Super Mario Bros. 2

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Supermariobros2.jpg
Super Mario Bros. 2
Developer Nintendo EAD
Publisher Nintendo
System NES, Virtual Console (Wii, 3DS, Wii U)
Release Date NES
US October, 1988
EU April 28, 1989
AUS May 1989
JPN July 14, 1992
Wii Virtual Console
EU May 25, 2007
US July 2, 2007
JP August 10, 2007
3DS Virtual Console
JP November 28, 2012
US July 11, 2013
EU August 7, 2013
SK July 6, 2016
Wii U Virtual Console
US/PAL May 16, 2013
JP March 19, 2014
Gallery GH Gallery

Super Mario Bros. 2 (known as Super Mario USA in Japan) acts as the second game in the NES Super Mario Bros. 'trilogy outside of Japan. This game is unique in that it was made to replace the original Super Mario Bros. 2 that had been released in Japan. The original game had been nearly identical to Super Mario Bros., save for new levels and a far great difficulty. Instead, Nintendo chose to remake a different Japanese game known as Doki Doki Panic into the international version of Super Mario Bros. 2.

Story[edit]

One night Mario has a dream about a world called Sub-Con that is under siege from the evil Wart. The next day, while Mario is on a picnic with Luigi, Peach, and Toad; they find a cave that leads to the same Sub-Con Mario saw in his dream. The four decide to take it upon their selves to stop the evil Wart and set Sub-Con free.

Gameplay[edit]

The game is a bit of a departure from the original Super Mario Bros.. Although it is still a platformer in which the heroes can still run and jump, they no longer squash the enemy by jumping on them. Instead, Mario and co. can ride on top of most enemies, with the ability to pick them up and use the enemies as weapons to throw at other enemies or obstacles. Additionally, the heroes can find other items that can be picked up, usually by pulling up tufts of grass. These items include vegetables and other items that can be thrown at enemies, as well as some power-ups.

The player can choose from four playable characters, who each have their own stats.

  • Mario: A completely balanced character. His jump, speed, and power are all at 4/5.
  • Luigi: The best jumper of the four with a 5/5. His speed and power are only 3/5.
  • Toad: Quick and nimble with a 5/5 in strength and speed, but only a 2/5 jump.
  • Peach: Generally unexceptional in stats, with a 2/5 in speed and power and a 3/5 in jump. However, she has the ability to float for a few seconds after reaching the height of her jump.

Legacy[edit]

Although somewhat a 'black sheep' in the Mario series, the game introduced several enemies and game mechanics that would become mainstays in the series. Notable among these is the Shy Guy, which would become one of the most popular Mario enemies over time. Additionally, Peach's floating jump would become an integral part of her abilities in other games. Luigi's 'running' jump would be recycled in all of the Super Mario Advance titles as well.

Ports and Remakes[edit]

  • In Japan, the game was released on the Famicom as Super Mario USA.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2 was released on the Super NES with updated graphics as part of the Super Mario All-Stars compilation.
  • Super Mario Advance: Super Mario Bros. 2 was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2001 with advanced graphics, new items and enemies, voices and a mulitplayer mode.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2 was later made available for download over the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console in 2007. A demo version was unlockable in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as one of the Masterpieces. The game was later released for the 3DS and Wii U Virtual Consoles at different points from 2012 through 2014.
  • In 2016, it was among the games included in the NES Classic Edition.
  • In February 2019, it was among the NES games made available to play as part of the Nintendo Switch Online service. This version included cooperative and competitive online multiplayer options.

Sequels[edit]

Another game with the same mechanics as Super Mario Bros. 2 was never made, but many elements were picked up from the game and used in Super Mario Bros. 3 and Mario titles afterwards.

See Also[edit]