I really should know this, but I cannot remember for the life of me if SMB2 (US) has unlimited continues or not.

I'd rather not fire it up to see at the moment.

Halp.

No, SMB2 allows only 2 continues.

But you can rack up extra lives like crazy.

Thanks.

Are you referring to the slot machine trick?

I've never been able to get the timing down properly.
 

...

Yes.  You can get dozens of lives per level from the slot machine.
 

If you are playing SMB2 on the NES, the best way (for me anyway) was hit hit the A button as quickly as possible.  In other words, you want to be hitting the button almost imediately after the slot machine starts.  This would yeild me at least 1 cherry about 90% of the time.  Unfortunately, I have not had the same luck using this timing on any other version (SMB All Stars, Super Mario Advance).  In addition, I only use Toad who can pick up coins very quickly and I only go to sub space in areas with lots of grass to pull up.  I can rack up all sorts of extra lives this way.  Although, I have to say that at this point, I really don't need the extra lives anymore.  SMB2 is my favorite video game of all time and I've played through it so many times, that I'm pretty damn good at it. 

 

For some reason, SMB2 has always given me fits and I don't (think) I've ever beaten it. That and Sunshine are the only 2 left for me from the main Mario games...

I've beaten all of the classic Castlevanias, Zelda II, etc....but SMB2 is not something I've mastered because I've played it the least out of the pre-Gamecube Mario games.