elements are present, but they're all a little "off". For example, the new takes on classic enemies are the strangest in the series.
For example, there's not a koopa-troopa to be found, but instead we have the electrokoopas and snoozakoopas
These weirdly smiley bullet bills
The Chain Chomplets
A very chill looking King Boo with an aversion to spicy food
And of course we can't forget about Petey Piranha, who isn't just strange, but dissolves into sludge when he dies
Then there's just all sorts of weird little moments through out the game, including:
- Yoshi disintegrating when he touches water
- The inexplicable other dimensions the no FLUDD levels take place in
- Peach seemingly being unsure if she is Bowser Jr.'s mother
- The voice acting in general
- Just what's up with the Sandbird?
- Wigglers just decay and fall apart when you defeat them
So yeah, while Super Mario Sunshine was an enjoyable game, it was certainly a weird game, definitely the weirdest in the 3D series, until Odyssey came along
Why yes, that is Mario possessing a realistic T Rex, which has gained his hat and mustache. Which is pretty representative of what makes Odyssey weird yet different than Sunshine. You see, where Sunshine is weird in that it takes familiar elements of the Mario series and puts an uncanny reinterpretation on them, Odyssey largely keeps the familiar Mario elements consistent with their regular designs, but then juxtaposes them with contrasting art styles. In a sense, Odyssey's dissonance is what makes it weird.
So we have things like Mario in a realistic city with realistic people
The Asian inspired Bowser's Kingdom
And all the new creatures and objects Mario can fight/capture
And you can't forget about that unexpected boss
And that's not getting into the fact that you can play the whole game in your boxers, or a wedding dress, or wearing a Diddy Kong or Waluigi outfit.
But anyway, which game do you find to be the weirdest 3D Mario? Not the best, not the most fun, but the weirdest?
