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. nintendomaster1
    Aug 26, 2015
    10
    A fantastic addition to the New Super Mario Bros series! This game is awesome! People say that this is a bad game because it is just the first New Super Mario Bros game but with a lot of coins added in. That is not true! This game is different and fantastic! The levels are new and still very creative, the graphics are better than the first game's graphics, the music is still catchy andA fantastic addition to the New Super Mario Bros series! This game is awesome! People say that this is a bad game because it is just the first New Super Mario Bros game but with a lot of coins added in. That is not true! This game is different and fantastic! The levels are new and still very creative, the graphics are better than the first game's graphics, the music is still catchy and classically Mario, the game play is awesome, and the coins… Oh the coins! There are so many coins to collect! Billions of coins! Literally! This game is so fun!… Expand
  2. Tbone413
    Aug 11, 2015
    10
    So, what do I have to say about this game? One word: Masterful.                                                                                                           
  3. TheBombPlant
    Aug 5, 2015
    9
    I thought it was really fun! It was entertaining and a little challenging. And I couldn't find a single glitch, someone said it was glitchy but it isn't.
  4. Markrochip
    Jul 23, 2015
    9
    New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a really fun and vibrant platformer for the 3DS. The game is filled with nostalgia and charm that we've grown to expect from Nintendo in recent years. NSMB2 is not the best installment in the NSMB series, but it scratches the itch for those who have a constant urge for more Mario. With the exception of the coin grabbing elements that are unique to this titleNew Super Mario Bros. 2 is a really fun and vibrant platformer for the 3DS. The game is filled with nostalgia and charm that we've grown to expect from Nintendo in recent years. NSMB2 is not the best installment in the NSMB series, but it scratches the itch for those who have a constant urge for more Mario. With the exception of the coin grabbing elements that are unique to this title (and don't add too much to gameplay or concept), NSMB2 feels like a direct port from NSMBWii. That's not necessarily a bad thing for a handheld Mario game. If there was something else to make NSMB2 stand out I'd give it a 10, but since it's reliving previous successes (although very fun), I'd say this game is a solid 9.… Expand
  5. Gurnett
    Jul 12, 2015
    6
    First off, let me start by saying that I LOVE Mario. I've played every 2D Mario game that has been released (including spin-offs like the Yoshi and Princess games). All that said, this might be my least favorite of every Mario game I've ever played. Is it fun? Sure. It's always fun looking for secret stuff and killing goombas. But it does everything else wrong.

    Collecting coins is    First off, let me start by saying that I LOVE Mario. I've played every 2D Mario game that has been released (including spin-offs like the Yoshi and Princess games). All that said, this might be my least favorite of every Mario game I've ever played. Is it fun? Sure. It's always fun looking for secret stuff and killing goombas. But it does everything else wrong.

    Collecting coins is usually fun, but when you're bombarded with them at every corner (I had levels where I had up to 600 coins on one run), it kind of saps the fun out of it. It's not fun if you're going to give it to me with no challenge; which brings me to the difficulty. This was EASILY the easiest Mario game I've ever played. I blasted through it in less than 6 hours, and finished with 184 lives. I may have had 2 or 3 levels that slowed me down, but none of the rest of it was cake.

    It gets a 6 because it's always fun being Mario, even if it was super easy. The graphics were nice and the sound was good. There's just no challenge behind it.    … Expand
  6. GoombaJMR
    Jul 5, 2015
    7
    More of the same thing on another handheld. Well, if it aint broke - don't fix it, right? Well, in this case, I'd say doing absolutely nothing but adding a ton of coins into levels isn't really making it another game worth playing. I mean, yeah the level design is pretty good, and the levels are all nice looking (NOT in 3D), but the 3D effect blurs the beautiful backgrounds and the sameMore of the same thing on another handheld. Well, if it aint broke - don't fix it, right? Well, in this case, I'd say doing absolutely nothing but adding a ton of coins into levels isn't really making it another game worth playing. I mean, yeah the level design is pretty good, and the levels are all nice looking (NOT in 3D), but the 3D effect blurs the beautiful backgrounds and the same rehashed music is there. Since I'm not a big fan of rehashed music that takes up at least 50% of the soundtrack, I was particularly disappointed with this title. On the other hand, I applaud nintendo for giving DLC a try and not killing us with the deals. Also, it's just pure platforming, so you have to buy this if you're REALLY into that genre. If not, then consider it!
    Gameplay: 8.5/10
    Story: 3.5/10
    Music: 5/10
    Presentation: 9/10
    Length: 5/10
    Overall: 7/10    … Expand
  7. NatT96
    Jun 28, 2015
    10
    Its a solid sequel that I feel is well deserved compared to the Wii U version. It gave me a way more lot of challenge that Super Mario 3D Land man. It also has a lot of replay value I did not expect at all. the coin collection also makes it worth picking up again and that's cool because its not following the typical Mario formula
  8. funkydoodycool
    May 19, 2015
    8
    Super Mario Bros in its purest form - fun running and jumping, with inventive level design, plenty of variety and, despite other reviews suggesting it is too short, it is actually longer than other SMB games I've played, including SM3D World on 3DS. Previous Mario games added to the run-to-the-flag gameplay by adding 3 big coins to find in each level. This game has this, but also adds anSuper Mario Bros in its purest form - fun running and jumping, with inventive level design, plenty of variety and, despite other reviews suggesting it is too short, it is actually longer than other SMB games I've played, including SM3D World on 3DS. Previous Mario games added to the run-to-the-flag gameplay by adding 3 big coins to find in each level. This game has this, but also adds an emphasis on collecting coins, the box itself asking if you can make it to 1 million. As the coins were always quite unnecessary, but still compelling to collect, this adds an interesting mechanic, which many new powerups pouring coins out of enemies or even out of Mario's head. The only complaint I would make, which to be fair is the same complaint you could make about any Mario game of the last 10 years, and indeed many Nintendo franchises including Donkey Kong Country Returns, is that you have WAY too many lives. I am on World 3, and have almost 200 lives thanks in part to gaining a life every 100 coins as usual, and with anywhere from 500 to 1000 coins in each level you soon build up a vast backlog of extras. This doesn't detract from the sheer joy of the game, but it does remove a lot of the challenge that has existed since the very first games in the series. Graphically this is a nice upgrade from the previous DS title, and the 3D as always adds a nice depth to the levels. The music is largely taken from the first game too, with the enemies dancing to emphasised points in the tunes, which I always enjoyed. Well worth a purchase, this is a lot of fun and deserves to be in any fan's collection.… Expand
  9. how_are_u
    Apr 19, 2015
    7
    I enjoyed this game very much, I just found it to be too easy. After playing some of the other Mario games and seeing how difficult they are, I'm actually a little disappointed with this game's difficulty. Other than that though, it's more or less perfect in every other aspect, but it is obviously a very easy game. If you're a beginner to the genre I recommend, but if you're a pro maybe goI enjoyed this game very much, I just found it to be too easy. After playing some of the other Mario games and seeing how difficult they are, I'm actually a little disappointed with this game's difficulty. Other than that though, it's more or less perfect in every other aspect, but it is obviously a very easy game. If you're a beginner to the genre I recommend, but if you're a pro maybe go for one of the older games.… Expand
  10. youlouz
    Mar 21, 2015
    9
    Just as amazing as the first one!

    PROS
    -Graphics
    -Secrets to explore
    -Challenging gameplay

    CONS
    -Story is a little dry .
  11. Luigithemetal64
    Mar 20, 2015
    8
    It's a good game for the time. Such a gold rush. Collecting 1 million coins is just insane. New power-ups would've helped but maybe not much. The 3D effects are shallow until you get to the Dry Bowser level. It makes me wish that we're just as rich as Mario and Luigi. I highly recommend getting this game if you haven't played the first one.
  12. Mariofan
    Mar 12, 2015
    9
    This is a great NSMB game. My 3rd favourite one. The graphics are great for 3DS. The levels have good designs. The Koopaling fights are awesome. The controls work very well. New Super Mario Bros 2 is awesome and you should definitely get the game.
  13. Beastprogamer
    Mar 10, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a very good game Nintendo has made; it is one of my favourites of all time. The controls are great, the graphics are great overall and for 3DS,The story and Characters are great, the bosses are awesome. This is more like a Super Mario Wourld because of Reznor and the Koopalings. My favourite Koopaling is Roy or Bully Koopa, even though he is pink, he acts like me. Buy this game and New Super Mario Bros. Wii and U if you haven't already. Seriously, this game is insanely fun.… Expand
  14. Marco_AGJ
    Feb 1, 2015
    7
    Graphically this is a very improved version of the original, though it feels a copy from the Wii version. If you asked me whether I'd be happy to play any decent Wii game in a handheld or not my response would be instant; yes. So we have New Super Mario Bros 2. Comparing with the original DS release the improvement is absurd, especially graphically. Gameplay-wise it's all the same withGraphically this is a very improved version of the original, though it feels a copy from the Wii version. If you asked me whether I'd be happy to play any decent Wii game in a handheld or not my response would be instant; yes. So we have New Super Mario Bros 2. Comparing with the original DS release the improvement is absurd, especially graphically. Gameplay-wise it's all the same with Mario moving around in that loosy style opposed to the tight controls of Super Mario World and the NES titles.

    I'll advocate this until the end of time, Mario must have tight controls, the wall slamming should be well executed to work. Learning curve on some advance techniques should be extended, Another derivative game like this from Mario I won't be able to endure. The bonus mini-games are fun, for like 10 minutes, That's all.    … Expand
  15. DBPirate1129
    Jan 12, 2015
    8
    New Super Mario Bros. 2 (or as I like to call it New Super Mario Bros. Wii 1.5) is the third installment in the New Mario series but it's not all new. In fact, it's the most unoriginal installment.

    NSMB2 rips all of its music straight from its console predecessor. There's not a single new track in the game. That is, unless you're counting some extra vocals in the music. The world map    New Super Mario Bros. 2 (or as I like to call it New Super Mario Bros. Wii 1.5) is the third installment in the New Mario series but it's not all new. In fact, it's the most unoriginal installment.

    NSMB2 rips all of its music straight from its console predecessor. There's not a single new track in the game. That is, unless you're counting some extra vocals in the music. The world map and overall feel of the game is also the exact same as the Wii iteration. That's not to say it's a bad thing but I was hoping for a bit more originality. This is the biggest problem with the game: it's not enough new, it's too much old...so its title basically makes no sense whatsoever.

    As with all Mario games, the level design is great and it never actually gets boring. The difficulty is also more balanced in this game than the others. The first New Super Mario was too easy while the Wii version was a tad too hard. NSMB2 is just right, thanks to its new coin gimmick (more on that later). I never found myself getting tired of the levels and I was always eager to go to the next. I still don't like the idea of wasting your Star Coins on extra levels though. Super Mario 3D Land had handled that issue perfectly.

    The Koopalings are back though Bowser Jr. has a strange absence. Their fights are strikingly similar to the Wii version but to change the mood up a bit, Reznor from Super Mario World has been added as the fortress boss. The Raccoon Leaf from Mario 3 also makes a comeback complete with the outfit and P-Meter. It's nice to see this beloved power-up make a return. I find it to be superior to the Tanooki Leaf, which is basically the same thing without a P-Meter.

    The main feature in NSMB2 is the focus on coins. To quote Scott Moffitt at E3 2012, it's "all about the gold." This is strange as coins never really had much of a point in Mario games (unless you count the occasional earning a 1-up) but it did make the game somewhat easier. It always gave me a sense of satisfaction to collect a lot of coins at once though I never did reach a million.

    Overall, New Super Mario Bros. 2 feels like a bit of a rehash of the Wii iteration in the franchise but it has enough new things to keep me coming back. It's a great portable experience.    … Expand
  16. cwcoverick
    Dec 29, 2014
    9
    I can't believe people give COD a 10, but give this an average score. The game is just a Mario side scroller, and you can't beat that. This game proves you don't need guns and men screaming "FIRE FIRE BREAKER NINER ALPHA CHARLIE REMOVE KEBAB" but a nice sidescroller is good once in a while.
  17. itsthecritic
    Dec 10, 2014
    7
    It was too hard and I quit after a few days of playing it. The DS version was simplistic but fun compared to this. Plus, if you're thinking of getting it and already have 3D Land, you're just playing Super Mario 2D Land.
  18. jmorris724
    Dec 9, 2014
    6
    this game came with a special edition 3ds XL on sale. it's OK. the first several worlds have a pretty boring design, though it does get interesting later. the mushroom houses dont leave you a sense of reward like they did on the 3rd NES game. and just a lack of powerups in general. there's a complete lack of innovation on this game------lots of mario bros, nothing "new" about it.
  19. justagamer123
    Nov 14, 2014
    6
    i love Mario games but this game is one of my least favorite ones,

    to start off with the good things in it, the game play is great the bringing back of the raccoon leaf is great, the worlds look nice and ten times better then the first game and nothing in the game is too hard but the best part of the game is that's its fun for the short time of playing it now for the bad the biggest    i love Mario games but this game is one of my least favorite ones,

    to start off with the good things in it, the game play is great the bringing back of the raccoon leaf is great, the worlds look nice and ten times better then the first game and nothing in the game is too hard but the best part of the game is that's its fun for the short time of playing it

    now for the bad the biggest issue with the game is content i cant name one other Mario game that has a lack of content i mean there are 6 main worlds and 3 special worlds that may seem like a lot but each world only as 6-10 levels which brings me to the next issue that it took me less then four hours to beat the game and that includes the 3 special worlds now i did enjoy every part of the game but when it came to an end i felt ripped off 30 bucks for 4 hours of content?i can think of indie games that are not even half that price but offer ten times more hours of content next the power ups feel the same and really there in not one new one the golden flower is new but the issue with it is that its only in 3 to 5 levels and you lose it after completing the level meaning that you only get maybe 10 minutes of using it (it is fun but needs to be used more)

    but having this being my most played game on my 2ds (with 20 hours clocked in) i would only tell die-hard Mario fans to get this game the game is fun but the only way to really get out all the content is re-playing it for all the stars/secrets and if that's not what you enjoy doing i would say get NSMB from 2006 on your ds/3ds/2ds or go and get one of the older Mario games on the virtual console    … Expand
  20. sonic4president
    Nov 11, 2014
    8
    This game was so easy until the last level in which I just became so annoyed. The part where you have to climb whilst Bowser's destroying the platforms is such a struggle. But still a great game with updated graphics.
  21. TFFANBOYYY
    Oct 7, 2014
    6
    Fun and exciting, but I got bored of it pretty quickly. The people who made this were really lazy too. If you really like Mario, I recommend you get this. Fun, but for me it got boring soon.
  22. 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.
  23. JJfromTexas
    Jul 27, 2014
    9
    Probably my favorite in the "New Super Mario Bros." series. The platforming is solid and tight, and the emphasis on coin collecting with the million-coin challenge adds quite a bit of replay value. I love the graphics and music, and the Gold Flower is among the very best (if not OP) power-ups in the entire series. One of the best titles for 3DS!
  24. bearbishop
    Jul 22, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This review contains a very minor spoiler at the end so be warned. This game is okay but it is kind of a disappointment in some ways. The art style and graphics kinda suck. I know it is supposed to look simplistic and old school because its Mario, but it still looks bad to me. My main complaint would be that many levels have a horrible ugly blur filter over most of the background for no apparent reason. Maybe Mario is supposed to be near sighted or something. Another thing is that almost all the haunted house levels are just some stupid level gimmick like a giant boo that scrolls the level for you and stuff that just isn't fun. Thirdly the boss was lame and annoying. Oh wow its giant Bowser swatting at your platforms from the background! I kinda suck at Mario so I died twice to the final sequence and each time you attempt it again you have to watch Bowser get turned giant by the koopalings in a sequence that cant be skipped. Its only like 20 secondsish but it still bothers me that it can't be skipped because there is literally no good reason for that. If you want to play a platformer for 3DS just get Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D its way better in every way.… Expand
  25. SirKirbyThe4th
    Jun 30, 2014
    7
    Not really a BAD game, but it could be better. I think I'm just comparing it to the perfection of Super Mario 3D Land, so I had high expectations (I know that's a weird comparison, but c'mon, they're both Mario platformer games) The secrets are really cryptic, its too easy, and the graphics aren't that nice either. I also HATE how there is only 6 worlds instead of 8, even 3D Land had 8Not really a BAD game, but it could be better. I think I'm just comparing it to the perfection of Super Mario 3D Land, so I had high expectations (I know that's a weird comparison, but c'mon, they're both Mario platformer games) The secrets are really cryptic, its too easy, and the graphics aren't that nice either. I also HATE how there is only 6 worlds instead of 8, even 3D Land had 8 worlds, and even 16 special worlds. Despite all of that, this game is still better than ok.… Expand
  26. CorazonAzul
    Jun 18, 2014
    8
    New Super Mario Bros 2 sticks to the guns in true saga-type fashion, popular with eastern audiences. Improvements over the original include brandishing the highly successful power-ups and bosses established in 1988 in Super Mario Bros 3, such as the raccoon suit and Koopalings- and fairly less obscurity and trial-and-error than its forerunner.
  27. tdunster
    Jun 17, 2014
    7
    Super Mario Bros 2 is a competent platform game for the 3ds. While it's not a bad game it never really captures the imagination or compels you to play it for hours on end. Overall, it's just too similar to previous games and in many respects not as good as Mario 3D or for that matter Donkey Kong Country.
    Hard to recommend to anyone other than fans that simply must play every Mario game.
  28. TMX86
    Jun 13, 2014
    9
    this game gets more hate than it deserves, even when its similar to new super Mario bros on the Nintendo ds, it does adds a new layer of fun with the coin collecting mechanic, now you have to get 1 million, this coin collecting thing adds replay value as well as a new way to approach platforming, the level design its really superb, fun, addictive challenging, star coins are harder to getthis game gets more hate than it deserves, even when its similar to new super Mario bros on the Nintendo ds, it does adds a new layer of fun with the coin collecting mechanic, now you have to get 1 million, this coin collecting thing adds replay value as well as a new way to approach platforming, the level design its really superb, fun, addictive challenging, star coins are harder to get in this game, even harder than in super Mario 3d land, graphical wise some models are reminiscent of new super mario bros on the nintendo ds, but sometimes it makes up with some details, and also the coins and the golden mario power up looks very nice, major fail is the fact that the 3d effect doesnt work at all, it even makes it worst since the backgrounds do blur when the effect is on, the second best plataform adventure on the nintendo 3ds, must have if you like mario and plataform games… Expand
  29. CuptralCritique
    Jun 1, 2014
    8
    "New Super Mario Bros. 2" was my first 3DS game! This is yet another fun Mario game. The worlds are diverse and fun to play through, and there are many secrets to find. The story is the usual bland "Princess gets kidnapped" Mario scenario, but it's made up for in the gameplay. The graphics are colourful and nice. The enemies can be annoying in they're attack routines, but are fun to step"New Super Mario Bros. 2" was my first 3DS game! This is yet another fun Mario game. The worlds are diverse and fun to play through, and there are many secrets to find. The story is the usual bland "Princess gets kidnapped" Mario scenario, but it's made up for in the gameplay. The graphics are colourful and nice. The enemies can be annoying in they're attack routines, but are fun to step on never the less. The music is catchy. Finally, the level design is smart, and is a good balance of hard, and easy. The ghost houses can be quite cryptic though. The boss battles can be fun, but they're painfully easy. The final boss, Bowser, may be extremely similar to other final boss fights (generally with the man himself, Bowser) in previous Mario games, but Bowser's battle is still very good. This game would have gotten a nine from me, had it not been for the white tanooki suit. This suit basically shows up if you keep dying in a level. It makes you invincible, you can fly, and it looks stylish...at least for a tanooki suit. The big issue I have with it, is that it takes all the difficulty out of a hard level. This makes the game generally easy to beat if you keep dying. In the end, it's still a great game, and sucked me in from the start.… Expand
  30. 81kenzog
    May 24, 2014
    10
    Wow now this is underrated I had great expectations for this and loved it. It's like super Mario bros 3 but with more coins I was sad that it wasn't very high but what do you get I give this a nice ten
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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

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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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