New Super Mario Bros 2 to feature two player co-op and Gold Rush mode

During its E3 press conference Nintendo has revealed that 'New Super Mario Bros 2' will offer a new local co-operative option for the game's campaign, allowing a second player to join the action playing as Luigi. The game will also feature a new game mode called 'Coin Rush'.

In the co-operative mode the player who is in the lead controls the camera, so whoever is behind has to keep up or they will become trapped in a bubble until the other player releases you from it.

In New Super Mario Bros 2 the Mushroom Kingdom is bursting with more gold coins than before. Each level is littered with gold as coins rain down from overhead pipes, trails of coins are left behind special gold enemies and gold pipes transport Mario into coin-filled caverns. It's up to players to collect as many coins as possible throughout their adventure.

This is where the new Coin Rush mode comes into play. Coin Rush allows players to collect as many coins as possible across three levels and challenge friends to beat their record via StreetPass.

Nintendo has also revealed that players will also have the option to either purchase the game at retail stores or download the entire game through the Nintendo eShop. New Super Mario Bros 2 will be available for the 3DS on August 17th across Europe and on August 19th in North America.