Divisive Super Mario game gets Nintendo Switch 2 release date

The criminally underrated Super Mario Sunshine is finally coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, whilst hilariously making one of Nintendo’s most notorious collector’s items obsolete.

Super Mario Sunshine isn’t regarded as a bad game, but it’s not as fondly remembered as Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Galaxy.

The GameCube title was janky and downright broken at times, yet it’s still beloved by many for taking the traditional Super Mario formula and experimenting with it.

It has a lot of merit, and those who are fans will be pleased to hear Nintendo confirmed its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 13 for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. GameCube titles are only available on the Nintendo Switch 2, for some reason.

We’re excited to see Super Mario Sunshine return, especially since it was previously only available to those who forked out for the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection, which is now as useful as a paperweight…

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Why Super Mario 3D All-Stars is worthless, but still so expensive

Super Mario 3D All-Stars was a collection of three Mario games: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.

It was released for Mario’s 35th anniversary, but was immediately mocked online for its lack of Super Mario Galaxy 2, and the fact it was a timed-release. It launched on September 18, 2020, and was discontinued digitally and physically on March 31, 2021.

Those who didn’t buy it then will be paying more now, as while some stores still sell copies for a semi-reasonable price, there are plenty of second-hand sellers that want to charge well over $100/£100 for this ‘rarity’.

However, Super Mario Sunshine joining the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack line-up changes everything. It basically makes the 3D All Stars collection worthless unless you’re a serious collector aiming to complete their Nintendo Switch game library.

Super Mario 64 was always a weird inclusion as the game was already featured on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack from day one. Then Super Mario Galaxy got a re-release in 2025 alongside Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Now Super Mario Sunshine will be readily available for those with a Nintendo Switch 2, so unless you really want to play it on the base Nintendo Switch, there’s really no point buying Super Mario 3D All Stars in 2026.

It really makes you question what Nintendo’s endgame was with that collection. Clearly the timed-release was done to inspire a bit of urgency, when the company will have known damn well it would be re-releasing these titles again sometime in the future.

Stingy business practices aside, we’re just glad that more people will be able to experience Super Mario Sunshine before the end of Summer. It’s just a shame that the fun is being restricted to the Nintendo Switch 2.

As a reminder, it’ll be available with your subscription from August 13 onwards, and will be played best with the Nintendo GameCube wireless controller if you have one.

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