Unlockables and Secrets – New Super Mario Bros. 2 Guide

Open new worlds, find hidden secrets, and collect millions of coins using our New Super Mario Bros. 2 unlockables guide.

To be honest, New Super Mario Bros. 2 doesn’t have a ton of unlockables. Yes, there are nine worlds total and it won’t be clear how to unlock them all right from the start, but there aren’t any secret worlds. There are star rankings that can be added to your save file, but there aren’t any major unlockables. Although you can play as Luigi, and we’ll get into that momentarily!

Jump around our unlockables guide:

How to Play as Luigi

Yup, Luigi is playable! But not right from the start. Complete World 6-Castle, the one with the final showdown with Bowser, to unlock Luigi as playable character. You’re not going to get a character select though. As you enter a level as Mario, hold L + R and Luigi will load up when the level begins.

Unlockable Worlds

Although most worlds are unlocked simply by progressing the game and defeating Koopalings in their castles, there are a few worlds that require a different method to unlock.

Save File Star Rankings

Spruce up your save file with a couple of neat star badges. These star rankings will adorn your save file after completing certain requirements.

Rainbow Course Requirements

In order to unlock secret Rainbow courses, you’ll need to clear a level with the timer set at an exact time. For example, in World 1, you need to end the level with “X11” seconds left, with the “X” being any number. The Rainbow levels can only be played through once before they disappear.

Alternate Title Screens

Collecting coins throughout the game is super satisfying, but don’t expect any major unlockables for collecting a certain amount. Still, players who rank up a certain amount still get a quick thank you in the form of alternate title screens.

If you collect 1,000,000 coins, your title screen will update to include a Gold Mario statue. If you somehow manage to collect 9,999,999 coins, your Gold Mario statue will update to Racoon Mario!

Infinite 1UPs

Trying to max out your live count? Head over to World Mushroom-1 and enter the yellow pipe where the first Star Coin is at. Hop on the Paratroopa to turn it into a normal Koopa Troopa, then quickly create a formation in the middle of the brick blocks with two ground pounds on the right and one ground pound on the left. Stand in the spot where you destroyed two blocks and wait for the Koopa Troopa to drop into the space where you destroyed a single block. Once it falls in, jump and let go. If done correctly, you’ll continuously jump and bring in hundreds of 1UPS. Or at least as many as time permits. If the timer runs out and you’re booted out of the level, you get to keep your new live count. You can have a maximum of 1,110 lives.

Unlimited Toad Houses

After running through and completing every level in the game, all Toad Houses will open up and stay open after use. These include both the power-up and 1UP variants.

Coin Rush Unlocks

Coin Rush is a mode that drops you into three different levels as you attempt to collect as many coins as possible. To unlock Coin Rush, complete World 1-Castle.