Platform	NES
	Genre	Platform
	Publisher	Nintendo
	Points	500
	Rating	9 / 10

Review

Move outta the way Mario, this sequel beats out the original by a long shot! Super Mario Bros 2 was released on the NES in 1988 (America), 1989 (Europe) and 1992 (Japan), being one of the most critically-acclaimed titles in the series. Not only does the visuals lack archaic value (believe me, more than 15 years later and this SMB2 still looks excellent), but it’s value is beyond the price given on the VC charts. Players must not mistaken SMB2 with it’s remake which appeared on Super Mario All Stars (SNES); this game came from the bottom of the batter.

As for the storyline, it’s highly original, unlike it’s sequels which comprise of saving the Princess and defeating Bowser. Mario, our heftly plumber protagonist, dreamt of being led througha mysterious door, which ultimately trapped him in Subcon, the land of the dreams. A bleak voice comes to him, giving the location and plight evil Wart has gotten him into. Mario wakes up and later realizes that this was not fallacy because the dream was foreshadowing what Mario would eventually get himself into. Mario, along with some friends, enter this world, with two options, try to thwart Wart of his vile doings, and return the land to it’s natural state.

Instead of leading a solo adventure, Mario is accompanied by his fellow friends: Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad. Despite having these characters at your disposal, you can only choose one of the four (including Mario) to set forth into the badlands. The entire game consists of five worlds, each containing three platforming levels. As of most platformers, the object is to reach the door to exit the level. A variety of enemies scamper across the level, with no real intention of taking you out. There are the occasional Shy Guys who are not dexterious enough to stay on a ledge, and dessert lizzards who ambush you after waiting in their cache. But be very careful; the instance you touch them, you lose a heart container, which can be replenished and extended if you pick up the icons. You have no flaming flowers or weapons in your disposal to take out the baddies. Instead, the player must wrest vegetables, POW bombs and rare shells off the ground and heave them at the enemies (you can also do this to the enemies as well). This formula of running-and-hitting never get’s old, which explains why many more sequels followed in the latter of time.

Are there cons to this excellent piece of Nintendo art, of course! Old school gamer or not, SMB2 is rather difficult…at certain points of the game. The player could scurry through one level with lethargy, and then come to a scene which would make him/her want to masticate (not masterbate!) a pencil in a rough manner. Other than that, SMB2 is an excellent game that will be treasured for time and time again. The difficulty may set someone on the edge (or probably just me), but nevertheless, it’ll provide the player with challenges to face. So go buy it…now.

Overall Score: 9/10