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helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
4.0
Here's how my self-talk went after I read this:
First: "That was just a bunch of stuff about Nintendo and the first Mario."
Then: "Well, maybe that's appropriate. I can't assume others have read a dozen books about video game history."
Finally: "Wait...who the hell HASN'T read any books on video game history and BEGINS with this one? The one about a game that is the bastard child of the Nintendo era?"
I was excited because SMB2 (which I can call it because I've done my reading, remember?) isn't something that gets covered a lot. Yes, most of us know the basic story, about the American SMB2 and the Japanese version, how different they were and how odd it was.
But I swear, I just don't need to read another book where -gasp- Mario originated as Jumpman in Donkey Kong.
The SMB2 portions were really good. I enjoyed those quite a bit. I learned some stuff, and it prompted me to pick up that one again. It's actually kind of a great game. Compared to most games of that era, it has pretty amazing variety, feel, and look. So I suppose that's a compliment to the book, that it got me all hot and bothered about a game I wasn't so thrilled about as a youth.
But the rest, I just felt like it's been covered quite often. If this is your first exposure to Nintendo history, it might make for an interesting one. If it's not, CALL ME, because holy crap do I read way too much about this stuff and have NO ONE to talk to about it.
First: "That was just a bunch of stuff about Nintendo and the first Mario."
Then: "Well, maybe that's appropriate. I can't assume others have read a dozen books about video game history."
Finally: "Wait...who the hell HASN'T read any books on video game history and BEGINS with this one? The one about a game that is the bastard child of the Nintendo era?"
I was excited because SMB2 (which I can call it because I've done my reading, remember?) isn't something that gets covered a lot. Yes, most of us know the basic story, about the American SMB2 and the Japanese version, how different they were and how odd it was.
But I swear, I just don't need to read another book where -gasp- Mario originated as Jumpman in Donkey Kong.
The SMB2 portions were really good. I enjoyed those quite a bit. I learned some stuff, and it prompted me to pick up that one again. It's actually kind of a great game. Compared to most games of that era, it has pretty amazing variety, feel, and look. So I suppose that's a compliment to the book, that it got me all hot and bothered about a game I wasn't so thrilled about as a youth.
But the rest, I just felt like it's been covered quite often. If this is your first exposure to Nintendo history, it might make for an interesting one. If it's not, CALL ME, because holy crap do I read way too much about this stuff and have NO ONE to talk to about it.
gengelcox's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Another game I missed playing because it came out in that time between the early consoles (Intellivision, Atari) and the later consoles. Most of my formative gaming was on the PC, so I missed the love so many people have for the Nintendo, and I find it basically impossible to go back to these games now with their pixelated characters and worlds and basic controls. Not totally impossible, as I understand that some have and do replay these games with enjoyment; I just find I’d rather spend the time with something a bit newer.
That said, I find reading about the history of these games fascinating. In particular, how this game was the Japanese concession of creating a sequel to the widely popular Super Mario Bros. but not wanting to send the actual sequel which was viewed as too hard for the American market—possibly correctly. The details about the interaction between the Japanese company and its American subsidiary and how these decisions were made was fascinating, as well as the history of the short-lived gaming magazines supporting these consoles.
djotaku's review against another edition
4.0
Like other Boss Fight Books, it's a great look back at a classic game. What was most interesting to me is that Doki Doki Panic actually started off as a prototype of Super Mario Bros 2. Since as all gamers my age or older know, that game was reskinned for USA SMB2.
There isn't much to add in this review other than the fact that it changed my point of view from one of deception from Japan to Nintendo of America deciding that Japanese SMB2 wouldn't work here.
There isn't much to add in this review other than the fact that it changed my point of view from one of deception from Japan to Nintendo of America deciding that Japanese SMB2 wouldn't work here.
avedon_arcade's review against another edition
4.0
Best one so far in this series. Very informative not only about the game itself but a brief history of Nintendo and how it relates to how they’ve developed as a company and the Mario games.
theartolater's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first foray into the Boss Fight Books series, which is essentially 33 1/3 for video games, and this one takes an in-depth look into Super Mario Bros. 2, the dream one with Wart and such.
The book is pretty solid with where it's going with things, although the overall tale isn't going to offer much of anything new to people who already know the winding story of how this game came to be on a whole. Still, if you're not someone who is well-read regarding the game development, or if you are and see some value in a refresher that has some interesting design and localization information as well, it's a decent read.
The book is pretty solid with where it's going with things, although the overall tale isn't going to offer much of anything new to people who already know the winding story of how this game came to be on a whole. Still, if you're not someone who is well-read regarding the game development, or if you are and see some value in a refresher that has some interesting design and localization information as well, it's a decent read.
drewsof's review
4.0
A smart and insightful look at a game whose history, if you don't know it, is truly fascinating. Everybody knows Mario, but not everybody knows the story of the sequel and this is a great introduction to the Boss Fight series. Irwin does a great job of not talking down to non-gamers while also keeping gamer-types engaged - a tricky balancing act, but one he pulls off with aplomb. And, best of all, you get to learn some stuff: about marketing, about gaming, about culture. It's everything I hoped this series would be.
Check out my review at TNBBC! http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/drew-reviews-super-mario-bros-2.html
Check out my review at TNBBC! http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/drew-reviews-super-mario-bros-2.html
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