New Super Mario Bros. 2: Difference between revisions

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|align=center|[[World 1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 1]]
|align=center|[[World 1 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 1]]
|[[File:NSMB2 World1.png|250px]]
|[[File:NSMB2 World1.png|250px]]
|align=center|The grassland world of ''New Super Mario Bros. 2''. The boss is [[Roy Koopa]] and its [[World 1-Warp Cannon (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|Warp Cannon]] leads to [[World Mushroom (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Mushroom]].
|align=center|A grassy field with mushrooms, similar to other first worlds in the ''Super Mario'' series. The boss is [[Roy Koopa]] and its [[World 1-Warp Cannon (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|Warp Cannon]] leads to [[World Mushroom (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Mushroom]].
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|-
|align=center|[[World 2 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 2]]
|align=center|[[World 2 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 2]]
|[[File:Nsmb2w2.png|250px]]
|[[File:Nsmb2w2.png|250px]]
|align=center|The desert world of ''New Super Mario Bros. 2''. The boss is [[Iggy Koopa]].
|align=center|A vast desert filled with sand, palm trees, and cacti, similar to [[World 2 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 2]] from ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''. The boss is [[Iggy Koopa]].
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|align=center|[[World Mushroom (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Mushroom]]
|align=center|[[World Mushroom (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Mushroom]]
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|align=center|[[World 3 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3]]
|align=center|[[World 3 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 3]]
|[[File:World 3 NSMB2.png|250px]]
|[[File:World 3 NSMB2.png|250px]]
|align=center|The tropical/forest world of ''New Super Mario Bros. 2''. The boss is [[Wendy O. Koopa]] and its [[World 3-Warp Cannon (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|Warp Cannon]] leads to [[World Flower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Flower]].
|align=center|An archipelago of several islands, with a jungle portion later on in the world. The beach portion is similar to [[World 4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 4]] from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', while the jungle portion is similar to the ''[[Forest of Illusion]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]''. The boss is [[Wendy O. Koopa]] and its [[World 3-Warp Cannon (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|Warp Cannon]] leads to [[World Flower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Flower]].
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|align=center|[[World 4 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 4]]
|align=center|[[World 4 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 4]]
|[[File:World4NSMB2.png|250px]]
|[[File:World4NSMB2.png|250px]]
|align=center|The snow world of ''New Super Mario Bros. 2''. The boss is [[Morton Koopa Jr.]]
|align=center|A snowy field filled with trees and ice, similar to [[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros.|World 5]] from ''New Super Mario Bros.'' and [[World 3 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 3]] from ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. The boss is [[Morton Koopa Jr.]]
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|align=center|[[World Flower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Flower]]
|align=center|[[World Flower (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Flower]]
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|align=center|[[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5]]
|align=center|[[World 5 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 5]]
|[[File:World5 NSMB2.png|250px]]
|[[File:World5 NSMB2.png|250px]]
|align=center|The sky/mountain world of ''New Super Mario Bros. 2''. The boss is [[Ludwig von Koopa]].
|align=center|A sky-themed area with mushrooms and high cliffs, similar to [[World 7 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 7]] from ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii''. The boss is [[Ludwig von Koopa]].
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|align=center|[[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 6]]
|align=center|[[World 6 (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World 6]]
|[[File:NSMB2-W6.png|250px]]
|[[File:NSMB2-W6.png|250px]]
|align=center|The haunted/volcano world and the final main world of ''New Super Mario Bros. 2''. The boss is [[Bowser]]. This world must be completed to complete the game.
|align=center|A [[Lava]]-filled basin with several volcanoes and {{world-link|6|bowsern2|World 6-Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Castle}}, similar to [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]] from ''New Super Mario Bros.''. The boss is [[Bowser]]. This world must be completed to complete the game.
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|align=center|[[World Star (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Star]]
|align=center|[[World Star (New Super Mario Bros. 2)|World Star]]

Revision as of 13:32, March 22, 2024

This article is about the second New Super Mario Bros. title on a handheld console. For the second title overall, see New Super Mario Bros. Wii. For the sequel to New Super Mario Bros. Wii, see New Super Mario Bros. U.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
The front North American cover art for New Super Mario Bros. 2
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Nintendo EAD
Nintendo SPD
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Nintendo 3DS
Release date Original release:
Template:ReleaseNintendo eShop:
Template:ReleaseGold Edition:
Template:Release
Genre Platformer
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
USK:0 - All ages
GSRR:P - Six years and older
Mode(s) Solo Play, Co-op Play, Coin Rush, Options
Input
Nintendo 3DS:

New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a side-scrolling 2.5D platform game for the Nintendo 3DS. It was first released in Japan on July 28, 2012, and is the only original game in the New Super Mario Bros. series to be released domestically first. It is the fifteenth title in the main Super Mario series[1] and the third in the New Super Mario Bros. line after New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS and its follow-up New Super Mario Bros. Wii for the Wii. As the direct sequel to New Super Mario Bros., it is an indirect follow-up to New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and has various similarities with them.

The game's main focus is on coins, with the primary goal being to collect one million. To reach the goal, the game includes many new items to aid the player, such as the Gold Flower, which turns Mario into Gold Mario. Like Super Mario 3D Land, the game also seems to be partly based on Super Mario Bros. 3, as it features Raccoon Mario, the P-Meter, and the Koopalings, all of which were introduced in said game.

According to Nintendo, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is the first Super Mario title and the first Nintendo game overall to be available for purchase in both packaged (retail) and digital (downloadable via the Nintendo eShop) versions. The digital version can be stored onto an SD card, where it requires 2727 blocks to download, along with multiple other games, and be played on the Nintendo 3DS, but they cannot be shared with other Nintendo 3DS handhelds.

A follow-up to New Super Mario Bros. 2 (which also serves as a sequel to New Super Mario Bros. Wii), titled New Super Mario Bros. U, was released as a launch title for the Wii U on November 18, 2012.

Story

The Mario Bros. waving Peach goodbye
The opening cutscene

Standing on the balcony of Peach's Castle, Mario and Luigi wave goodbye to Princess Peach to go on a coin hunt as Raccoon Mario and Fox Luigi. However, as soon as they return, the Koopalings suddenly appear, crashing their Koopa Clown Car onto the ground, as well as damaging the brothers, making them revert to Super Mario and Super Luigi. Roy Koopa reveals Princess Peach from his back. They soon fly away in their Koopa Clown Car, and Mario and Luigi chase after them.

The Koopalings riding in a Koopa Clown Car.
The Koopalings kidnapping Princess Peach while on the Koopa Clown Car

After defeating all of the Koopalings, the brothers head out of World 5-Castle and see Peach locked in a cage inside the Koopa Clown Car, which transfers her to Bowser's Castle.

When Mario and Luigi arrive at Bowser's Castle, they find Bowser and Peach, who is locked up in a cage. One of the duo has to step on the ! Switch behind Bowser, making the bridge collapse and sending Bowser to his doom. Just before the bros. can celebrate their victory, Peach's cage gets pulled off screen. After riding some bony platforms, Mario and Luigi find the Koopalings in their Koopa Clown Car. They power Bowser up and Bowser transforms into a gigantic size. At the top of the tower is a giant switch that, when pressed, sends Bowser falling through the floor. Afterward, the princess is released from her cage. Then, everyone returns home, with Mario holding Peach in his arms and Luigi following closely behind, collecting coins along the way.

During the credits, the Koopalings can be seen in the background carrying the now regular-sized Bowser with the Koopa Clown Car. Bowser's immense weight exceeds its capacity. The story's description concludes with the Koopa Clown Car crash-landing, scattering everyone throughout the ground.

Characters

Gameplay

Mario having used a Gold Ring to turn several enemies golden, so as to earn coins.
Message received when the player collects 9,999,999 coins in New Super Mario Bros. 2
The message received after maxing out the coin counter at 9,999,999 coins

The basic gameplay is very similar to the previous New Super Mario Bros. games, especially New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, New Super Mario Bros. 2 focuses on collecting coins, with many and varied ways to collect many coins at once, such as golden items that award the player with them. The game's overall objective is to collect one million coins, with coins collected in levels being added to a total that is shared between the game's three save files and Coin Rush. The reward for collecting one million coins is a new title screen featuring a Gold Mario statue. The reward for maxing out the coin counter at 9,999,999 coins is a gold Raccoon Mario statue.[2][3]

Like New Super Mario Bros., the bottom screen displays a kind of map, showing the length of the level and where the player is, as well as showing the Star Coins collected, points total, number of extra lives, and also providing an item storage. It also shows the total number of collected coins in a stage, with the record number displayed next to it. There are nine worlds: six main worlds and three special worlds. Each world contains a different number of levels, including Ghost Houses, Fortresses, and Castles. Reznors and Koopalings are found at the end of each fortress and castle, respectively. Unlike New Super Mario Bros., when the player enters a secret area, the screens are not switched, with the gameplay remaining on the top screen and allowing the player to use their reserved item.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 screenshot.
Raccoon Mario and Fox Luigi flying in co-op mode.

Other details in gameplay were added in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Among these details is the game's music that slightly changes depending on the situation; for example, when playing as Raccoon Mario or Fox Luigi, a drumbeat is added, similar to how a drumbeat is added while riding Yoshi in other Super Mario games. Once a Gold Ring is activated, twinkling noises appear. Another example is that if Mario goes to the very top of the screen and out of sight, the music gets quieter.

A two-player co-op mode is also available, in which a second player plays as Luigi accompanying Mario in the single-player game; both players may select which character they would like to be, however. This mode can only be played with two Nintendo 3DS consoles and two game cards. The gameplay is not much different from the single player, although in co-op coins and lives are shared between the two players, with each collected coin or extra life earned (though not collected) counting as two. Each player also has their own item storage, which can be accessed at any point. Several mechanics from the New Super Mario Bros. Wii multiplayer, such as the bubble and item boxes giving two items, are retained for this mode. In addition, the camera only focuses on one player at a time (denoted by a colored arrow above their character; red for Mario and green for Luigi), and can be changed during the level by ground-pounding the player currently in control, if the other player enters another section of the level first, or if the player of focus loses a life or enters a bubble.

Coin Rush

Coin Rush
Coin Rush menu.
Main article: Coin Rush

Also featured in New Super Mario Bros. 2 is Coin Rush mode, a time attack-esque mode that challenges the player to collect as many coins as they can in three randomly selected single-player levels without losing a life. Levels are selected depending on the pack chosen. The Mushroom Pack selects three levels from Worlds 1, 2, and Mushroom; the Flower Pack chooses levels from Worlds 3, 4, and Flower; and the Star Pack chooses levels from Worlds 5, 6, and Star. Ten downloadable course packs are also available for purchase in the in-game store, also accessible in this mode, which allows the player to play three custom-created courses. In Coin Rush, players have the option to either play normally or as White Raccoon Mario.

Coin Rush records can be exchanged via StreetPass and challenged. Beating another player's record results in getting a Crown Coin (worth 1,000 coins).[4] SpotPassing allows the player to put their total into the Worldwide Coin Total on the official website.[5]

Controls

Main menu

  • Select: +Control Pad/Circle Pad
  • Confirm: A Button
  • Back: B Button
  • Play as Luigi in single-player mode: L Button+R Button+A Button (while selecting file after defeating Bowser in World 6)
  • Delete all save data: Press and hold A Button+B Button+X Button+Y Button (when the Nintendo 3DS logo disappears)

In-game

  • Move: +Control Pad left or right or Circle Pad
  • Dash: Hold Y Button/X Button or B Button/Y Button while moving
  • Jump/stomp: B Button/A Button or A Button/X Button
  • Crouch: +Control Pad down or Circle Pad
  • Ground Pound: +Control Pad down or Circle Pad (in midair)
  • Wall Jump: B Button/A Button or A Button/X Button (while holding +Control Pad left or right or Circle Pad in the direction of a wall, while sliding down it)
  • Double/Triple Jump: B Button/A Button or A Button/X Button (when landing after a running jump)
  • Pick up/throw: Press and hold Y Button/X Button or B Button/Y Button; release to throw
  • Pause: Start Button/Select Button

Enemies and obstacles

Enemies marked with a dagger (†) are new to this game. Highlighted in gold are temporary transformations of regular enemies that appear when the player touches a Gold Ring.

Name Image Description Debut level Last level
Goombas
Goomba A Goomba in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Common enemies that can be defeated by jumping on them. World 1-1 World Star-1
Gold Goomba A Gold Goomba Golden Goombas that give extra coins when stomped. World 1-4 World 5-3
Goomba Tower A Goomba Tower in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Stacks of Goombas that must be defeated individually. World 1-1 World 6-2
Gold Goomba Tower A Gold Goomba Tower Stacks of Gold Goombas that must be jumped on one by one. World 1-A
Mini Goomba Mini Goombas in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Small Goombas that weigh Mario down until he either attacks or walks for a few seconds. World 4-1 World 6-2
Gold Mini Goomba Screenshot of a Gold Mini Goomba in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Small Gold Goombas that weigh Mario down. World 4-1 World 5-3
Paragoomba A Paragoomba in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Winged Goombas that hop as they walk. World 2-2 World Star-1
Gold Paragoomba A Gold Paragoomba Gold Goombas with wings that jump as they walk. World 2-2
Bone Goomba A Bone Goomba in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Goombas with skull helmets, identical to regular Goombas gameplay-wise. World 1-Tower World Flower-Castle
Koopas
Koopa Troopa A Koopa Troopa in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Turtle enemies that go into their shells when attacked, then can be picked up or thrown. Green Koopa Troopas walk off ledges, while Red Koopa Troopas turn around. World 1-1 World Star-5
Gold Koopa A Gold Koopa Koopa Troopas with golden shells. When attacked, they go into their shells, which can be thrown to create coins. World 1-4 World Star-5
Koopa Paratroopa ParatroopaNSMB2.png Winged Koopa Troopas that either jump in high arcs or fly up and down in the air. World 1-3 World Star-1
Gold Koopa Paratroopa A Gold Koopa Paratroopa Koopa Paratroopas that have a trail of coins following them. World 1-4 World 5-A
Climbing Koopa ClimbingKoopa NSMB2.png Koopa Troopas that climb on both sides of fences. World 5-Tower World 5-Castle
Dry Bones A Dry Bones in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Skeleton Koopa Troopas that collapse when attacked, but later rebuild themselves. World 1-Tower World Star-Castle
Big Dry Bones A Big Dry Bones in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Larger versions of Dry Bones that appear in castle levels. World 2-Tower World 6-Bowser Castle
Lakitu A Lakitu in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Enemies that throw Spiny Eggs. If Mario defeats a Lakitu, he can ride on its cloud until it disappears. World 5-2 World Star-5
Gold Lakitu A Gold Lakitu Lakitus with yellow shells riding in golden clouds, who throw coins. World 5-2 World Star-5
Spiny A Spiny in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Enemies that hatch from Spiny Eggs and cannot be jumped on. World 2-4 World Star-5
Spiny Egg A Spiny Egg in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Eggs thrown by Lakitu that hatch into Spinies when they hit the ground. World 5-2 World Star-5
Hammer Bro A Hammer Bro in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Enemies that throw hammers and jump. World 2-2
Boomerang Bro A Boomerang Bro in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Hammer Bros that use boomerangs, which return to them after being thrown. World 2-2 World Mushroom-Warp Cannon
Fire Bro A Fire Bro in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Hammer Bros that throw fireballs. World 6-3
Gold Bro A Gold Bro A variant of Hammer Bro that throws coins. World 2-2 World 6-3
Sledge Bro A Sledge Bro in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Hammer Bro variants that stun Mario after they jump. World 2-2
Piranha Plants
Piranha Plant A Piranha Plant in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Plants that move in and out of Warp Pipes. World 1-2 World 6-2
Gold Piranha Plant A Gold Piranha Plant Gold versions of Piranha Plants that come out of pipes. When defeated, their pipe shoots coins into the air. World 1-A World 6-2
Big Piranha Plant A Big Piranha Plant in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Big Piranha Plants that appear outside of pipes, thrashing towards Mario. World 1-A World 5-6
Gold Big Piranha Plant A Gold Big Piranha Plant in New Super Mario Bros. 2 A larger variant of Gold Piranha Plants. World 1-A
Venus Fire Trap A Venus Fire Trap in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Piranha Plants that aim at Mario and shoot fireballs. World 5-6 World 6-2
Big Venus Fire Trap A Big Venus Fire Trap in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Large Venus Fire Traps that shoot big fireballs. World 5-6
Bone Piranha Plant A Bone Piranha Plant in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Skeletal Piranha Plants that are immune to fire. The player can defeat them by attacking them with Raccoon Mario's tail. World 1-Tower World 5-Castle
Big Bone Piranha Plant A Big Bone Piranha Plant in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Larger versions of Bone Piranha Plants. They appear in castles and fortresses and thrash towards Mario. World Mushroom-Castle World 5-Castle
Aquatic enemies
Blooper A Blooper in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Underwater enemies that move in an erratic pattern and follow Mario. World 3-5
Blooper Baby A Blooper Nanny in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Small Bloopers that follow Blooper Nannies. World 3-5
Blooper Nanny A Blooper Nanny in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bloopers that have Blooper Babies swimming in a trail behind them. World 3-5
Cheep Cheep A Cheep Cheep in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Fish that are found swimming aimlessly in underwater levels. World 1-5 World 4-5
Gold Cheep Cheep A Gold Cheep Cheep Gold-colored Cheep Cheeps that jump out of water with coins behind them. World 3-1
Big Cheep Cheep A Big Cheep Cheep in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Big Cheep Cheeps that are found in underwater levels. World 1-5 World 3-B
Cheep Chomp A Cheep Chomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Large fish that attempt to eat Mario. World 1-5 World 4-5
Deep Cheep A Deep Cheep in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Fish that chase Mario as they swim. World Mushroom-2
Big Deep Cheep A Big Deep Cheep in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Big Deep Cheeps that chase after Mario. World Mushroom-2 World Mushroom-2
Spiny Cheep Cheep A Spiny Cheep Cheep in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Fast-swimming fish that chase Mario. World 1-5 World 3-2
Fishbone A Fishbones in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Skeletal fish that charge towards Mario. World 3-Tower World Star-6
Porcupuffer A Porcupuffer in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Fish that jump out of the water and follow Mario. World Flower-2 World Star-4
Small Urchin A Small Urchin in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Stationary underwater enemies that can be defeated with the Fire Flower, Super Leaf, Gold Flower, or Super Star. World 3-2 World 3-A
Urchin An Urchin in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Stationary enemies that appear in underwater levels. World Mushroom-2 World 3-A
Ghost House enemies
Boo A Boo in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Ghosts that follow Mario when his back is turned, but hide their face when he looks at them. World 2-Ghost House World 6-4
Gold Boo A Gold Boo Boo variants that leave a trail of coins behind as they move. World Mushroom-Ghost House World 6-Ghost House
Big Boo A Big Boo in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bigger variants of Boos that have the same behavior. World Mushroom-Ghost House World 6-Ghost House
Gold Big Boo A Gold Big Boo Large Boos that go in the opposite direction of Mario, leaving coins behind them. World Mushroom-Ghost House World 6-Ghost House
Boohemoth A Boohemoth in New Super Mario Bros. 2 A gigantic Boo who chases Mario in certain Ghost House levels. World 2-Ghost House World Flower-Ghost House
Peepa A Peepa in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Ghosts that move in circles and sometimes carry platforms. World 2-Ghost House World Star-3
Miscellaneous
Amp An Amp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Electric balls that shock Mario upon contact. World 4-B World Flower-Warp Cannon
Banzai Bill A Banzai Bill in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Large Bullet Bills that fly straight forward. World 5-5 World 6-B
Gold Banzai Bill A Gold Banzai Bill Golden-colored Banzai Bills that fly forward, leaving behind a trail of coins. World 6-B
Bob-omb A Bob-omb in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bombs that ignite if they are jumped on or have a fireball thrown at them, then explode shortly after. World 2-B World 6-2
Para-bomb A Para-bomb in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Parachuting Bob-ombs that are sometimes shot out of cannons. World 2-B World 6-2
Bullet Bill A Bullet Bill in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bullets that fly straight forward and are shot from Bill Blasters and Bill Blaster Turrets. World 3-B World 6-B
Gold Bullet Bill A Gold Bullet Bill Golden Bullet Bills that leave trails of coins behind them. World 5-5 World 6-B
Buzzy Beetle A Buzzy Beetle in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Shelled enemies that can be kicked or thrown after being jumped on, and can walk on ceilings. World 2-3 World 6-1
Chain Chomp A Chain Chomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Enemies tied to posts that lunge at Mario. If Mario ground pounds their post, they are set free. World 2-5 World Mushroom-B
Coin Coffer A Coin Coffer in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Enemies that cough out coins when attacked. World Star-1 World Star-7
Crowber A Crow in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Birds that swoop towards Mario. World Mushroom-Warp Cannon World 6-4
Fire Snake A Fire Snake in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Flames that jump in a high arc. World 2-4 World Star-7
Flame Chomp A Flame Chomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Black spheres that spit fireballs at Mario. World 6-B
Fuzzy A Fuzzy in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Enemies that follow tracks and hurt Mario upon contact. World 2-A World 4-C
Big Fuzzy A Big Fuzzy in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Larger variants of Fuzzies. World 4-C
Lava Bubble A Lava Bubble in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Fireballs that jump out of lava. World 1-Castle World Star-7
Pokey A Pokey in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Cactus enemies that appear in desert levels and move slowly. World 2-3 World 2-B
Scuttlebug A Scuttlebug in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Spiders that hang down from webs and can be defeated by jumping on them. World 3-3 World Flower-2
Spike Top A Spike Top in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Buzzy Beetle variants that have spikes on their shells, preventing them from being jumped on. World 2-3 World 6-1
Swoop A Swoop in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Bats that hang onto the ceiling, then swoop towards Mario. World 5-Ghost House
Thwomp A Thwomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Large rocks that fall when Mario gets close. World 1-Castle World Mushroom-Castle
Big Thwomp A Big Thwomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Large Thwomps that can break through stone tiles. World 1-Castle World Mushroom-Castle
Whomp A Whomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Walking Thwomp variants that fall face-first. World Mushroom-Castle World Star-3
Big Whomp A Big Whomp in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Big Whomps that may reveal objects behind them after they fall. World Mushroom-Castle World Star-3
Wiggler A Wiggler in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Caterpillars that move faster after being jumped on. World 3-Warp Cannon World 3-4

Bosses

Name Image Level fought Description
Reznor Reznors All tower levels Reznors originate from Super Mario World and are fought as mini-bosses in every main world, standing on top of Rectangular Coin Blocks above a collapsing bridge. The basic way of defeating them is to hit the blocks under their feet.
Roy Roy Koopa World 1-Castle Roy's strategy is charging at the player, eventually ramming into a wall and being temporarily stunned (at which point he is vulnerable), as well as spinning in his shell and casting magic attacks. His room becomes increasingly narrower during battle. He takes three hits to defeat.
Iggy Iggy Koopa World 2-Castle Like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Iggy rides a Big Chain Chomp carriage, which transports him around the arena. Mario has to avoid both the Chain Chomp's lunges and Iggy's magic attacks. He takes three hits to defeat.
Larry Larry Koopa's artwork for New Super Mario Bros. Wii World Mushroom-Castle Larry's attacks include jumping and shooting magic balls that bounce diagonally. His room has four shifting walls protuding from the floor and ceiling. He takes three hits to defeat.
Wendy Wendy O. Koopa World 3-Castle Like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wendy's battle takes place in a flooded room. Mario must wait for the water to be drained so he can stomp Wendy, while avoiding Cheep Cheeps and bouncing magic rings. She takes three hits to defeat.
Morton Morton Koopa Jr. World 4-Castle Morton attacks the player with spiked balls he creates from his wand, as well as shell attacks. He takes three hits to defeat.
Lemmy Artwork of Lemmy Koopa from New Super Mario Bros. Wii World Flower-Castle Lemmy's battle takes place on a conveyor belt. He rides a circus ball and creates miniature ones with his magic, which bounce down the belt and can push Mario off. He takes three hits to defeat.
Ludwig Ludwig von Koopa World 5-Castle Mario or Luigi must use the five gray Pipe Cannons on the floor to blast against Ludwig, causing him to fall onto the floor, dizzy and vulnerable to attacks. He takes three hits to defeat.
Bowser Artwork of Bowser in New Super Mario Bros. 2 World 6-Bowser Castle and Gold Classics Pack Third Course Mario or Luigi must jump on the ! Switch to send Bowser falling down beneath the bridge into the lava. After that, the Koopalings enlarge him, and Mario or Luigi must go onto the roof and hit a massive ! Switch to defeat him. The latter part does not occur in the Gold Classics Pack.
Dry Bowser Dry Bowser World Star-Castle Dry Bowser is fought in much the same way as Bowser, though Dry Bowser moves faster, breathes blue fireballs instead of orange ones, throws bones instead of sledgehammers, and is immune to fireballs, while the platforms in the second phase are also smaller. Mario or Luigi must jump on a ! Switch for Dry Bowser to fall off the bridge into the lava. The Koopalings then enlarge Dry Bowser, and Mario or Luigi must go onto the roof and hit a massive ! Switch to defeat Dry Bowser.

Environmental elements and obstacles

Name Image Description Debut level Last level
Banzai Bill Cannon Banzai Bill Blaster NSMBW.png Cannons that shoot Banzai Bills. World 5-5 World 6-B
Bill Blaster Bullet Bill & Bill Blaster Cannons that shoot Bullet Bills. World 3-B World 6-B
Bill Blaster Turret World 5-5 Stacks of Bill Blasters that rotate and shoot Bullet Bills. World 5-5
Boulder World 3-5 Giant rocks that appear underwater and can break through blocks. World 3-5
Bowser sculpture World 6-5 Bowser statue heads that breathe large fireballs. World 6-5 World Star-Castle
Burner World 6-Tower Constant streams of fire that rotate. World 5-Tower World 6-Bowser Castle
Cannon Bob-omb Cannon Cannons that fire Bob-ombs. World 2-B
Current World 4-5 Currents that push the player downward over a pit. World 1-5 World Star-3
Fireball World 2-Castle NSMB2.png Flames that jump in an arc. World 2-Castle World Star-7
Fire Bar World Star-7. A series of fireballs that spins in a circular motion. World 4-Castle World Star-7
Grinder Grinder Buzzsaws that move along tracks. World 3-Castle World Star-Castle
Big Grinder A Big Grinder Larger versions of Grinders. World 3-Castle
Ice Ball Gold Mario, throwing golden fireballs, at World 4-1. Spiked balls of two sizes that can only be defeated by Gold Mario, which appear in snow levels. World 4-1
Haunted walls World 4-Ghost House Walls haunted by Boos that move left and right. World 4-Ghost House
Lava NSMB2 PodobooFortress.png Scorching moats that causes Mario to instantly lose a life upon contact. World 1-Castle World Star-Castle
Lava tide World 5-Tower Lava that rises up. World 5-Tower World Star-Castle
Poison NSMB2 CobwebJungle.png A liquid hazard that can cause the player to instantly lose a life. World 3-3 World Flower-2
Poison tide NSMB2 Impossible Pack Level 3.png Poison that rises quickly and lowers slowly. World 3-4 Impossible Pack Course 3
Quicksand World 2-5 NSMB2.png Sand pits that slowly engulf the player. World 2-5 World 2-B
Spikes Spikes in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Pointy obstacles that harm the player. World 1-Castle World Star-Castle
Spike Block World 3-B from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Floating blocks of spikes that damage the player. World 3-B World 5-6
Spike Pillar Skewer NSMB2.png Large spiked pillars that damage Mario if he touches them. World 3-Tower
Spiked ball Spiked ball Spike balls that appear in fortress and castle levels. World Mushroom-A World 6-5
Giant spiked ball Large spiked ball Large spiked balls of two sizes that can break through stone tiles. World Mushroom-Castle World 4-Castle
Volcanic debris Mario, near some Volcanic debris, at World 6-1. Rocks that fall slowly and break upon hitting either the ground or a block. World 6-1
Water World 3-A Large bodies of harmless liquid that the player can swim through. World 1-5 World Star-6
Water tide World Star-4 Water that rises up and down. World Star-4

Items and objects

Power-ups and forms

Super Mushroom Fire Flower Super Leaf Gold Flower
Artwork of a Super Mushroom for New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of Mario in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of a Fire Flower for New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of Fire Mario in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of a Super Leaf for New Super Mario Bros. 2 Raccoon Mario artwork from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Gold Flower artwork for New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of Golden Mario from New Super Mario Bros. 2
Turns Small Mario and Mini Mario into Super Mario. Turns Mario into Fire Mario. Turns Mario into Raccoon Mario. Turns Mario into Gold Mario.
Mini Mushroom Mega Mushroom Star Invincibility Leaf
Artwork of a Mini Mushroom in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of Mini Mario in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of a Mega Mushroom in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Mega Mario Artwork of the Super Star for New Super Mario Bros. 2 Artwork of Invincible Mario from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. It saw subsequent use in New Super Mario Bros. 2, New Super Mario Bros. U, and Super Mario 3D World. Artwork of an Invincibility Leaf from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Invincibility Raccoon Mario New Super Mario Bros. 2.png
Turns Mario into Mini Mario. Turns Mario into Mega Mario. Turns Mario into Invincible Mario. Turns Mario into White Raccoon Mario.

Other items

Item Image Function
Coins
Coin Artwork of a Coin in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Collecting 100 of these gives the player an extra life.
Blue Coin Bluecoins-NSMB2.png These coins are just like normal coins, but they appear by hitting a P Switch.
Red Coin Red Coins Collecting all eight Red Coins that appear after passing through a Red Ring gives a Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, or 1-Up Mushroom, depending on what power-up the player is currently using.
Hidden Coin DashCoin NSMB2.png An outline of a coin that becomes a coin if Mario goes through it.
10-Coin 10 Coin Gives the player 10 coins.
100-Coin In-game model of a giant coin in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Gives the player 100 coins.
Star Coin A Star Coin Three of these are located in every course in hard-to-reach or hidden areas.
Moon Coin Moon Coin Three of these are located in every course in hard-to-reach or hidden areas only appearing in World Star.
Crown Coin A Crown Coin from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Exclusive to Coin Rush. They are 1,000 coins each.
Miscellaneous
1-Up Mushroom 1-Up Mushroom artwork from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Gives the player an extra life.
Gold Mushroom Gold Mushroom artwork from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Reward Mario 50 coins (or 100 coins if he is Gold Mario).
Red Ring RedRing NSMB2.png Makes eight Red Coins appear. If the player collects all eight coins before they disappear, they receive either a power-up, which varies in between levels, or a 1-Up Mushroom, depending on the player's current size.
Gold Ring Gold Ring Turns all enemies gold and increases the amount of coins rewarded to the player once defeated.
+ Clock ClockNSMB2.png Adds 50 seconds to the time limit.
Cyan + Clock BlueClockNSMB2.png Adds 10 seconds to the time limit.

Objects

Item Image Function
P Switch A P-Switch, from New Super Mario Bros. 2. Turns bricks into coins or vice versa, or it causes the revealing of Blue Coins.
? Switch Question Switch Changes or adds things to an area, such as platforms, for a limited time.
! Switch In-game model of an ! Switch in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Red ! Switches triggers something that causes coins to appear. Large ! Switches causes Bowser or Dry Bowser to sink into the lava.
ON/OFF Switch N/A Switches that change the direction of ON/OFF Conveyer Belts.
Trampoline Trampoline A spring that lets the player jump high into the air. It can be picked up and carried around.
! Pipe Image of an ! Pipe from New Super Mario Bros. 2. An L-shaped pipe Fire Mario or Gold Mario can activate with fireballs. A coin comes out of the yellow end for each fireball shot into the black end. After twelve fireballs, a Mega Mushroom, three 1-Up Mushrooms/Gold Mushrooms, or a Super Star can come out.
Blocks
? Block Artwork of a ? Block from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Contains a coin or item when hit.
Coin Block Artwork of a ? Block from New Super Mario Bros. 2 A block that contains many coins. Looks just like a Brick or ? Block and becomes an Empty Block when used. Becomes a Gold Block if used quickly enough.
Flying ? Block Screen-cropped sprite of a Flying ? Block from New Super Mario Bros. 2. A type of ? Block that flies in a rhythmic pattern. Once hit, it becomes an Empty Block.
Empty Block Artwork of an Empty Block in New Super Mario Bros. Wii (also used in New Super Mario Bros. 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U) A block that cannot be broken. When a ? Block is hit, it turns into an Empty Block.
Long ? Block WideQuestionBlockNSMB2.png A three-block-wide ? Block that holds three coins or two coins and a power-up.
Long Empty Block Long Empty Block NSMB2 A long ? Block that cannot be broken. When a long ? Block is hit, it turns into a long Empty Block.
Brick Artwork of a Brick Block in New Super Mario Bros. Wii (also used for New Super Mario Bros. 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U) Breaks or contains coins when hit.
Gold Block Artwork of a Gold Block from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Golden Brick Blocks that Mario or Luigi can wear producing coins from it if he keeps moving.
Ice Block Ice Block NSMB2 A block made of ice that serve as platforms.
Note Block Music-block.png A block that, when Mario jumps on it, makes him jump higher.
Trampoline Block A Trampoline Block in New Super Mario Bros. 2 A hidden block that, when Mario jumps on it, makes him jump higher. Similar to how a Note Block functions.
Dotted-Line Block NSMBW Dotted-Line Block Sprite.png A block that is transparent. A switch is needed to activate the block.
Roulette Block RouletteBlock NSMB2.png A block with various items scrolling on it. Mario can hit it and release the power-up shown.
Roulette Coin Block (new) Roulette Coin Block A block with various amounts of coins scrolling on it. Mario can hit it and release the amount of coins shown.
Red POW Block POW Block A block that causes a large tremor on the ground when hit. They cannot be picked up.
Assist Block Golden Leaf Block Assist Blocks contain an Invincibility Leaf. Appears after five lives are lost, respectively, in the same course, and make the file's stars lose their sparkles upon doing so.
Donut Block DonutLift NSMB2.png A platform that falls under weight if Mario stays there for too long. As Mini Mario, he is too light to make it fall; as such, it becomes safer.
Snake Block Snake Block Green blocks that move like a snake once Mario steps on it.
Wood Block A Wooden Block from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Block that cannot be destroyed, except by Mega Mario or a Big Thwomp.
Stage progression
Arrow Sign Arrow Sign NSMB2 Common background elements that point towards the right way to advance or areas of interest.
Warp Pipe Sprite of a Pipe from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Pipes going through the ground that transport the player to new areas.
Small pipe Sprite of a mini Warp Pipe from New Super Mario Bros. 2 Mini variants of warp pipes that can be acessed with a Mini Mushroom.
Pipe Cannon PipeCannon NSMB2.png Pipes that launch the player to another location or a hard to reach platform
Warp Door Toad House DoorGhost House Door A door found in Ghost Houses, fortresses, and castles that take the player to another portion of the level. Large doors serve as entry points to a boss.
Midway point CheckpointSM3DL.png A flag that acts like a checkpoint. It has Bowser's insignia, but if a player touches it, it is replaced by whichever character's symbol turned it. If that character is in his small form, he transforms into his Super form.
Goal Pole NSMBW Flagpole Artwork.png Flagpoles found at the end of every level. Touching one completes the level.
Goal Pole (secret) Hidden goal Red flagpoles found at the end of some levels. Touching one completes the level and leads to secret exits.

Platforms

Platform Image Function
Flipper World 1-A Bars that, once passed through, prevent access to the area before.
Lift Fire Mario, in Coin Heaven, jumping towards a Coin Roulette Block. Platforms that move in any direction.
Scale Lift File:Nocoverart.png Scale-like platforms that the player lands on one platform, the parallel one rises. It will fall off if they stand on it for too long.
Paddle Platform File:Nocoverart.png A paddle wheel-like platforms made of four smaller platforms that moves in a wheel on tracks.
Seesaw File:Nocoverart.png Platforms that teeter to one side when a player or element stands on the opposite side.
Track Track NSMB2 Rails that carry lifts.
Mushroom Platform Raccoon Mario, flying near a Koopa Troopa in World 1-4. Semi-solid platforms that resemble tall mushrooms.
Mushroom Trampoline World Flower-3 Mushroom Platforms serve as a trampoline.
Stretch Shroom File:Nocoverart.png Mushroom Platforms that contract and extend at constant intervals, pulling anything and anyone on the ends of the platforms to the center when they contract.
Sinking and Rising Mushrooms Mario wearing a Gold Block in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Mushrooms platforms that either rise or fall a certain length when stood on, depending on their color.
Semisolid Platform Tanooki Mario, in World 2-5, avoiding a Chain Chomp. Platforms the player can jump onto from the bottom.
Volcano (object) A Volcano in New Super Mario Bros. 2 Hills made up of slope tiles with distinct red crusts. If a Bob-omb explodes near the red crusts, they disintegrate and release coins.
Conveyor Belt File:Nocoverart.png Moving platforms that carry the player from one place to another without them having to move at all.
ON/OFF Conveyor Belt (new) The Lemmy Koopa battle, at the Flower Castle. Conveyer Belts that change direction when triggered by ON/OFF Switches.
Raft (new) World 2-Castle NSMB2.png platforms that activate whenever the player steps on them, constantly moving right as long as the player continues to stand on them.
Sky Move Lift (new) World 5-A An airship that constantly move to the right. They come with a deck with a one-block-wide gap, as well as a higher deck that acts as a Semisolid Platform.
Segmented platform (new) A segmented platform in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Rideable creatures made of bone used to aid Mario and sail across lava. This resembles a Spine Coaster version of a Skull Raft.
Climbable objects
Vine World 4-4 Used as a ladder that can lead to Coin Heaven, or a secret place. Comes out of an Invisible Block or brick.
Pole File:Nocoverart.png Climbable poles. Mario clings to one by jumping onto it.
Web NSMB2 CobwebJungle.png Webs the player can climb.
Chain-Link Fence Grab NSMB2.png Fences the player can climb.
Moving Fence World 5-Castle Fences that move on a track.

Other objects

Item Image Function
Star Coin Sign Star Coin Sign A wooden sign that blocks a path on the world maps The player has to pay the required amount of Star Coins to gain access.
Warp Cannon A Warp Cannon in New Super Mario Bros. 2 A special cannon that allows the player to go to a different world.
Treasure Chest Treasure Chest NSMB2 Chests appear in Yellow Toad Houses, where they contain a reserve Gold Flower.

Worlds

Level Preview Description
World 1 World 1 A grassy field with mushrooms, similar to other first worlds in the Super Mario series. The boss is Roy Koopa and its Warp Cannon leads to World Mushroom.
World 2 World 2 A vast desert filled with sand, palm trees, and cacti, similar to World 2 from New Super Mario Bros.. The boss is Iggy Koopa.
World Mushroom Mario in the World Mushroom map with Triple-crown lives. The first Special World of New Super Mario Bros. 2. The boss is Larry Koopa and its Warp Cannon leads to World Flower.
World 3 World 3 NSMB2.png An archipelago of several islands, with a jungle portion later on in the world. The beach portion is similar to World 4 from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, while the jungle portion is similar to the Forest of Illusion from Super Mario World. The boss is Wendy O. Koopa and its Warp Cannon leads to World Flower.
World 4 World4NSMB2.png A snowy field filled with trees and ice, similar to World 5 from New Super Mario Bros. and World 3 from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The boss is Morton Koopa Jr.
World Flower WorldFlowerNSMB2.png The second Special World of New Super Mario Bros. 2. The boss is Lemmy Koopa and its Warp Cannon leads to World 6.
World 5 World 5 A sky-themed area with mushrooms and high cliffs, similar to World 7 from New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The boss is Ludwig von Koopa.
World 6 World 6 A Lava-filled basin with several volcanoes and World 6-Bowser Castle Bowser's Castle, similar to World 8 from New Super Mario Bros.. The boss is Bowser. This world must be completed to complete the game.
World Star World Star (New Super Mario Bros. 2) with the Toad House The final Special World of New Super Mario Bros. 2. The boss is Dry Bowser. 90 Star Coins must be collected to play this world.

Downloadable content

Screenshot of the title screen of New Super Mario Bros. 2 Gold Edition
Title screen of New Super Mario Bros. 2: Gold Edition
Main article: Coin Rush § Downloadable content|Coin Rush § Downloadable content|Coin Rush § Downloadable content

Downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. 2 was first announced in a Nintendo Direct Mini dedicated entirely to the game, showcasing the three downloadable Coin Rush course packs and their price tags along with the release dates. The downloadable packs were available for purchase on the in-game shop, available for 200¥ for Japan, €2.50 for Europe, $2.50 for America, HKD$20 for Hong Kong, and 60 Nintendo Points for Taiwan. This game was the first Super Mario game to feature standard downloadable add-on content, and the first Nintendo game after the Japanese release of Fire Emblem Awakening to do so.

The service started on October 2 for Japan, Europe, and Oceania, and October 4 for North America, featuring three course packs. Two more packs were released on October 25, two more were released on December 5 and the last two was released on December 20 (North America and Europe) and December 21 (Japan and Australia). In addition, a single pack, which could be downloaded for free until January 31, 2013, was also released on November 27. In total, there were ten course packs available for purchase.

In Europe, the game received a Nintendo 2DS bundle, which includes the game with all ten downloadable course packs pre-installed (titled New Super Mario Bros. 2: Special Edition).

In North America, the game received a special-edition Nintendo 3DS XL with the game and all ten downloadable course packs pre-installed (titled New Super Mario Bros. 2: Gold Edition) during the 2014 holiday season. In Japan, from July 1 to August 31, 2014, New Super Mario Bros. 2: Gold Edition was available as a free download for Nintendo 3DS LL owners as part of the "Nintendo 3DS LL Monthly Recommended Software Campaign".[6]

With the discontinuation of digital purchases for Nintendo 3DS in March 2023, it is no longer possible to buy the downloadable course packs, though they can still be downloaded by those who purchased them when they were available.

Pre-release and unused content

Main article: List of New Super Mario Bros. 2 pre-release and unused content

The game was originally to be titled New Super Mario Bros. Gold, but since the stages were said to stand on their own without the coin theme, the name was changed. The Platform Panic Pack Coin Rush DLC was also set to be released as the seventh pack, but with the announcement of the Gold Classics Pack it was moved to being pack eight.

Glitches

Main article: List of New Super Mario Bros. 2 glitches

Enemies in the Blocks

This glitch can be done in World Star-1 and requires Super Mario. First, Mario should Ground Pound some Brick Blocks near a Brick Block with nothing below it to make it possible to hit. It has a P Switch inside that Mario must press. Then Mario must run to the second platform after the ? Switch and wait for the P Switch to wear off. Then, if done correctly, the Koopa will be stuck inside some Brick Blocks. After turning right, it will appear slightly to the right for only a split second and then return to its original position. It can still dance to the beat in the music.[7]

Red Ring Glitch

Due to an oversight, in World 4-A, if the player activates the Red Ring but ignores the Red Coins and goes to the Mushroom Trampoline between two blue Warp Pipes that spawn Goombas after the Checkpoint Flag, the coins from the bottom will spout out, even though the player has not collected the Star Coin yet. After that, if the player then backtracks to the Red Coins' location, they will still be there and can even be collected and still reward a power-up.[8]

Staff

Main article: List of New Super Mario Bros. 2 staff

Development

The development of a 2D Super Mario game for the Nintendo 3DS was first brought up during an earnings briefing in November 2010, with Shigeru Miyamoto speaking about the possibilities of 2D and 3D Super Mario games on the Nintendo 3DS.[9] Later, after the release of Super Mario 3D Land, Satoru Iwata officially announced that a 2D Super Mario game for the 3DS was in development,[10] which was revealed to be New Super Mario Bros. 2 during the April 21, 2012, Nintendo Direct in Japan.[11]

New Super Mario Bros. 2 had a more unique development cycle than the other games in the series. Not only was the game developed by the Entertainment Analysis and Development team, but also by members of other development teams, including the Software Planning and Development team, as part of the "Mario Cram School," a program meant to teach other teams about the development of Super Mario games.[12] Also different is that the game's stages were designed before the mechanics and main focus were thought of.[12]

The focus on coins came about early in development, with Takashi Tezuka and Toshihiko Nakago speaking about coins; at the time, development of Super Mario 3D Land, which features the ? Box, had recently wrapped up. The coin concept was first implemented with the golden Koopa Troopa, and soon after Tezuka suggested the one million coin goal. The developers then began to fill the stages with coins, and created more ways to collect them, such as the additional golden enemies and Gold Mario.[13] Because of the game's coin focus, the developers considered naming it "New Super Mario Bros. Gold," but the "2" was chosen instead since the game features more stages than the previous entries in the New Super Mario Bros. series as well as new elements, which the developers felt allowed it to stand alone as a standard 2D Super Mario title.[14]

Implementation of the co-op mode was originally met with conflict; Tezuka suggested adding it, but the staff opposed him due to being unsure on how it could be implemented, and that it couldn't be done within the remainder of the given development timeframe. Earlier in development, a prototype mode featuring both Mario and Luigi in the single-player stages had been developed. Using this, the developers worked on refining it, making it more similar to New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Issues with the Nintendo 3DS' screen kept the camera from expanding to accommodate both players, so instead the camera was made to focus on a single player at a time, with both being able to fight for control over it.[15]

The concept of the Coin Rush mode was thought of before the coin theme of the game was. Yusuke Anamo was thinking about how to make the game more replayable, but also something that could be played even in free time. In addition, after making the stages more coin-oriented, the developers noticed that, no matter how often the game was played, the million-coin goal was very difficult to reach. It was then that they decided to incorporate collecting large amounts of coins into the new mode.[16] The Coin Rush downloadable course packs were originally announced before the game was released; the courses themselves, however, had not been created at the time.[17] The idea of downloadable content had come up during the development of both New Super Mario Bros. 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U, and from both teams; the development team for New Super Mario Bros. 2 had thought of the idea of downloadable Coin Rush courses, and since this game was to be released first it was decided that content would be created for it first.[18]

Reception

New Super Mario Bros. 2 has received generally positive reviews from critics. IGN gave it an 8.5/10 and Nintendolife gave it a 9/10. Most critics considered it a solid Super Mario game, though they also criticized its easy difficulty and unoriginality.[19][20][21][22] As of August 18, 2012, New Super Mario Bros. 2 has received a 78% average on Metacritic, with 22 positive and 13 mixed reviews.

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Nintendo 3DS Keza MacDonald, IGN 8.5/10 "It is impossible not to be drawn in by the simple perfection of New Super Mario Bros 2's mechanics and level design – this is as pleasurable and effortless as 2D platforming gets. But it's also impossible not to be disappointed that it's over so quickly, and doesn't offer anything really new. The best Mario games reinvent themselves at the same time as paying loving homage to what went before; they take something you know and love and make it feel new all over again. New Super Mario Bros doesn't do that - but it's a delightful game while it lasts, and still the best 2D platformer on the 3DS."
Nintendo 3DS Oli Welsh, Eurogamer 8/10 "This is a high-quality game by anyone's standards, but that doesn't change the fact that I spent a good deal of my time playing it feeling blasphemously bored. Fortunately, the true Mario tradition is in safe hands in Tokyo, no doubt to return and restore our faith in some mind-bending new adventure next year. But perhaps New Super Mario Bros. should be allowed to grow old a bit more gracefully than this."
Nintendo 3DS Jim Sterling, Destructoid 7/10 "New Super Mario Bros. 2 is good. It was always going to be good, because Nintendo makes good games. That was never in doubt. However, it's a markedly more vacuous experience, bereft as it is of fresh gameplay and rigidly sticking to a formula with such zeal one would almost believe it a religious imperative of the developers. The coin collecting silliness may alter the player's approach somewhat, but it is nonetheless superficial and many players will doubtless get bored of it before hitting their million. The gimmick serves as an allegory for the entire game, really -- a glittering distraction, lacking any real substance. At its core, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a Mushroom Kingdom coin -- shiny and addictive, but carrying no practical value whatsoever."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 78
GameRankings 78.40%

Sales

As of September 30, 2021, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is the 5th best-selling game for the Nintendo 3DS, having sold about 13.39 million copies worldwide (after Mario Kart 7, Pokémon X and Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon Sun and Moon).[23]

Promotion

Nintendo made a special gold-themed week exclusively for the American Nintendo eShop to celebrate the release of the game, where every category's image was replaced with something from the game and the backgrounds were gold-colored.

US and Canada Club Nintendo members who purchased New Super Mario Bros. 2 from the Nintendo eShop by September 20, 2012 and completed the surveys within four weeks after downloading could receive double the amount of coins (for a total of 100 coins) as they would receive if they bought the game at retail (50 coins).[24] European Club Nintendo members that purchased the game from the Nintendo eShop received 250 free Stars. Likewise, Australian Club Nintendo members received double the amount of Stars (i.e. 400 instead of 200).[25]

Nintendo eShop description

NA Version

The bros are back for an all-new adventure worth its weight in gold! Jump, bounce, and power-up through visually stunning side-scrolling worlds as you race to save Princess Peach™. Gold Flowers, Gold Blocks, and Gold Rings make collecting coins more fun than ever before! Can you collect a million coins? Use all your speed-running and coin-collecting skills to best your friends in the new StreetPass-enabled Coin Rush mode. Team up with a friend and play through the entire game via Local Wireless. (Requires two copies of the game.)

EU Version

Mario returns to Nintendo 3DS in a side-scrolling action adventure, packed with great power-ups and crammed with coins! Players can expect classic Mario action with a golden twist - an extra challenge to collect one million coins! As well as playing solo, or teaming up with a friend via Local Play, there's Coin Rush mode, where the aim is to grab as many coins as possible in the time limit, adding a strategic edge to the fun!

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:New Super Mario Bros. 2.

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of New Super Mario Bros. 2 media.
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

References to other games

Course 1 of Golden Classic Course Pack (based on World 1-1)
A recreation of World 1-1 in the Gold Classics Pack
  • Mario Bros.: Phase 1 is remade as part of the Gold Classics Pack.
  • Super Mario Bros.: In the first phase of Bowser's and Dry Bowser's battles, Bowser throws sledgehammers and breathes fire, and Mario must wait for him to jump then get past him, very much alike to this game. Also, while the game loads (such as when starting up the game or looking for a second player in Co-op Play), the loading chime plays the first part of this game's overworld theme. Small Mario sprite from Super Mario Bros. appears in some parts of Coin Rush mode, such as to show which course the player will play or while counting the coins obtained in the levels. The maximum number of lives results in crowns like in this game. World 1-1, 1-2, and 1-4 are remade as part of the Classic Courses Pack.
  • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels: Not in the game itself, but the Gold Classics Pack DLC's third course at the ending had "Thank You!!" message similar to the Arigatō! message in World 9-4 (although unlike in that game, the "Thank You!!" message was written in coins rather than coral).
  • Super Mario Bros. 3: A trailer released by Nintendo of Europe states that this game is the "rightful successor" to this game.[26] Raccoon Mario, the P-Meter, Note Blocks, and Wood Blocks return. Sky Move Lifts are reminiscent of the coin-filled Treasure Ships. The P-Wing makes a cameo, replacing the "P" icon of the P-Meter. The first room of World 6-Bowser Castle features a vertical shaft traversable using a Donut Block, which is reminiscent of a similar obstacle in World 8-Bowser's Castle. The floor in Bowser's room is checkered, similar to those of several Fortresses in this game. Like in this game, Toad Houses, except for Green Toad Houses, have the same music (albeit in the form of its Super Mario 3D Land arrangement) and feature a choice of three power-ups. Also, the loading chime plays a small part of this game's overworld theme. World 1-1 and 1-5 are remade as part of the Classic Courses Pack.
  • Super Mario World: Chocolate Island-styled backgrounds are used in some of the levels. Reznors and the standard boss theme return from this game. Also, when the bridges break in the Reznor battles, they sound like breaking blocks in this game, and when the player hits a switch, it makes the P Switch noises from this game. The loading chime plays a small part of this game's overworld theme. Mario and Luigi can look up as well. The Moon Coins have an imprint of a 3-Up Moon. Diagonally flying Bullet Bills return.
  • Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island: The number "two" on the logo is similar to this game.
  • Super Mario Sunshine: If Mario jumps on a Toad, its mushroom cap will bounce. If attacked from a distance, it will flinch. This feature first appeared in this game.
  • Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time: The giant 100-Coin makes a reappearance in this game, based on its appearance in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.
  • New Super Mario Bros.: A direct sequel to this game. Mario's Mini and Mega forms return. Mega Mario will also earn several 1-Up Mushrooms by destroying the Goal Pole like how he could originally earn 1-Up Mushrooms by destroying objects in this game. Dry Bowser also returns alongside his throwable bones. This game's remix of the Super Mario Bros. theme is used during the Dash Mario stages, as well as the Mega Mushroom theme. Several enemies retain their behaviors from this game, such as Big Whomps, Scuttlebugs, and Whomps; both varieties of Whomp also reuse their crushing sound effect from this game. Coin Coffers also evade the player as Moneybags did in this game. Big Cheep Cheeps retain their large size from this game. Flying Gold Blocks behave similarly to the red Flying ? Blocks in this game, hovering on the world map and appearing near the player's spawn point within levels. The cloud-filled backgrounds seen in athletic levels and bonus areas are designed after the cloud-filled backgrounds seen in similar locations in this game and the background of World 6-Bowser Castle is designed after the background normally seen in castle boss rooms in this game. Flippers, quicksand, retracting staircases, tightropes, and tracks also use their designs from this game. Nonlinear world progression returns and is again displayed using branching paths on the world select screen. World maps are also highly linear and progress from left to right, like in this game. World 1-Tower's secret exit is found in a similar manner to World 1-Tower's secret exit: via a hole on the right side of a room with shifting obstacles. The Hard Block platforming section of World 6-1 is reminiscent of the Red Block platforming section of World 5-C in this game. Toad Houses once again become permanently accessible after beating every level in the game.
  • Yoshi's Island DS: Bowser is fought as a giant in the background, just as he was in this game.
  • Super Mario Galaxy: The Toads' reaction to a raccoon tail whip (by spinning around happily) is reused from the Toads' reaction to a Star Spin in this game.
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii: An indirect follow-up to this game. Numerous elements from the game return. The music and graphic style are reused from this game, with added vocals to the overworld and athletic themes, as well as vocal riffs "paah" included in the tower, castle and ghost house themes. The level settings are reused from this game. The second phase of Bowser's battle can be compared to the second phase of Bowser in this game, except Mario needs to move from platform to platform vertically instead of horizontally. The bubble system returns, and the multiplayer gameplay is reused (though Mario and Luigi cannot pick up each other as before). The Koopalings also had the same voices from and also taunt the same way before they fight and are fought similarly to New Super Mario Bros. Wii. In addition, they also aided Bowser in a manner very similar to how Kamek aided Bowser in that game, right down to being knocked down by Bowser the same way upon his becoming giant. Stars can be earned on the file, like in this game.
  • Super Mario 3D Land: The Invincibility Leaf returns, as does the Assist Block. Peepas, Coin Coffers, and Goomba Towers return. Toad Houses use the same music as in this game, which, in itself, is a remix of the theme from Super Mario Bros. 3. During the credits, Mario carries Peach in a similar fashion to this game, except he is not flying, but walking on the ground. + Clocks return with similar functions. Once again, items from Toad Houses work their effects immediately, rather than being placed in an inventory. Stars can be earned in the file, like in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and this game. The max lives are 1,110 (shown as three crowns), like in this game.
  • Mario Kart 7: Raccoon Mario's tail whip and transformation sounds are re-used from this game.

References in later games

Gold Mario from Mario Golf: World Tour.
Artwork of Gold Mario from Mario Golf: World Tour

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese New スーパーマリオブラザーズ 2[?]
Nyū Sūpā Mario Burazāzu Tsū
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Chinese (simplified) New 超级马力欧兄弟 2[?]
New Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Xiōngdì 2
New Super Mario Brothers 2
Chinese (traditional) 新超級瑪利歐兄弟 2[?]
Xīn Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Xiōngdì 2
New Super Mario Brothers 2
Korean 뉴 슈퍼 마리오브라더스 2[?]
Nyu Syupeo Mario Beuradeoseu 2
New Super Mario Bros. 2

References

  1. ^ Kazuya Sakai (Ambit), kikai, Akinori Sao, Junko Fukuda, Kunio Takayama, and Ko Nakahara (Shogakukan) (ed.). Encyclopedia Super Mario Bros. Milwaulkie: Dark Horse Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-4-09-106569-8
  2. ^ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/abej/coin/index.html
  3. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0U1bMu4X6M [dead link]
  4. ^ https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/nsmb2/0/5
  5. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20160411134535/http://newsupermariobros2.nintendo.com/play-together/
  6. ^ 佐伯憲司 (June 13, 2014). 「ニンテンドー3DS LL 月替わりオススメソフトキャンペーン」7月8月の引き換えソフトを公開!. GAME Watch. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  7. ^ YouTube video of "Koopa in the Blocks" [dead link]
  8. ^ Durag Dee (March 29, 2014). New super mario bros.2 glitch: W4-A. YouTube. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  9. ^ 3DS to have 3D and 2D Super Mario Games -- Andriasang.com
  10. ^ New 2D Super Mario Coming to 3DS - IGN
  11. ^ Nintendo Direct Japan - Full Show - 21.4.2012 - YouTube
  12. ^ a b Iwata Asks : New Super Mario Bros. 2 : Mario Cram School
  13. ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Mario Bros. 2 : "Shouldn't This One Be About Coins?"
  14. ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Mario Bros. 2 : Classic Super Mario
  15. ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Mario Bros. 2 : Team Up to Strike it Rich
  16. ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Mario Bros. 2 : "I Don't Like It."
  17. ^ New Super Mario Bros 2 DLC and more detailed in new trailer | GamesRadar
  18. ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Luigi U : Overtaken by New Super Mario Bros. 2
  19. ^ https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/new_super_mario_bros_2
  20. ^ https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/03/new-super-mario-bros-2-review
  21. ^ https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/new-super-mario-bros-2
  22. ^ https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/3ds/667819-new-super-mario-bros-2/reviews
  23. ^ Nintendo (May 10, 2022) Top Selling Title Sales Unites. Nintendo Japan. Retrieved May 12, 2022. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022 via Wayback Machine.
  24. ^ https://club.nintendo.com/double-coins-nsmb2.do
  25. ^ https://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/double-stars-nsmb2/
  26. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSDWF7xwke8

External links