The American SMB 2 is without a doubt the least popular Mario game, probably because the game-play is so different. The Japanese SMB 2 was not released in America because Nintendo was afraid it wouldn't sell well due to its high difficulty level and strong similarities to SMB 1. It was finally released in America as "Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels" as a part of the Super Mario All Stars game for Super Nintendo.
I'm in the minority but I like this Mario 2 better than the lost levels. I will admit it's disappointing not to have fire power, but all in all I think it's loads of fun. In my opinion, it's quite refreshing to play a Mario game that's so different. You don't have to save Princess Toadstool from Bowser, and you can actually play as Toad or the Princess instead of Mario or Luigi. All characters have their strengths and weaknesses. Mario is the most balanced character, with decent strength and jumping ability. The Princess is the weakest physically, so it takes her the longest to lift objects. However, she has the ability to fly for a few seconds at a time, which can really come in handy. Toad is the strongest, but he can't jump very high. Luigi is the best jumper, but he's not as strong as Mario or Toad.
This time, you have to save the people of Sub Con who have been imprisoned by the evil King Wart. Other bosses include Mouser (a rat who throws bombs), a three-headed snake, a crab that throws rocks, and fryguy, a ball of flame that spits fire. I would really like to see another Mario Bros. game with these characters in the future, but it seems unlikely because Bowser and the usual bad guys are so much more popular. The only bad guys from this game that crossed over into other Mario games are Shy Guys and the bo-bombs.
Is this the best Mario Bros. game? No. But it's certainly worth playing.
I'm in the minority but I like this Mario 2 better than the lost levels. I will admit it's disappointing not to have fire power, but all in all I think it's loads of fun. In my opinion, it's quite refreshing to play a Mario game that's so different. You don't have to save Princess Toadstool from Bowser, and you can actually play as Toad or the Princess instead of Mario or Luigi. All characters have their strengths and weaknesses. Mario is the most balanced character, with decent strength and jumping ability. The Princess is the weakest physically, so it takes her the longest to lift objects. However, she has the ability to fly for a few seconds at a time, which can really come in handy. Toad is the strongest, but he can't jump very high. Luigi is the best jumper, but he's not as strong as Mario or Toad.
This time, you have to save the people of Sub Con who have been imprisoned by the evil King Wart. Other bosses include Mouser (a rat who throws bombs), a three-headed snake, a crab that throws rocks, and fryguy, a ball of flame that spits fire. I would really like to see another Mario Bros. game with these characters in the future, but it seems unlikely because Bowser and the usual bad guys are so much more popular. The only bad guys from this game that crossed over into other Mario games are Shy Guys and the bo-bombs.
Is this the best Mario Bros. game? No. But it's certainly worth playing.