Super Mario Bros. 2 for Nintendo Entertainment System — follow the routes below for story progress, boss encounters and unlocks. Use the section navigation to jump to the part you need.
We not only show you the normal route to the goal, but also the locations of all the hidden mushrooms in subspace, all four warp shortcuts, important secret paths, hidden extra lives and of course the best strategies against Birdo, Mouser, Tryclyde, Fryguy, Clawgrip and Wart.
Note: This solution applies to the original Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES. The later GBA version Super Mario Advance has additional mushrooms and other collectibles.
Hidden mushrooms and subspace
The normal mushrooms from Super Mario Bros. 2 are only hidden in subspace.
If you pull on certain blades of grass, you will find a magical potion. Throw them on the ground and a door will appear.
Go through the door and you will be taken to a mirrored version of the current screen for a few seconds.
Two particularly important things can happen there:
- Blades of Grass contain coins for the bonus game.
- A mushroom appears in certain places.
Each mushroom you collect increases your life bar for the current level by one heart and heals you completely at the same time.
Normally you start with two hearts. With two mushrooms you can increase the display to a maximum of four hearts.
Exception: World 2-1 and World 6-2 only have one mushroom in the NES version.
Important: The additional hearts only apply to the current level. In the next level you start again with two hearts.
All four warp zones
Super Mario Bros. 2 has exactly four warp zones. Unlike Super Mario Bros., you have to enter a vase while in subspace.
- World 1-3: Warp to: World 4-1
- World 3-1: Warp to: World 5-1
- World 4-2: Warp to: World 6-1
- World 5-3: Warp to: World 7-1
We explain the exact position of each warp zone at the respective level.
World 1 — Walkthrough
World 1-1
After your long fall from the sky you reach the first real level. Follow the path to the right and familiarize yourself with vegetables, enemies and the power jump.
Mushroom #1
After the first normal section you will reach a vine with a hill next to it.
Climb up and only pull the right blade of grass. The potion is underneath.
Throw it on the ground right here and enter subspace. The first mushroom is on the hill right next to you.
Hidden 1-Up
After the first large waterfall you will reach a POW block on an elevated position.
Examine the blades of grass next to it. Underneath one of them is a 1-Up Mushroom.
Mushroom #2
Later you get through a cave and climb up a vine.
Go through the door on the right. There is a second potion under the blades of grass to the right.
Take the potion a little to the right and throw it approximately in the middle between the grass patches. The second mushroom is waiting in subspace.
Shortcut directly to Birdo
After climbing the cave you can skip almost the entire remaining level.
Jump or float over the waterfall to the left. Luigi and the princess make the jump particularly easily.
On the other side, use a power jump and reach several bombs.
Use it to blow up the wall on the left and go through the door.
Then climb up and you’ll land practically directly at Birdo.
Birdo
Jump on one of the spat out eggs, pick it up and throw it back.
After three hits, Birdo is defeated.
World 1-2
At the beginning, wait for Pidgit and jump on his head. Then throw him down and take over his flying carpet.
Fly with it to the right over the large abyss.
Mushroom #1
After the carpet passage you will reach two vases.
The first blade of grass contains a potion.
Throw it between the two vases and enter subspace. The first mushroom is waiting there.
Hidden 1-Up
Then climb into the left vase.
At the bottom there is a blade of grass. Pull it out and you get a 1-Up.
Key and Phantom
The key is in the right vase.
As soon as you pick him up, Phanto wakes up and chases you.
You can put the key down briefly at any time. Phanto will then immediately stop chasing you.
Mushroom #2
Behind the locked door you enter a cave.
Use bombs to break up the destructible blocks to the right of the ladder.
At the top of the ladder there is a potion in one of the blades of grass.
Take it downstairs and throw it near the opening you blew up.
In Subspace you can go down to the second mushroom.
Tip: There are three potions in this level. The third is particularly suitable for collecting bonus coins, but does not have an additional mushroom.
World 1-3
Mushroom #1
In the first section you reach a small hill with two blades of grass.
The one on the right contains the potion.
Carry it a little to the right over the beginning of the waterfall. In subspace the mushroom is to your left.
Mushroom #2 or Warp?
After several waterfalls and rolling tree trunks you will find another potion.
Now you have to decide:
For the second mushroom, carry the potion back to the large waterfall with the three rolling tree trunks.
Jump onto the highest trunk and then onto the upper hill on the right. Throw the potion there and enter the subspace. The mushroom is waiting on the hill.
Warp to World 4
If you want to use the first big shortcut instead, take the same potion to the right.
Carry it past the enemies and the door to the single vase at the end.
Throw the potion directly at the vase, enter the subspace and climb into the vase.
You immediately end up in World 4-1.
Key shortcut in the building
In the big building you have to get the key at the top.
On the way back, however, you don’t have to go through every single room again. Drop down along the chains in the right places and stay far to the right at the last long chain.
So you end up directly at the locked exit.
Boss: Mouser
Mouser throws bombs in your direction.
Catch or pick up the bombs and throw them back onto his platform.
After three explosions, Mouser is defeated.
World 2 — Walkthrough
World 2-1
Now you reach the desert. Quicksand is particularly dangerous. If you stay there for too long, your character will sink completely.
Only mushroom
After the first vases you reach a stone construction.
Pulls the left blade of grass. The potion is underneath.
Throw it on or directly next to the stone structure.
In subspace, the only mushroom of this level is on top of the construction.
Pyramid
Inside you have to dig down through the sand.
Try to dig sideways when enemies fall from above. This way you don’t have to defend yourself against all the shy guys at the same time.
Birdo
At the end there is another normal Birdo variant waiting. Three discarded eggs are enough.
World 2-2
Mushroom #1
In the first outdoor area you will find a potion in a blade of grass.
Take it a few steps to the right and throw it near the next blade of grass.
In Subspace you will find the mushroom directly on the hill.
Mushroom #2
Later you will reach an underground area with bombs.
Blast through the destructible blocks and reach the spot with five blades of grass.
The middle one contains the potion.
Throw it to the left of where it was found. The second mushroom is waiting in subspace.
Birdo with fireballs
This Birdo variant occasionally breathes fire in addition to eggs.
Therefore, wait for a series of eggs, catch an egg and only throw it back as soon as there is a gap between the projectiles.
World 2-3
Mushroom #1
The first blade of grass after the ladder contains a potion.
Carry them far to the left onto the low hill.
In Subspace you can jump to the higher area and collect the mushroom.
Mushroom #2
There is a hidden or high cave entrance above the red hills.
Use a Power Jump or jump up over the Beezos flying by.
There is a potion in the cave directly to the right of the entrance.
Throw them around the room and enter subspace. The mushroom is hard to miss.
Pyramid and key
Inside the pyramid you have to dig through sand again.
The key is in the lower area and calls another Phanto onto the scene.
Boss: Tryclyde
Tryclyde has three heads and spits fireballs.
There are Mushroom Blocks on the left.
Pick it up and throw it at the boss. After three hits, Tryclyde is defeated.
World 3 — Walkthrough
World 3-1
Warp to World 5
Right in the first big waterfall you can drop far down.
Stay in the middle if possible. At the bottom you land on a small island with a door.
In the room beyond you will find many blades of grass. The sixth blade of grass from the right contains a potion.
Carry it to the vase on the far right, activate the subspace and climb into it.
You end up in World 5-1.
Mushroom #1
If you continue playing normally, you will reach a large cloudscape after flying with Pidgit’s carpet.
Go past the Pansers and climb down the ladder.
The left blade of grass there contains the potion.
Throw it directly at the left wall and quickly climb up the ladder in subspace. The mushroom is to the right of the ladder.
Mushroom #2
Go back up and pull the left blade of grass on the small hill.
There you will find the next potion.
Throw it right at the hill and go into subspace. The mushroom is on the right.
Big shortcut directly to Birdo
After climbing over Pidgit’s Carpet, there is a distant cloud with a door on the left.
You can reach them particularly easily with the Princess or Luigi.
With Mario or Toad you can throw Mushroom Blocks onto the smaller clouds and build a makeshift platform out of them.
Then go through the door, blow up the left wall with bombs and climb up.
You end up directly at Red Birdo and skip a large part of the level.
World 3-2
Abbreviation with the princess
The Princess can easily fly over several of the large underground chasms, thereby skipping a significant portion of this level.
Mushroom #1
In the first long outdoor area you will find a Potion on a hill.
Throw it at the left side of the hill.
The mushroom and four coins are waiting in subspace.
Mushroom #2
Later you will reach an underground area with destructible floors.
There are four blades of grass above several Porcupos.
The one on the left contains a bomb. Use it to blow up the right side of the floor.
The right blade of grass contains the potion.
Throw it here and enter subspace. The fungus lies in the previously blasted cavity.
World 3-3
Mushroom #1
Directly in the first outdoor area you will reach a POW block and several blades of grass.
Pulls only the right blade of grass. The potion is underneath.
Throw it between the tree trunk and the remaining blades of grass.
In subspace the mushroom lies on the tree trunk.
Mushroom #2
In the large building you will find a ladder and three blades of grass on the left.
The middle one contains a potion.
Carry it to the left and throw it right next to the ladder.
Enter subspace and immediately climb up. The second mushroom is waiting there.
Skip key completely
A particularly useful shortcut: You can completely ignore the long detour to the key.
Instead, take the unlocked door to the right of the ladder.
Carry a Ninji with you and later use him as an additional platform to reach a seemingly unreachable upper area.
Boss: Mouser
Mouser works the same as in World 1-3, but this time requires five bomb hits.
World 4 — Walkthrough
World 4-1
On the ice, your character slides further after every movement. So plan your jumps early.
Mushroom #1
In the first larger grass field there is a potion in the left blade of grass.
Throw it at the right end of the platform.
In Subspace you will find the first mushroom and several coins.
Mushroom #2
Later you reach a platform that is partly not icy.
At its highest point you will find another potion on the left.
Throw it right there and go through the door.
The second mushroom is waiting immediately in subspace.
World 4-2
Mushroom #1
In the whale area, jump onto the leftmost whale.
The left blade of grass contains a potion.
Throw them onto the flat part of the whale’s back.
In Subspace you will find the mushroom on the whale’s tail.
Warp to World 6
Later you will reach a small, safe platform with only a blade of grass.
There is another potion in there.
Carry it to the right to the single vase between the last whales.
You can easily jump to the vase with Luigi or the Princess. The other characters can use the whales‘ water fountains.
Activate the subspace directly by the vase and climb into it.
You end up in World 6-1.
Mushroom #2
After the rocket passage you will meet a Shy Guy on a car bomb.
Throw the Shy Guy down and quickly pull the blade of grass to the right of it. There’s a potion there.
Jump onto the Autobomb with the Potion and duck as it goes over the spikes.
At the other end you throw the potion and go into subspace. Mushroom number two is waiting there.
World 4-3
Mushroom #1
You will meet Birdo right after the first exit.
The left blade of grass contains a potion.
Carry it far to the left to the icy pillars and activate the subspace there.
You will find the first mushroom on one of the pillars.
Birdo egg as a ferry
Do not defeat Birdo at this point.
Instead, stand to his right and wait for an egg.
Jump on the egg and stand on it.
The egg carries you across the entire ocean.
Big shortcut with Luigi or the Princess
After the egg ride you will reach a door to the castle.
With Luigi or the Princess you don’t have to use them.
Instead, make a long jump to the right to the next platform.
Go past the first door and use the second. This means you can skip almost the entire castle.
Mushroom #2
If you take the normal route through the castle, you will later find a potion near two grassy areas.
Carry it to the left to the clouds and use it to jump onto the roof of the castle.
Run across the rooftops to the far right and throw the potion there.
In Subspace the second mushroom is directly on the roof.
Boss: Fryguy
Throw Mushroom Blocks at Fryguy.
After several hits it breaks into four small flames.
Stay on the upper platform if possible and throw Mushroom Blocks at the individual fireballs until they are all gone.
World 5 — Walkthrough
World 5-1
Mushroom #1
After the first waterfall and several trouters you reach a platform with two blades of grass.
The one on the right contains the potion.
Throw it right there and enter subspace.
Jump to the lower level and get the first mushroom.
There is also a 1-Up under the left blade of grass on this platform.
Mushroom #2
At the end of the large water area you can jump over the tree trunks to the top of the level.
Take away the right mushroom block there.
Later you will find a potion downstairs.
Activates the subspace and the second mushroom can fall down through the previously cleared opening.
Gray Birdo
This Birdo variant only breathes fire.
Since there are no eggs, you have to use the single Mushroom Block as a weapon again and again.
World 5-2
Mushroom #1
In the early forest section you will reach a vase.
Climb in and blow up the destructible floor below.
The right blade of grass contains a potion.
Take it out of the vase and throw it on the platform on the right.
In subspace the mushroom is on the deeper level.
Mushroom #2 – use the same potion again
A special feature of this level: The potion in the vase appears again when you re-enter the room.
So get a second potion and take it far to the right through the area with the hoopsters.
You will find several blades of grass near the two Ninjis.
Throw the potion roughly in the middle and enter the subspace.
The second mushroom is waiting there.
Spike Case
Later you have to fall down a long vertical shaft.
Stay roughly in the middle at first and only avoid the spikes when they become visible.
World 5-3
Warp to World 7
For the easiest variant you should choose Luigi.
Immediately after the first ladder, a power jump leads to the high platform above.
The right blade of grass contains a potion.
Throw it at the vase, enter the subspace and climb in.
You immediately end up in World 7-1.
With the other figures you first have to run further to the right and use an Albatoss to get back to the high platform.
Mushroom #1
If you continue playing normally, after several rows of destructible blocks you will reach a collection of blades of grass.
The one on the left contains a potion.
Throw them right there.
In Subspace you get the first mushroom and several coins.
Mushroom #2
Later you have to use Bob-ombs to blow up various walls and floors.
Then return upstairs again.
The middle blade of grass on the platform contains the potion.
Throw it to the left and enter subspace.
The second mushroom is right next to you.
Secret slide shortcut in the tree
In the large tree section you will reach a vase with a Mushroom Block next to it.
Place the block immediately to the right of the vase.
Then run left over the block and vase and duck just before the wall.
With the right timing, your character will slide through the narrow opening and skip a significant portion of the tree maze.
Boss: Clawgrip
Clawgrip throws rocks towards you.
Unlike Mouser’s bombs, you can’t simply catch the stones out of the air. Wait for them to land, pick them up and throw them back.
After five hits, Clawgrip is defeated.
World 6 — Walkthrough
World 6-1
Mushroom #1
Climb into the first vase with a Cobrat.
Below you will find a potion.
Take them back outside and throw them on the bones directly to the right of the vase.
Enter subspace and be quick: the mushroom falls into the quicksand and immediately begins to sink.
Mushroom #2
Further right you will reach several cacti.
The second blade of grass contains a potion.
Carry them past the Pokeys and the Panser to the stone structure.
Throw them on the bottom step.
In subspace you can jump onto the building and get the second mushroom.
Hidden 1-Up and Key Vase
There are several special rooms hidden in the large room with many vases.
Some vases lead to a 1-up, but you can only collect one of them.
The key is in the vase far to the right – in classical counts it is the fifth vase from the right.
As soon as you pick up the key, Phanto will chase you again.
Green Birdo
Green Birdo only breathes fire.
Use the available Mushroom Blocks and hit Birdo three times.
World 6-2
This unusual level takes place almost entirely in the air. You have to fly on Albatossen.
Only mushroom
Ride an Albatoss to the right.
After the green panser you reach a high platform with two blades of grass.
The one on the left contains the potion.
Throw them directly onto the platform and enter subspace.
The only mushroom in the level is on the adjacent pillar.
Attention: If you jump off the Albatoss for the mushroom, you may have to fly to the left again to catch a new Albatoss heading towards the goal.
Green Birdo
This Birdo variant also only breathes fire. Use the Mushroom Blocks as projectiles again.
World 6-3
Massive shortcut through the quicksand
Immediately after the first ladder there is quicksand on the left.
Run in and keep turning to the left as you sink.
Press the jump button repeatedly.
You get under the wall to the other side.
There is a door there.
Then jump over the clouds and enter the pyramid.
With this you almost skip the entire level and end up directly in front of Birdo.
Mushroom #1
If you play the normal way, you pull out the potion directly to the right of the first ladder.
Carry it past two bone skeletons.
Throw them on the right side of the second pile of bones.
In Subspace the mushroom is on one of the cacti.
Mushroom #2
In the cave section you have to use Bob-ombs to open several destructible walls and floors.
Especially blows up the deeper ground completely.
Then get the potion from the area above the opening, fall through the resulting hole and throw the potion down to the right.
In subspace the second mushroom is right next to you.
Boss: Tryclyde
Build a small protective wall on the edge with two Mushroom Blocks.
It blocks most of the fireballs.
Use the remaining blocks as projectiles and hit Tryclyde three times.
World 7 — Walkthrough
World 7-1
Mushroom #1
After the first ladder you run through the cloud area.
First leave the three blades of grass on the large platform.
Further to the right there is a single blade of grass on a pillar just before a precipice.
The potion is underneath.
Carry it back to the platform with the three blades of grass and throw it between the two on the right.
In Subspace you will find the first mushroom and several coins.
Mushroom #2
In the building you pull the third blade of grass from the right.
The second potion is there.
Throw it directly at the location and go into subspace.
The second mushroom is waiting on the platform.
Hidden missile
Later you should ride an Albatoss to the left.
Stay on it as long as possible and let yourself be carried to two pillars with grass.
There is a rocket under a blade of grass between the pillars.
It takes you directly to the next section of the level.
Gray Birdo
Since Gray Birdo only breathes fire again, you have to use the Mushroom Blocks as weapons.
World 7-2 – Wart’s Castle
The final level is a huge castle with several possible paths.
Which route to take?
After the first conveyor belts you can choose between a lower and an upper path.
Both ultimately lead to the goal.
The upper path is usually a bit clearer. The lower path also features a mushroom and several cherries.
Mushroom #1 – lower path
Take the lower path and work your way through the area with Mushroom Blocks and Sparks.
After the long downward stretch, go through the door and then turn left.
The left blade of grass contains a potion.
Throw it further left and enter subspace.
The first mushroom is on top of a pillar.
Mushroom #2 – upper path
On the upper path you will reach a room with two chains.
Take the left chain for the mushroom.
Go through the door at the top, then drop down to the left of the ladders and climb down the lowest ladder.
In the room behind, the right blade of grass contains a potion.
Carry it to the left side and activate the subspace there.
The second mushroom is on the left pillar.
Fastest way through Wart’s castle
If you don’t care about the mushrooms and just want to wait, use the upper path.
In the high spark rooms, stay on the right side if possible.
Go through the upper doors, later climb down the right chain and defeat Red Birdo.
Birdo and key
You have to defeat one of the later Red Birdos.
She drops the necessary key.
Use the key against the Sparks if they block your way. Unlike normal items, the key does not disappear.
Then pick it up again and open the locked door.
Hawkmouth attacks
After the Crystal Ball, the otherwise harmless Hawkmouth suddenly comes to life.
Use the Mushroom Blocks on the left and throw them at the flying head.
After several hits, Hawkmouth stops and opens its mouth.
Go through.
Final Boss: Wait
In the last room, the Dream Machine is in the middle and produces vegetables.
War hates vegetables – and that’s exactly his weak point.
Pick up a vegetable and wait for Wart to open his mouth.
Throw the vegetables straight in.
Its bubbles can destroy vegetables. Therefore, wait for the flight path to be as clear as possible.
After a total of six hits, Wart is defeated.
You have now successfully completed Super Mario Bros. 2.
All bosses at a glance
- Pink Birdo: Strategy: Catch eggs and throw them back three times
- Red Birdo: Strategy: Throw eggs back, avoid fireballs
- Green/Grey Birdo: Strategy: Use Mushroom Blocks as projectiles
- Mouser: Strategy: Throw his bombs back onto his platform
- Tryclyde: Strategy: Throw Mushroom Blocks at the three heads
- Fryguy: Strategy: Use Mushroom Blocks, then eliminate four small flames
- Clawgrip: Strategy: Pick up thrown stones and throw them back five times
- Hawkmouth: Strategy: Throw Mushroom Blocks at the flying head
- Wait: Strategy: Throw vegetables into its open mouth six times
Tips, tricks and secrets
Five cherries = star
If you collect five cherries, a Starman will appear from below.
Pick it up and you will be invulnerable for a short time.
Eight opponents = hearts
If you defeat enough enemies in a row, a small heart appears that restores a lost life point.
Fifth large vegetable = stopwatch
If you pull several large vegetables out of the ground, the fifth one will be replaced by a stopwatch.
It freezes all enemies for a short time.
Stop Phanto
Phanto only follows you as long as you actually carry the key.
Place the key on the ground for a moment and the ghost will immediately stop or disappear.
Then pick up the key again and continue running.
Use Power Jump
Crouch for a few seconds until your character flashes.
The next jump will be significantly higher.
Many secrets and shortcuts are only accessible with this jump.
Principle of subspace doors
The subspace always only shows the current screen mirrored.
Therefore, it is not only important which potion you use, but also where you throw it on the floor.
If the hidden mushroom is on a hill on the left edge, you have to position the door so that you can reach it within the short subspace time.
Only the first two subspace visits provide coins
You can sometimes find more than two potions in a level, but for the bonus game you only get coins from the ground on the first two subspace visits.
In some levels you have to decide: Do you both want life mushrooms or as many coins as possible for extra lives?
All warp zones again
- 1-3: Goal: 4-1; Short description: Carry the potion to the last vase and climb into it in subspace
- 3-1: Goal: 5-1; Short description: Fall down the big waterfall, take the potion to the vase in the secret room
- 4-2: Goal: 6-1; Short description: Carry the potion in the whale area to the individual vase between the last whales
- 5-3: Goal: 7-1; Short description: Jump with Luigi onto the platform above the starting ladder and use Potion on the vase
The best abbreviations
- 1-1: Jump over the waterfall and use bombs to open the direct path to Birdo.
- 3-1: Reach the left cloud with high jumps or mushroom blocks and get almost directly to Birdo.
- 3-2: Jump over several large chasms with the princess.
- 3-3: Skip the entire key detour and use a Ninji as an additional jumping platform.
- 4-3: Jump past the first castle with Luigi or the princess.
- 5-3: Slide through a narrow gap by crouching between the vase and the mushroom block.
- 6-3: Right at the start, go left through the quicksand under the wall – skip almost the entire level.
- 7-2: Take Oberen Schlossweg and stay largely to the right if you want to get to Wart as quickly as possible.
If you have completed all the points, you know practically all of the important secrets, hidden mushrooms, shortcuts and warp zones of Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.