Super Mario Bros. 2 | Cheerful Ghost

How Super Mario Bros. 2 Moves Beyond The Sprite Limits of the NES Is Pretty Interesting

I consider Super Mario Bros. 2 to be one of the most unique and creative Mario platformers around. Even so the complaints about it being no more than a lazy Doki-Doki Panic skin are plentiful but how accurate are those critiques? According to a timely Retro Game Mechanics Explained video, apparently Super Mario Bros. 2 does some creative sprite magic to add the Mario characters to the game in that they use two sprites to get more than 5 colors for each character(4 colors per sprite being a hardware limitation of the NES).

Summer Games Done Quick 2019 Wrap Up II

Summer Games Done Quick 2019 was a great event this year and I'm sticking to my tradition of keeping a list of my favorite speedruns and sharing them with you all. I'll just be posting one more after this so stay tuned.

Super Mario Bros. 2 by coolkid in 23:21 Coolkid had two awesome runs this year and this one was a highlight. I'll share his Mega Man 2 run later as it's one of the first GDQ runs that doesn't feature any zips. That said, this Super Mario 2 run is quite incredible at 23 minutes and Coolkid makes it look effortless.

Half-Minute Hero by dowolf in 23:32 I watched the Half-Minute Hero run the first morning of SGDQ with my family for breakfast. My wife said... Read All

Cheerful Ghost Radio Episode 52: Super Mario Bros. 2

We're throwing vegetables at short guys in masks in this episode, as we review Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES!

This is the second of a three-part series on the NES Mario trilogy. Next month we'll be finishing the series with Super Mario Bros. 3, so come play it and talk with us about it, and we'll include your thoughts in the next NES Classic review episode!

Join the event here: https://cheerfulghost.com/Travis/events/172/cheerful-ghost-games-club-super-mario-bros-3

Want to be a part of Cheerful Ghost Radio? Come play Super Mario Bros. 2 with us!

In season 3 of Cheerful Ghost Radio, we are starting our NES Classic reviews with Super Mario Bros. 1-3. Next up is the first sequel, Super Mario Bros. 2! Come play the game and discuss it with us, and we’ll include your thoughts in the episode!

And by the way, if you don’t have an NES Classic or the original, but you do have Nintendo Switch Online, you can play it there as well!

The Super Mario Bros. 2 we know in Western territories isn't the first game to go by that name. The first one (re-released later as The Lost Levels) was deemed too hard for us, so Nintendo reskinned Doki Doki Panic and released that as Super Mario Bros. 2 for us noobs in the west.

Come play... Read All

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/25/2019 at 12:30am

I'll be playing it!

Also, love that picture it looks like someone gave it a slight 3D effect or is the game naturally shaded like that?

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/25/2019 at 01:00am

It’s an edited image but I think the shading on things was there for some objects.

jaelte wrote on 02/25/2019 at 05:53am

Super Mario Bros. 2 (along with Section Z) was actually the first Nintendo game I ever owned. I got it for my birthday at the same time as the system itself. My friends and I played nonstop for hours on end.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/25/2019 at 11:22pm

@jaelte I never even heard of Section Z, I had to look up some gameplay. That looks like a fun intro to the autoscrolling shoot-em-up.

In terms of Mario 2, what did you think as a fresh NES owner? What do you think now? You should drop into the event and play it with us this week ;)

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30th Anniversary Retrospective Documentary of Super Mario Bros. 2

We all know Super Mario Bros. 2 wasn't the follow up to Super Mario Bros. in Japan and that it was originally Doki Doki Panic and translated into English for an American audience. That reason being the big factor on why some Mario purists don't consider it a proper Mario game. Super Mario Bros. 2 celebrates it's 30th anniversary this year and as such Arcadeology has a focused retrospective on the game and it's history in the franchise. It's the deepest dive about Mario 2 i've seen to date and it showcases many of the improvements made over Doki Doki Panic. In fact, i'd say Mario 2 is superior to Doki in nearly every way and since Doki started out as a prototype for... Read All

Innocent Until Proven Guilty - Super Mario Brothers 2

Cygnus Destroy has a new Innocent Until Proven Guilty Video I wanted to share. I enjoy his take on the classics and have really enjoyed his series since I started subscribing last year. In his latest video he looks at Super Mario Brothers 2. Super Mario Brothers 2 is my favorite Mario game and only in the last few years did I discover the blow back this game has received. Some consider this not a proper Mario sequel because it existed first as Doki Doki Panic. Pretty sure when I was a kid it wouldn't have made the game worse and knowing that now gives the game a richer history but doesn't detract from it's charm or beauty.

I know most of us consider Super Mario... Read All

80s Reruns Double Feature: Super Mario Bros. 2... twice?

Before leaving Mario behind for a while, I wanted to take a look into one of the most confusing situations involving a game's trip from Japan to the US, or rather two games.

After the major success of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan. The game was meant as a continuation of the first more than a typical sequel, so that it would be challenging for people who had already mastered the first game. The graphics were basically identical, but it introduced a couple of new mechanics and seriously hard levels. However, Nintendo of America decided they didn't want to release it stateside, since it looked too similar and would be too hard for... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/23/2015 at 08:30pm

I'm aware of the history of SMB2, but I don't know if I've ever even tried "The Lost Levels." From what you describe, I'm sure I would absolutely hate it. The reason is because Mario games often get me too frustrated. Honestly, though, SMB2 (American version) didn't really do that to me. I really loved that game. I think the Princess was also my favorite. Her ability to float made things a bit easier.

The history of the game reminds me of the Final Fantasy (SNES) history and how the Japanese and American versions differed. It's cool, though, that in both game series, both versions of the games were later made available.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 01/24/2015 at 06:52pm

Another fun article, I look forward to more!

Did you play through both games completely? I guess these games are short enough that you could bust through them in an afternoon (especially if you're using warp zones!)

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 01/24/2015 at 10:05pm

I did, without using warp zones. I did them in the span of about two days

jdodson Admin wrote on 01/25/2015 at 01:03am

That's great. I've said before Super Mario Brothers 2 is my most beloved Mario game. That said, Super Mario World may very well be the best as it's so freakin' polished. I've played the lost levels on the SNES Mario All Stars Kart and I never really played more than one or two levels. Like you say, kid me wasn't into the grueling difficulty as it wasn't that much fun then.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 01/25/2015 at 06:14am

When you play it with emulator save points, it becomes like Super Meat Boy. You have unlimited tries to pull off nigh-impossible feats.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 01/26/2015 at 04:17pm

I have really great memories of SMB2. But I had a friend who's parents were friends with my parents, so when the families got together, all the kids would go into the tv room and play this the entire time. It was simple enough for my younger siblings to enjoy, and great enough to keep all of our attention for an evening.

jdodson Admin wrote on 01/26/2015 at 04:33pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdo

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/archive/8/8a/20121127223938!Super_Mario_Bros_2_-_Birdo--article_image.jpg

I don't mind where they are going with that but it would be stated differently in 2015.

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Nintendo Power Issue 1 Review: It All Started Here

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120909223212/nintendo/en/images/6/65/Nintendo_Power_Volume_1_-_Scan.png

Nintendo Power's first issue was released for free to certain fan club members and in stores July of 1988. At the time Nintendo was gaining more and more traction as a pretty big household staple and to further it's reach they decided to start one of the greatest things to happen to the late 80's and 90's, Nintendo Power magazine. I first read this issue at my cousins house and immediately wanted a subscription. Nintendo Power was filled to the brim with comics, news and tips for all the games I loved. I have recently started re-reading them and decided to review them as I have time.

Nintendo Power issue 1 contained some of the best art on a magazine cover I can think... Read All Nintendo Power's first issue was released for free to certain fan club members and in stores July of 1988. At the time Nintendo was gaining more and more traction as a pretty big household staple and to further it's reach they decided to start one of the greatest things to happen to the late 80's and 90's, Nintendo Power magazine. I first read this issue at my cousins house and immediately wanted a subscription. Nintendo Power was filled to the brim with comics, news and tips for all the games I loved. I have recently started re-reading them and decided to review them as I have time.

Nintendo Power issue 1 contained some of the best art on a magazine cover I can think of. Featuring a clay scene of Super Mario Brothers 2, Nintendo Power issue 1 contains 20 pages of Mario 2 walkthrough magic. This issue also features a really interesting walkthrough for most of The Legend of Zelda second quest. The Zelda second quest walkthrough doesn't cover the last few levels of the game but follows up with the remaining information in issue 2.

Compared to a modern magazine, Nintendo Power is pretty big considering issue 1 shipped as 113 pages.

Nintendo Power featured a fold out poster in each issue and I enjoyed putting the cool ones up on my wall. This issue shipped with a poster for Super Bases Loaded which ranks it pretty high in terms of the most lame posters featured in Nintendo Power.

Counselors Corner has tips for a few released NES games such as Metroid, Ghosts and Goblins and Super Mario Brothers. I am curious how well known certain video game secrets were before Nintendo Power published them. The infamous Super Mario Brothers 1-up trick is featured in this issue but I remember first hearing about it from a friend.

One staple that I loved was the Howard and Nester comics. Howard was the comic character from the real life Howard Phillips, spokesman for Nintendo at the time. I am not sure if Nester was based on any real life person, but he was always snarky and fairly prone to doing dumb stuff. I always enjoyed reading each comic even though they don't hold up as well as my memory of them.

Issue 1 goes on to drop the classic Konami code for Contra and provides information and walkthroughs for Gauntlet, Double Dragon, Contra & Jeopardy. The last bits of the magazine feature some interesting fan letters and the Top 30, a list of the most popular NES games. As issue 1 shipped, the top 5 NES games were The Legend of Zelda, Mike Tyson's Punch Out, Metroid, Super Mario Brothers & Kid Icarus. As Nintendo Power continued on and other games launched this list changed a bit, but Zelda was nearly always at the top of this list even after the Super Nintendo launched.

At the time this issue shipped an entire year of Nintendo Power cost $15. This seems like a steal now but at the time was something I didn't have an easy time doing. That said, it didn't stop me from reading as many issues as I could get my hands on.

RetroLiberty's Top 10 Mario Games

"Its near impossible to pick a favorite Mario game, what games get left out and Aaron has a few top choices that normally are not in the top 3!"

I like this list because it places Mario 2 quite high. I know, Mario 2 was Doki, Doki, Panic, but like the video states, that doesn't make it a bad game. Thing is, i'd love to see a new Mario game riff Mario 2 ideas and have been bummed it hasn't happened yet.

That said, this list is quite good and features a segment from YouTuber MetalJesus! So, you know, watch it.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 02/25/2014 at 01:17am

That really is a hard list to make. I've never played any of the Mario RPG games, and have limited experience with the Party games, but of the games I've played, my list would have to be:

1. Super Mario World
2. Super Mario 64
3. Super Mario Bros 3
4. Super Mario Bros 2
5. Super Mario Land
6. Super Mario Bros (Hard to argue with the original, but I enjoyed all of the other games more when I first played them. I loved Super Mario Bros, but I also didn't have many options at the time)

They're all great games though :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 02/25/2014 at 01:39am

Super Mario Land was fun but... I don't think it ages as well as some of the other Mario games. 6 golden coins was a bit better and it was still first generation Gameboy.

Travis Admin wrote on 02/25/2014 at 04:02am

1. Super Mario Galaxy. Yes, really. More than World, more than 64, this game is amazing.
2. Super Mario World
3. Super Mario Bros 3
4. Super Mario Bros 2
5. Super Mario 64
6. Super Mario Bros (although I have probably played this more than any other. I got my speedrun down to 6 minutes without tool-assist before I realized I could be playing more games instead of playing one over and over).

You know, I'm going to stop there. This is futile. The difference between 2-6 is so minor really it's difficult to sort them. The games in the "main" series are all so damn good, it's just hard to place them. At any rate, the end of the list...

...
...
n. Super Mario Sunshine. Again, all the main games are really good, this one included, it just never clicked with me.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 02/25/2014 at 04:09am

Yeah, Galaxy is really, really great. Too bad it's not on PC. 😄

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 02/25/2014 at 04:10am

The original game will always be awesome. The first levels will always be burned into my soul :D

rettisawesome wrote on 02/28/2014 at 12:22am

Why doesnt anyone have mariokart?
Mariokart is easily number 1. Haha

Sunshine was actually pretty great too.
But all of them are fantastic.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 02/28/2014 at 12:45am

Oh man! I totally forgot to list the Mariokart games!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 02/28/2014 at 02:36am

MarioKart is great, no question. The original is great too and next time I think about a Mario game I will include it.

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My Favorite Mario Game: Super Mario 2

I've been thinking of dedicating a day of the week to a game topic close to my heart. I think Tuesday works because its a pretty boring week day in need of some love. I hereby dub Tuesdays "Retro Tuesdays and as such, each Tuesday I will write about a sweet game of yesteryear that I love or hate and was iconic for me in some way. I would be awesome if others grabbed some good or ill feeling out your mind and posted it on Tuesdays as well. See how that goes.

Without further ado..... "RETRO TUESDAY POST NUMBER A!"

Super Mario Brothers 2 is a game I will never stop loving. First off if you compare it to the rest of the original Super Mario Brothers games its a total odd... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 05/30/2012 at 02:21pm

If you want a really weird feeling, grab a famicom emulator and a Doki Doki Panic! rom. It's so weird to play what I always thought of as SMB2 with entirely different characters. What we came to know as the Lost Levels was freakin' hard though. Like, painfully hard at times. I understand why they rebranded Doki Doki Panic! as SMB2 for the US.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/30/2012 at 02:28pm

Thats a fun idea, I'll play it sometime. The lost levels was hard I don't remember getting much further than the first few levels.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/30/2012 at 02:32pm

I wish I could edit comments :)

At any rate, it was always so weird going from 1 to the US version of 2 and then 3. The style changed so drastically to 2, and then back to a more Mario formula for 3. It was actually kinda comforting to me when I realized that the SMB2 I knew and loved was originally a different game entirely, because I always wondered why they changed things so drastically. They explained it in the end with it all being Mario's dream, but that explanation fell flat for me.

Doki Doki Panic is actually a little harder than SMB2. To properly beat the game, you have to beat it with all four characters.

Some of the look of SMB2 (US) is explained by the origins of Doki Doki Panic. The game took place in an Arabian storybook (thus the Arabian setting for much of the game, and the level intro screens being pages from a book). It's a family of 4 (thus the 4 characters) trying to save captured children.

Overall I'm glad they rebranded it. I'm glad we got what we knew as SMB2, even if it wasn't quite accurate, because I doubt I would have ever played a game called "Dream Factory: Heart Pounding Panic" and SMB2 is one of my favorite games of all time.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 05/30/2012 at 06:08pm

SMB2 is one of my favorites as well. It's also one of the few NES games that's just as fun today as it was when it originally came out. Princess Toadstool's float was pretty over powered, but after beating the game at least a dozen times I started primarily playing as Toad because of how fast he was. Mario was meant to be the jack-of-all-trades in the game. Where all the other characters excelled at one thing and weaker in other areas Mario was suppose to have no exceptional strengths but also no weaknesses. But yeah, he was my least favorite character to pick. :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/31/2012 at 02:32am

WhiteboySlim: Which is why SMB2 is so interesting, Mario isn't that great. Kind of a nice change actually as it focuses less on Mario and more on the four characters or whatever you prefer. Kind of didn't like that about New Super Mario, you had for characters and they all played the same.

panickedthumb: The dream ending I like now and when I was a young pup. I think the idea that what you just did wasn't more than a dream is interesting because things are often temporary. When I was young id day dream things that were in my mind epic and then later forgotten. Something about the idea of it just being something that happens in the mundane afterward is kind of a downer and interesting at the same time. I didn't write about the dream part in my post because I didn't want to spoil it but that seems silly now as the game is over 10 years old. I guess that would be like me worrying about spoiling the reveal in Empire....

That all said, I view SMB2 and the gameboy version of Links Awakening similarly in that they both end with someone waking from a dream. But more on that in a future Retro Tuesday :)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/24/2014 at 05:04am

I enjoyed SMB2 as well. I think I liked playing as the Princess because she could float through the air, although I knew that Toad could lift things such as vegetables quicker than anyone.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/24/2014 at 06:25am

In played her for darn near every level except a few with Toad and Luigi.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/24/2014 at 07:15am

LOL, Jon, you've got me wishing this were more like Facebook and I could "like" a comment or post. Hehehe. But anyway, you know what, this reminds me of Final Fantasy X-2. It seemed a LOT of people complained about that game, but I wasn't one of them! I had no problem with playing as one of the ladies of FFX. Heck, I enjoy playing as ChunLi in Street Fighter, just because I like to see women more than men. LOL As for the Super Mario Bros. world, the Princess (whether it be Peach or Daisy) was about all the female characters we could see or play as on screen.

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