New Super Mario Bros. 2

About New Super Mario Bros. 2

New Super Mario Bros. 2 dropped on the Nintendo 3DS in July 2012 under the direction of Nintendo SPD. This side-scrolling platformer serves as the direct sequel to the original New Super Mario Bros. while acting as an indirect follow-up to the Wii entry. The core loop revolves around coin collection rather than traditional level progression. Players control Mario, Luigi, Toad, or Toadette through vibrant 2.5D worlds filled with enemies and hazards. A unique selling point is the Gold Flower power-up that transforms your character into a golden version capable of breaking specific blocks. The game launches on a single system but offers both single-player and multiplayer modes for local co-op sessions.

Gameplay

Sessions focus on running, jumping, and grabbing coins at an accelerated pace compared to past entries. You sprint through levels while avoiding Goombas and Piranha Plants. The Gold Flower changes your approach entirely since you become invincible to standard attacks and can destroy hard blocks. Coin Rush mode forces players to collect currency in real-time against the clock rather than clearing stages normally. Levels feature hidden paths that require precise jumps or specific power-ups to access. Controls feel tight with responsive inputs for mid-air adjustments. Multiplayer lets a second player join as CPU or human control depending on your setup. The game tracks your total coin count globally, pushing you toward a one million coin goal across all playthroughs.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows mixed feelings among the 172 IGDB raters who gave this title a 75 out of 100 average score. Completion rates hover around 68 percent for standard playthroughs, suggesting many players lose interest before reaching the one million coin mark. Average session length sits at 14 minutes per level with total playtime averaging 8 hours for casual runs. Community moods lean toward "nostalgic" and "fast-paced" but also "repetitive." Review snippets frequently mention the endless coin grind as a double-edged sword. Some users appreciate the Gold Flower mechanic while others find the level design too similar to its predecessor. The multiplayer mode sees higher engagement during weekend events, with co-op sessions lasting longer than solo attempts.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for players who want a quick Mario fix without deep story obligations. The one million coin goal provides a clear reason to keep playing past the main campaign if you enjoy collecting. At launch it carried a standard retail price, and there are no hidden achievements to hunt since the system relies on total count tracking instead. You will likely finish the story levels in a single weekend but might spend weeks chasing coins. Avoid this if you expect complex puzzles or meaningful narrative changes from previous entries. The platforming is solid but the endless currency chase dictates the entire experience.

Storyline

Mario and Luigi visit Princess Peach’s Castle. As usual, they enjoy chatting with Princess Peach about their adventures. As Princess Peach waves farewell, Mario and Luigi use tail transformations to snag a bunch of Coins from the sky. No sooner do they land for a break than a black shadow approaches overhead. They hear a loud boom as Bowser’s minions appear in an aircraft and slam to the ground right on top of them. In surprise, they stare as Princess Peach appears and calls for help. She’s been kidnapped again! The heroes set out in pursuit and a new adventure begins!