SMB2 mostly gets a bad rap because it's constantly being compared to the original and subsequent releases. As a standalone game, SMB2 is pretty damned good. But because it says "Super Mario Brothers", there are certain expectations. SMB2 was a vast departure from the original (because, as JJ said, it started out as a completely different game.)
My favorite is still SMB3, followed by SUPER MARIO WORLD (SNES) and YOSHI'S ISLAND (SNES).
"Growing up my dad was like 'You have a great last name, Galifianakis. Galifianakis...begins with a gal...and ends with a kiss...' I'm like that's great dad, can we get it changed to 'Galifianafuck' please?" -- Zach Galifianakis
