Super Mario Bros. 2

Template:Articleabout Template:Infobox Super Mario Bros. 2 (known as Super Mario USA in Japan) is, outside Japan, the second game in the Super Mario series. It originally was for the Nintendo Entertainment System, but was subsequently ported to many other systems. The game was originally released in North America on October 9, 1988; and in Europe on April 28, 1989. As a result of Japan already having Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels as its second installment of the Super Mario series, the game did not make its debut in the country (as "Super Mario USA") until after the release of Super Mario World on July 14, 1992 (making it Japan's fifth installment of the series). Super Mario Bros. 2/Super Mario USA was re-released the first time on the Wii's Virtual Console in Europe and Australia on May 25, 2007, North America on July 2, 2007, and in Japan on August 10, 2007. Super Mario Bros. 2/Super Mario USA was re-released the second time on the 3DS's Virtual Console in Japan on November 28, 2013, North America on July 11, 2013, Europe on August 7, 2013, and in Australia on August 8, 2013, and even later was re-released a third time on the Wii U's Virtual Console in North America, Europe, and Australia on May 16, 2013, and in Japan on March 19, 2014.

After Nintendo of America deemed Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels too difficult for Western audiences, Nintendo redeveloped the Famicom Disk System game Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic into a Super Mario Bros. game to be released in the countries outside of Japan. After its release, the game became a commercial success, and eventually the game became well received enough that it was also released in Japan. After performing well both critically and commercially, Super Mario Bros. 2 has been considered a classic Super Mario Bros. game around the world (including in Japan), and has since been re-released as one of the Mario games featured in Super Mario All-Stars, and as well as having its own enhanced port in Super Mario Advance.

Story

Story from Instruction Booklet

One night, Mario had a strange dream. He found himself climbing a long staircase leading up to a mysterious door. Opening the door, Mario's eyes fell upon an incredible world unlike anything he'd ever seen. A quiet voice spoke to Mario, saying,

"Welcome to Subcon, the land of dreams. Our once-beautiful world now suffers at the hands of the evil Wart. Please help us! Only you can free us from his tyranny. Oh, and remember one thing: Wart hates vegetables."

However, before Mario could figure out what was happening, he suddenly awoke on his bed and realized that it was all a dream. The next day, while heading out to a picnic with his friends Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad, Mario told the tale of his strange dream. Hearing this was quite a shock to his friends, who all had the very same dream the night before.

Upon arriving at their picnic spot, the group noticed a small cave. Inside was a long staircase that led up to a door. At the top, the four friends opened the door and stood shocked by what they saw. It was Subcon - the world of their dreams!

Mario discovers that Subcon has been taken over by Wart and that the events of his dream are true. Mario and co. are now on a quest to defeat Wart and restore peace to the dream world. At the end of the game, Mario, Luigi, Toadstool and Toad are seen being chanted on by the inhabitants of Subcon, who are carrying Wart across the room. Mario then wakes up and wonders about whether the events were true or just a dream. He then continues sleeping and the game ends.

Gameplay

File:Mario Treppe.PNG

Doorway to Subcon

Since the game is based on Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, it has little in common with the original Super Mario Bros. For example, in order to defeat enemies, the player needs to pluck blades of grass to receive items (such as vegetables), and then throw the vegetables at them. It's also possible to defeat enemies by jumping on them, picking them up and then throwing them to other enemies. There are a few elements in common with its predecessor, however. Many power-ups are similar to that in Super Mario Bros., such as the Mushroom, although it has a different function; the Small Heart replaces the Mushroom.

At the beginning of each level, the player can choose between the playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Toadstool. All four characters have different powers and statistics. When entering the next level, players can select a different character.

File:Luigi SMB TLL.png

A screenshot from the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Super Mario Bros. 2.

At the end of most levels of the game, the player fights Birdo. The player has to jump on the eggs that Birdo spits, grab them and throw them back, hitting Birdo three times to gain a crystal which opens the Mask Gate at the end of the level. There are several colors of Birdos: pink, which only spits eggs; red, which spits eggs and fireballs and green, which only spits fireballs. For the green Birdos, there are Mushroom Blocks nearby for the player to use instead.

There are seven worlds in this game. The first six has three levels apiece, and the seventh has two. At the end of each world, the player encounters one boss. Mouser is encountered at the end of World 1, Tryclyde in World 2, Mouser again in World 3, Fryguy in World 4, Clawgrip in World 5, Tryclyde again in World 6, and Wart himself at the end of World 7.

Controls

• - Jumps; the longer the button press, the higher the jump.
• - Dashes, picks up objects, throws objects, plucks vegetables, stops slots at the bonus lottery.
• - Pauses the game and picks options.
• - Confirms choices after a Game Over.
• (left/right) - Moves character.
• (up) - Enters doors and other openings. Also used to climb up vines.
• (down) - Crouches, enters vases, climbs down vines. If players duck long enough, they can do a Power Squat Jump.

Characters

Playable characters

Character Name	Mario	Luigi	Toad	Princess Toadstool
Image				File:PeachSMB2NES2.png
Speed	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Jump	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆	★★★☆☆
Power	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Description	Mario has average stats, making him an acceptable choice in all situations. He has no outstanding abilities, however, so he's not the best choice in any situation.	Luigi has high jump, but he is weaker than average. He is slightly slower than average as well.	Toad is the fastest and the strongest. He has the lowest jump in the game, however. Due to his poor jumping ability, he relies heavily on the charged jump.	The princess has a special float jump that allows her to hover in midair, which can be used to jump further or correct an otherwise fatal landing. As a tradeoff, she has the lowest speed and power.

Supporting characters

Image	Description
Subcon File:Subcon.PNG	The Subcon species are a group of peaceful fairy-like beings that have their land invaded by Wart. Wart traps them in vases, and they plead Mario and his friends for help. They also give Mario and his friends vital information to defeat Wart (Wart detests vegetables).

Enemies

Image	Description
Albatoss	Albatosses fly only horizontally. They can drop Bob-ombs on players, but they can also be ridden. Unlike other enemies, they cannot be picked up, but they are defeated as with any other enemy.
Autobomb	Shy Guys often ride Autobombs. Autobombs shoot projectiles, but if the Shy Guy is removed, they will simply move. Players can ride on Autobombs, but Autobombs must be destroyed with an item.
Beezo File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png	Bezos fly down and attempt to run into the player. Players can jump on them and pick them up.
Bob-omb	Bob-ombs run back and forth and will eventually self-destruct if they are near a player. If they self-destruct, they can harm players. Players can pick them up and throw them.
Cobrat	Cobrats are seen roaming on the ground, but they can also hide in vases. If they spot a player, they may jump and shoot a single projectile. Cobrats can be picked up and thrown.
Flurry	Flurries are found only in ice levels. Here, they attempt to run into the player. They move faster than average, but they are prone to slipping.
Hoopster	Hoopsters crawl slowly on vines, attempting to harm players. Players can jump on them and even pick them up and throw them.
Ninji	Some Ninjis are stationary enemies that simply jump while others charge and jump into the player. They can be picked up and thrown.
Ostro	Ostros are seen often being ridden by Shy Guys. If the Shy Guy is removed, they travel in a straight line. They can be picked up and thrown, but they do not bounce off enemies.
Panser	Pansers shoot fireballs at the player. Red varieties are stationary and shoot three fireballs. Green and gray varieties patrol and shoot up fireballs. Pink varieties chase the player and shoot three fireballs.
Phanto	Phantos are normally dormant enemies, but if players pick up a key, they will attempt to fly into the player. If players drops the key, they deactivate. They cannot be picked up and there are limited methods to destroy them.
Pidgit	Pidgits are always seen on carpets. Pidgits attempt to dive bomb into the player, but players can jump on them, pick them up, and throw them. Once the Pidgit has been removed, players can ride the carpet and control it for a brief amount of time.
Pokey File:Pokey SMB2 Sprite.png	Pokeys attack players by moving slowly into them. Pokeys can be various heights. They can be defeated by having objects thrown at them or their body segments being removed one by one.
Porcupo	Porcupos cannot be jumped on, so to defeat them, players must throw an object at them.
Shy Guy File:ShyMB2.png	The basic enemies of the game, Shy Guys walk back and forth, harming the player if they run into him or her. They can be picked up and thrown. Red Shy Guys walk off cliffs while pink Shy Guys turn at the ledges.
Snifit	Snifits shoot projectiles at players, but they act similar to Shy Guys. Gray and green Snifits jump and fire projectiles while red Snifits can walk off ledges. Pink Snifits turn around ledges.
Spark	Sparks circle around platforms or hover in the air. Sparks can harm players if players touch them.
Trouter	Trouters jump from below and fall back. Players can use them as platforms to jump across gaps, but Trouters can harm players if players touch them at the sides.
Tweeter	Tweeters, although they have wings, are found hopping across the ground. They can be picked up and thrown.
Whale	Not typical enemies, whales serve generally as platforms. Their bodies and their tails can be jumped on. Their waterspouts can also carry players, but the waterspouts can harm players if players touch them at the sides.

Bosses

Image	Description
Birdo	Birdo is a recurring boss, although it is not a true boss. Birdo comes in three varieties. The pink one shoots simply eggs, which can be picked up and thrown at it. The red one shoots randomly eggs or fireballs (which harms players if they touch them). The green one, finally, shoots only fireballs; this Birdo must be defeated with Mushroom Blocks.
Mouser File:Mouster SMB2 Sprite.png	Mouser is the first true boss players encounter. He attacks by throwing bombs. The bombs sit for a while before they explode, enabling players to pick them up and throw them at Mouser. If the bomb explodes on Mouser, he takes damage.
Tryclyde File:Tryclyde-SMB2-NES.png	Tryclyde shoots a series of fireballs that harms the player if the player touches them. Players must throw several Mushroom Blocks at Tryclyde to defeat him.
Fryguy	Fryguy shoots fireballs at players. Players must throw Mushroom Blocks at him to damage him. Once he takes enough damage, he bursts into Mini Fryguys. These take one hit from a Mushroom Block to be defeated, and destroying these enemies clears the level.
Clawgrip	Clawgrip throws rocks at players. These rocks can be picked up and tossed at Clawgrip, inflicting damage on him. Once he is hit five times, he is defeated.
Mask Gate File:Hawkmouth SMB2 Sprite.png	Although most Mask Gates are harmless and allow completion to the level, the Mask Gate within the dream factory is aggressive, attacking the players by flying into them. Players must attack it with Mushroom Blocks to stun it for a short period. Once it is stunned, it allows entry into Wart's room.
Wart	Wart is the final boss of the game. He moves back and forth and shoots harmful bubbles at the player. A machine nearby spawns vegetables. To defeat Wart, players must throw these vegetables at Wart when Wart's mouth is open. Wart takes six hits to defeat.

Items

Image	Description
1-Up Mushroom File:SMB2 1-upmushroom.svg	When players collect this item, they receive an extra life.
Egg	Pink and red variants of Birdo spit out eggs. Players can pick these up and throw them at Birdo to inflict damage on it.
Bomb	Bombs can be found normally, from plucking vegetables, or from Mouser. They eventually explode, destroying breakable blocks as well as harming nearby enemies and players.
Cherry File:Cherry SMB2 Sprite.png	Found scattered throughout levels, cherries can be collected. If players collect five, a Starman appears.
Coin	Coins are found only in the Subspace world. When players pluck vegetables, they receive coins. Coins are used in the Bonus Game at the end of a level for extra lives.
Crystal Ball	Found at the end of the level or by defeating Birdo, Crystal Balls enable the Mask Gate to open so players can complete the level.
Key	Keys open locked doors, granting access to another part of the level. Phantos guard it, however.
Magic Carpet	After Pidgits are defeated, players can ride and control the Magic Carpet for a short time.
Magic Potion	Found after being plucked, Magic Potions creates a door depending where the players toss them. This door leads to the Subspace world.
Mushroom	Found only in certain spots of the Subspace World, Mushrooms give an extra vitality point once they are picked up. This vitality remains for the rest of the level. The Mushroom also restores any lost health.
Mushroom Block File:Mushroom Block SMB2 Sprite.png	Mushroom Blocks are simple throwing items. They can be used as weapons or get stacked so players can reach higher places. Mushroom Block designs vary from world to world.
POW Block	POW Blocks can be thrown to create a powerful quake. This quake defeats most enemies in the screen.
Rocket	Rockets are found in grass. If a rocket is found, it automatically transports players to the next part of the level.
Small Heart	Found from plucking grass, Small Hearts restore any HP a player has lost. If the player is in small form, the heart grows the player to Super form.
Starman	A Starman appears after players collect five cherries. Once players have collected a Starman, they become invincible for a short amount of time, enabling them to defeat most enemies they touch.
Stop Watch	Found from plucking grass, the Stop Watch stops all enemy movements for a brief time.
Turtle Shell	Turtle shells are found in grass. Once they are thrown, they slide across the ground, defeating any enemy it touches. Once it hits a wall, it is destroyed. If players attempt to land on the shell, they can ride on it.
Vase	Vases, as with Warp Pipes, can be entered by having the player duck. Vases contain usually some items, including POW Blocks, Turtle Shells, and Keys. Vases also contain some enemies, such as Shy Guys.
Vegetable	The basic weapon in the game, vegetables are plucked from grasses and can be thrown at enemies to defeat them. Vegetables bounce after they hit an enemy, which can lead to consecutive hits on enemies. If one vegetable defeats enough enemies, extra lives may be rewarded.

List of levels

World	Terrain	Level	Enemies found (first introduction with asterisk)
World 1	Grass	1	File:ShyMB2.png* * * * *
		2	* File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png* * File:ShyMB2.png *
		3	File:ShyMB2.png * * File:Mouster SMB2 Sprite.png*
World 2	Desert	1	* File:ShyMB2.png *
		2	File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png File:ShyMB2.png File:Pokey SMB2 Sprite.png* *
		3	File:ShyMB2.png File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png File:Pokey SMB2 Sprite.png File:Tryclyde-SMB2-NES.png*
World 3	Waterfall/Caves	1	File:ShyMB2.png File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png
		2	File:ShyMB2.png File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png
		3	* * File:ShyMB2.png File:Mouster SMB2 Sprite.png
World 4	Ice/Snow	1	File:ShyMB2.png *
		2	File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png File:ShyMB2.png
		3	File:ShyMB2.png File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png * *
World 5	Night	1	File:ShyMB2.png *
		2	File:ShyMB2.png File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png
		3	File:ShyMB2.png File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png *
World 6	Desert	1	File:ShyMB2.png File:Pokey SMB2 Sprite.png *
		2	File:Beezo SMB2 Sprite.png
		3	File:ShyMB2.png File:Pokey SMB2 Sprite.png File:Tryclyde-SMB2-NES.png
World 7	Sky	1	File:ShyMB2.png
		2	File:ShyMB2.png File:Hawkmouth SMB2 Sprite.png* *

Development

Super Mario Bros. 2 started out as a prototype Mario-style platform game developed by Kensuke Tanabe, a developer for Nintendo. The prototype game emphasized vertically scrolling levels and throwing blocks. It was originally intended to be a two player co-op game, allowing players to toss each other around. However, the technical limitations of the NES system made it difficult to produce a polished game with these elements. It was decided to add more Mario-like elements, such as horizontal levels (although many vertically oriented levels were retained in the final project). Some time later, the Fuji Television Company requested that Nintendo create a video game using Yume Kojo mascots, and Tanabe developed the prototype into Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, which became one of the best-selling games for the Famicom Disk System.

In 1987, Nintendo of America got its first look at the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2. Nintendo of America believed that Super Mario Bros. 2, which was a slightly altered version of the first Super Mario Bros. game with an increased difficulty level, would not be a commercial success in the United States and elsewhere in the world. To deal with this, Nintendo ported Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic and modified it to feature Mario and his friends as playable characters. The game would later be released in Japan during the wait for Super Mario Bros. 3 under the name "Super Mario USA".

Many characters and abilities from Super Mario Bros. 2 later reappeared in the Super Mario series. Princess Peach's occasional ability to hover in midair and pull vegetables from the ground (Super Smash Bros. Melee), for example, originates from this game. Toad's nimbleness (as seen in the Mario Kart series, where he is a light driver with good acceleration, and from his running speed in Mario Sports Mix) could also have been influenced from his uprooting speed first introduced in Super Mario Bros. 2. Shy Guys, Snifits, Bob-ombs, Pokeys, and Birdo were also introduced and would later be incorporated into later Mario games. Some of the enemies (most notably Bob-ombs and Pokeys) have made countless reappearances as enemies within many of the later Super Mario titles. Wart, the main villain, never reappeared in a Mario game after Super Mario Bros. 2, but he appeared in the Nintendo Comics System, and was mentioned in later games. He also appeared as an ally in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening under his Japanese name, "Mamu".

Remakes and ports

File:Smb2title.gif

The Super Mario Bros. 2 Title Screen.

• In Japan, the American Super Mario Bros. 2 was eventually re-released under the name Super Mario USA. It was marketed as the American Super Mario Bros. 2, and the game is unaltered save for the title screen. As such, the cast uses the characters' English names (in the manual, their Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic names are also included). Super Mario USA is also the name of the game in the Korean Virtual Console version.
• The game was ported to the American arcade machine, the Nintendo PlayChoice-10.
• It was later ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as a part of Super Mario All-Stars and Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World, and it was also included in the Wii re-release of the compilation game, Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition. The All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros. 2 possessed updated graphics.
• The NES version of the game was released on the Wii Virtual Console for 500 points in 2007.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl features masterpieces, short demos of games. One unlockable Masterpiece is Super Mario Bros. 2. Here, the player starts out with Peach immediately (however, it is possible to switch to a different character if the player get a Game Over before they are forced to quit the game). To unlock it, one must win five brawls with Peach.

Super Mario Advance

Main article: Super Mario Advance

The most notable port of Super Mario Bros. 2 is Super Mario Advance for the Game Boy Advance. This port featured the enhanced graphics and sound effects of the Super Mario All-Stars edition, as well as voice acting and various other slight changes. It was also bundled with a remake of the original Mario Bros. game.

References to other games

• Donkey Kong: Clawgrip tosses rocks in a very similar manner to the way Donkey Kong tossed barrels. Also, Clawgrip frequently bangs his chest like a gorilla. In 16-bit versions, some of the indoor areas look like warehouses with familiar-looking girders in the background.
• Mario Bros.: POW Blocks appear as usable items.
• Super Mario Bros.: The Starman power-up appears in the game, as well as a cover of the main Super Mario Bros. theme in Subspace. Also, the Super Mushroom item, which originated from this game, was in Super Mario Bros. 2, as well as the ability to shrink once the player is down to one heart point. Also, the ability to run by holding down the button is exclusive to the Mario series, and wasn't present in Doki Doki Panic. The title theme is a cover for the music in the underwater levels.
• Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels: Players can choose which character to play as (though this is likely a coincidence given it was based off Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic). Luigi being a higher jumper than Mario is re-established when he replaced Mama in the game.

References in later games

• Super Mario Bros. 3: Bob-ombs return here and act similarly as in Super Mario Bros. 2.
• Super Mario World: Pokeys, Ninjis and Pidgits first reappear here.
• Wario's Woods: Toad's large strength returns in this game. Additionally, he picks up, carries, and throws his enemies in a similar fashion to the style presented in Super Mario Bros. 2. Some enemies such as the Spud also vaguely resemble the vegetables from Super Mario Bros. 2. Birdo also makes her first reappearance in the Mario series through this game.
• Super Mario 64: Magic Carpets make their first reappearances since Super Mario Bros. 2 in this game and serve a similar function of slowly transporting Mario to a certain location.
• Super Smash Bros. Melee: A Super Mario Bros. 2-themed stage called Mushroom Kingdom II is selectable, and Birdo frequently appears at the sides of the stage, spitting eggs at the player. This stage also plays the theme song that is played throughout all the overworld stages in the NES game, as well as the boss music (during Sudden Death matches). Also, Princess Peach's moveset (floating and picking vegetables) was directly inspired by this game. There are also trophies of Birdo, Pidgit, and the vegetables.
• Super Mario 64 DS: Luigi's scuttle jump appears to have been influenced by his jumping style from Super Mario Bros. 2.
• Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time: Pidgits reappear and their attack in this game is heavily based on their way to move by flying carpet in Super Mario Bros. 2.
• Mario Hoops 3-on-3: The final victory theme is a cover of the ending of Super Mario Bros. 2.
• Super Paper Mario: Francis mentioned having a comic called, "Cyborg Wart", which is clearly a reference to Wart. Also, there were Sammer Guys by the names of "Squatting Birdo", "Pidget on Wind's Breath", "Sleeping Turnip", "Upward Leaping Ninji", "Plugged Snifit" and "Guy Who Fry", references to Birdo, Pidgit, Turnip, Ninji, Snifit and Fryguy, respectively.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl: As with Melee, Peach contained the same moveset, and there's another trophy of Birdo. Also, Wart and Birdo's names appear in the random name selection. Finally, the game is available as trial game, or Masterpiece, to play. The character the trial starts out with is Peach, (but it is possible to play as another character if one gets a Game Over before the trial ends).
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story: In this game, Wiggler sometimes attack by pulling out vegetables, which are the same ones that are seen in Super Mario Bros. 2. Also, one of Bowser's brainwashed minions states that he forgot what Bowser's Castle was originally called (before it was turned into "Fawful Theater"), and mistakenly referred to it as "Mouser's Castle".
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii: The way the characters are able to pick up the items, such as the POW Block. This game also marks the first Super Mario platformer since Super Mario Bros. 2 to feature a playable Toad.
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!: Covers of the Overworld Theme, Life Lost Theme, Boss Theme, and Boss Victory Theme is heard in World 1.
• Super Mario Galaxy 2: Luigi's triple jump may be based on his jumps from Super Mario Bros. 2.
• Mario Sports Mix: Toad's throwing animations appear to be influenced from this game. Additionally, Toad's high running speed returns in Mario Sports Mix.
• Super Mario 3D Land: Mario and Luigi's chargeable jumps while crouching resemble the Power Squat Jump ability that the playable characters can perform in Super Mario Bros. 2 while crouching. The back flip addition works in the same way as in Super Mario Advance.
• Mario Kart 7: The Shy Guy Bazaar course makes references to the elements from Super Mario Bros. 2 such as the addition of Magic Carpets and vases in their original color schemes. Aside from namesake, Shy Guys also appear to be the dominate audience members throughout the course.
• New Super Mario Bros. 2: A night level in the game has platforms that resemble the overworld from this game.
• Paper Mario: Sticker Star: The main theme is a jazzy version of the credits theme from this game.
• Super Mario 3D World: Princess Peach and Toad are once again playable characters, and everybody has the same abilities as in Super Mario Bros. 2.
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: Turnips return, alongside various roof structures that resemble Wart's castle.

Notable mistakes and errors

Some errors can be found in the credits of the game:

• Ostro and Birdo have their names swapped.
• Hoopster is spelled "Hoopstar".
• Clawgrip is spelled "Clawglip".
• Tryclyde is spelled "Triclyde".

These errors remain in Super Mario All-Stars, but are fixed in Super Mario Advance. However, all Japanese releases (dubbed Super Mario USA) do not change the names in the credits, instead keeping the English localization.

Another mistake which was never fixed for the remakes is the color of the vegetable tufts – in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, the grass is consistently black, while in Super Mario Bros. 2 they are red but keep the black coloring after being picked up. Remakes maintain the red coloring for the tufts, though they turn green when dug out.

Additionally, at least three versions of the North American manual exist. One version provides the full description of Birdo ("Ostro") as "He thinks he is a girl and he spits eggs from his mouth. He'd rather be called "birdetta." [sic]", while another other version omits the second sentence. The full "Birdetta" version is more true to the original Japanese version, which explains that Birdo, known as "Catherine" in Japan, would rather be called "Cathy." A third version of the manual is known to exist which properly labels Birdo and Ostro, keeps the full Birdo bio, and shows artwork of the unusual pink Beezo as gray and misnamed. This matches its depiction in the game and the Doki Doki Panic manual.

The NES Super Mario Bros. 2 manual reuses enemy sprites and artwork from the Doki Doki Panic manual (with the notable exception of the Pokey artwork, as well as the omission of a grey Shy Guy and addition of Tweeter, Flurry, Spark and Clawgrip). Thus, it uses the designs of Albatoss and Phanto from Doki Doki Panic.

During the ending celebration sequence in the NES version, there are common mistakes in the number of levels each hero completes.

Staff

Main article: List of Super Mario Bros. 2 staff

A number of people involved in the game include the composer Koji Kondo, known for composing the main Super Mario Bros. theme. Kensuke Tanabe is the director of the game with Shigeru Miyamoto and Hiroshi Yamauchi as producers.

Beta elements

Main article: List of Super Mario Bros. 2 beta elements

Beta elements were not widely known until a prototype copy was purchased in 2005. There is a different color palette, which includes tans and oranges, which contrasts with the final version's reds and blues. Princess Peach is shown to have more hair. Characters needed to use a Magic Lamp to access Subspace, similar to Doki Doki Panic.

Glitches

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

Template:Conjecturaltext

This is a major glitch. It requires precise timing; the character must be small and must go through a vase at exactly the same time he or she is hit by a Phanto. If this is done correctly, the death fanfare will play as usual. However, the character will still go through the vase. When he or she exits, the character will have no health sections left, yet will still be alive. This glitch remains in the All-Stars remake.

Template:Conjecturaltext

If the player throws a Mushroom Block offscreen and does not see it land, even to a place where it should safely land, it disappears until the player leaves through a door and comes back.

Critical reception

Super Mario Bros. 2 has been received positively, with IGN editor Lucas Thomas praising the graphics, sound and replay value , although he insisted that Western gamers could have gotten into the Japanese version of the game. Gamespot critic Alex Navarro agreed, and commented that the game "...shows that veering from the beaten path of a franchise's standard game design isn't always a bad idea".

The game placed 47th in the 100th issue of Nintendo Power's "100 best Nintendo games of all time" in 1997.. It also placed 81st in the 200th Issue of GameInformer's "Top 200 Games of All Times" and placed 18th on IGN's Top 100 NES Games list . As for sales, it's the third best-selling NES game, with 10 million copies sold worldwide.

Gallery

• Marioveggie.jpg
• 
• SMB2JPGORIGINAL.JPG
• SMB2OriginalVegetablePickUp.png
• 
• Wart.png

Quotes

• "Uprooting and lifting things as you played gave the game a new feel. It was released in Japan as Super Mario USA." — Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario History 1985-2010 Booklet
• "The basic controls have a very free, silly feeling to them that I absolutely love." — Takashi Tezuka, Super Mario History 1985-2010 Booklet
• "I adjusted the sounds of the NES to make it sound like a lot of different instruments were being played." — Koji Kondo, Super Mario History 1985-2010 Booklet

See also

• BS Super Mario USA
• Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
• Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic

Trivia

• This is the first game (not including spin offs) to feature Princess Toadstool and Toad as playable characters. Peach would later go on to become a playable character in Super Princess Peach, Super Paper Mario and Super Mario 3D World. Toad would become a playable character in New Super Mario Bros. Wii, New Super Mario Bros. U and Super Mario 3D World.
• This is the first game in the Super Mario series not to feature Bowser with the second one being Super Mario Land.
• The Mario picture that appears in the box art is a flipped and modified version of the picture that appears on the Super Mario Bros. box art.
• According to the official artwork, this is the last game where Mario wears a blue shirt and red overalls. For Super Mario Land onward, the colors of his shirt and overalls are swapped. This is the only game with artwork that shows Luigi wearing a blue shirt and green overalls. For Super Mario Bros. 3 onward, the colors of his shirt and overalls are swapped. Future ports of the game corrected the artwork depicting Mario and Luigi's shirt and overall colors to match their appearance in the games.
• If the player takes the shortest route possible, the only bosses the player needs to fight are Birdo, Triclyde, Mask Gate and Wart.
• Defeated enemies and Birdo can re-spawn if the player runs one screen away from the area where they normally appear and return, which may allow the player to defeat the enemies again in order to regain health if necessary. This still occurs in later releases including Super Mario Advance, but a defeated Birdo will not reappear unless the player completely leaves and re-enters the areas where Birdo is fought.

External links

• Final Battle & Game Ending from SNES Version
• Final Battle & Game Ending from NES Version