Playing the Second version of Super Mario Bros

Make sure you use Up Arrow to enter the door. A and Z are action keys to jump and act.

The second game in the series, Super Mario Bros. 2, released in North America in 1988, offered a significant departure from its predecessor. The game, initially known as ‘Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic’ in Japan, was transformed into a Mario title for Western audiences. This resulted in a unique and different gameplay experience.

Unlike the original, Super Mario Bros. 2 offered a choice of four playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad. Each character had distinct abilities which significantly affected the gameplay. Mario was the balanced character, Luigi had a higher jump, Toad had superior strength and speed, while Princess Toadstool could hover in the air for a short period.

Super Mario Bros. 2 also introduced a new mechanic where characters could pick up and throw objects and enemies. This mechanic became an integral part of many subsequent Mario games. The unique gameplay, combined with the vibrant, dream-like design of the levels, made Super Mario Bros. 2 a distinctive entry in the franchise.