Super Mario Run, Nintendo’s first real smartphone game, is finally available on the the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, becoming the first official smartphone and tablet game to feature the iconic Nintendo character. The game is a free download with a $9.99 in-app purchase required to unlock all 24 courses spanning six worlds.
The game is a runner designed for one-handed gameplay. Mario runs forward automatically as players tap to jump, collect coins, pounce on Goombas, avoid obstacles, and reach the flagpole at the end of each course before the timer runs out. Ultimately, Mario must rescue Princess Peach from the infamous Bowser.
“Mario will behave differently depending on the timing of your taps, so it’s up to you to show off particularly smooth moves, gather coins and reach the goal,” Nintendo notes.
Mario automatically vaults over small obstacles, including Goombas, while players can tap over enemies to perform a vault jump. As the levels get more difficult, players will be tasked with performing long jumps, walking over blocks that launch Mario in a particular direction, and other challenges.
Mario can jump off walls and perform a number of stylish moves as players aim to collect pink or purple challenge coins along the way. Challenge coins are often placed near ledges or other difficult to reach areas, requiring an element of skill and precision to collect them all.
A challenge mode called Toad Rally allows players to compete with friends or strangers to see who can obtain the highest score. Players must collect coins and perform stylish moves as usual to attract the largest crowd of Toad spectators in order to win. There is no flagpole in this mode, so players keep running until time runs out.
If you don’t see the GET button quite yet, force refresh the App Store app, then simply tap on the Notify button in the App Store description of the game. Enter your password or use Touch ID when prompted, and the game will begin downloading. If that doesn’t work, iDB editor Jim Gresham suggests force-quitting the App Store app, rebooting the device, launching the App Store app, and then download the game.
The game requires a persistent Internet connection to prevent piracy.
The 173 MB download requires iOS 8.0 or later and is fully localized in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.
The game is available in 151 countries and regions, listed on Nintendo’s website.
Super Mario Run will release for Android some time in 2017. Point your browser over at the official Super Mario Run website for more information about the game.
We want to hear first impressions from all you Mario fans out there. Did this Mario-branded runner impress you? Does it have all the hallmarks of the Mario series? What’s your favorite game mode, and why?
Do share your opinion about Super Mario Run down in the comments.