GAME was kind enough to post this on Facebook explaining all the differences New Super Mario Bros. 2 brings.
Just a short run-down of what they said:
-SMB 3/World Throwback
Koopalings, colored platform blocks from Mario Bros 3, Racoon Mario and more, all evidence that Nintendo is drawing significant inspiration from SMB3 and World! Remember Reznor the triceratops mini boss in Super Mario World? Well it's back in NSMB 2 and even comes complete with the same boss music found in Super Mario World - which made us grin so hard it hurt.
-Mushroom Houses with a difference
Throughout the world maps you will find a few varieties of Mushroom House, ready to help Mario power up for his adventures (some of which you will have to pay star coins to open up use). There are now certain mushroom houses that contain THREE different items but you can collect them ALL! Only a small detail but it adds a hidden level of strategy. Do you take the mini Mario mushroom and hope that the next level you play requires it's use? Or do you take the Racoon Mario and put the Fire Flower as your reserve item? Again, only minor but a nice addition!
-Motion in the shell ocean
Nintendo - We want to give the designer who added this little detail in a little pat on the back. It's simple and easily missable but it adds to the visual package. Now, when you stamp on a Koopa and kick its shell away it will leave a colourful trail behind it which kind of reminds us of the Tron Lightcycles! It's a small detail, but it makes us happy inside.
-New enemies
Without spoiling things TOO much, we came across several new enemies as we, ran, swam and flew through the levels. Some of the cooler one we saw were brand new 'Dry' enemies in the fortress levels, not only is it a brilliant geeky addition but it also adds a new element of challenge which Mario fans are always salivating for!
-Maps and levels
This was interesting when we saw it. We came across one map screen that went from being themed around a beach world before turning into a forest world, which we don't recall being done before. Will we see other world themes being meshed together later in them game? We can't wait to find out! Also noticable was how much Nintendo have tried to inject new level themes and environment tilesets into the game, we came across levels based around Aztec-esque totem poles, platforms made up of textures unseen in Mario games previously and it adds to freshening up the Mario experience.
-New world themes (this appears late in the game, don't want to spoil what this)
https://www.facebook.com/notes/game/geeking-out-with-new-super-mario-bros-2/10151154949376000
If that doesn't work, then here's another link:
http://gdinews.com/2012/08/new-super-mario-bros-2-so-whats-new/
