Super Mario Bros. 2/Characters

Banded together for a huge adventure are Mario, Luigi, the Princess and Toad her faithful retainer. You have your choice of four characters in Super Mario Bros. 2, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Get to know them well. You'll need all their skills to get you through the challenges. You select characters at the start of a level and when you lose, so if you have trouble with an area, try using a different player.

Mario
Speed: ♦♦♦ - Jump: ♦♦♦ - Power: ♦♦♦ Why not play the game with an old friend, your good buddy Mario. Of course, his three side kicks have some pretty high-tech tricks. But you can count on Mario to cover all the classic basics—plus a few new moves that may come in handy. Mario can walk, jump, squat, slide, climb, swim, fly, float and stomp. Those are just the basics. How about a pick-up and kick move? Mario is the most well-rounded of the bunch, possessing above-average Strength, Jumping and Speed ratings. He loses a little of his jumping ability when he carries an item. He is a good choice for beginners

Luigi
Speed: ♦♦ - Jump: ♦♦♦♦ - Power: ♦♦ You'll really get a jump on the action when you play with Luigi. Mario's tall, slim brother has springs for legs and a few tricks of his own. Those long legs are good for extra high jumps. Luigi can jump higher and farther than any other character. But watch out because he can make you jumpy too. Sometimes he gets out of control and jumps too high or too far for his own good—or yours! Some items are reachable only with Luigi. However, his jump greatly weakens if he has to carry an item. His running ability isn't too shabby either!

Toad
Speed: ♦♦♦♦ - Jump: ♦ - Power: ♦♦♦♦ He may look like a pipsqueak, but Toad is powerpacked and ready for action. He's happy. He's loyal. And he's a helpful member of the team in a pinch. The Princess' retainer, Toad is the worst jumper, but he is not hindered in the least by the weight of items as he scampers along. Pile enemies on his back. Stack vegetables on his head, and this little guy will still play to win. He is the strongest and fastest character, but he jumps like a broken pogo stick. Talk about a weed-eater, this guy can really mow a lawn. He's your man if you want to collect lots of coins; you'll see he's got a heart of gold.

Princess Peach
Speed: ♦ - Jump: ♦♦♦♦♦ - Power: ♦ For the first time, the Princess is playing more than a waiting game. The fair Princess Toadstool has come back strong as a major partner in this adventure. She's the weakest of the bunch, and her other stats aren't eye-popping either, but the pink-clad princess can float in the air for a short period of time when you hold the jump button. She is very talented at floating into action, and now's the time to put her talents to the test. She will have you believing that she can walk on air.