Île Delfino : guide de l'île tropicale de Sunshine

Delfino Island: Sunshine Tropical Island Guide

1490 words | Reading time : 7 minute(s)

LocationIsle DelfinoSuper Mario Sunshine

A dolphin-shaped island — hence its name, "delfino" in Italian. The one-of-a-kind setting of Super Mario Sunshine on GameCube, Isle Delfino is a volcanic tropical island inhabited by Piantas and Nokis. This guide covers Delfino Plaza, the beating heart of the game, its eight areas, the pollution case pinned on the fake Mario, and its status as a dream destination for fans.

Welcome to Isle Delfino, the sunny, tropical setting of Super Mario Sunshine (2002). This dolphin-shaped island, famous for its sandy beaches, turquoise waters and smiling locals, has become the dream holiday spot of the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario, Peach and Toadsworth land there to unwind... but their stay quickly turns into a nightmare.

Sirena Beach, bathed in permanent twilight, is home to the haunted Hotel Delfino and its secret casino.

The game's second major level, Ricco Harbor piles up a fish market, a fruit machine and a maze of scaffolding.

Because a mysterious look-alike covers the island in foul graffiti, makes the Shine Sprites that light it up vanish, and pins the whole disaster on Mario. Between Delfino Plaza, its eight slices of paradise and its looming volcano, Isle Delfino remains one of the most exotic and instantly recognizable places in the entire Mario universe.

Contents

A dolphin-shaped island

Isle Delfino takes its name from the Italian word delfino, meaning "dolphin". That is no accident: seen from above, the island traces the silhouette of a dolphin, alongside the smaller Pinna Island. The nod goes further, since "Dolphin" was the code name of the Nintendo GameCube during its development, the very console that hosted the game.

This is a volcanic island, dominated by an imposing active volcano. Far from the bustle of the Mushroom Kingdom, it is presented as a sunny haven of peace, a genuine tropical postcard that contrasts sharply with the series' usual scenery. It is that unique visual identity — beaches, sea, sunshine and vivid colours — that left a lasting mark on players of Super Mario Sunshine.

Map of Isle Delfino seen from above, its dolphin silhouette clearly visible
Seen from above, the island traces a dolphin — hence the name.

The locals: Piantas and Nokis

The island is home to two emblematic peoples. The Piantas are the people of the land: big, colourful characters (blue, red or green) recognisable by the little leafy palm tree growing on their heads. They mostly live up in the heights and keep the fruit markets of Delfino Plaza buzzing, where many of them earn their living.

The Nokis, meanwhile, are the people of the sea. With a shell on their backs, they mainly live in Noki Bay, under the wing of their elder, an old sage full of wisdom. Many of them live below the surface, in a vast submerged area tucked beneath the bay's great waterfall. Together, Piantas and Nokis give the island its warm, peaceful atmosphere.

Delfino Plaza, the island's beating heart

The Delfino Plaza is the nerve centre of the game: the central hub from which Mario reaches every area of the island. Set at the dolphin's "snout", at the foot of the volcano, it holds the island's largest town, its shops, its fountain and its monuments.

Two major landmarks stand out here: the Grand Pianta Statue and the Shine Gate. To reach the levels, Mario has to spot rainbow "M" portals hidden on the buildings, aim a cannon at Pinna Park, or stare at the sun from a mural to reach Noki Bay. The plaza itself is packed with Shine Sprites to collect, hidden away in a host of little quests.

The island's eight areas

Beyond Delfino Plaza, Isle Delfino is made up of several distinct regions, each with its own mood and its own challenges:

  • Bianco Hills: a village on the shore of a lake, dominated by a giant windmill.
  • Ricco Harbor: a lively fishing harbour on the edge of the island.
  • Gelato Beach: a sandy beach ringed by a coral reef.
  • Pinna Park: an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster.
  • Sirena Beach: a luxury beach that houses the Hotel Delfino.
  • Noki Bay: a peaceful bay of towering cliffs and a spectacular waterfall, the Nokis' home turf.
  • Pianta Village: a village perched high above, inhabited mostly by Piantas.
  • Corona Mountain: the active volcano that towers over Delfino Plaza and hides a lake of lava.

The fake Mario's pollution

The island's calm shatters because of Shadow Mario , a look-alike coated in bluish paint with Mario's shape and cap. Armed with a magic paintbrush, he smears the island with toxic graffiti that pollutes the scenery and drives the Shine Sprites away, plunging Delfino into darkness.

Wrongly accused, Mario is put on trial and sentenced to scrub the island clean from top to bottom. For the job, he straps on the FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device), a water backpack built by Professor E. Gadd that washes away graffiti and propels Mario through the air. The culprit turns out to be Bowser Jr., convinced by his father's lies that Peach is his mother. He kidnaps the princess, and the adventure culminates in a final showdown against Bowser on Corona Mountain.

A holiday destination turned cult classic

Isle Delfino stands as the holiday resort of the Mushroom Kingdom: Peach, Mario and Toadsworth come here for a break in the sun, a rare framing in the saga. That identity as a tropical paradise has made the island one of the most recognisable settings in the whole series.

Since then, Isle Delfino and its plaza have shown up well beyond Sunshine, notably as race tracks and battle arenas in several instalments of Mario Kart, keeping the aura of this cult setting alive. For many fans, it remains the symbol of a sunnier, more exotic Mario, a world away from Bowser's castles.

Mario in Delfino Plaza, among canals and Mediterranean buildings
The island is explored like a holiday destination: that is exactly what made its reputation.

Isle Delfino at a glance

First appearance Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Console Nintendo GameCube
Developer Nintendo EAD
Type Volcanic tropical island (the game's setting)
Name origin "Delfino" = dolphin in Italian
Inhabitants Piantas (land) and Nokis (sea)
Notable feature Eight areas, including the Corona Mountain volcano

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FAQ

  • Which game does Isle Delfino appear in?
    Isle Delfino is the main setting of Super Mario Sunshine, released in 2002 on Nintendo GameCube. It was later brought back in several Mario Kart games in the form of race tracks.
  • Why is the island called Delfino?
    "Delfino" means "dolphin" in Italian. The island is even shaped like a dolphin, a nod to "Dolphin", the GameCube's code name during its development.
  • Who lives on Isle Delfino?
    Two peoples live there: the Piantas, the people of the land, recognisable by the palm tree on their heads, and the Nokis, the people of the sea, topped with a shell, who mostly reside in Noki Bay.
  • Who pollutes the island in the game?
    It is Shadow Mario, a look-alike who covers the island in graffiti using a magic paintbrush. He turns out to be Bowser Jr. Wrongly accused, Mario has to clean it all up with his water backpack, FLUDD.
  • What are the areas of Isle Delfino?
    Around Delfino Plaza you will find Bianco Hills, Ricco Harbor, Gelato Beach, Pinna Park, Sirena Beach, Noki Bay, Pianta Village and the Corona Mountain volcano.
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