Super Mario Bros 2. Not the actual one they got in Japan, its the American version. Its decidedly different, and explains itself only at the end as to why none of the other games of this series are like it (and not the real reason -its a palette swap).


Graphics: 7
The wait between Mario games felt like forever. And the jump up from the first game with Mario's pointy nose to this one with his more cartoony, rounded features was just great.  Nintendo wisely used all the characters we knew, the princess is here, Luigi is not living in his brothers shadow anyone - he stands on his own. And total wallflower Toad, who did almost nothing in the first game except disappoint you, would end up becoming my favorite character in this game.

The enemy characters really pop, and are great looking. The snake with the giant bug-eyes. The Snifit with his gas mask. The endearing Pokey, who just doesn't care if you jump over him or pull him apart.  Boss are bigger (yet not big enough) and somewhat impressive. Many get reused, but this is still a step up from the first game and its one repeated boss. 

The backgrounds suffer majorly here though. They are often plain colors and without much detail. Its so flat and boring. For games at the time, this was not common - and I could name several 1988 NES games that had great background art. 


Sound: 9
There is probably only 8 tracks in this whole game. But fortunately, like the original game - these are great tracks. They almost never become annoying (almost.. by world 7 I was done with the overworld music), and are super catchy. You could play me a second of any of these songs, I'd probably guess it. 

That being said, I felt they could have done more. The weakest tune might have been the boss music, for me , it just repeats too easily.


Addictiveness; 8
This is a fun game, and you can just run right into it, changing characters willy-nilly, you can play straight through or use the warp tunnels. There was a lot of options here and it took no time for people to get used to the new jump and pluck strategy of attacking. The choice of character was just dandy, you could play to your own strengths and style.


Story: 4
Ok, this is where the game's Frankenstein hack-job of turning Doki-Doki into Super Mario Bros 2 falters. You were in the Mushroom Kingdom right, so now theres almost no mushrooms in the game (they are invisible). In this, you are in dreamworld. Um. Ok. Where are the dreams you enter? I don't get how this land of waterfalls, deserts and mice with bombs is anyone's dream? The only thing that ties the story together is the ending.


Depth: 8
You have the unique ability to jump on top of your enemies, and it doesn't hurt you. Therefore, you can use them to ride over dangers, you can grab potions that open up a shadow area that can find you extra life meter or coins for playing the extra life game at the end of a stage. The bosses take the pull and grab aspect into account, and often have to use their own attacks against them. There is an enemy who uses a magic carpet you can ride. Some pots contain a snake that will pop out, and you can just pull him out before he tries to surprise you!

Some of the touches of mario bro's past game are still here. The warp pipes are back (although not pipes anymore) and this adds complexity. Skip over the stages you don't like!  The mushrooms are hidden on the stages (2 each) and if you find them it will increase your life for that round only. The invincibility star returns. Its a lot of new things, but they added in just a touch of old to make you feel comfortable.

The characters each play differently. Princess Toadstool can levitate. Luigi can jump the highest, and there are some stages only he can reach all areas. Toad can pick things up the fastest, making him powerful at getting extra lives, and defeating some bosses.


Difficulty: 5
Its definitely easier than other Mario games, but this also feels because now enemies can be ridden and you just aren't as in as much danger. There are no levels with giant fish that swallow you - or flying cheep cheeps that can take you out in one hit. It only requires you to learn its quirky attack mechanics, and perhaps some of the long flying parts on the last levels, but this game is kind of a snap.


Overall: 8
While not even a real Mario game, this game is very fun and easy to get into. Yeah, you wonder where the Goombahs are, the Piranha plants. But you didn't mind so much because this gave us lovable Shyguys and pesky Snifits, and adorable Ninjis. These black-sheep characters were put into other mario games and made this series canon.

I actually never played this version for Super Mario Bros. I think this game is one of the underrated games in the series. Poor Toad is always being a wallflower in the majority of the Mario game series.  It seems rare to hear about Snifit making an appearance. He is one of the underrate characters in the Mario game series and he should appear more often. I would never expected potions in this game at all. I thought they would stick to mushrooms and stars like the usual. A bit sad to see that the soundtrack of this game is very limited since there are usually lots of soundtracks in a typical Mario game. This game seems very interesting to play especially from the details that you have stated from the game. It seems to have a twist of its own.

This seems to be one of your shorter reviews at the moment but I will manage that. It was very simple and easy to read. This game actually seems interesting and hopefully I will have time to play it someday. Keep up with your good work on these game reviews and I am looking to reading more of your game reviews.

ghostfishy : I don't tend to get many comments, but then its usually on the games most people have heard of or played. Despite its fun it never quite feels like a Mario game - because it really isn't.  I started liking Toad so much after this game, I usually play him in Mario Kart as well. Try this one out, and let me know how you feel about it. I'm sure a Luigi-phile like you will appreciate that Luigi is not only prominent, but has his own abilities too!


Sinc its you posting, I'll just go ahead and ask this. I was tempted to use a picture in my very recent review of Faxanadu, did you ever hear back if one picture are OK for reviews?

I love destroying Toad from Mario Kart 64. It makes me sound very sadistic.

Luigi is the bomb though! He is my favorite character in the whole Mario game franchise! I will definitely use him first of course when i get a chance to play this game.

Eirinn : Are pictures okay for game reviews? I am summoning you, Mr. Game Review Leader.

ghostfishy : I make Luigi be easy difficulty in Mario Party and every other CPU on hard so he comes in last

We should have a race and settle it. Just don't go too fast. Or use red or blue shells. Or you know, try to win.

Not bad. I do have to point out that this wasn't just a palette swap, as there were a few added features. Though admittedly it was more or less a clone of another game. Good game overall though. In fact, many of my childhood memories of the series are from this game.


ghostfishy : This is actually one of my favorite early Mario titles, simply because it was such a radical departure from what we got in all of the other 8-16 bit Mario games.

And to answer the question: no, David still hasn't said anything about it yet, so sadly images are still not allowed. Sorry. :/ Hopefully he manages to get back to us on that soon.

endings : If only the netplay for Nintendo 64 worked at least decent. I would somehow try to win with my lovely keyboard Spongebob driving skills.

Eirinn : I really want to know about that. My game reviews would like to know if that dream can happen. Funny enough, only a few handpicked of users only used pictures for their game reviews from what I've seen so far. Let me and endings know if you can.

Another excellent review.

I do have to agree with Eirinn tho.
This probably was my favorite NES 'Mario' game growing up.

endings : you misspelled decideadly. The correct spelling is decideadly.

PiotrGrochowski :