I was 12 when Mario 2 hit. I don't know what dark, hateful place on earth ever had any complaint against this game, as every gamer in my school went apeshit for it. Even jocks I hardly talked to would tell me secrets they had found in the game, as I didn't get it for Christmas thanks to the "chip shortage". The game was on 60 minutes, and I just happened to see that episode live on TV at my grandparents' house. I loved seeing it on the news, and hoped it would make my parents realize that they really needed to get me that game.

So, I agree that anyone expressing any ill will toward this game is either trying to be "cool" or is just jaded beyond all hope.