Many regard Super Mario Brothers 2 as the sleeper-hit of the franchise. While others claim Mario World is the best, and some claim it’s the original or Mario Brothers 3, it was the second installment that showed the most guts and gall.
Yes, it was a platformer like all the rest, but with a unique edge and art-style that was way ahead of its time. It was also one of the first games to real show off the benefits of multiplayer.
Years on, that still hasn’t been replicated authentically, though that all may be about to change.
Super Mario 3D World was not the game we were expecting from Nintendo. Many were expecting a fully featured, Galaxy-like installment for Mario’s first 3D foray on Wii U, not an extension of the awesome 3DS title we saw last year.
However, here we are. A four player, 3D Mario that feels very familiar, but also takes the same risks Mario Brothers 2 took all those years ago.
Players can be Mario and Luigi, but can also play as Toad and Princess Peach in the game. Luigi gets higher with his jumps, while Toad is the fastest runner and Peach can hover in the air.
The Wii U gamepad allows players to store an extra power-up (just like NSMB U and Mario 3D Land) and this can be tapped and brought into the game at any time. Bullet Bills can also be stunned by tapping the touch screen during play.
The game will also see the debut of the Cat Suit. When clothed in this fur-coat, Mario scurries around on the floor as if he’s looking for a yarnball to play with, and it enables he and his friends to climb walls, but also scratch and claw at enemies.
The game will release in December and has potential to be a system seller for Nintendo’s struggling machine.
(Thanks CVG)