August 2012 – GEEKOHOLICS

To say the truth there isn’t much “new” in New Super Mario Bros. 2, but that isn’t a bad thing. Nintendo has taken a relatively safe, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it approach to a classic formula that everyone already loves. That doesn’t mean that Nintendo hasn’t made any progress in the series though. There are a bunch of new features however probably not as many as an old school Mario veteran may like.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 shares the same old princess has been kidnapped story line but this time the Koopalings make a return to power as the main baddies. You’ll find Mario traversing the Mushroom Kingdom on an overhead map similar to the prequel and Wii versions with multiple routes and secrets to be found. There are over 8 worlds filled with Ghost Houses, Mushroom Houses and of course the end of world Boss Castles. Gameplay is classic Super Mario Bros at its finest, jumping and bouncing along all the while merrily collecting those shiny golden coins. My favorite addition to the game though is the return of the Super Leaf which turns Mario into Raccoon Mario and gives him the ability to fly. In addition to the Super Leaf though Mario can wear coin boxes on his head for huge coin bonuses and use the new Golden Flower to hurl golden fireballs that turn everything into coins. The Giant Mushroom and Tiny Mushrooms also make a return but you’ll only use them a couple times during the entire adventure.

The biggest features to be added though are the Coin Rush and Co-op modes. In Coin Rush you are challenged to collect coins across 3 random levels having only 1 life and against the clock. The big reward here though is that all the coins collected are doubled after each level is successfully completed. This mode will definitely add to the re-playability of New Super Mario Bros. 2 and be essential to completing the games extra goal of collecting 1 Million Coins. Co-op is pretty much just that, using 2 systems and unfortunately 2 carts you and a buddy can earn double the coins and take down bosses together. Co-op is definitely a welcome feature as every game is better when playing with a friend, unless that friend totally sucks.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 is without a doubt another solid addition to the Mario series. If you’re a fan of Mario there is a lot to like here, however you may be a little disappointed if you were expecting something radically different. I on the other hand knew what I was getting into and that was classic 2D platforming perfection. New Super Mario Bros. 2 is definitely the best 2D platformer on the 3DS and worth a look whether you’re into Mario or not.

SCORE: 8.5 / 10

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
Release Date: August 19, 2012
MSRP: $39.99
Rated: E for Everyone
By Ricardo “Rico” Ferreira
@RicF