Nintendo today announced during their Nintendo Direct press conference that New Super Mario Bros. 2, a follow-up to the wildly popular handheld 2D Mario title, would be releasing in August. It was assumed that based on the nature of these Nintendo Direct unveilings that the August date was only for Japanese markets, but the North American Nintendo Twitter feed confirmed that date to be valid for North America as well.

We first got word of New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the 3DS back during E3 2011, but it's been quite some time since Nintendo has said much more about the game. Super Mario 3D Land has shown us that the 3D leg of the Mario series can really flourish on Nintendo's new handheld, and we hope that the more classic version of the series can benefit from the tech as well.

Among the new features for New Super Mario Bros. 2 is the Tanooki Suit, the raccoon looking suit that in Super Mario 3D Land allowed the Italian plumber to hover. This Tanooki Suit, however, imbues Mario with the more traditional power of flight, allowing him to run, takeoff, and then coast for a predetermined amount of time.

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Along with featuring the Tanooki Suit, Nintendo promises that New Super Mario Bros. 2 will star not just Mario and Luigi but "all your favorite characters from the Mario series." While New Super Mario Bros. for the DS featured a passable multiplayer option, it was the Wii version that really shined for up to four players. Using the 3DS' improved multiplayer connectivity we hope that this sequel can deliver a similar experience to New Super Mario Bros. Wii only on the go.

Make sure to read about all the other interesting content that was announced during Nintendo Direct including two new Pokémon titles and a new Kirby Collection.

Which other Mario power-ups do you hope to see in the game? Would you rather have a new New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii or 3DS?

New Super Mario Bros. 2 releases in August for the Nintendo 3DS.