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Info About Super Mario Bros 2 (NES)
You know that moment when Mario jumps, but instead of bopping Goombas, he’s grabbing turnips out of the ground and chucking them at Shy Guys? That’s the quirky charm of Super Mario Bros. 2 on the NES. It was originally a completely different game in Japan, re-skinned for Mario fans here, so you end up with Princess Toadstool pulling vegetables out of thin air and Luigi soaring higher than ever. It’s wild when you first realize you don’t break blocks—you literally pick up almost everything in your path, from vegetables to enemy heads, and toss them like you’re in some crazy food fight.
The character variety is part of the fun. Each hero feels distinct: Mario’s the all-rounder, Luigi’s got that floaty jump perfect for tricky platform stretches, Toad is speedier at hauling heavy objects, and Princess Toadstool can hover ever so briefly—huge help if you’re trying to clear a wide chasm. Some levels practically beg you to switch characters to solve certain puzzles or reach hidden areas. That element of strategy—figuring out who to pick for each stage—gives the game a fresh twist compared to its predecessor.
And then there’s Subcon, the whole dream world you’re exploring. The landscape shifts from sunny desert valleys to watery mazes and spooky caves strewn with Pokeys, Bob-ombs, and those now-iconic Birdo cannon platforms. It’s less about speed-running through level after level and more about pacing yourself, exploring every nook for hidden warp doors or life-restoring hearts. The bosses are also memorable—especially Wart, that arrogant hippo lording over his pond with an army of vegetable-dodging creatures.
Even decades later, Super Mario Bros. 2 remains a delightful detour in the series. It’s cozy and challenging, dripping with personality in its pulpy storybook presentation. Whether you’re snagging the last POW block in a frantic scramble or sneaking up on a Shy Guy to use its shell like a boomerang, the game always keeps you guessing—and it never fails to put a goofy grin on your face.