Super Mario Bros 2

Introduction to Super Mario Bros 2

You know that moment when a game surprises you by doing something completely different from what you expected? That’s exactly the vibe Super Mario Bros. 2 delivers. Instead of the usual run-and-jump bonanza, you get this fascinating pull-and-throw mechanic that turns all the enemies into projectiles. It’s a simple twist, but it opens up a ton of strategies—plucking Bob-ombs off the ground, tossing giant vegetables, even using Shy Guys as makeshift boomerangs. Suddenly, every level feels like a little puzzle-filled playground rather than just another series of pipes and goombas.

One of the best parts is the character selection. You actually pick between four heroes—Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Peach—and each brings a totally unique playstyle. Peach can hover for a few seconds, which feels magical when you’re dancing over spiked pits. Luigi’s jumps are comically high but a bit floaty, making him your go-to guy for tricky vertical climbs. Toad is the speed demon of vegetable harvesting, making it easy to amass a stockpile of produce. And Mario? He’s the all-rounder, the solid choice when you’re not quite sure what the level’s going to throw at you.

The setting really throws you for a loop, too. Rather than saving the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser’s fiery wrath, you’re off on a dream-saving quest in a land called Subcon. It’s a world full of bizarre creatures—think walking vegetables, burrowing moles, and cleaning-goal posts. There’s a darker vibe to some of the later stages, too, like the inside of a giant hot-air balloon or a boss fight that takes place on a neon platform in the sky. It all feels like someone’s fever dream, but in the best possible way.

What really keeps me coming back is that sense of discovery. Even after you’ve memorized the routes and mastered the hops, you’ll find yourself experimenting with frantic vegetable chucks or testing just how high Luigi’s somersault can take you. It’s one of those games that somehow remains fresh because you’re constantly uncovering new tricks and shortcuts. No two playthroughs feel exactly alike, and that’s the mark of a classic in my book.