Sunshine was enjoyable. I liked messing around its open levels, making absolutely no progress, because progress seemed boring by comparison.

As for Galaxy... I couldn't put it down. I can't put down any platformer with such creative level design, really.

I definitely enjoyed Sunshine more, though I'm not saying it's better than Galaxy. I haven't played either game in years so I can't say anything on the topic of which is better. Super Mario Cats >>>>> Both though.

I haven't played much of Galaxy yet, actually, though I love what I have played. I didn't get around to trying out Sunshine until a year or two ago. At first I didn't care for it much, but it grew on me and I was very satisfied with the whole game by the end. So it's a tough call, each game has its merits. Not going to vote in the poll for now.

Open worlds are overrated, in my opinion. Sometimes a game is pretty linear but has the illusion of an open world. Sometimes a game is very open but has the illusion of linearity. I believe that Galaxy is hardly any less "open" than Sunshine. Both have a hubworld. Both have a number of "areas" where the brunt of the game takes place and which open up progressively as you play. Sunshine requires you to complete the first 7 missions of each area, whereas in Galaxy you merely have to complete I think 60 missions total from any areas in any order. Both games have "bonus" areas where you can collect additional Shines/Stars; in Sunshine, these will count towards "total completion," but will not help you progress through the story as they will in Galaxy.

I sold Sunshine and don't miss it. I still have my most treasured GC games though. I sold Galaxy but kept galaxy 2. I do miss the first one so I say Galaxy is better. By far.

It's Galaxy by a long way.

Sunshine, the game built around the FLUDD, whose best levels were those where the FLUDD was taken away from you, thus rendering the whole thing rather redundant. Then there's the voice acting, which I like to use as an example of why all those who clamour for voice acting in Zelda should learn that it would be a colossal mistake.

I never played Galaxy so I gotta go with Sunshine. :P

loved Sunshine, but Galaxy is perfection.

Mario Galaxy by so much it isn't even funny.

Galaxy is one of the best games ever made.

Sunshine isn't even a particularly GOOD game.

Love Sunshine, but Galaxy is close to perfection imo. My favourite game from the last gen.

Sunshine fans always mention that Sunshine is better cause of Open World. Totally ignoring the repetetive level atmosphere and design. The laughable endboss. The controls were new and fresh but didn't fit with Mario. It was a great game but it wasn't the masterpiece like every Sunshine Fan is claiming. Like somebody already said. When the highlights of the game are the sections without the FLUDD something's wrong...