Mario is coming to mobile devices for the first time ever with Nintendo’s Super Mario Run. When will the game be released, and how much is it going to cost?
Nintendo revealed today that Super Mario Run will be released worldwide on Thursday, December 15th. It can be downloaded for free, although the free version will only give players limited access to gameplay. In order to unlock the full game, you’ll need to purchase it for $9.99. That’s just a one-time payment, though, and it does not appear that there will be any in-app purchases.
Super Mario Run will be available for iOS devices. You can play it for both iPhones and iPads, but you’ll need to be running iOS 8 or above in order to download the app. The app will come to Android at some point in the future, but Nintendo has not provided a release date for that version.
Part of the appeal of Super Mario Run is that the game can be played with just one hand. It’s a classic Mario platformer, but this time, Mario is constantly running, and so you tap the screen to make him jump over obstacles and collect coins. The graphics are in the style of the New Super Mario Bros. series.
Super Mario Run comes with three modes. The first is World Tour, which is just the traditional Mario gameplay where you must make your way through six worlds in order to rescue the princess. The second is Toad Rally, a multiplayer mode where you compete against other players in order to perform the best moves and collect the most coins. Finally, there’s Kingdom Builder, a mode where you can build your own little Mushroom Kingdom with buildings and decorations that you purchase with coins collected during gameplay.
In addition to Super Mario Run, Nintendo is also planning Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem apps to be released next year.