So far my only interesting TotK observation (more than just thinking "Elden Ring did it better" at the underground stuff) is: yeesh, Super Mario Sunshine's genes really do just keep re-emerging at Nintendo. It truly has become the ur-Nintendo game, whether we like it or not.
In the cold, carbon-dioxide filled air of the present day, I feel like the final four points are ultimately unfair and were based off the game's historical expectations as "the GameCube Mario".
However, age has only caused me to double down on the first two points.
I recently looked into myself to see why I've always hated Super Mario Sunshine.
As a teen, I initially hated it for having these Cowardly Decisions:
• Making the plot twist be "Bowser did it"
• Making Peach get kidnapped halfway through as part of said plot twist
• Bowser Jr.
