"For Super Players" is a more apt subtitle for this game, as its design seems very intentionally off-putting to folks that weren't already intimately familiar with first Super Mario Bros. and willing to put up this sequel's sometimes-questionable sources of added challenge.
However, I grew up playing it a lot with the SMB Deluxe port of worlds 1-8 and the All-Stars version, both of which had a more forgiving continue system and allowed me to master the levels. These days this game is legitimately more fun for me to revisit than the original SMB1, as the SMB1/2j physics feel pretty satisfying when you have command of them, and these levels still give me a fair bit of challenge compared to SMB1's.
I can definitely understand why this wouldn't be most folks' cup of tea, and US's SMB2 / Super Mario USA definitely left a far more far-reaching cultural and series impact, but I appreciate it a lot for what it is.
However, I grew up playing it a lot with the SMB Deluxe port of worlds 1-8 and the All-Stars version, both of which had a more forgiving continue system and allowed me to master the levels. These days this game is legitimately more fun for me to revisit than the original SMB1, as the SMB1/2j physics feel pretty satisfying when you have command of them, and these levels still give me a fair bit of challenge compared to SMB1's.
I can definitely understand why this wouldn't be most folks' cup of tea, and US's SMB2 / Super Mario USA definitely left a far more far-reaching cultural and series impact, but I appreciate it a lot for what it is.