New 3DS Mario will have full two-player mode

"I've always wanted to create a two player mode where you'd be able to play all the courses together," said producer Takashi Tezuka, speaking to Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata in a video prepared for the June 6 Nintendo 3DS Software Showcase.

"With this game, the same image is appearing on both 3DS systems. More than anything, you end up wanting to work together to clear the game as opposed to simply trying to take each other down."

The 3DS game, set for an August 17 release in Europe and August 19 in North America, looks similar to New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and the forthcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii U.

Though all feature coin collecting as a means of obtaining extra Marios, New Super Mario Bros. 2 revolves entirely around the concept of reaching that lofty million coin mark.

"I really want people to play this game for a long time!" Tezuka explained. Helpfully, there are a number of new ways to earn a lot of coins at once.

Mario was shown using a golden shell to release coins from golden Piranha Plants, bumping coin dispensing roulette blocks and, as Gold Mario, sending fireballs to monetize bricks and enemies.

Additionally, the 3DS Streetpass function means that players can challenge other players as they pass each other by, and a new mode called Coin Rush offers further challenge by giving players just one Mario with which to complete three randomly selected levels.

Nintendo 3DS - "New Super Mario Bros. 2 Iwata Asks": youtu.be/oXppbQwmb0o
New Super Mario Bros. 2 on Nintendo's E3 site: e3.nintendo.com/games/#/3ds/new-super-mario-bros-2