An engine braking system includes engine braking actuators for adjusting exhaust valve timings to engine braking timings in a cylinder-number braking mode. The system further includes an engine braking controller coupled to a control switch that produces a request indicating a requested cylinder-number braking mode. The engine braking controller is structured to transition exhaust valves to the engine braking timings, determine a control term to adjust intake air pressure for varying a braking power of the engine, and to adjust geometry of an exhaust turbine based on the control term. An adjusted speed of a compressor rotated by the exhaust turbine provides a change to intake air pressure that adjusts the braking power of the engine. Different levels of braking power are provided within different cylinder-number braking modes.