Bennett Foddy, designer of Baby Steps, has highlighted Super Mario Sunshine as a key influence on his approach to movement and game feel. In a recent discussion, he praised the 2002 Nintendo title for its sense of tropical heat and mechanical flexibility.
Foddy first played Super Mario Sunshine in 2002 shortly after its Australian release. He bought a GameCube specifically to experience the game after seeing its visuals of water, haze, and sunlight. He noted that these elements captured the feeling of tropical vacations in a way few games had before.
