My understanding of this grammar point (which I’ve learnt from Genki) is that it is negative, suggesting something is ‘too much’. However, I’ve seen people on tik tok use it a lot in a way that is positive, for example, 最高すぎる. Is this slang or is it something else that I haven’t learnt yet?
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perhaps it is the literal translation of 最高すぎる – “too good”, which can make sense depending on the context
すぎる doesn’t always mean that the adjective in question is bad. That’s why something like 良すぎる is completely valid even though the root word means “good.”
So, Genki (and other textbooks) use a more “idealistically pure” (from a stylistic standpoint) form of language. This holds true for any French or Spanish, or English (and so on) found in a textbook. Academics sat down and decided which grammar (and so on) is “good and proper Japanese,” and what isn’t.
The textbook すぎる states that something is beyond whatever is deemed acceptable:
スーパーにいる外国人: いちごは8000円で4個？！高すぎる!
Foreigner at the supermarket: Strawberries are 4 for 8000 yen?! Too expensive!
For casual usage it can be “super” or “extremely,” with maybe a hint of “well, I shouldn’t, but… :3c”
お母さん: 食べないほうがいいけど、あのケーキ屋はおいしすぎて… まあ、ダイエットは明日からね！
Mom: I shouldn’t have any, but that cake shop’s cakes are too delicious… well then, my diet starts tomorrow!
its the same as english, you wouldnt say “too funny” or “too good” is negative