Shine Sprite

The Shine Sprites are the source of life on Isle Delfino in Super Mario Sunshine. They gather by the Shine Gate and will scatter from it if provoked. They serve the same purpose as the Power Stars in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy. They cause eternal happiness that lasts as long as they are there.

''Super Mario Sunshine
In Super Mario Sunshine, Bowser Jr.'s graffiti forced the Shine Sprites to leave, and Mario (with the help of F.L.U.D.D) had to get rid of it. After cleaning the island, Mario returned the Shine Sprites to the Shine Gate, restoring the island.

Mario Kart series
Shine Sprites are also the focus of various mini games in the Mario Kart games, namely Double Dash!! and Mario Kart DS.

The game, based somewhat on Capture the Flag, has characters attempting to hold onto a Shine Sprite until the timer is expired. Being struck with any of the game's weaponry, including Koopa Shells, Banana Peels, and the like will cause the character to forfeit their hold on the Shine Sprite, allowing another character to pick it up. In the DS version there are nine sprites, with a timer resetting every 30 seconds or so. Whoever has or is tied for the least sprites is then eliminated. In Double Dash!! there is only one sprite and whoever holds it when time runs out wins. Shine Sprites were also featured on a few billboards in the races.

''Mario Power Tennis
Shine Sprites appeared in Mario Power Tennis. They appeared in the special game, Tic Tac Glow. In that game, the player must hit the water balls at Goop puddles at the opposite side of the court. If the player manages to get rid of enough Goop, Shine Sprites will appear granting points. They also appear on the menu screen, as outlines of the six modes.

''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, three Shine Sprites could be traded for a partner's level-up. There are 42 in the game, with each of the 7 parters being able to upgrade twice. The Shine Sprite also makes a minor (but commonly-seen) other appearance as the icon for Mario's partners' "Attack" choice. If the player lines up three Shine Sprite icons in the Bingo! wheel during battle the effect would refill all Mario's and his partner's HP, FP, and SP, and every seat in the audience would be filled.

''Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Shine Sprites also appear in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time as the result of hitting any of the semi-rare Shine Blocks. Their purpose is to bring light to dark areas.

''Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
One of the Ranks available to Mario and Luigi is the Shine rank, which they attain at level 20. Once this rank is reached, they may shop at the Shine store in Toad Town.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, a Shine Sprite appears as the sun in the background of Tropical Island, but without the eyes.

Super Mario Sunshine Description
''The revered symbols of Isle Delfino normally gather at the Shine Gate. Their collective power sustains the island.''

Trivia

 * In Super Mario Sunshine, F.L.U.D.D. says that most of the Shine Sprites have fled, yet there is more than one third of them left in Delfino Plaza (including Blue Coin Shine Sprites).