Super Mario Sunshine Returns With Fantastic Multiplayer Mode

Published Jul 30, 2026, 8:09 AM EDT Paul Farrelly is a Contributing Writer for Screen Rant’s Gaming section and the founder of GeekGasm.org, a site dedicated to celebrating all things gaming, from triple A blockbusters to weird and wonderful indie hits. Based in Louth, Ireland, Paul has spent years writing about games, pop culture, and tech, turning his lifelong love of gaming into a career that lets him talk (probably too much) about what makes this industry so endlessly fascinating. He’s previously written and collaborated with several entertainment outlets, including LADbible, gaining a wide perspective on how gaming fits into today’s pop culture conversation. His work blends genuine enthusiasm with thoughtful analysis, exploring how design, storytelling, and community have made gaming one of the most creative mediums around. When he’s not glued to a controller or keyboard, Paul’s usually spinning vinyl, plotting his next horror marathon, or debating which Resident Evil entry really reigns supreme. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Super Mario Sunshine is often forgotten about. The awkward cousin in the franchise if you please. Originally intended as a follow-up to Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64, it eventually launched on the GameCube back in 2002. Featuring a rather bonkers plot line involving Bowser Jr., vandalism and Mario's untimely incarceration on a tropical island resort, it certainly swung for the fences. Now, all these years later and no doubt capitalizing on the Mario movie franchise's success, Super Mario Sunshine is about to make a great comeback. Not officially supported by Nintendo, you can now play Super Mario Sunshine on PC. In fact, via emulation, this has been possible for quite a number of years. The cherry on the cake is that, thanks to creative modders, there are plenty of ways to add longevity to this nearly 25-year-old game. A quick visit to gamebanana reveals all the possible mods available for Super Mario Sunshine and one in particular is an absolute banger. After all, why play alone when you can play with friends? Let's get into it! Super Mario Sunshine Online Is Amazing Emulation is a grey area but assuming you own Super Mario Sunshine on GameCube, having a backup on your PC is perfectly okay. Getting to mod said backup is a perk that may breathe new life into this water-based platformer for many PC players. The mod in question is known as Better Super Mario Sunshine Online, and it does exactly what you'd expect! It adds real online multiplayer to this classic and allows you to play through the adventure with your friends. With up to 10 players allowed online simultaneously, it certainly beats tangling GameCube controller wires in a game that only ever allowed single-player mode. Better Super Mario Sunshine Online doesn't just start and end with a multiplayer mode. In fact, it's packed with cool features. Custom character skins and name tags allow you and your friends to appear on-screen together with little to no confusion. Fancy chasing down Shadow Mario as Sonic the Hedgehog? Well now you can! Animations and character models are synced online, meaning everyone playing should be able to see their friends and their actions in real time and share in each other's progression. Collectibles such as stars, red coins etc. are also synced, so every player is experiencing the adventure together in a realistic way. There are currently 15 character skins to choose from with the option for custom mods also available. Some characters even have their own custom animations to add to the fun. There are even options to warp to levels with the host being able to pull friends into the level they're playing for a helping hand. Playing a GameCube game like this on PC has never been better. Better Super Mario Sunshine Online is free to download and play on PC. Old Nintendo games like this are 10/10 masterpieces, and it's amazing to see them getting a new lease on life. Certainly something to keep us all busy while we wait for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake to launch later this year. At the very least, it's the perfect excuse to take Super Mario Sunshine out for a spin one last time. Your dusty old GameCube would thank you! Released August 26, 2002 ESRB E For Everyone due to Comic Mischief Developer(s) Nintendo EAD Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise Super Mario