New Super Mario Bros. 2

 3DS
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 701 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 354 out of 701
  2. Mixed: 264 out of 701
  3. Negative: 83 out of 701
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  1. Justanepicgamer
    Jan 4, 2019
    4
    New Super Mario Bros 2 is one of the most dissapointing games I've ever played. The amount of stuff that are wrong with this game is just incredible.

    Where do I even start? The presentation is just copypaste of New Super Mario Bros DS and Wii, much better games. The story is just copypaste from older NSMB games, the hub worlds, power-ups, bosses, enemies, heck, even the 1st phase of the    New Super Mario Bros 2 is one of the most dissapointing games I've ever played. The amount of stuff that are wrong with this game is just incredible.

    Where do I even start? The presentation is just copypaste of New Super Mario Bros DS and Wii, much better games. The story is just copypaste from older NSMB games, the hub worlds, power-ups, bosses, enemies, heck, even the 1st phase of the final boss is just a copypaste of NSMB Wii! Even the music is the same as those games.
    The only "new" power-up is the tanooki leaf, and it's alright I guess.

    And all of this problems also affect the level design, god it's one of the most boring, uninteresting designs I've ever went through. Some people try to defend the level design of this game by saying "This game is for beginners" but, Mario World was also meant for beginners, and it was also meant for hardcore gamers. THAT is the biggest flaw of this game. It literally treats you like you were stupid by giving you sooooo many lifes.

    Not only is the game easy and short (due to how short the levels are) another thing is that they've removed a lot of stuff from older games. Where's NSMB Wii battle mode? NSMBDS minigames? Instead we get a new mode called coin rush which yes, it can be enjoyable sometimes due to some levels are really hard (these hard levels are exclusive to this mode btw) and you also try to collect the most amount of coins.

    Oh yeah, That's LITERALLY the main "gimmick" of this game, collecting coins. In concept, it could be awesome, but they way the did it is just terrible. 1.) Why do we still have lifes whenever 100 coins are collected you receive a 1-up. And if the game's main "gimmick is to collect coins, it's nearly impossible to get a game-over and it makes the game even easier. Just no. 2.) Due to how boring the level design is, it's just soo easy to collect them 3.) Why do we even have to collect coins? The goal apparently is to collect 1 million coins, but the prize for doing that is just an insult to the fans who've spent hours getting 1 million coins. Do not try to get those coins, like, never, you will get dissapointed.

    I can go all day long saying how mediocre this game is. Because it just doesn't bring up something new to the table. The fact they use coins, COINS, for main gimmick just proves what I've just said. This game was made to do money, it did money cuz casuals and Nintendo literally released another NSMB game that exact year. (well, atleast THAT game did something different) And this game is soooo forgetable, if it never existed, nothing would've happened. Do not play this game. If you want to play an excellent game without being frustrated on how difficult it is, just play Mario World. Just, don't play this cash-grab.    … Expand
  2. gmfiq
    Dec 15, 2018
    0
    The game is boring feel like old garbage. Game doesn't have Yoshi. clearly underdeveloped game and lack of pushing the boundaries. Nintendo what are you doing.
  3. TomTheGreat
    Aug 30, 2012
    4
    This game, is the worst proper mario game, since mario 2. The world designs and the music are incredibly similar to the other NSMB games. The coin gimmick is pointless, since the coins dont actually give you anything other than a different title screen. The gameplay is fun, but its still the same mario game we've experienced for over 20 years.
    To make the game better i would suggest    This game, is the worst proper mario game, since mario 2. The world designs and the music are incredibly similar to the other NSMB games. The coin gimmick is pointless, since the coins dont actually give you anything other than a different title screen. The gameplay is fun, but its still the same mario game we've experienced for over 20 years.
    To make the game better i would suggest composing a new soundtrack. try making some good original environments that actually make use of the 3DS's 3D effect and also try and do something new with the mario license. Develop the story mode a little. Add something to make coin collecting worth something, maybe do what the Lego games are doing and make it so that you use coins to buy more characters or special items.    … Expand
  4. BluesBrothers
    Sep 3, 2017
    4
    It pains me to see a franchise as successful as Mario have a main series title as lazy as this one. It has little to no fresh ideas and it is incredibly easy. If you can't beat a level after a few tries they give you the option to pretty much cheat your way though the level with an invincible Tanooki Suit. Even if a level is remotely difficult, it doesn't even matter because the gameIt pains me to see a franchise as successful as Mario have a main series title as lazy as this one. It has little to no fresh ideas and it is incredibly easy. If you can't beat a level after a few tries they give you the option to pretty much cheat your way though the level with an invincible Tanooki Suit. Even if a level is remotely difficult, it doesn't even matter because the game throws coins at you which leads to more extra lives which leads to no game overs meaning absolutely no difficulty.This game's boss battles are also extremely poor. The halfway castles have a ferris wheel with Rhinos where you have to hit the block below them to beat them and it is the actual easiest thing ever. This game does still have the classic Mario fun that it's known for, but it's decent level design is not nearly good enough to overlook it's many faults. This entry does make me even more excited for Super Mario Odyssey, and Mario Rabbids because they are taking drastic steps to make their Marios original.… Expand
  5. Aetheryn
    Aug 23, 2012
    2
    This game is just a PAINFULLY blatant rehash of all the other NSMB games with a coin gimmick. Honestly, I expected a lot more from a Mario game and I seriously hope Nintendo learns their lesson with this title.
  6. hope1
    Aug 24, 2012
    3
    Unfortunately this game is incredibly boring. The problem is not in the mechanics as it is a mario game, but I believe that this the first mario game with a complete lack of originality. The coin gimmick don't count and actually doesn't add any value or enjoyment to the game. To sum up in points this is why I think this is a weak mario title:
    - Nearly the same exact world themes from    Unfortunately this game is incredibly boring. The problem is not in the mechanics as it is a mario game, but I believe that this the first mario game with a complete lack of originality. The coin gimmick don't count and actually doesn't add any value or enjoyment to the game. To sum up in points this is why I think this is a weak mario title:
    - Nearly the same exact world themes from NSMB.
    - No creativity which was evident in mario games (SMW2, MG 1&2, SMB3, SM64, etc.)
    - The coin gimmick is seriously just a gimmick without adding any fun to the game.
    - Coin rush is not really a fun multiplayer mode.

    I hate to say this but it seems that Nintendo just released NSMB2 considering mario as a cash cow and I hope this doesn't continue as a trend. I'm in world six right now and I'm forcing myself to finish the game.    … Expand
  7. Cloud11311
    Aug 20, 2012
    1
    This game is short and the lack of innovation caused this review. No online mp in 2012 is brutal and unacceptable. Just bc it's Mario doesn't make it good, this is pandering and I'm not a fan anymore as an adult. I demand better in my games and this doesn't cut it. The raccoon suit only thing remotely positive in this game.
  8. McFungus
    Nov 11, 2012
    3
    The poor state of the economy finally filters its way to the mushroom kingdom.
    Now not only does Mario have to save the Princess AGAIN but he has to recoup a million coins so the mushroom kingdom doesn't repossess his castle.
    I can only assume Mario is the princesses handyman or servant of some description, as a lowly plumber she surely must be aware that her status demands she marry    The poor state of the economy finally filters its way to the mushroom kingdom.
    Now not only does Mario have to save the Princess AGAIN but he has to recoup a million coins so the mushroom kingdom doesn't repossess his castle.
    I can only assume Mario is the princesses handyman or servant of some description, as a lowly plumber she surely must be aware that her status demands she marry into another reputable household less she tarnish what I am sure is a long upstanding family name.
    Mario may be a hero, but he is no prince, nor a knight. His only title is Plumber. Doesn't even have an apprentice to do his dirty work for him. I mean even if you counted Luigi, which no one does, they do the crap work together. Not a sound mind for business it would seem.
    Probably why he's in dire financial straits in the first place. His plan to fix it? Kill things and turn them into money.
    Actually that isn't the worst plan he's had.    … Expand
  9. agent101
    Nov 16, 2012
    0
    This game is total fail, bad 3d quality and glitchy gameplay, avoid it
  10. Lilbutter
    Nov 25, 2012
    4
    AVOID!!!! I love mario but this is just poor. the 4 hour single player mode is fine but not one level will strike out as amazing, which you come to expect from Nintendo. the tacked on 1000000 coin goal is terrible, you will be bored to death trying to get 1000000. I got around 50000 on my first play through, and to get all the star coins i was near 80000, and I had enough. The racoon suitAVOID!!!! I love mario but this is just poor. the 4 hour single player mode is fine but not one level will strike out as amazing, which you come to expect from Nintendo. the tacked on 1000000 coin goal is terrible, you will be bored to death trying to get 1000000. I got around 50000 on my first play through, and to get all the star coins i was near 80000, and I had enough. The racoon suit is awsome and coin rush mode is a good addition, but overall a poor package… Expand
  11. wa2kool
    Mar 9, 2013
    4
    NSMB.2 surely has to be one of the worst Mario titles to date. Never has it been so apparent of the unspectacular level designs and relatively charmless gameplay. The 3D in the game is completely ineffectual, it just blurs the background that's it! NSMB.2's main gameplay feature is the large supply of gold coins scattered within the levels, with the aim of collecting as many as you canNSMB.2 surely has to be one of the worst Mario titles to date. Never has it been so apparent of the unspectacular level designs and relatively charmless gameplay. The 3D in the game is completely ineffectual, it just blurs the background that's it! NSMB.2's main gameplay feature is the large supply of gold coins scattered within the levels, with the aim of collecting as many as you can while also rescuing the independent as ever (ha!) Princess Peach. The gold coin collecting idea feels cheap and shallow, just a glorified collect-em-up essentially. The game features characters from the original Super Mario Bros. Trilogy but as with the Wii version of NSMB, this implementation is purely for nostalgic purposes but has no overall effect on the actual game. Co-op mode is wishy washy and to be honest, just as clunky as NSMB Wii's multiplayer was, with the character only focusing on the leading player making the game feel more competitive than cooperative. The Gold Rush mode is a fancy word for collect-em-up time trials. The premise is simple, collect as many gold coins throughout a set a three levels and reach the exits, then repeat these to improve your score. Sounds fair enough but improving your high score is not entirely accurate as the levels are randomised each time!? I know...there is DLC Coin Rush levels but it is a rather lame attempt at longevity to be honest.

    Graphics: 6/10
    Gameplay: 6/10
    Features: 5/10

    I would stick with your copy of Super Mario 3D Land (if you have it, if not buy that instead) because this Mario title is sadly not worth your time.    … Expand
  12. JHH62
    Dec 27, 2012
    2
    It's funny how this game is called new super Mario bros 2 but there is nothing new about all the sound tracks (except for the reznor theme) are recycled from new super Mario bros Wii, all of the enemies are recycled from new Smb, new Smb Wii, and 3d land, even the final battle is the same as in new Smb Wii: bowser grows giant for the third time in a row and when you fight dry bowser, it'sIt's funny how this game is called new super Mario bros 2 but there is nothing new about all the sound tracks (except for the reznor theme) are recycled from new super Mario bros Wii, all of the enemies are recycled from new Smb, new Smb Wii, and 3d land, even the final battle is the same as in new Smb Wii: bowser grows giant for the third time in a row and when you fight dry bowser, it's the exact same battle as when you battle bowser, the only thing about this game that is new is the gold flower and the heavy emphasis on coins but all you get for collecting a million coins is a new title screen I have no idea what nintendo was thinking when they made this game… Expand
  13. MrSonicFan
    Apr 24, 2013
    3
    All Mario/Luigi games on the 3DS have ranged from average to just bad. This game is in the bad section. The new Mario games are turning into COD. a new game coming out every year. In fact, It is even worse at this point. New Mario 2 and New Mario u came out the exact same year. Anyway. The game is bad. Its ugly, the level design is pathetic. The music is rehashed with even more wahs andAll Mario/Luigi games on the 3DS have ranged from average to just bad. This game is in the bad section. The new Mario games are turning into COD. a new game coming out every year. In fact, It is even worse at this point. New Mario 2 and New Mario u came out the exact same year. Anyway. The game is bad. Its ugly, the level design is pathetic. The music is rehashed with even more wahs and bahs. Level designs are cliche. Don't play this game. Don't give Nintendo your money… Expand
  14. ReviewScope
    Nov 8, 2016
    4
    I love the original NSMB on the DS, and I found this game to be incredibly bland and recycled. It offers nothing new at all and feels like a cash grab.
  15. JRo55
    Sep 27, 2014
    4
    Worst Mario platformer in the series. Don't waste more than $10 on this game. Everything about this game is a rehash. While the level design isn't bad, I found myself bored after a couple of levels because of all the reused assets. Also, the music sucks.
  16. spongeswift
    Mar 24, 2017
    4
    This game was really the blandest Mario game to date. Yes some of the new coin aspects were cool but that was pretty much the only new thing. It felt like a repeat of New Super Mario Bros DS but with less challenging levels and mediocre boss battles. Overall this game is very forgettable and should really never be spoken of again.
  17. Djungelorm
    Sep 27, 2016
    3
    This game is, put simply, the weakest entry in the Super Mario Bros series. The new 'gimmick' with this game is collecting large amounts of coins, which causes the inherent issue of gaining hundreds of lives very quickly, meaning that a game over is virtually impossible to get, especially considering that the levels are actually pretty easy compared to the other NSMB games. The gameThis game is, put simply, the weakest entry in the Super Mario Bros series. The new 'gimmick' with this game is collecting large amounts of coins, which causes the inherent issue of gaining hundreds of lives very quickly, meaning that a game over is virtually impossible to get, especially considering that the levels are actually pretty easy compared to the other NSMB games. The game originally challenges you to collect 1 million coins, but this is unlikely to be achieved during story mode, and as a result you will more than likely have to purchase paid DLC in order to do this. This supports the idea that this game was rushed in order to get more sales; ironic since this is what Mario will be doing in the game as well.
    The single player campaign is not massively long or difficult, and the game lacks replayability, and has no multiplayer modes like the minigames or Mario vs Luigi on NSMB DS.
    It isn't broken or unplayable in any way. It's just very lacking and not at all memorable, and I expect a lot better from a major Mario game.

    Rating: 3.4    … Expand
  18. Figster512
    Jan 20, 2018
    2
    This is probably my least favorite Mario game that I've played. The point of the game is to collect as many coins throughout the levels as possible, but that's just what ruins it. Not only does it get repetitive, and there are redundant new power ups that help you generate even more coins, but the game is so easy the point where it is not enjoyable. When you collect all those thousands ofThis is probably my least favorite Mario game that I've played. The point of the game is to collect as many coins throughout the levels as possible, but that's just what ruins it. Not only does it get repetitive, and there are redundant new power ups that help you generate even more coins, but the game is so easy the point where it is not enjoyable. When you collect all those thousands of coins throughout the game, you also get lives and lives and more lives. I finished the game with about 300 lives without using any secrets or glitches. The graphics are good, but the soundtrack is just re-used from the 2009 Wii version. Don't buy this game unless you are new to gaming or you are under 8 years old. It is a waste of money and you can't lose - which sort of contradicts the point of a game.… Expand
  19. RedWario
    Nov 1, 2017
    4
    While the game play is admittedly kinda fun and the coin rush mode is as well, none of that can hinder the true soullessness and eventual boredom this game has making, it the worst main Mario game ever made.
  20. IndieCrit
    Mar 30, 2018
    1
    BURN IT WITH FIRE! This game is awful. Dull, uninteresting graphics just add to this bland, surprisingly boring adventure featuring the worst Mario platformer yet! I'm sorry I'm so harsh, but I'm just disappointed. This game could have done much more with the coin concept then just giving you so many lives that your cat could beat it.
  21. Meta1234
    Apr 20, 2018
    3
    Enjoyable but nothing new. Same old formula.

    And wow look it's the old rhino-style mini-boss. I command the nostalgia effect noooooww!

    Not just once but multiple times! Multiple nostalgia rhino mini bosses!

    Buy buy... cling... clang... Nintendo money.

    3 out of 10, cannot go higher.
  22. Shunior
    Apr 4, 2022
    4
    Es casi un mod de New Mario Bros DS (creo que Nintendo creo al Mario Maker cuando desarolló esa serie). Si te has juagado cualquiera NEW Mario Bros (DS, Wii, 3DS Wii U, Swicth) no hace falta jugar otro, son literalmente lo mismo. Si juegas Mario Bros 1, Mario Bros 3 y Mario World veras que son juegos muy distintos en mecanicas, fisicas estetica, porpuestas, pero aqui no, la serie new esEs casi un mod de New Mario Bros DS (creo que Nintendo creo al Mario Maker cuando desarolló esa serie). Si te has juagado cualquiera NEW Mario Bros (DS, Wii, 3DS Wii U, Swicth) no hace falta jugar otro, son literalmente lo mismo. Si juegas Mario Bros 1, Mario Bros 3 y Mario World veras que son juegos muy distintos en mecanicas, fisicas estetica, porpuestas, pero aqui no, la serie new es siempre la misma wea.… Expand
  23. Adxam
    Jun 24, 2021
    2
    This is my least favorite New Super Mario's Brothers game it has really bad overworld music, the game isn't pretty to look at, there's nothing new, and it's the easiest game in the series. Nothing interesting happens after 1-5 until the final castle when you fight the Koopalings and that's the only good part of the game.
  24. Qat
    Apr 27, 2022
    0
    Ce jeu est un jeu important de mon enfance. Malgré cela, il est pour moi le pire mario auquel j’ai joué. Même PMSS est bien meilleur. Les musiques sont les mêmes que sur la wii, les powerups sont quasiment identiques, tout est copié collé. Nul.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best 3DS Game of 2012
1
#1 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
3
#3 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 29, 2012
    70
    Long-lasting and entertaining Mario-platformer has got a new spirit thanks to coin collecting but its design is nothing to be proud of. [Oct 2012]
  2. Gamer.no
    Oct 27, 2012
    60
    New Super Mario Bros. 2 isn't really all that new anymore. What you get is basically the same game as the first one for the Nintendo DS, but with less engaging levels, fewer surprises in terms of power-ups and gameplay, and a boring gimmick set on capturing your inner kleptomaniac.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 14, 2012
    85
    New Super Mario Bros. 2's tricks may be old, but they are still some pretty darn good tricks. Length is one of the game's rare shortcomings. [Sept 2012]
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