I pounded the start button like I had forgot where it was, selected slot A and began what was about to be a journey only comparable to sex or perhaps anything of that nature. Sticking with what works and making it better each time around is the Nintendo flavor we have all come to know and love. The game reeks of it, you can practically smell Miyamoto's sweat and blood when you make your first dive into the water... Screenshots

Well after being awaken at 10:30am by a local postman it was assured to be a good day for ZT. The package contained a copy of the most anticipated paltform game since Mario 64. Miyamoto's latest incarnation of our favorite Italian moustache king Mario. Super Mario Sunshine was indeed in the hands of ZTGameDomain and we were not about to let it rest before it got some massive play time. So how did it fare on day one? Read on Nintendo maniacs your savior has arrived!

After getting the wrapping off and mischievously giggling at the smaller Japanese boxes I slapped the disc into my lovely spice Gamecube and powered that baby up! The words Super Mario Sunshine Presented By Nintendo blared across my screen like God herself had just entered my television. The title screen lit up and Mario belted out the soon-to-be household name "Mario Sunshine". I pounded the start button like I had forgot where it was, selected slot A and began what was about to be a journey only comparable to sex or perhaps anything of that nature.

The game starts off with a nice cut scene of Mario, Peach, and a fellow Toad (elderly one at that) on a plane ride to a tropical paradise. Their vacation from the adventures in Mario 64 was about to begin...or so they thought. As the plane lands it comes to an abrupt stop, there is something cluttering up the runway. It's time for Mario to shine (pun very much intended!) you hop out and elderly Toad tells you to go get help. Hopping across the game I went, it was the first time I actually got to control Mario. I was amazed at how well the game handled, Mario 64 veterans rejoice the game is almost a carbon copy. Moving on I made my way across the gooey mess and snatched up my water pack. Some have passed this device off as a joke, but trust me it adds even more depth to an already elegantly crafted game. This is where the game begins and I don't want to ruin anymore than I have to so I will let you see how this ends when it arrives in August.

Sticking with what works and making it better each time around is the Nintendo flavor we have all come to know and love. The first thing I noticed once I started to get the hang of the game is that Mario Sunshine was delivering something I had yet to see in a game in years, quality. The game reeks of it, you can practically smell Miyamoto's sweat and blood when you make your first dive into the water, or see the reflection of Mario as he blasts water across the ground whilst hovering above it...simply breath taking. We all knew this game was going to be good...the hard part to swallow is that it is this good! Sure perhaps I am just starved for a quality game, alas I have not had one since Halo or perhaps MGS2 but this game takes what Mario is all about and puts it on a heavy dose of gaming steroids.

So far in the game I have collected 9 shines and 12 blue coins. These both are tallied as your progress throughout the game. I am pretty sure there are a total of 120 shines, but I am not certain how many blue coins. I have spent a total of 2 and a half hours on the game so far and needless to say I am far from finished for the night. I just had to get on here and give you guys a heads up on what this game was all about. I have opened up three levels including one stage chock full of cages and platforms as far as the eye can see. It truly makes you appreciate the six years it took to see another Mario game arise.

In the end it was a long wait and if the next few days are as good as today I will be a game nerd in heaven. It is time for me to get back to some traditional Nintendo goodness so I leave you with this. If you have an import Gamecube then import this game, it is English friendly enough that even the most casual of gamers could figure it out. I will report back tomorrow with any new findings and goodies, until then enjoy the wait and rest assured it is MORE than worth it!