What is the best game similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2?

The closest game to New Super Mario Bros. 2 is LittleBigPlanet, scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like New Super Mario Bros. 2?

The three closest games to New Super Mario Bros. 2 are: 1. LittleBigPlanet (92/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. New Super Mario Bros. (92/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (92/100, 5 shared attributes). All share New Super Mario Bros. 2's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 6 dimensions.

Is New Super Mario Bros. similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2?

Yes, very much so — New Super Mario Bros. scores 92/100 similarity to New Super Mario Bros. 2. They share 6 attributes, including precision platforming and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Platformer games are similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2?

The best Platformer games similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2 are LittleBigPlanet, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Donkey Kong Country Returns. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key New Super Mario Bros. 2 attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

How is similarity to New Super Mario Bros. 2 calculated?

We compare New Super Mario Bros. 2 against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the New Super Mario Bros. 2 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like New Super Mario Bros. 2 that you should try

Games like New Super Mario Bros. 2 · Find similar →

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If New Super Mario Bros. 2 left you wanting more, this list of 50 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — precision platforming and single-player focus — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 6 attributes. LittleBigPlanet comes closest (92/100).

iRank75/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Top games similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to New Super Mario Bros. 2. Each one has been evaluated across 6 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1LittleBigPlanet

iRank96

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DSandbox World

IGDB96· 9

Year 2008Dev Media Molecule · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and fantasy world, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

#2New Super Mario Bros.

iRank95

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DMelee

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat

Details →

Nintendo

#3Super Mario Bros. Wonder

iRank93

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DCasual

IGDB95· 7OC91· 150

Year 2023Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and fantasy world, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Nintendo

#4Donkey Kong Country Returns

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB86· 7

Year 2010Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

Details →

Nintendo

#5Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

iRank85

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB86· 12OC84· 138

Year 2014Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB85· 4

Year 2010Dev Good-Feel · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSolo2DOffline

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and melee combat

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DMelee

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Xbox

#9New Super Mario Bros. Wii

iRank81

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB81· 4

Year 2009Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.

Details →

#10New Super Mario Bros. U

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB80· 9

Year 2012Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus.

Details →

Nintendo

#11Donkey Kong Country

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB80· 1

Year 1994Dev Rare · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DOffline

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, fantasy world and offline

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#13Sonic Mania

iRank90

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DOffline

Steam👍 94%· 28KIGDB85· 16OC87· 126

Year 2017Dev Headcannon · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, melee combat and offline

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DSandbox World

IGDB78· 10OC79· 57

Year 2014Dev Sumo Digital · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom and sandbox world

Details →

#15Yoshi's Woolly World

iRank79

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DFantasy

IGDB79· 10OC80· 71

Year 2015Dev Good-Feel · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world and visual third person, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Nintendo

Complete list of New Super Mario Bros. 2 alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with New Super Mario Bros. 2, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

Platformer

Super Mario World

Platformer · Adventure

Gunstar Heroes

Platformer · Shooter

Spiritfarer

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Rush

Platformer

Spelunky 2

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Platformer · Adventure

Ghosts 'n Goblins

Platformer · Shooter

Super Mario Maker 2

Platformer

TowerFall Ascension

Platformer · Fighting

Yoshi's Crafted World

Platformer

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Platformer · Adventure

King Arthur's Gold

Platformer · Sandbox

Trials Rising

Platformer · Racing

Kirby: Planet Robobot

Platformer · Adventure

Super Contra

Platformer · Shooter

Sonic Forces

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby Super Star Ultra

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic & Knuckles

Platformer

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Platformer · Shooter

Contra: Hard Corps

Platformer · Shooter

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Platformer · Adventure

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2

Platformer · Adventure

Mario Bros.

Platformer

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Platformer

Claw

Platformer

Metal Slug 5

Platformer · Shooter

Wannabe Galgame God!!!

Platformer · Adventure

Ice Climber

Platformer

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Platformer · Adventure

Doodle Jump

Platformer · Survival

Super Mario Bros. 3

Platformer

Super Mario Bros.

Platformer

Explore games similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2 by category

Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2?: The closest game to New Super Mario Bros. 2 is LittleBigPlanet, scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. They share 5 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like New Super Mario Bros. 2?: The three closest games to New Super Mario Bros. 2 are: 1. LittleBigPlanet (92/100, 5 shared attributes) 2. New Super Mario Bros. (92/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (92/100, 5 shared attributes). All share New Super Mario Bros. 2's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 6 dimensions.
Is New Super Mario Bros. similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2?: Yes, very much so — New Super Mario Bros. scores 92/100 similarity to New Super Mario Bros. 2. They share 6 attributes, including precision platforming and adventure storytelling. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2?: The best Platformer games similar to New Super Mario Bros. 2 are LittleBigPlanet, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Donkey Kong Country Returns. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key New Super Mario Bros. 2 attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.
How is similarity to New Super Mario Bros. 2 calculated?: We compare New Super Mario Bros. 2 against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the New Super Mario Bros. 2 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.