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NES Works Gaiden #042: Super Mario Bros. 2: The Lost Levels (Patreon)

Published:
2022-06-15 13:08:50
Imported:
2024-04
Tags:

Content

Mario Month approaches its thrilling conclusion by constantly escalating the stakes. Um, did you know that this is Mario Month? Well, anyway, it is. And, as it happens, perfectly nestled between a video on the Famicom release of Super Mario Bros. and one on the American Super Mario Bros. 2, we have a conveniently timed final video request from patron TheyCallMeSleeper, who has asked—nay, demanded—a look at Japan's Super Mario Bros. 2. Also known here as The Lost Levels. 

You may notice that none of my own footage in this episode goes beyond World 4-1. The less we say about that horrible spring over the water in 4-1, the better. I have trauma now.

Files

Super Mario Bros. 2: The Lost Levels retrospective: A real kick in the disk | NES Works Gaiden #042

By a perfectly timed request by patron TheyCallMeSleeper, this episode arrives just in time to be positioned between this channel's coverage of Super Mario Bros. and its American sequel. Of course, this Japan-only sequel has almost nothing to do with that latter game besides the addition of Luigi as the Mario Bro. whose controls and physics turn his adventure into hard mode. But every mode of Super Mario Bros. 2: The Lost Levels amounts to hard mode, doesn't it? Nintendo took no prisoners with this one. No, they took those prisoners and tossed 'em in the wood chipper, laughing cruelly the entire time. Harsh. Production notes: Video Works is funded via Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/gamespite) — support the show and get access to every episode up to two weeks in advance of its YouTube debut! Plus, exclusive podcasts, eBooks, and more! NES/Famicom footage captured from disk via RGB from @Analogue Nt Mini with Famicom Disk System. Game Boy and Super NES footage captured via RGB from MiSTer FPGA. Video upscaled to 720 with @Retro Tink 5X.

Comments

PT

Releasing SMB2J in America around the time of the NES would have, well...I don't think it would have absolutely destroyed video games as we know it, but I also don't think the Mario franchise would have flourished the way it actually did. SMB3 would have certainly been less anticipated by the western gaming public. SMB2J is ultimately a game that hates you and I can't say I hate it back, that's too strong. Dislike is a better word. I finished it via the save system in All-Stars, completed the bonus levels....eh. I would not have been able to do that at launch.

Colbin Erdahl

Lost Levels is well-trodden territory, but I enjoyed this video so much because of your approach Jeremy. You do such a good job of explaining the context of this release in Japan, pointing out the comparisons to Zelda’s 2nd quest, Championship Lode Runner and Tower of Druaga, along with it being a cheaper release on a peripheral device. Beyond this, though, you do such a great job breaking down this game: World 1-1, the need to find hidden blocks, and the nuanced allusions to “minus world” and the infinite 1up bug/feature. Your best breakdown is that of Luigi’s different physics for this game. I remember struggling mightily at that terrible spot in World 2-2 (high floating piranha plant pipe), which apparently Luigi can just skate past, even though the slippery run makes other situations much harder: “There is no easy mode.” You really drew a through-line for me, connecting the idea that Luigi plays differently from this to Super Mario USA, and beyond. Nothing is wasted or forgotten in this series!! This video tells a wonderfully complete nuanced story, both sympathizing with those who believe that “this game hates the player”, while at the same time showing the touches and knowledge-rewards that tell us “this game loves the player”. Well done.