Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Wario's debut
Nintendo R&D1's Super Mario Land 2 expanded Game Boy Mario with larger sprites, non-linear world selection, and the villainous debut of Wario.
Super Mario Land 2 represented a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. Larger sprites made Mario visible on the Game Boy’s small screen. Non-linear zone selection let players tackle worlds in any order. And a new villain emerged: Wario, Mario’s greedy doppelganger who had stolen Mario’s castle. The game’s success launched Wario into his own spin-off series.
Fast facts
- Developer: Nintendo R&D1.
- Director: Hiroji Kiyotake.
- Platform: Game Boy.
- Zones: six themed worlds plus final castle.
- Innovation: larger sprites, non-linear progression.
- Villain debut: Wario’s first appearance.
Design advances
Improvements over the original:
- Sprite size: Mario visible without squinting.
- World map: choose zone order freely.
- Power-ups: bunny ears, fire flower.
- Save system: battery backup.
Wario’s arrival
The evil counterpart:
- Design: inverted Mario colours.
- Motivation: greed and jealousy.
- Castle theft: Mario’s home as final stage.
- Legacy: Wario Land series followed.