Its name may be Super Mario Bros. 2, but you could have any other name on the game, and it would still be a great game.
But America needed a sequel. Then they got the idea to turn one of their new games into a Mario game. The game was Doki Dori Panic, a game by Shigeru Miyamoto himself. There was no problem with this, since he also was the one that created Mario. So they replaced the characters with Mario characters, changed the title, and release the game for the NES. So was born the American Super Mario Bros. 2. So, even though this isn't a real Mario game, is it worth the title, and your money?
Yes.
At first glance, people may notice the similarities to a real Mario game. Well, you are playing as Mario in colorful Mushroom Kingdom-like lands with mountains with faces and a generally pleasant feel. But when you actually start jumping on an enemy and nothing happens, you will be for quite a surprise. Instead of jumping at enemies to kill them, you have to jump on them, pick them up, and throw them at another enemy to kill both those enemies. Not very Mario-like, but it is a very fun mechanic and a polished one at that. You'll be doing a lot if this, as this gameplay mechanic is as common in this game as jumping is in the original Super Mario Bros.
The worlds are great. They all have different themes and regions. There is a forest world, desert world and the likes. You progress thru them in a rather linear fashion, but you can find hidden paths to skip worlds, just like in Super Mario Bros. The level design is challenging and fun, but playing them twice can be a chore. But when you play them, you won't be bored.
A great part of the game is in its music. Composed by Koji Kondo, the same guy that created the music for Mario games and Zelda games, the music is instantly catchy and memorable. The sound effects are also some of the best you may ever hear out if a game system. They aren't realistic, but they sound wonderful. The Game Boy Advance remake changed the sounds, so it is not as good. But the original NES version's sound effects are great.
Oh!
I almost forgot to say about one of the most important parts of the game…. playing as people other than Mario! Because Doki Dori Panic had four different playable characters, these characters had to be replaced by Mario characters. So the characters you can play as are Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad. Mario is an average character, can jump, run, and has decent power., but he isn't good at none of them. Luigi can sure jump, but he is slow and weak. Peach can float in the air, and Toad is quick and strong. There is good strategy in deciding which characters to play as in a level, as some levels are designed for a specific character in mind.
Overall, this game is a great game. Its name may be Super Mario Bros. 2, but you could have any other name on the game, and it would still be a great game. You may want to check this game out, since not only holds a special part in the Mario series, but it's a game you will have fun playing.