In Defense of Super Mario Bros. 2

Do you remember the two scenes in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World where Scott shows off his “amazing” knowledge of video game culture by describing the story of how Pac-Man originally went by the name “Puck Man” in Japan, but Namco had to change the name of the character because vandals could easily scratch out the “P” and make the title a lot more amusing? The game culture enthusiasts in the audience giggling at the scene likely weren't amused by Michael Cera's intentionally hammy yet somehow lovable acting. The joke was that everybody knows that old story by now because it's one of the most overplayed examples of mainstream geekdom knowledge ever. Every time a nerd tells that story as a way to seem “in the know” amongst his less nerd savvy friends, a Yoshi gets its wings. The second most over-hyped factoid in gaming culture is the so-called controversy of Super Mario Bros. 2/Doki Doki Panic.

[crunchychocobo]

Loved learning the history behind SMB2! It was definitely one of my favorites growing up.

[frostyhat123]

It was my least favorite out of the first 3, but It was still great!

[8-bit]

Yeah, It goes SMB3>SMB1>SMB2 in that order. They are all 3 amazing games and favorites of mine but that is how I feel.

[MrMccormo]

I remember amongst friends how we said we wanted the "real" Super Mario Bros 2, but has anyone played it? It's just a more difficult version of SMB1 with a few new powerups. Without the US SMB2, we wouldn't have Shy Guys, multiple playable characters, and Birdo (okay, I could do without him/her)

[PirateThom]

Re-released as Lost Levels on Mario All-Stars.

I definitely prefer it, but it's not a huge upgrade over the first game and definitely nowhere close to 3.

[Groove]

SMB2 was a really different game. I couldn't stop playing as Peach since she could hover. I thought that was the coolest power in the game.

[ChickeyCantor]

Thats the power of the "double jump" effect honestly.
When a platformer lacks these abilities, i still double tap the jump button because they make life so easy. Even though i know it won't work.

[RogueCheddar]

I really never knew all the details until now. Great article.

[ChickeyCantor]

Lots of people have some grudge against this game...i think its a pretty awesome platformer. Just wish they make a second one a bit like new super mario bros wii/ds.

[ThirdMarioBro]

...or at least incorporate some of its elements into the Mario design. Super Mario Advance 4 did a great job at bringing veggie tossing into the brand again, but then Nintendo dropped it and went back to the stale and strict Super Mario Bros. formula. Mix it up a bit is all I'm asking. Super Mario Bros. 2 did just that.

[SexyPrawns]

It's strange.

Koji Kondo's music makes this game memorable.

The gameplay, while not the best, was often mimicked, but never matched.

[ReBurn]

When I picked up SMB 2 I thought it was probably the worst video game I'd ever played. I was used to Super Mario Bros, Megaman and Metroid. This game was something else. Over time it grew on me, and the more I played it the more I enjoyed it. For me, though, the real crown jewel was SMB 3.

[Honky Kong]

N4G needs more well written articles like this.
The point that Mario probably would not be as popular as he is if it weren't for "Super Mario USA"
Is very striking.
Super mario 2 is a muva! I play it on gba now and then... One day I will beat it and die happy.

[antz1104]

Im not knocking it, but for me this game was at the bottom of the SMB totem pole. I felt it was missing the fast pace the first could achieve, the inginuity of the suits in the third (frog suit rocked!), and the grandness of the 4th. Admittedly, Super Mario World was my favorite. By itself I think it was a decent game, but in the grand scheme the lizard and throwing turnips was kind of lame compared to Bowser and shooting fireballs.

[madjedi]

Well it isn't even a mario game to begin with, but nintendo reskined a bunch of characters, and sold it as smb2, not a bad game, definitively different than smb 1 or 3.

[HumanStark]

I didn't realize Super Mario Bros. 2 needed defending.

[ElementX]

Super Mario Bros. 2 was creepy!

[BillOreilly]

I really didnt like smb2 at all. I have a few good memories such as the mouse boss and bird boss but i hated getting the keys and having th thing chase me. It was just too different and didnt seem like mario.

[tweet75]

I think a current gen return to sub con with a sharp challenge curve and a sizeable game would be a good nintendo move ;)