Super Mario Bros. 2

One of the reasons I wanted Super Mario All-Stars was simply to play this game. Nowadays, I can breeze through any of the other Mario games with minimal difficulty (aside from Yoshi's Island, haven't played that one too many times). It retained the feel of the original classic, but with several new twists, such as poison mushrooms, wind, powerful spring boards, "maze" effects in open air levels (i.e. 7-3, C-3), and in one case, a goal that's on a different plane than the level's starting point. It took me probably over 20 times to beat level 8-4 (Mario 3 blatantly rips off the "jump off a ledge and angle yourself left into a pirahna plant to avoid falling into a pit" situation), but I managed to beat that, the "secret" world 9, and the greater challenges of levels A-D (although D-4 doesn't have the same sting as 8-4). The only problem is that the save feature on the Super Nintendo is essentially unlimited lives, as it allows you to save after each individual level. Still, very much worth playing if you like Mario games and miss the old days of 2-D sidescrolling platform games.

The original Super Mario Bros. 2 was released in America as Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels for the SNES in 1993. I remember there was lots of hype surrounding this game. It was quite a shock to learn that it wasn't released in America because it was supposedly too difficult for American gamers. That was only partially true though. One of Nintendo of America's main concerns about this game was the fact that it's virtually the same as Super Mario Bros. The levels are designed virtually the same way with only a few superficial differences. Mainly the clouds have smiley faces on them now. I think sequels should differ from their predecessors, which is why I like the American Mario 2 better. The American version varied a little too much from the first for most people's tastes and that's why it's the dark horse of the series. This Mario 2 is still a fun game, but sometimes it pushes the limits of high difficulty and it becomes unfair. There are some jumps that are practically impossible and a few warp zones that take you back to level 1 for instance. I'd only recommend this game if you are a hard core Mario fan and like a good challenge!

This game originated in Japan and is much better than the sequel to the awesome game than the one released here in the states. Very similar to the original but with many new levels and challenges. I got the chance to play this game as a part of the SNES game, Super Mario All Stars. It is excellent. Way better than the other Super Mario Bros. 2 game.

In 1986, Nintendo released the sequel to the smash hit "Super Mario Brothers" in Japan on the Famicom Disk System. It proved to be a very successful sequel in Japan, because the Japanese love challenging games, however, it was not released anywhere else due to it being too difficult for others to enjoy.

The sequel's graphics look the exact same as it's original successor in every way, but with a few nice details which I love so much. The ground is now more rockier, the mushrooms and clouds smile, the red Piranha plants, the gust of winds in some levels, the springs which make you jump even higher, and of course the poisonous mushrooms.

At the start you have two characters you can choose from: Mario(well balanced character but jumps shorter) Luigi(skids and slower to control but jumps higher) *the choice is yours*

I love the extra nice levels (depending on how you finish the game)they added into this game: Finish the game without using warp pipes(access to World 9) Finish the game eight times(access to World A - D)

This sequel blows the original out of the water, it is my favorite Super Mario game, and I truely recommend getting a Famicom Disk System plus this game "Super Mario Brothers 2".

I give this game a 10/10!!! truly a mighty sequel that is hardly known. Give it a try if you love challenging games.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels isn't for the faint of heart. Originally released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2, it was deemed too difficult for Western audiences-and honestly, that label wasn't wrong. This game isn't just hard; it's borderline unforgiving. But for the right kind of player, that's exactly what makes it so fascinating.

Chapter 1: Familiar, But Meaner

At first glance, it looks like a slightly remixed version of the original Super Mario Bros. The visuals and sound are nearly identical, but the gameplay is where things take a sharp left turn. Jumps are tighter, enemies are placed more deviously, and even the power-ups can betray you (looking at you, poison mushroom). It's a sequel that seems designed not to welcome you in-but to push you back out.

The level design often feels like a gauntlet of traps, requiring pixel-perfect timing, memorization, and sometimes, pure trial-and-error. It's more about endurance than exploration.

Chapter 2: A Test of Skill and Patience

There's no doubt that The Lost Levels was made for hardcore fans of the original. It demands precision and punishes recklessness. For players who love a steep challenge and don't mind repeating the same section over and over just to master it, this is pure heaven. For everyone else, it can feel more frustrating than fun.

The introduction of Luigi as a playable character-with higher jumps but slipperier control-is a nice touch, adding some gameplay variety and difficulty options (though both are tough in their own ways).

Final Thoughts

This isn't a warm, welcoming platformer. It's a "you think you're good at Mario? Prove it" kind of game. And while that makes it divisive, it also makes it uniquely compelling in its own right. Not essential for casual fans, but for those who crave old-school challenge, The Lost Levels earns its reputation.

7/10 - A ruthless but rewarding sequel that doubles down on difficulty. Fun, if you're up for the fight.