Sequel with Wario's grand debut. Six non-linear zones (Tree Zone, Macro Zone, Pumpkin Zone...), more agile Mario, more modern structure. Widely considered a Game Boy peak. Wario's first appearance, which would spawn his own saga. Chain it without hesitation after Mario Land 1.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Japanese title of Super Mario Land 2, with Mario recovering the 6 Golden Coins from his castle usurped by Wario. Published by Nintendo, released in Japan in 1992. First appearance of Wario as antagonist, six themed zones accessible in any order, swimming and flying powers, and enriched visuals.
Super Mario Land 2 - 6-tsu no Kinka review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Generous sprites and zany worlds — a space zone, a haunted mansion, giant lands — breathe an unbridled whimsy into the adventure. The inventiveness of the settings and the endearing roundness of the characters spill well beyond the monochrome frame. This visual imagination, joyful and abundant, keeps an intact charm.
Signed by Kazumi Totaka, the music sparkles with mischievous, varied melodies, one per zone, and even hides his famous secret tune. The whole matches the unbridled whimsy of the adventure with infectious verve. This sonic generosity, inventive and joyful, remains one of the most charming on the Game Boy.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
A map you roam freely, six worlds with delightfully wacky themes and levels far more generous than the first game: everything invites you to explore at your own pace. The precise jump and secrets hidden everywhere keep the fun alive in the hands. Less demanding than its cousins, it remains a charming playground you still cross with a smile.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Bigger and more generous, this second outing unfolds an open map and worlds bursting with ideas: a haunted house, outer space, a toy land, nothing alike. The handling gains suppleness and exploration rewards curiosity. A colourful, inventive adventure that introduces Wario and marks a clear leap forward.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Freely picking your level on the map, hunting down secret exits and reclaiming the castle step by step always gives you a new goal to aim for. Coins, lives and hidden zones reward curiosity and invite you to replay stages already cleared. More generous and varied than its predecessor, this portable entry keeps a progression pleasure as keen as ever.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,28 MB📅21/10/1992
Published by Nintendo
Super Mario Land 2 - 6-tsu no Kinka (Game Boy) price, value & rarity
Japanese edition of Super Mario Land 2, released about ten days before the Western version and dressed with a softer cover centred on the castle illustration, distinct from the worldwide release. Nintendo rigid case with an orange obi marked six golden coins, and complete copies with the obi remain under represented outside the country, which makes it for Japanese Mario completists a piece systematically separated from the world version.
A cult cover
Mario leaps in with a grin in front of his castle, now seized by Wario, while the six coveted golden coins gleam: the staging lays out the stakes clearly and introduces the sneering rival. Bold colors and a dynamic composition brim with energy and humor. Cheerful and legible, the illustration makes you want to reclaim the island right away.
Is Super Mario Land 2 - 6-tsu no Kinka still worth playing in 2026?
With this second portable entry the Mario series clearly changes weight class. Six non-linear zones to tackle in any order, including Tree Zone, Macro Zone and Pumpkin Zone, a more mobile and expressive Mario, and a presentation that really shows what the Game Boy can do. It is also the very first appearance of Wario as the main antagonist. The pacing is gentle but the design solid, the secrets plentiful and the technical mastery evident. Widely seen as one of the system's peaks, this portable Mario remains a genuine pleasure to play through today.
