World 2 is the second normal world in New Super Mario Bros. 2. This world has a desert theme and introduces the new Gold Flower power-up, which transforms Mario into Gold Mario (and Luigi to Silver Luigi). This world has four Toad Houses, two are red, one is green and the last is yellow. It is also the first world with a Ghost House. This world consists of eleven levels. Eight of them are on the main path, two levels are optional and the last is the world's Rainbow Course. This world has a total of twelve exits. This world is also optional as it can be bypassed by completing World Mushroom. The map music and overworld music of the world is the same as that of World 2 of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The world layout is also similar to World 2 of New Super Mario Bros. The boss of this world is Iggy Koopa.
Several enemies first appear in a level of World 2: