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Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988)

Nintendo R&D4

Port of Yume Koujou: Doki-doki Panic

Arcade · Family Computer · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo Entertainment System · Wii · Wii U

3.45 from 2985 ratings

5689 members have it in their collection · 104 playing now · 666 backlogged · 278 wish listed

How long? Main story 3h · 100% 2h (from 21 logged playthroughs)

Super Mario Bros. 2, 2D platformer and sequel to Super Mario Bros. (1985), features 4 selectable characters (Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad) as they navigate the dream world of Subcon to defeat the evil toad king Wart. Super Mario Bros. 2 features different ways interacting with enemies and the world, including an object carrying mechanic and more intricate level designs.
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Details

Developers
Nintendo R&D4
Publishers
Nintendo, Playtronic
Genres
Adventure, Platform
Themes
Action, Fantasy
Franchises
Mario, Mario Bros.
Series
Super Mario, Super Mario Bros.

Release dates

  • Oct 09, 1988 (Full Release) (North_America) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • 1988 (Full Release) (North_America) Arcade
  • Apr 28, 1989 (Full Release) (Europe) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • May 01, 1989 (Full Release) (Australia) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Sep 14, 1992 (Full Release) (Japan) Family Computer
  • 1994 (Full Release) (Brazil) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • May 25, 2007 (Full Release) (Europe) Wii
  • May 25, 2007 (Full Release) (Australia) Wii
  • Jul 02, 2007 (Full Release) (North_America) Wii
  • Aug 10, 2007 (Full Release) (Japan) Wii
  • Jul 15, 2008 (Full Release) (Korea) Wii
  • May 16, 2013 (Full Release) (North_America) Wii U
  • May 16, 2013 (Full Release) (Australia) Wii U
  • May 16, 2013 (Full Release) (Europe) Wii U
  • Jul 10, 2013 (Full Release) (North_America) Nintendo 3DS
  • Aug 07, 2013 (Full Release) (Europe) Nintendo 3DS
  • Aug 08, 2013 (Full Release) (Australia) Nintendo 3DS
  • Mar 19, 2014 (Full Release) (Japan) Wii U
  • Mar 02, 2016 (Full Release) (Korea) Nintendo 3DS

Also available on

Related

Bundled in

Remakes

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Featured in lists

NSO Classics Collection - NES by Roach · 84 games · 2
Finalizados o jugados suficiente para convalidar by gorka182 · 138 games · 1
çöp by Rerogshi · 298 games · 0
Best Mario Games (All Time) by RehRomano · 15 games · 0
NES by KiingShady · 39 games · 0
nostalgia by Arvyel · 53 games · 0

Rating distribution

5 stars
409
4 stars
996
3 stars
1177
2 stars
340
1 star
62
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Community All Reviews Statuses

cagebox

Review cagebox 4/5 · Feb 21, 2024

An Outlier Among Mario Platformers

Certainly unique among the 2D Mario side-scrollers which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when compared to Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros 3 this game just can't compare. The character selection, with tangible differences, is a nice touch and adds an element of depth lacking from future Mario games until Super Mario 3D World for the Wii U. …

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Certainly unique among the 2D Mario side-scrollers which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when compared to Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros 3 this game just can't compare. The character selection, with tangible differences, is a nice touch and adds an element of depth lacking from future Mario games until Super Mario 3D World for the Wii U. The level design and change in how you defeat enemies are novel, but not improvements. My skills I have built up from beating so many standard platforming Mario games did not exactly translate to this one and it might be the hardest Mario I have ever played start to finish. The game also introduces Shy Guys and Birdo to the larger Mario universe and the boss fights are a highlight and among the best any Mario game has to offer. Overall, the game is fun, frustrating, and a different kind of Mario game, though it doesn't compare to the fun of other iconic entries.

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0 Comment
benhenry3

Status benhenry3 Jan 18, 2024

Very creative game. Probably my favourite out of the 2D mario games because of how quirky and different the game feels.

0 Comment Permalink
TheBeautifulEric

Status TheBeautifulEric Nov 21, 2023 Completed

Beat this game for the first time yesterday. I played the All-Stars version, which I've heard is easier, but it still kicked my butt. How come no one talks about how hard this game is?

3 Comment Permalink
Reset_Tears

Status Reset_Tears Sep 11, 2023

Since everyone's apparently asking for it, here's the best game for every year in gaming history. I'll just leave out the years where there weren't any good games. Don't want to waste anyone's time.

  • 1988 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (NES)
  • 1992 -- Super Mario USA (Famicom) [it's Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 1993 -- Super Mario All-Stars (SNES) [includes Super …
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Since everyone's apparently asking for it, here's the best game for every year in gaming history. I'll just leave out the years where there weren't any good games. Don't want to waste anyone's time.

  • 1988 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (NES)
  • 1992 -- Super Mario USA (Famicom) [it's Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 1993 -- Super Mario All-Stars (SNES) [includes Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 1994 -- Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World (SNES) [includes Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 1996 -- BS Super Mario USA (Satellaview) [it's Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 2001 -- Super Mario Advance (GBA) [it's Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 2007 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (Wii Virtual Console)
  • 2010 -- Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition (Wii) [includes Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 2012 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (3DS Virtual Console)
  • 2013 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (Wii U Virtual Console)
  • 2014 -- Super Mario Advance (Wii U Virtual Console) [it's Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 2016 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (NES Classic)
  • 2019 -- Super Mario Bros 2 (Switch Online)
  • 2020 -- Super Mario All-Stars (Switch Online) [includes Super Mario Bros 2]
  • 2023 -- Super Mario Advance (Switch Online) [it's Super Mario Bros 2]
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7 Comment Permalink
Atag

Status Atag Feb 25, 2023

Was not expecting super mario bros. 2 to be this different from the first game and it's subsequent titles too. I like the fact that the timer is gone (always hated time limits in games) and there's some pretty cool level design in places that verge on problem / puzzle solving to progress which I wasn't expecting.

Not a fan …

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Was not expecting super mario bros. 2 to be this different from the first game and it's subsequent titles too. I like the fact that the timer is gone (always hated time limits in games) and there's some pretty cool level design in places that verge on problem / puzzle solving to progress which I wasn't expecting.

Not a fan of the colour scheme, the constant character selection after each level, and the fact that to defeat enemies you have to jump on their heads and then pick them up?

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1 Comment Permalink
Balmora

Review Balmora 2/5 · Apr 3, 2022

Improves in some ways, worse in many others

Fighting enemies in this game feels clunky. I love and hate the character selection as it messes with the flow of the game and the instinct play. Using root veggies to throw and fight enemies is slow and frustrating. All the bosses are cycled harder and harder versions of the first ones you see. The rat bomb boss is horrible, …

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Fighting enemies in this game feels clunky. I love and hate the character selection as it messes with the flow of the game and the instinct play. Using root veggies to throw and fight enemies is slow and frustrating. All the bosses are cycled harder and harder versions of the first ones you see. The rat bomb boss is horrible, totally random and is incredibly frustrating. The randomness of some of the things that happen do make the game interesting. But it feels more like a kirby game than a mario game.

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0 Comment
Chovus

Status Chovus Jun 30, 2021

Beat again on SNES Super All Stars version. I know I rented this way back in the 90s and beat it. I think I only used Mario back then. This time I gave everyone a try and ended up 16 Luigi, 4 Princess and 1 for the others. I liked Luigi the most because he is the best at platforming. …

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Beat again on SNES Super All Stars version. I know I rented this way back in the 90s and beat it. I think I only used Mario back then. This time I gave everyone a try and ended up 16 Luigi, 4 Princess and 1 for the others. I liked Luigi the most because he is the best at platforming. He gets the best height as well as maybe the best distance (Princess might be better at least sometimes). His slower falling gives good control of jumps but can be a flaw at some points. I was able to find a few short cuts to skip most of a level. Princess was my 2nd because of her long distance hover. Luigi might be able to make longer jumps but would not be able to maintain height like her. The hover gives her the best control but can lead to trouble if used for too long because there is no indication when she will fall. You just have to know how long it lasts. I don't really like Mario and Toad because they are limited to traditional jumps. Their faster pick up speed gives an advantage for combat and looting. Maybe Toad would be the best boss killer but the level leading up to that would be much more challenging. At one point playing as Princess I got stuck because of not being able to jump high enough. Checked a walkthrough to find holding down can charge a super jump.

Though this game is the black sheep of the Super Mario trilogy, it is still an excellent game with a lot of the principle Mario mechanics and level design. The high vertical platforming/climbing can get a bit annoying when the game pauses to load a new screen, and it can feel like a ripoff to not be able to get a mushroom or optimal number of coins when throwing down those shadow door potions, but you can reuse them. The thing that I think this game lacks the most is fireball form, and the sense of powerups carrying over between levels.

8.3/10

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internpepper

Status internpepper Jan 19, 2021

It's the weakest Mario entry in the original trilogy (unless you count Mario 2 JP or Lost Levels), but it's still a good time. Playing as Toad and the Princess are great. Sadly, Luigi is terrible to play as in this game except for one level where he's basically essential.

0 Comment Permalink
PixelSlayers

Status PixelSlayers Dec 23, 2020

Happy Holidays from the Pixel Slayers! Enjoy 9 minutes of classic video game commercials for the Atari 2600, NES, Genesis, & more!

2 Comment Permalink
berilozcat

Status berilozcat Apr 5, 2017

A huge improvement from the original and from the Mario games I've played to date, a welcomed departure, yet staple. I love the introduction of a storyline, the ability to choose, and the nonlinear strategy of the game. I had a blast!

0 Comment Permalink
b_n

Review b_n 5/5 · Dec 27, 2014

1001 Games - #158

Pros: exotic and unique Mario game, multiple character choices, memorable soundtrack, solid platforming elements

Cons: trial & error required to find mushrooms, vine climbing can be finicky

Recommendation: Super Mario Bros. 2 is the odd man out in the Super Mario series, which makes it worth trying for the novelty alone. Beyond that though, it is …

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1001 Games - #158

Pros: exotic and unique Mario game, multiple character choices, memorable soundtrack, solid platforming elements

Cons: trial & error required to find mushrooms, vine climbing can be finicky

Recommendation: Super Mario Bros. 2 is the odd man out in the Super Mario series, which makes it worth trying for the novelty alone. Beyond that though, it is simply a well designed platformer as well. I was never much good at it as a kid, but it's much less frustrating than The Lost Levels. If you dislike restarting from the beginning each time, try the All-Stars or Advance version, as you can save progress.

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