After months of waiting, the world’s most recognizable video game character has just hit the App Store in time for Christmas. Super Mario Run is available today around the world, marking Nintendo’s first proper foray into mobile gaming.
Super Mario Run is classic auto-running platform gaming, with the depth and superb level design we’ve come to expect from the portly plumber’s many outings on Nintendo’s home consoles. The game’s main World Tour mode is a conventional run through various levels and worlds, collecting coins and power-ups while avoiding pitfalls and enemies. Beyond that, there’s a secondary mode called Toad Rally in which you can compete with other players for high scores. Lastly, there’s a mode called Kingdom Builder in which you can spend your coins making your very own little kingdom for Mario’s pals to live in.
The game is available to download for free, with the first three full levels available to play as a demo. After that, the full game can be unlocked for a one-time $9.99/£7.99 fee. That may seem steep compared to other iOS games, but the game looks to have a lot of depth and there are no additional in-app purchases to fleece players. Nintendo was keen to avoid making a ‘freemium’ game filled with potentially infinite micro-transactions, instead opting for a premium payment model. If the game sells well it could pave the way for more high-quality premium games on iOS.
We’re excited to play through Super Mario Run – if you’re still not sure whether ten bucks is worth it for a mobile game, keep an eye out for our in-depth review in the coming days, in which we’ll explore the game’s longevity and value for money. And in the meantime, why not try out those demo levels? Download Super Mario Run on the App Store.