Shine Sprite

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File:Shine sprite.JPG
One of many Shine Sprites.
Mario, you witnessed this object at the Airstrip, correct? It is a Shine Sprite. Shine Sprites are the source of power on Isle Delfino. They used to gather in great numbers at the Shine Gate. But, the graffiti incident has polluted the island and most of the Shine Sprites have fled.”
F.L.U.D.D., Super Mario Sunshine

Shine Sprites are golden entities formed in the sun's image that first appear in Super Mario Sunshine. They act as guardians of Isle Delfino and are the source of the island's sunshine. They are also Super Mario Sunshine's equivalent to Super Mario 64's Power Stars. Their presence is necessary to sustain the lifestyle of Isle Delfino's population, so they are thus held very dear to the island's inhabitants. Under normal circumstances, Shine Sprites gather in great numbers at the Shine Gate, a large structure in the center of Delfino Plaza. They can be scared away from their gathering spot though. When Shine Sprites scatter, their collective power weakens and the island gets covered in a haze that blocks out sunlight.

There are 120 Shine Sprites on Isle Delfino. Although they are mainly associated with that island, Shine Sprites can appear in other places as well.

History

Super Mario Sunshine

Mario and Yoshi collecting a Shine Sprite.
File:Shine Sprite Totals.JPG
The totals screen for Super Mario Sunshine, displaying all currently collected Shine Sprites for each level in the game.

The Shine Sprites of Isle Delfino play a key role in Super Mario Sunshine. They are a factor in Bowser Jr.'s plot to get Mario sent to prison. At some point prior to the events of the game, Bowser Jr., posing as Mario, attacks the Shine Gate and defaces the monument with Graffiti. Having their gathering spot polluted caused the Shine Sprites to scatter throughout the entire island, leaving the population engulfed in darkness. When Mario then arrives on Isle Delfino at the start of the game, he is promptly tried for upsetting the Shine Sprites. Mario's objective from that point on is to collect the scattered Shine Sprites and restore the original conditions of Isle Delfino.

Gameplay-wise, Shine Sprites function in a similar way as Power Stars did in Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Galaxy 2. The 120 Shine Sprites can be found all over Isle Delfino. Some are hidden in obscure or remote places, while others are held captive by bosses or, in some cases, the islanders themselves. Each world has eleven of them: eight regular ones, two secret ones, and one that appears if mario collects a hundred coins. 43 Shine Sprites can be found in Delfino Plaza and Delfino Airstrip; 24 of them can be traded for Blue Coins (ten coins per Shine Sprite). Only the seventh regular Shine Sprite of each world is required to access the final boss in Corona Mountain; the rest are optional.

File:Welcome video shine sprite.png
A picture of a Shine Sprite appearing in the Isle Delfino welcome video.

If the game is completed with all 120 Shine Sprites, the picture of Il Piantissimo shown after the credits will be replaced with a large group picture showing several characters from the game. The player will also be rewarded with a red sun sign next to his or her file in the file select screen.

Mario Kart series

File:247674-mario kart double dash 3.jpg
A Shine Sprite as seen in a Shine Thief battle in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

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

One 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 causes the character to forfeit his/her 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 are also featured on a few billboards in the races.

Mario Power Tennis

Shine Sprites appear in Mario Power Tennis 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 can be traded for a partner's level-up. There are 42 in the game, with each of the 7 partners 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 refills all of Mario's and his partner's HP, FP, and SP, and fills every seat in the audience.

Mario & Luigi series

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 2: March of the Minis

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 eyes.

Official Profiles and Statistics

Super Mario Sunshine Description

The revered symbols of Isle Delfino normally gather at the Shine Gate. Their collective power sustains the island.

See Also


Names in Other Languages

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Trivia

  • Although the majority of the Shine Sprites have only been scattered relatively recently by Shadow Mario prior to the events of the game, the Noki Elder tells Mario of a hidden Shine Sprite in Noki Bay that has been there since ancient times.
  • Shine Sprites are actually libing beings, while they are sold somewhere on Isle Delfino by a Tanooki!