As we continue to examine classic Mario boxart in the rundown to Galaxy, we’ll take a quick look today at the radish-laden box for Super Mario Bros 2. Full pic/words after the break.

As we all know, SMB2 bore little in common with its predecessor (Breakdown here), and the boxart reflects this appropriately. Gone are the simple magnified pixels, instead replaced by a vibrant, dynamic cartoon illustration of Mario jumping right out of the box itself — magic radish in hand, eyes looking a bit more intense than what we’re used to, and shirt/overalls colors the opposite of what they soon became.

The main title’s appearance, as well, is vastly different from that of SMB1’s box. Whereas the original featured simple orange-on-black (reminiscent of the look of an old arcade game’s title screen), SMB2’s, just like the art itself, is both designed and colored so as to feel more dynamic and exciting. Then there’s the MARIO MADNESS label, which, while a bit visually disruptive, gives the design a great deal of its retro flair.

I’ll always prefer SMB1’s boxart, but that’s more a matter of my personal obsession with first-gen NES boxes than anything else. SMB2’s box not only accomplished its task with flying colors — that of making kids want to play the game — but it also remains visually appealing down to this day. All in all, a job well done.

For me, the ultimate test of any particular piece of boxart is this: If I had a poster of it, would it be given valuable wall space at my house for all to see? In the case of SMB2, the answer is definitely yes. Next week: SMB3.

[Note] Click here to see a side-by-side comparison of the Japanese box for SMB2 (’SMB US’ in Japan) and the box for the game it really is, Doki Doki Panic. Classic stuff.