Super Mario 2 (Doki Doki Panic) Vs. The Lost Levels

[AppleQueso]

I enjoyed Zelda II far more than the first game. Neither of them really compare to most of the later entries imo though.

My girlfriend's mom is actually quite a Zelda fan. She's always preferred Zelda II to the first one.

It seems to be very polarizing for most fans of the first two. I love the original, but the second one has always irked me. Now that I have given it enough time to learn the combat system to some degree I am appreciating it alot more. But I still view it in my mind as a Castlevania title.

Thought of in that way... it's still a far better game than Simon's Quest.

[fastbilly1]

Thought of in that way... it's still a far better game than Simon's Quest.

HA. Sadly I still have to buy Simons quest. It is the only one of the first four Castlevanias I dont have.

[Gnashvar]

I think people have to enjoy Zelda II for what it is. Without thinking how it's different or similar to the other games. Another game that uses a very similar formula that enjoy is Faxanadu. Any fans of Zelda II should play Faxanadu, it's awesome.

[Xeogred]

Faxanadu looks pretty cool.

I love both the original Zelda and II. II has some epic music I wish would get more attention for some remixes in newer games or whatnot.

[Luke]

Pick Princess and make a mad dash for the end of each stage. It can be done in under 10 minutes.

Hm. I need to tighten up my game as I haven't beaten smb2 with ease, well, ever.

[pakopako]

It seems to be very polarizing for most fans of the first two. I love the original, but the second one has always irked me. Now that I have given it enough time to learn the combat system to some degree I am appreciating it alot more. But I still view it in my mind as a Castlevania title.

Considering the chain of Zelda games (NES overhead, NES side-scroller, SNES overhead, GB overhead), if "Adventure of Link" was the 3rd of 4th game released, players would be screaming "Side Quest" or "Gaiden Game" or "C-c-c-combo Breaker". As it is, yeah, a quasi-Metroid-vania title would be a decent description.

Back on topic, do you think Doki Doki would get any attention today if it weren't a Mario game? It would probably end up in one of our Hidden Gems lists I think.

I've seen the original; when it was ported to be SMB2us, a few frames of animation were added and some physics were tweaked that really made a difference. Now... if SMB2us was given a facelift to replace the characters with generic Magic of Scheherazade-type characters, yeah, totally a hidden gem.

[swiftzx]

Is there really anyone who prefers the lost levels?

Me I have to say that because I am a fan of the first one and therefore carried on with the Japanese sequel. It is not to say that USA 2 isn't bad, it is just that it bores me more often.

[BurningDoom]

Well, we were stuck with Super Mario Bros. 2, we didn't have the Lost Levels option in the U.S. until the Super Mario All-Stars collection was released on SNES. Remember that the world was a lot smaller without the Internet, and importing things wasn't nearly as simple as it is now.

However, if I was given the option, I'd probably stick with the U.S. version. If for no other reason than it's a unique (and good) game, and Lost Levels is just more of the same.

Since we're on the subject:
I can say that I've managed to beat Lost Levels without warping levels, without a Game Genie, and without an emulator. It was quite difficult, but one of my proudest gaming achievements.

[Bikeage]

If I knew then what is now common knowledge, and my teenage self could play both and choose which was the better sequel, I may have answered The Lost Levels, because I remember being confused at the direction SMB2 took, when SMB was so perfect.

Now after playing TLL's as an adult via the VC, I know why the choice was made by NoA. I have fond memories of SMB2USA, if I had been playing TLL's instead I would be recalling breaking controllers and smashing TV's.

[KillerJuan77]

It's good to know that I'm not the only one that feels that DDP is better than TLL. It's just too hard.

As for Zelda II, I try to ignore it's existence, it's too cheap IMO.