"Super Mario Run: Nintendo's very first mobile game is here
16.12.2016
Translation: machine translated
Fans have been waiting for this for years. A real Nintendo game for the smartphone. And with the famous plumber in his blue dungarees. "Super Mario Run" should hit like a bomb, even if it doesn't really offer anything new and excludes a large proportion of players for the time being.
With very rare exceptions such as three "Zelda" titles for the Philips CD-i, Nintendo games are exclusive to Nintendo consoles. This made it all the more exciting when the Japanese games manufacturer announced that it was developing a "Super Mario" game for smartphones and tablets. The game has been officially available since 15 December - unfortunately only for the iPhone and iPad for the time being.
"Super Mario Run" is a kind of endless runner in the style of "Temple Run" or, more aptly, "Rayman Jungle Run". Compared to "Temple Run", "Super Mario Run" levels have an end. Super Mario sprints inexorably sideways and you have to steer him over chasms and flatten Goombas with skilful timing. The demo, in which you can try out all three game modes, is free, but you'll have to pay a whopping 10 francs for the full game, after which you can leave your wallet in your pocket forever.
Android and Windows Phone users are left out in the cold for now. For the former, there is already an approximate release date of early 2017, with developer legend Shigeru Miyamoto citing fear of piracy as the reason. This is probably also the reason why the game requires a constant internet connection. So you can forget about playing on the plane.
"Intern, bring me your iPhone"
Of course, I had to try it out straight away. As I'm not one of the illustrious Apple users, I quickly dispossessed our intern Ramon and "lent" him his iPhone. I generously credited the 10 francs for the full version, which I paid for with his account, towards his protection money payment today.
"Super Mario Run" looks super cute, just like the colourful versions on the 3DS or Wii; U. A quick tap on the display makes Mario jump, a longer tap makes him jump higher. The game is structured in classic levels with the famous flagpole at the end. You can also challenge your friends and compete against their gaming spirits. The game principle is quickly understood and the levels are wonderfully varied. I would love to play through all the levels straight away, but the intern is already looking so sad that, merciful as I am, I give him back his iPhone.
Conclusion
"Super Mario Run" is a successful first entry into the mobile world for Nintendo. Let's not count the strange social app Miitomo and "Pokémon GO" was from Niantic Labs. The game works perfectly on the smartphone, looks great, but offers little that is new compared to other endless runners. Nintendo could have drawn on the full potential and incorporated countless ideas from other Mario games. Where are all the power-ups or costumes? Nevertheless, the game is extremely fun and could reach new user groups who have not yet bought a Nintendo console. "Super Mario Run" is likely to be just the vanguard of a series of Nintendo games that hop onto smartphones. The experience is only spoilt by the high price, the online requirement and the lack of an Android version. At least one of these three shortcomings will be rectified by Nintendo in the foreseeable future.
If you don't own an iPhone, you can enjoy the following "Super Mario" games, which offer significantly more scope anyway. Of course, we also have the matching Amiibo figures
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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