I wouldn't call Mario's FLUDD-less controls better in Sunshine, they're more or less the same as they were in Mario 64. But I do agree that the real culprit is the level design, which demands a whole heck of a lot from the player than 64 ever did. I actually think the controls with FLUDD are fine and I would probably even enjoy the game if they didn't insist on taking it away from you every third level.