New Super Mario Bros. 2 3DS
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Aug 19, 2012
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
view
per page
  1. Armchair Empire
    Aug 20, 2012
    90
    It's a side-scrolling platformer where goombas are flattened, blocks smashed, turtle shells hurled, and tricky platforms navigated by, what else, jumping. And the coins... so many coins.
  2. EGM
    Aug 8, 2012
    90
    Though we've seen this formula before, New Super Mario Bros. 2 finds a way to keep itself just fresh enough while still hitting platfroming perfection.
  3. Eurogamer Spain
    Jul 27, 2012
    90
    One of the most enjoyable titles for the Nintendo 3DS, and one that perfectly captures the essence of the platform genre.
  4. GamingXP
    Aug 16, 2012
    90
    New Super Mario Bros. 2 is not as innovative as Super Mario Sunshine or Super Mario Galaxy, but all in all it's a 2D Jump'n'Run you'll have plenty of fun with.
  5. Modojo
    Aug 19, 2012
    90
    New Super Mario Bros. 2 is yet another superb platformer from Nintendo, filled with all the elements fans crave.
  6. Nintendo Life
    Aug 2, 2012
    90
    It may not be as gleefully experimental as Super Mario Land 3D, but New Super Mario Bros. 2 intelligently recycles past glories and consequently offers the comfort of what is arguably one of the most enjoyable video game franchises ever.
  7. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Jul 30, 2012
    90
    The very definition of bitter-sweet, giving with one hand and then taking away with the other. By default it's the best side-scrolling platformer on the 3DS and yes, it's even better than the original New Super Mario Bros. But that came out six years ago now, and in that time we'd really expected the series to have progressed a little further than just a 3D effect and Coin Rush mode.
  8. Videogameszone.de
    Aug 2, 2012
    91
    With its well-balanced gameplay and the high long-term play value, New Super Mario Bros. 2 offers a nearly perfect Jump & Run experience. The levels and boss fights could be much more difficult.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 70
  3. Negative: 11 out of 70
  1. Zilcell
    9
    Its my 250th game review on metacritic! Personally, I find NSMB2 to be an overall better package than the merely okay Super Mario 3D Land, and thats saying a lot considering that I usually prefer the 3D games in the series more than the sidescrollers. Sure, you may complain and say that its the same game, but you can be assured that the product here is of high quality. A few new powerups, an addicting coin rush mode, and just the right difficulty is enough to make this one of the best handheld games of the year. My only criticism is that the overused "Mario saves Peach from Bowser" story is still being used to this day. They need to change the story formula a bit.… Full Review »
  2. Aetheryn
    2
    This game is just a PAINFULLY blatant rehash of all the other NSMB games with a coin gimmick. Honestly, I expected a lot more from a Mario game and I seriously hope Nintendo learns their lesson with this title.… Full Review »
  3. RidleayRomero
    6
    After Playing for about a week, the game seems to be nothing more than one of Nintendo's marketing ploys. "Coins, Coins and more Coins" I get it! Mario's world revolves around coins as currency and gaining extra lives-which by the time I type this I have over 500- so you can complete the game! But here's the thing, Mario isn't all that greedy. Mario is mostly a hero that saves the girl in the end. I think that maybe this game would have been more appropriate if Wario was the protagonist instead. Wario Land's game play was always about "It's good to be Greedy" and "You have infinite lives". I mostly had to look up how to get to the secret exits, I usually found the secrets in Super Mario World easily and unexpectedly; now I needed help even finding the Star coins. I'd still be willing to see a new Wario Land game, the amount of coins in the old games were limited and it seems that the counter in New Super Mario Bros. 2 is in the millions.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »