These items are primarily for scoring, earning extra lives, or progressing through the game:
- Coins: The most common collectible. Collecting 100 coins grants Mario an extra life. They are found in blocks, dropped by enemies, and scattered throughout levels.
- 1-Up Mushroom: A rare green mushroom that instantly grants Mario an extra life. Often found in hidden blocks or as rewards in bonus games.
- Golden Coins: There are six of these, one at the end of each major zone. Collecting all six is the primary objective of the game, as they unlock Wario's Castle. These are not consumable items but rather key progression elements.
- Star Coins (Secret Coins): While not explicitly named 'Star Coins' in SML2, some levels have hidden coins or coin blocks that are more challenging to find. These contribute to your overall coin count and score.
Prioritization: Always prioritize collecting Golden Coins to progress. For other collectibles, focus on 1-Up Mushrooms if you're low on lives, and then coins to work towards extra lives.