Editing Super Mario Bros. 2 (section)

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Contemporary reviews
| ACE = 910/1000<ref name="ACE">{{cite magazine |title=Console Wars |magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |date=October 1989 |issue=26 (November 1989) |page=144 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d9/ACE_UK_26.pdf#page=144 |access-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610164925/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d9/ACE_UK_26.pdf#page=144 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| ASM = 9/12<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mühl|first=Ulrich|date=March 1989|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=1147|title=Super Mario Bros. 2|magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]|accessdate=July 10, 2021|archive-date=October 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212617/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=1147|url-status=live}}</ref>
| CVG = 97%<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Rignall|first=Julian|date=July 1989|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-093/page/n97/mode/2up?view=theater|title=Super Mario II|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=93|pages=98–99|accessdate=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
| TGM = 92%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo: Super Mario Bros. 2 |magazine=[[The Games Machine]] |date=18 May 1989 |issue=19 (June 1989) |pages=19–20 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n18}}</ref>
| TOT = 79%<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Steve|date=May 1992|url=https://archive.org/details/Total_Issue_005_1992-05_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n25/mode/2up|title=Super Mario Bros. 2|magazine=[[Total!]]|issue=5|pages=26–27|accessdate=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
| NGen = (GBA) 3/5<ref name="NG" />
| rev1 = ''[[Mean Machines]]''
| rev1Score = 89%<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Julian|author2=Matt|date=October 1990|url=https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_01_1990-10_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n51/mode/2up?q=mario|title=Super Mario Bros. II|magazine=[[Mean Machines]]|issue=1|pages=52–53|accessdate=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
}}

{{Video game reviews
| title = Retrospective reviews
| GR = 81%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/nes/525244-super-mario-bros-2/index.html |title=Super Mario Bros. 2 for NES |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011953/https://www.gamerankings.com/nes/525244-super-mario-bros-2/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EuroG = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|date=June 2, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714204346/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup_250507|archivedate=July 14, 2019|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup_250507|title=Virtual Console Roundup|work=[[Eurogamer]]|accessdate=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Alex |title=Super Mario Bros 2 Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=July 5, 2007 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/super-mario-bros-2/reviews/super-mario-bros-2-review-6173644/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520071402/http://uk.gamespot.com/super-mario-bros-2/reviews/super-mario-bros-2-review-6173644/ |archive-date=May 20, 2013  }}</ref>
| IGN = 8.5/10<ref name="IGNI">{{cite web |title=Super Mario Bros. 2 Review |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/801/801793p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809215353/http://wii.ign.com/articles/801/801793p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 9, 2007 |date=July 5, 2007 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=August 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/05/super-mario-bros-2-review |title=Super Mario Bros. 2 Review |first=Lucas M. |last=Thomas |date=July 5, 2007 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 19, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125051004/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/05/super-mario-bros-2-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
| JXV = 19/20<ref>{{cite web|author=OldSchoolBobby|date=February 2, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223071715/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014301-super-mario-bros-2-test.htm|archivedate=February 23, 2011|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014301-super-mario-bros-2-test.htm|title=Test de Super Mario Bros. 2 sur Wii|language=fr|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|accessdate=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
| NLife = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Duyn |first=Marcel van |title=Super Mario Bros 2 – Overview |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=25 May 2007 |access-date=April 1, 2019 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/super_mario_bros_2_nes |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212551/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/super_mario_bros_2_nes |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

Upon release, ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' was the top-selling video game in the United States for fourteen consecutive months, from October 1988<ref>{{cite magazine|date=11 November 1988|title=U.S.A. TOP 10: 10月28日|trans-title=U.S.A. Top 10: October 28|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu61november1988/page/n10|magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]]|volume=1988|issue=22|page=10|lang=ja}}</ref> through late 1988,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Ten Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=December 1988 |volume=7 |issue=9 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_dec88.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207170038/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_dec88.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Ten Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=January 1989 |volume=7 |issue=10 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jan89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050843/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jan89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=3 February 1989|title=U.S.A. TOP 10: 1月20日|trans-title=U.S.A. Top 10: January 20|url=https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4567-famitsu-issue-0067-february-3-1989/|magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]]|volume=1989|issue=3|page=14|lang=ja|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424094248/https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4567-famitsu-issue-0067-february-3-1989/|url-status=live}}</ref> into 1989<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=February 1989 |volume=7 |issue=11 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_feb89.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=3 February 1989|title=U.S.A. TOP 10: 1月20日|trans-title=U.S.A. Top 10: January 20|url=https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4567-famitsu-issue-0067-february-3-1989/|magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]]|volume=1989|issue=3|page=14|lang=ja|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913133845/https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4567-famitsu-issue-0067-february-3-1989/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=March 1989 |volume=7 |issue=12 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_mar89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050854/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_mar89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> through spring<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=April 1989 |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_apr89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130200635/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_apr89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=May 1989 |volume=8 |issue=2 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_may89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050915/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_may89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=June 1989 |volume=8 |issue=3 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jun89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050853/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jun89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and summer,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=July 1989 |volume=8 |issue=4 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jul89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050922/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jul89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=August 1989 |volume=8 |issue=5 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050837/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=September 1989 |volume=8 |issue=6 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_sep89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207170031/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_sep89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> to November 1989.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=October 1989 |volume=8 |issue=7 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_oct89.pdf |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202231156/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_oct89.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 15 Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=November 1989 |volume=8 |issue=8 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_nov89.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 15 Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=December 1989 |volume=8 |issue=9 |page=2 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_dec89.pdf#page=2 |access-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131050844/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_dec89.pdf#page=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> By early 1990, {{nowrap|3.5 million}} copies were sold in the United States,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rothstein |first1=Edward |title=Electronics Notebook; Adventures in Never-Never Land |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/26/garden/electronics-notebook-adventures-never-never-land-revenge-shinobi-ninja-without.html |access-date=23 September 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=26 April 1990 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209050825/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/26/garden/electronics-notebook-adventures-never-never-land-revenge-shinobi-ninja-without.html |url-status=live }}</ref> eventually totaling {{nowrap|7.46}} million copies worldwide, making it the fourth [[List of best-selling Nintendo Entertainment System video games|highest-selling game ever released on the Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="supermariotitles">{{cite web |url=http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/ |title=30 Best-Selling Super Mario Games of All Time on the Plumber's 30th Birthday |last=O'Malley |first=James |work=[[Gizmodo]] |publisher=[[Univision Communications]] |date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=April 22, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914172624/http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/ |archive-date=2015-09-14}}</ref> Although only the fourth highest-selling NES game overall, it is the best-selling standalone NES game which was never a [[pack-in game]].

Although ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels|The Lost Levels]]'' was considered too difficult to play, ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2015-09-12 |title=See How Super Mario Bros. Changed Over 30 Years |url=https://time.com/4020798/super-mario-bros-evolution/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816151314/https://time.com/4020798/super-mario-bros-evolution/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' listed it as the eighth best [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] video game, mentioning that regardless of its predecessor not being in the ''Super Mario'' franchise, it was distinguished on its own merits and its unique takes on the franchise's signature format.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=August 2008 |title=NP Top 200| magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|volume=231|page=71}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar]]'' ranked it the 6th best NES game ever made. The staff complimented it and other third-generation games for being a greater improvement than sequels around 2012, which they thought had seen only small improvements.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best NES Games of all time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |work=[[GamesRadar]] |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-date=July 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725131034/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' picked the game as the #6 greatest game available in 1991, saying: "The second and still the best of the ''Super Mario'' franchise".<ref name="EW VGG">{{cite magazine | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | title=Video Games Guide | first=Bob | last=Strauss | date=November 22, 2018 | url=https://ew.com/article/1991/11/22/video-games-guide/ | access-date=November 3, 2018 | archive-date=February 19, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219184932/http://ew.com/article/1991/11/22/video-games-guide/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 1997 ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' ranked the ''All-Stars'' edition as the 14th best console video game of all time, calling the level designs "unlike anything you've seen before" and highly praising the boss challenges.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|pages=148, 152}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article (on page 100) explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref> In the ''Pak Source'' edition of ''[[Nintendo Power]]'', which rated all NES games released in North America from October 1985 to March 1990, ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' was among the only three games (aside ''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'' and ''[[Mega Man 2]]'') to receive the maximum score of 5 in at least one of the categories evaluated, which was not awarded to either ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' nor ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.<ref name="Pak Source">{{cite magazine|title=Pak Source|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|publisher=Nintendo of America|date=January 1990}}</ref> It was awarded the score of 5 for both "Challenge" and  "Theme Fun".<ref name="Pak Source" />

The re-release as ''Super Mario Advance'' in 2001 received generally positive reviews, garnering an aggregate score of 84/100 on [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-advance/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=Super Mario Advance for Game Boy Advance Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224191850/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/super-mario-advance |url-status=live }}</ref> One reviewer concluded "all nostalgia and historical influence aside, ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' is still a game worth playing on the merits of its gameplay alone", and that "the only reason you may not want to pick it up is if ... you already own it in another form."<ref name= IGNI /> However, ''[[GameSpot]]'' thought that ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' or ''Super Mario World'' would have been a better choice for a [[launch game]] considering their respective popularity;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/supermarioadvance/review.html|title=Super Mario Advance for the Game Boy Advance review|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=February 26, 2010|archive-date=January 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129080816/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/supermarioadvance/review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> both games were eventually also remade as part of the ''Super Mario Advance'' series. Conversely, ''[[IGN]]'' praised the choice, calling it "one of the most polished and creative platformers of the era".<ref name=gb /> The game was named one of the best NES games ever by ''IGN'', saying that the game offers greater diversity in graphics and gameplay than the original, making it a great bridge game between the other NES ''Mario'' games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/18.html|title=18. Super Mario Bros. 2|website=IGN|date=June 11, 2001|access-date=April 10, 2010|archive-date=April 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408033528/http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/18.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[ScrewAttack]]'' named Wart's battle theme in a list of the top ten best 8-Bit Final Boss Themes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/64349| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105141534/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/64349 | archive-date=January 5, 2012 | title=ScrewAttack – Top Ten 8-Bit Boss Themes| series=''[[ScrewAttack's Top 10]]'' | publisher= [[ScrewAttack]]|access-date=April 11, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' placed the game 30th on their top 100 video games of all time in 2001.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cork|first=Jeff|title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100)|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|access-date=2020-11-30|magazine=Game Informer|language=en|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924151536/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' ranked the game 27th on a list of greatest Nintendo games.<ref>{{cite web | author=East, Tom | date=February 24, 2009 | title=100 Best Nintendo Games: Part 4 | url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7276 | work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | access-date=September 9, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226213643/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7276 | archive-date=February 26, 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' reviewed the Game Boy Advance version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "This classic probably shouldn't have been brought back. It's well translated but hasn't aged gracefully."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|title=GBA Games|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=4|issue=7|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=July 2001|page=68}}</ref>