
	Platform NES Genre Platformer Developer / Publisher Nintendo Released 1987
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Super Mario Bros. 2

(North American Version)

super mario brothers 2,nes

Mario’s second game for North America marked the first time players were given four distinct characters to play, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Mario: well rounded. Luigi: incredible jumping ability. Toad: crummy jumper but fast digger. Princess Toadstool: the ability to float for several seconds but has trouble picking up the most basic items.

This game builds on what the first game did so successfully. At the core, it’s a platform jumping game but the levels are so varied and the enemies so different that it stands out as one of the greatest platform games ever.

At the start of each level the player is given the chance to select one of the aforementioned characters. No matter what character is chosen the level can be completed, albeit using different methods. The player can pick up items, a skill essential to completing the game. Locked doors are common and keys must be found. Some of the smaller enemies can be hoisted and heaved into pits or other

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enemies. There are bosses and mini-bosses to defeat. Bosses are different and the methods to defeat them are unique. The end-of-game boss is a little easy to beat but it’s still intense. The levels are huge. The environments are the standard arctic/desert/water found in the Mario games, with a few extra thrown in. There are the standard "warp" points where whole levels can be missed but these points are very well hidden.

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At the conclusion of each level the player is presented with the chance to play a slot machine game for extra men. The number of available chances to play depends on the number of coins collected from the "shadow" world (accessed via magical doors). No word on how many gambling habits this mini-game spawned.

Graphics and music are top shelf for the NES. The sprites are much improved from the original game; the characters are bigger and more imaginative. The tunes are memorable and easy to hum. The control is responsive and very simple. Sometimes Luigi and Princess Toadstool can be hard to land properly because of their jumping styles. This adds to the overall challenge. Picking the right character to use for a level can make things a lot easier. It’s as close to an RPG element you’ll see in a NES platform game!

The only problem with this game is the ending. It comes too quickly if the warps are taken and it feels fake. The entire adventure takes place in Mario’s dreams! (Sorry to spoil the ending for the nine people whom haven’t finished this game.) That being said, Mario Brothers 2 is still an extremely fun game to play. It’s different than the other Mario games, since it takes place in Mario’s subconscious, and the inclusion of character choice makes for high replayability.

- Omni


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