User:Nintendo101

Casual Nintendo historian. Otherwise an artist and a zoologist. Bio degree. I've had an account here since 2012.

Setting
Super Mario Sunshine takes place on Isle Delfino, a tropical archipelago shaped like a dolphin. It is removed from the usual setting of the Mushroom Kingdom. This is similar to Super Mario World, another game set on a distinct, isolated landmass. It is a bustling island that features shops, a fishing industry, a tourist community, and a theme park. The most numerous locals on the island are mountain people called Piantas and sea people called Nokis. During the opening cutscene it is shown that Isle Delfino is surrounded by other islands that are also shaped like animals. Examples include: a crab (southwest), a sea turtle (southeast), a mola (northwest), and a jellyfish (northeast). This cutscene implies Isle Delfino is located along the Earth's, but an official atlas released to promote Super Mario Odyssey – a subsequent title directly influenced by Sunshine and its predecessor – places it in the southern hemisphere, northwest of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Isle Delfino's dolphin-shaped design was potentially influenced by the codename for the Nintendo GameCube – "Project Dolphin". The overall look of the island is inspired by tropical environments, such as those of or. The buildings, architecture, and location names derive from and other coastal European nations. has been cited as a particularly likely source of inspiration. Courses are not interconnected and can only be accessed through Delfino Plaza, the game's hub world. However, despite being unreachable, courses can be previewed in all corners of the island. For example, Ricco Harbor is viewable from the starting position of Bianco Hills, and Pinna Park is also visible off near the horizon. This creates the impression of a fully realized, interconnected world. The of the island's layout that serves as a fixed focal point viewable from all courses is Corona Mountain. It is an active volcano that is homologous to the eye of the dolphin. The volcano is the last course unlocked and is the setting of the final boss fight with Bowser. Having it as a central fixture in all courses serves as for the climatic showdown. Isle Delfino was conceived by director Yoshiaki Koizumi, who wanted to craft a setting that was more believable and natural than the world present in Super Mario 64. The design of the individual courses derive from the principles of, or "garden-in-box". The purpose behind hakoniwa is to create intricate, miniature landscapes in a closed space.