Nintendo titles have always been known for their light-hearted titles that are perfect for the whole family. From platformers to RPGs, there is something for everyone. However, while everything is typically fun and exciting, the company isn't afraid to get strange or even dark with its properties. Most Mario titles feature simple and straightforward stories, but one title in particular harbors a dark secret.
Since his beginning, Mario has gone on many adventures. He initially began as a typical platformer who could use certain powerups to progress through the various levels. However, once 3D platforming became the latest craze, developers wanted to get creative with the character. What came from that creativity was Super Mario Sunshine for the Nintendo GameCube. The title placed Mario in a whole new land called the Isle Delfino. In it, Mario is framed for a crime he didn't commit, and with his brand new water blaster, he goes to clear his name. He gets help from many classic Mario characters, including Yoshi. Not many people know, but Yoshi is shown just moments before dying for most of the game's official art.
For those that may not know, Yoshi is typically shown in various colors. He has been seen in pink, blue, orange and the iconic green. Ever since Mario was a baby, Yoshi has been there every step of the way to make sure that Mario can safely reach his destination. For players, Yoshi adds a new way to traverse the levels that are both fun and unique. Over the years, many different iterations of Mario and his friends have become games, and more often than not, if Yoshi is needed, he will be there.
In Super Mario Sunshine, the Yoshi runs on something called juice. Mario can use that juice in many different ways in the game. However, the juice is finite, and once it depletes, Yoshi turns green and begins to flicker before exploding into tiny liquid droplets. That version of Yoshi is typically what can be found on the official art of the game. Even after all of these years, Nintendo still hasn't given a reason why that is the case.
An eagle-eyed Twitter user made the discovery, and it sparked a discussion of why Yoshi is being shown in that particular version. From a business perspective, the only explanation that could make any sense would be that green Yoshi is the most iconic version of the character, and that is why he is shown in that color. However, if Yoshi is as beloved as he is, it makes even less sense of why the creators would make the color he has before he dies green. No matter how many times Mario games continue to expand, there will always be a strange mystery found in the most unlikely places.
However, while dark and even morbid, it's important to note that all Yoshis found in Super Mario Sunshine aren't the real ones. They may look and sound like the dinosaurs, but Bowser Jr. completely fabricates them. In the Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia, it is confirmed that Bowser Jr. used his paintbrush to bring these Yoshis to life. This would explain why they explode upon death and react negatively to water.
Super Mario Sunshine was the beginning of a new era in wildly creative Mario games. Him putting away his fire flowers and replacing them with a new gadget would become the first of many times the hero would change his arsenal. Much like all things in Nintendo, there is always a strange and dark surprise awaiting those who look hard enough. However, more often than not, it can be explained in a way that helps make sense of it. While the Yoshis aren't real, it doesn't change that a dying Yoshi is on all of the official art. However, it doesn't remove the fun from the game either. Instead, it becomes a fun fact to anyone who hears it.