Super Mario Bros. 2 Review
Platforms: NES(original), SNES(Super Mario Allstars), GBA, Wii(VC)
Players: 1
Original Release Date(s):1988(US), 1989(Europe)
If there was ever a case for mistaken identity in a video game it would be Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES, depending on where you were from it is two different games, and one is even based on a non Mario game to confuse matters even more.
The Japanese game is a harder game than the original using the same game graphics and engine that was considered too hard for western gamers at the time so was never released, until years later on the SNES being dubbed The Lost Levels, that is not the game being reviewed here though.
The western version of the game originally never started life as a Mario game but as Doki Doki Panic, but never would have seen a western release if Nintendo of America had chose to not release the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 so this is a dual edged sword a game that was released for different reasons but was it as good as it's predecessor?
Presentation
Certainly one area this game improves on the first is how well presented the game is, from the character select screen to the slot machine bonus game and the end of each level, the overall feel just gives more of a story to the game as whole too, although that is also down to having to explain why this is so different to the first Mario game being set in a dream world.
Graphics
Again due to the nature of being based on a different game rather than the same game engine as the first it has benefited from an improved look which help set a more defined look for the main characters for all games to come, and both Mario and Luigi now have a distinctly different look as one is now visibly taller than the other instead of being simply the same sprite with different colours.
As for the look of the world well this is where you can really see the game never started out as a Mario game as it looks so unlike anything else from the Mario universe although the story sets the game up to be based in a dream which helps give reason to it, but for what it is it's a well animated game with a unique look, just not very Mario like.
Sound
Some very catch music right from the very start possibly better than the original but general around effects sound weaker for me and and lose there appeal for being more generic and much like the look of the game it sounds slightly distant from you typical Mario game once again due to its roots as a non Mario game.
Gameplay
The biggest change overall to separate it from other entries in the series but strangely also implemented some gameplay aspects that help set certain characteristics for the main characters that would be used in most games that have appeared since such as Mario being the all rounder Peach's ability to float Toad's increased speed Luigi's increased jumping ability although this was done originally in the second Japanese game.
Due to this again being based on a non Mario game the game mechanics them selves are completely different such as having an energy meter and jumping on enemies no longer defeats them you have to either throw one of the many item you can pick up at them or get on top of an enemy and pick that up and throw it at another, on top of this and each characters unique abilities they all possess a charged power jump by holding down on the d-pad for a few seconds and then pressing jump to reach higher areas.
So while this may not play like most Mario games out there it still plays far better than the vast majority of platform games out there and much like the first has implemented elements that have lasted in later games.
Lasting Appeal
Much like the first trying to find every secret in each level will make you want to come back for more each time although many of the levels are less than memorable so playing through the game to beat each of the boss enemies may be the only aim you have and to beat it as they are some of the more original one of the series, although as for the replay value as it is so different from other games in the series you may just want to play it though to see what's so different as many will, but there is very little incentive other than exploring for the secret warps and other hidden bits.
Overall
For a game that was never meant to be a Mario game it really does a great job of becoming one and lays down certain traits that have lasted, and although it is considered the black sheep in the Mario series it still makes it better than about 90% of all other platform games out there and certainly worth checking out for those reasons alone.
Scores
Players: 1
Original Release Date(s):1988(US), 1989(Europe)
If there was ever a case for mistaken identity in a video game it would be Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES, depending on where you were from it is two different games, and one is even based on a non Mario game to confuse matters even more.
The Japanese game is a harder game than the original using the same game graphics and engine that was considered too hard for western gamers at the time so was never released, until years later on the SNES being dubbed The Lost Levels, that is not the game being reviewed here though.
The western version of the game originally never started life as a Mario game but as Doki Doki Panic, but never would have seen a western release if Nintendo of America had chose to not release the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 so this is a dual edged sword a game that was released for different reasons but was it as good as it's predecessor?
Presentation
Certainly one area this game improves on the first is how well presented the game is, from the character select screen to the slot machine bonus game and the end of each level, the overall feel just gives more of a story to the game as whole too, although that is also down to having to explain why this is so different to the first Mario game being set in a dream world.
Graphics
Again due to the nature of being based on a different game rather than the same game engine as the first it has benefited from an improved look which help set a more defined look for the main characters for all games to come, and both Mario and Luigi now have a distinctly different look as one is now visibly taller than the other instead of being simply the same sprite with different colours.
As for the look of the world well this is where you can really see the game never started out as a Mario game as it looks so unlike anything else from the Mario universe although the story sets the game up to be based in a dream which helps give reason to it, but for what it is it's a well animated game with a unique look, just not very Mario like.
Sound
Some very catch music right from the very start possibly better than the original but general around effects sound weaker for me and and lose there appeal for being more generic and much like the look of the game it sounds slightly distant from you typical Mario game once again due to its roots as a non Mario game.
Gameplay
The biggest change overall to separate it from other entries in the series but strangely also implemented some gameplay aspects that help set certain characteristics for the main characters that would be used in most games that have appeared since such as Mario being the all rounder Peach's ability to float Toad's increased speed Luigi's increased jumping ability although this was done originally in the second Japanese game.
Due to this again being based on a non Mario game the game mechanics them selves are completely different such as having an energy meter and jumping on enemies no longer defeats them you have to either throw one of the many item you can pick up at them or get on top of an enemy and pick that up and throw it at another, on top of this and each characters unique abilities they all possess a charged power jump by holding down on the d-pad for a few seconds and then pressing jump to reach higher areas.
So while this may not play like most Mario games out there it still plays far better than the vast majority of platform games out there and much like the first has implemented elements that have lasted in later games.
Lasting Appeal
Much like the first trying to find every secret in each level will make you want to come back for more each time although many of the levels are less than memorable so playing through the game to beat each of the boss enemies may be the only aim you have and to beat it as they are some of the more original one of the series, although as for the replay value as it is so different from other games in the series you may just want to play it though to see what's so different as many will, but there is very little incentive other than exploring for the secret warps and other hidden bits.
Overall
For a game that was never meant to be a Mario game it really does a great job of becoming one and lays down certain traits that have lasted, and although it is considered the black sheep in the Mario series it still makes it better than about 90% of all other platform games out there and certainly worth checking out for those reasons alone.
Scores
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