Title - "Super Mario Brothers 2" - The Non-Japanese Version
Alternative title(s) - N/A
Genre(s) - Platform action
Platform(s) - Famicom
I won't say much for the 1987 game. This is the non-Japanese version of the sequel. The Japanese one is like the first one, except that it is way harder. This one is where you get to play as Mario - the well-rounded character, Luigi - the slightly slow, but high jumper, Toad - one of the helpers of the Mushroom Kingdom who happens to be the quickest character and weakest jumper, and of course, Princess Toadstool - the slowest character who happens to the be the floater. You try to save Mario's dream from some frog critter named Wart and that's it.
Nintendo's U.S. branch at least feared that it was too much of the same as the first and it didn't help that it is too hard either. So, Nintendo grabbed "Yume Koujou Doki Doki Panic" ("Dream Factory of a Beating Panic"), a similar game of the Famicom Disc System that has some of the characters here. Nintendo thought that "Doki Doki Panic" wouldn't do well outside of Japan and well, you know the rest.
Fun - 7
This category would have received a better score if it wasn't for the debate I'll get to in a bit. Well, you get to play as the Princess and Toad. You get to see critters like the Shy Guy. As a child, you actually found what vegetables are best used for. It seems totally fun, right?
This is where the debate comes in. While I do admit that the game gave me some fun moments, I felt like I was cheated. I probably wouldn't have cared if I got the real sequel back then and I still don't to this day. Though this isn't part of the debate, the game was easy for the most part.
Life - 8
Despite the debate, it still gets points here. You get to try four characters out. You also get to keep nailing Mouser. So, it's not that bad.
Control - 10
Up, down, pause, jump, yeah you know the routine already. That's all you needed to know about the game. Simple, huh?
Audio - 8
More memorable tunes are good. They're very good. The sound effects were a bit bland though. A good amount of them did the job, but they just didn't really make an impact aside from the Pow item.
Story - 6
Again, keep in mind of the debate. Oh well. They tried.
Art - 10
Unlike "Doki Doki Panic", from what I've heard, you have like three times the animation. Plus, the art looks more brighter. Well, at least there is some effort here after all.
Overall - 8
Had it not been for the debate, I would have given the game a higher score. To those who like the game, more power to you. To those who don't like the changes, uh, more power to you also.
+
It's bright and one has to take note of the changes.
-
The debate will make you really think about the game.
Date of creation - 8/28/04
Last update - N/A