Super Mario Bros. Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Super Mario Bros. 2
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Super Mario Bros |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 41 |
Super Mario Bros. 2 is a platformer released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Super Mario USA.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Final Fantasy II and Tetris. Among the 191 NES platformers in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
It is part of the Super Mario Bros series; on the NES you can also try Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros.: 25th Anniversary. The series also appears on other systems with Super Mario World (SNES) and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy). Nintendo also made Duck Hunt, Excitebike and Ice Climber for the NES.
Super Mario Bros. 2 is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Super Mario Bros. 2 is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Super Mario Bros. 2 cheats & codes
180 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Makes Mushrooms Fall Down | TINEXE |
|---|---|
| More Enemies (May Only Work In Level 1-1) | TINEXI |
| Start Level Big | TSXYZESE |
| Keep Size After Getting Hit (For Best Results Use With Above Code) | SXUNSSSE |
| Always Have Fire Powers (Even As Small Mario) | VVOAAOSX |
| Princess has mega-float and lunar descent | PAXAOIAA |
Super Mario Bros. 2 walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Super Mario Bros. 2.
If you like Super Mario Bros. 2, the Matrix also picks…
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Super Mario World Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Mario Bros. Classic Co-op
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Super Mario Bros. 2 FAQ
When did Super Mario Bros. 2 come out on the NES?
Super Mario Bros. 2 was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988.
Who made Super Mario Bros. 2?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is Super Mario Bros. 2 multiplayer?
No. Super Mario Bros. 2 is a single-player game.
How long does Super Mario Bros. 2 take to play?
As a platformer, Super Mario Bros. 2 typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Super Mario Bros. 2 on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.