Retro Corner: Super Mario Bros 2 (NES) Review · 10:32pm Jul 9th, 2020
I have another old edition of Retro Corner Reviews, and it’s when I went over Super Mario Bros 2 four years ago. Despite the community having mixed thoughts and reviews, this is another game where I don’t need to tell you this is good. It’s been debated for years on whether we should consider the second entry a “real Mario game” or not. Regarding its history, yes, SMB2 was originally a different game that had nothing to do with the series. The reason Nintendo changed it into a Mario title is, so they weren’t alienated the people who enjoyed the original. If you ever played the Lost Levels (the real SMB2) it would have a significant higher difficulty compared to the first. The 80s were a time when Nintendo was trying to gain trust of North American consumers and to continue keeping them. If they released The Lost Levels in 1987 then SMB3 would never achieve those 18 million sold copies in 1990. Even though SMB1 sold 40 million units (it was a pack in title with the NES), SMB2 still achieved its 10 million bought copies.
Now, the American version was released in a time when most developers were experimenting with their IPs. Zelda II and Castlevania II were in the same category too as both had different concepts compared to their predecessors. Instead of stomping enemies and using traditional powerups, SMB2 opted for picking and throwing objects. Even the level design saw a change with vases and doors as well as environmental obstacles. It was the most bazaar change compared to any sequel released in 1988. Mega Man II and Double Dragon II were the only sequels that remained the same that year. SMB2 might’ve been a weird sequel put some of its ideas would see a return in later releases. Even the gameplay with characters having different attributes returned in 3D World on the WIIU in 2014.
