Super Mario Bros. 2

The Japanese FC release of Super Mario Bros. 2, published by Nintendo in 1986 and later made available in the West as The Lost Levels within Super Mario All-Stars. Built on the same engine as the original, it introduces Poison Mushrooms, wind gusts, and stages exclusive to two-player mode while dramatically raising the difficulty. Luigi jumps farther than Mario but slides on landing, giving each character a distinct feel. The unforgiving level design and trap-laden stages demand pixel-precise control — the game was considered too punishing for a Western release, and it remains one of the most challenging entries in the Super Mario series.