Super Mario Run is an incredibly popular gaming app made by Nintendo. It features the company’s favorite mascot on an adventure to save the famous Peach from the terrible Bowser. The game includes different levels, three modes and different goals. It’s one of the most anticipated and downloaded gaming apps of all time.
Availability
Despite it’s popularity, Mario Run is only available on iOS when it came out in late 2016. The release for Android has not yet happened, but people can preregister so they get a notification when it is free to download on Google Play. This is Nintendo’s second app but reflects success for the company in this field, as their first app Miitomo was also very popular.
Despite the game being very much anticipated for Android, Windows users will likely never be able to play the game.
Overview
The game focuses around Mario where he constantly runs and with a tap will jump at different varying heights. In the mode World Tour, the main mode, Mario collects iconic coins throughout iconic scenes. His goal is to beat Bowser, save Peach and restore the Kingdom.
Throughout this game, an Internet connection is required to play, this gives you the ability to compete against friends and challenge people around the world.
Modes
The three modes available on this app are:
World Tour
- Run through different courses
- Collect coins
- Defeat Bowser
- Save Princess Peach
- Travel through plains, caverns, ghost houses, airships, castles, etc
- 6 worlds
- 24 brand new courses
Toad Rally
- Ability to challenge friends and people around the world
- A challenge mode, where the competition varies each time you play
- If you impress enough toads they may come to live in your kingdom
- If you perform moves that are stylish enough, your gauge will fill and launch you into a coin rush
- You have to acquire toad rally tickets to play
If you’re on Android and eager to play games with friendsuntil Super Mario Run makes it release, these apps will satisfy you.
Kingdom Builder
- Gather coins and toads to build your own kingdom
- Use decorations acquired with the help of your collected toads
- Over 100 different features in Kingdom Builder mode
Though part of the game is free, the rest of the app is not. In order to access the rest of the app, you’ll have to purchase the six worlds which all have four courses on them.
Characters
If you do access the entire app, however, you’ll be able to play as the following recognizable and famous characters:
- Mario
- Luigi
- Peach
- Yoshi
- Toad
- Toadette
iOS
The iOS version of the app is already running and accessible for players to download. The app was last updated on the 30th December 2016. It requires iOS 8.0 on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The general rating has been 3.5 to 4 stars for the app from all of the users’ feedback. To purchase all 6 worlds it costs $9.80 or £7.99. You do get something for free, however. The game is free for the first 3 levels. So Nintendo gives you a chance to decide if it’s a game for you or not before asking you to pay.
Miitomo
Nintendo do know what they are doing, however. Their first ever app wasMiitomo which was released in March 2016 and is available on both iOS and Android. It’s generating rating was 4 stars on both operating systems. It was described as a social networking app and allows users to communicate with friends by asking questions. It also features Facebook and Twitter for perfect social networking.
If you’re inspired by Nintendo’s apps, why not try to make your own?
Popularity
After Super Mario Run was released, it quickly became the most downloaded free game in the Apple store in 138 countries. Well over 50 million people have downloaded the app and it reflects a demand for gamers who want to play Nintendo games but don’t want to purchase a console just to do it.
On the first day of release, both Pokemon Go and Mario Run did very well. But Mario Run beat Pokemon Go by almost double for the first day downloads.
Gameplay
Gameplay for Super Mario Run is very similar to Flappy Bird where Mario constantly runs and you tap at different durations to achieve different heights of jump. The game has little surprises, however. In certain courses and areas, if Mario jumps into the ceiling, he will climb across it to avoid obstacles. He can also jump on arrows to boost his jumping power and to get coins that are originally out of reach. This is the main object of the game, and things like Goombas can be forgotten about as Mario avoids them naturally.
Fakes
Mario Run is a very popular app and with that comes the risk of fakes who try to scam users in order to achieve downloads. Here’s how to avoid fakes:
- Any app that is available on Android for a download is a fake as it hasn’t been released yet
- Make sure the exact name is Mario Run
- Make sure the app is by Nintendo Co., Ltd.
If you need any help getting over obstacles or taking advantage of the little secrets and extras in the app, guides are available to assist you.
Conclusion
Nintendo has had a couple of very successful years in an attempt to compete with giants Microsoft and Sony. They have released and announced:
- Super Mario Maker
- Pokkén Tournament
- Pokémon Sun and Moon
- Miitomo
- Nintendo Switch
Mario Run is an addition to this great list which allows users to step into the amazing world of Nintendo from their phone. The company has always offered imagination and innocence that other apps seem to miss whilst Nintendo perfects their internationally recognized characters on many different platforms. Though the app in its full state is only available through purchase, perhaps it is worth it. This company provided a childhood of alternative gaming filled with adventure, color and love and to have that packed all into one little app is quite a fantastic thing.