Editing Super Mario Bros. 2 (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Smb2 comparison.png|left|frame|''Super Mario Bros. 2'' features some enemies and items from ''Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic''. The playable characters can now also lift and throw things to defeat enemies.]]
''Super Mario Bros. 2'' is a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[platform game]]. The objective is to navigate the [[Player character|player's character]] through the [[Dream world (plot device)|dream world]] Subcon and defeat the main antagonist Wart.{{sfn|Nintendo of America|1988|pp=3-4}} Before each stage, the player chooses one of four protagonists: [[Mario]], [[Luigi]], [[Toad (Nintendo)|Toad]], and [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]]. All four characters can run, jump, and climb ladders or vines, but each character possesses a unique advantage that causes them to be controlled differently. For example, Mario has balanced speed, jumping height, and strength; Luigi can jump the highest, but moves slightly slower and has weaker strength; Princess Toadstool can float because of her dress but has the lowest speed and strength; Toad has the highest speed and strength, which allows him to pick up items quickly, but jumps the lowest. Unlike ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', this game has no [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] functionality and no time limit. The original only scrolls from left to right, but this game can also scroll right to left, and even vertically in some areas. Unlike other ''Mario'' games, the characters cannot defeat enemies by jumping on them but can stand on, pick up, and throw most enemies at each other to defeat them. Other objects that can be thrown at enemies include vegetables pulled from the ground and mushroom blocks.{{sfn|Nintendo of America|1988|pp=13-16}}

The game consists of 20 different [[Level (video gaming)|levels]] across the seven worlds comprising Subcon. Each world has three levels, except World 7, which has two.{{sfn|Nintendo of America|1988|p=6}} Each world has a particular theme that dictates the obstacles and enemies encountered in its levels, such as desert areas with dangerous [[quicksand]] and snowy areas with slippery surfaces. Levels contain multiple sections or rooms that are connected via doors or ladders. Some rooms are accessible by entering certain [[vase|jars]]. Magic potions found in each level are used to temporarily access "Sub-space", a reflected, unscrollable area where the player can collect coins and [[Super Mushroom|Mushrooms]] that increase the character's maximum [[Health (gaming)|health]].  In addition, certain jars, when entered in Sub-space, will [[warp (video games)|warp]] the player to the later worlds, skipping levels altogether. Other items available include cherries, which are collected in order to acquire a [[Star (Mario)|Star]]; the POW Block, which can be used to destroy all the enemies visible on the screen quickly; and a stopwatch that can stop enemies from moving for a short period of time.{{sfn|Nintendo of America|1988|pp=17–21}} The player must defeat a boss enemy at the end of each of the first six worlds, then defeat Wart himself at the end of World 7 to complete the game.

The player starts ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' with three [[1-Up|lives]], one of which is lost each time the player's character loses all health from enemy or hazard damage or when the character falls off the screen, represented by hearts. The player can replenish health by collecting floating hearts that appear upon defeating a certain number of enemies. The player will receive a [[Game Over]] upon losing the last life, though the player may [[Continue (video gaming)|continue]] up to twice in one game.  Extra lives may be obtained by collecting hidden 1-Up Mushrooms or by using the coins collected from Sub-space to play the Bonus Chance [[minigame]] between the levels.{{sfn|Nintendo of America|1988|pp=9–10,19,22}}