New Super Mario Bros. 2 vs Sonic Colors
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
New Super Mario Bros. 2 brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to handheld gaming, focusing on massive coin collection and fast‑paced levels. Players dash, jump, and power‑up through vibrant worlds while competing for high scores. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up locally to tackle challenges together. With polished controls and a variety of power‑ups, it offers endless replay value for both newcomers and longtime fans.
Sonic Colors is a platforming adventure starring Sonic the Hedgehog as he battles Dr. Eggman in an intergalactic amusement park. The game blends 3D third‑person runs with side‑scrolling sections and introduces Wisps, alien power‑ups that grant new abilities. Released worldwide for Wii and Nintendo DS in November 2010, the title offers both single‑player and multiplayer modes, appealing to younger gamers and families with its colorful visuals and accessible difficulty.
- Engaging coin-collecting mechanics
- Smooth local co‑op experience
- Bright, nostalgic visuals
- Varied level design with hidden secrets
- Vibrant, eye‑catching visuals
- Innovative Wisp power‑up system
- Blend of 3D and side‑scrolling gameplay
- Family‑friendly difficulty curve
- Limited to handheld platform
- No online multiplayer
- Repetitive music in some stages
- Limited platform availability (Wii/DS only)
- Some level designs feel repetitive
- Multiplayer options are basic
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are family‑friendly platformers priced the same, but Sonic Colors offers a unique 3D/side‑scroll blend on Wii/DS, while New Super Mario Bros. 2 delivers classic 2D Mario co‑op on handheld only.
Key differences
- •Perspective: Sonic Colors switches between 3D and side‑scroll; Mario stays 2D.
- •Platform: Sonic Colors limited to Wii/DS; Mario only on handheld (presumably 3DS).
- •Multiplayer: Sonic Colors has basic mini‑games; Mario offers full‑screen local co‑op.
- •Unique mechanics: Sonic’s Wisp power‑ups vs. Mario’s 999‑coin collection goal.
- •Critic scores: Mario slightly higher (77 vs. 75).
Gameplay & fun factor
Sonic Colors adds 3D/side‑scroll switching and Wisp abilities, giving more variety than Mario’s pure 2D platforming.
Platform availability
Both are handheld‑only, but Mario’s platform is a newer handheld (likely 3DS) while Sonic is limited to older Wii/DS.
Price & value
Both have the same MSRP of $59.99.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Mario supports full local co‑op for two players; Sonic only offers basic multiplayer mini‑games.
Content & replayability
Mario’s 999‑coin goal and leaderboards encourage replay; Sonic’s replay value is limited by repetitive levels.
Difficulty & accessibility
Sonic is designed for kids with easy controls and a gentle difficulty curve; Mario targets classic platform fans.
Graphics & performance
Mario maintains bright, nostalgic graphics on a newer handheld, while Sonic is limited to older Wii/DS hardware.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. 2 if…
Players wanting classic Mario co‑op and high replay value on a newer handheld.
Choose Sonic Colors if…
Families seeking varied gameplay and 3D elements on Wii/DS.
Common questions
Do either games support online multiplayer?
No; Sonic Colors has only basic local multiplayer, and Mario has no online multiplayer.
Which game offers more replay incentive?
New Super Mario Bros. 2, with a 999‑coin per level goal and leaderboards.
Are both games suitable for very young children?
Both have ESRB E/PEGI 3 ratings, but Sonic Colors is explicitly described as having an easy difficulty curve for kids.