Super Mario Run

Super Mario Run is an automatic runner platformer game for mobile devices. In the game, Mario is constantly moving to the right and the player can make him jump by tapping the screen. The game features four modes: World Tour, the main game mode where players go through 6 different worlds to rescue Princess Peach, Kingdom Builder, where players can customize their own kingdom with different objects, Toad Rally, a battle mode where players can race against another player's time, and Remix 10, where the player has to play through a series of 10 short courses multiple times as part of a quest to rescue Princess Daisy. Nintendo markets the game as the first Super Mario title that can be played with one hand.

The game was initially released exclusively on iOS in 150 territories worldwide on December 15, 2016, later released in South Korea on January 31, 2017, and in 14 additional territories by March 22, 2017. The game was later released worldwide on Android devices on March 23, 2017. Super Mario Run is free-to-start, with the full game costing USD$9.99. It is the second mobile application developed and published by Nintendo (following Miitomo), and the first Mario mobile game.

Gameplay


Unlike previous installments in the series, Mario (or one of the other 10 playable characters) perpetually runs to the right without any player input. If the player taps on the screen, they will jump, which can be affected by standing on certain blocks. In addition, if the player taps on the screen while sliding against a wall, they will perform a Wall Jump away from a wall. The player will automatically vault over certain obstacles and small enemies, such as Pipes and Goombas, without taking damage.

Normally, players are only able to take 1 hit before either being sent into a bubble, which they can then pop by tapping the screen (in World Tour and Toad Rally), or die (in Remix 10 and World Tour if the player has ran out of bubbles). However, if the player obtains a Super Mushroom, their character will grow in size and can take 2 hits instead of one, outside of certain obstacles that instantly kill the player. Before the 3.0.4 update, only Mario and Luigi had the ability to take multiple hits, with all other characters instead obtaining 5 coins upon touching a Super Mushroom. In addition, players can obtain a Super Star from certain ? Blocks, as well as from Lakitu in certain situations. While the effects last, players with a Super Star can automatically defeat most enemies simply by touching them and are immune to most obstacles.

World Tour
World Tour is the main gameplay mode of Super Mario Run, where players are tasked with completing 24 different levels in order to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Each level has the player run through a series of challenges, usually centered around a certain enemy or mechanic, in order to reach the flagpole at the end of the level. In Castle and Airship levels, instead of a flagpole, the player will have to fight a boss, either Boom Boom (in Airship levels) or Bowser (in Castle levels). Upon completing the first 24 levels, World Star is unlocked, containing 9 levels which can only be unlocked by completing certain objectives. In addition, 4 additional levels can be accessed through special pipes in the Kingdom Builder mode.

Instead of a traditional lives system, the player can continue playing a level as long as they have any bubbles remaining, resulting in them being encased in a bubble and being moved back onto solid ground. The player starts with 2 bubbles at the start of each level, though more can be obtained by hitting certain ? Blocks. In addition, the player can prematurely use a bubble by tapping the icon on the top-left of the screen, allowing them attempt to collect any collectables they missed earlier in the level without having to restart the level entirely. Each level also has a timer, usually starting with 60 to 90 seconds. If the timer counts down to 0, the player will die, regardless of the number of bubbles they have left. However, many levels have Timer Blocks that will grant the player more time when hit. The player's bubble count and time do not carry over between stages or runs of the same stage.

In every level, five Pink Coins may be found among regular coins and within Brick Blocks. If all five Pink Coins are collected in a single run, Purple Coins are unlocked within the level, which function identically to Pink Coins, but are put in more challenging locations. If all five Purple Coins coins are again collected, Black Coins are added to the level, with different locations to the previous 2 sets of color coins. Levels might have slight modifications made to them depending on which color of coins are available to collect. If the player collects all of the Pink, Purple, or Black Coins within each of the first 24 levels, they will unlock a corresponding colored pipe for Kingdom Builder mode, allowing them to access 1 of 3 bonus levels. In addition, if all of the Black Coins are collected in each of the 9 levels in World Star, the Gold Star Pipe will be unlocked, allowing access to a 4th bonus level.

Worlds 2 through 4, as well as World Star, can only be accessed by paying to unlock the full game. Only the first three levels of the game, as well as the first 30 seconds of the fourth level can be accessed for free. However, starting with version 2.0.0, by completing Bowser's Challenges, players are given an additional 60 seconds on the timer for Bowser's Castle Hangout, allowing them to complete the entire level.

In the version 2.0.0 update, an Easy Mode was added, giving an infinite amount of bubbles and time. However, after finishing a level, the player doesn't keep any Coins collected.

Toad Rally
Toad Rally has players compete against "ghosts" of other players in one-minute runs through randomized levels, with the goal being to collect the most coins and Toads. Toads can be attracted by performing certain actions, such as Vaulting Jumps, Rolling Jumps, and stomping on multiple enemies in a row without touching the ground. By performing these actions and collecting Pink Coins, the player will also fill up a meter presented near the top of the screen. Once the meter is filled up (or a Super Star is obtained), the player will temporarily enter a Coin Rush, where objects will dispense considerably more coins than normal, enemies will supply more coins upon being defeated, and Toads will be more easily attracted. Coin Rushes can be prolonged by performing certain actions (the same as those that fill the Coin Rush meter) or collecting coins.

At the end of the one-minute round, both competitors' total number of coins and Toads will be compared, giving them a numerical score. The player with the higher score will win, resulting in them taking the Toads of the other player. If the player wins the match, they will gain the Toads both they and their opponent collected during the match. However, if the player loses, they will lose a few of their Toads they had before the match started. Using certain characters can also result in a difference in the amount and variety of Toads gained. If the player plays as one of the Yoshis, Toads of the corresponding color will become more likely to be attracted. If the player plays as Toadette, the player will be able to attract Toads more easily.

Players are able to choose between 5 different opponents from the menu screen, each being found in one of 7 different environments. Each match has somewhat randomly-generated levels, with the levels being made up of small segments from World Tour levels using the selected environment, strung together into one infinite level. While matches can initially only be played in the plains environment, they are able to unlock more as they progress through the World Tour. The environment chosen also impacts which colors of Toads can be obtained during the match.


 * Names in other languages

Friend Rally
In Friend Rally, accessed through the Friends List, the player can compete against the ghosts of friends in a round of Toad Rally. However, unlike a normal Toad Rally, the player will neither gain nor lose Toads. If the player wins, they will gain a single Rally Ticket, which can be used in regular Toad Rally or Remix 10. Friend Rally can only be played 5 times a day.

Kingdom Builder


In Kingdom Builder, players can place down various different structures and decorations into the Mushroom Kingdom, allowing them to customize the area to their liking. While most objects are only aesthetic, some objects can be used to obtain coins, Rally Tickets, new characters, or access bonus stages. Objects can be obtained by buying them with coins in the in-game shop, the Bonus Game in Remix 10, and from giveaways during special events. However, most items found within the shop require the player to have a certain number of Toads of different colors, obtained through Toad Rally, in order to buy them.

Objects are divided into 3 categories: Decorations, Buildings, and Special. Decorations can be placed on grassy patches of land, while buildings and special objects can only be placed on specific plots of dirt, with some larger buildings requiring 2 or 4 spaces in order to be placed. Special objects are generally interactive or produce some special effect that buildings and decorations do not have. ? Blocks can reward the player with coins or Rally Tickets, special Toad Houses allow the player to play minigames to gain coins or Rally Tickets, colored pipes allow access to bonus stages, and Rainbow Bridges unlock new sections of the kingdom, with even more space to place objects.

At the start, only one section of the kingdom is available to place objects on. However, by unlocking more Toads through Toad Rally, more sections of the kingdom can be unlocked, allowing the player to place down more objects. New sections of the kingdom will also have Thwomps blocking certain plots of land, preventing objects from being placed where they stand until the Thwomps are destroyed using Hammers, which can be obtained by completing each world in World Tour, although Thwomps can be replaced as buildings once the player obtains enough Toads.

Remix 10
Remix 10, introduced in version 3.0.4, has the player go through 30 areas, each containing a series of 10 bite-sized levels all played in a row, in order to rescue Princess Daisy. Each level is filled with 3 Bonus Medals, 5 in the case of "Special Remix", "Secret Course", and limited-time courses. The goal is the complete all 10 stages while grabbing as many Bonus Levels as possible, without dying. Completing ten courses without failing rewards 2 extra Bonus Medals, and collecting all Bonus Medals rewards 3 more medals.

No Game Over screen is included; if the player fails to complete a course, they will proceed to the next one. Completing all the stages rewards the player with new items to customize their kingdom in Kingdom Builder mode. However, if the player fails a boss battle against Bowser or Boom Boom, found at the end of each area, they will lose all Bonus Medals earned during the 10 courses and will return to the last Goal Pole, and upon fighting the boss again, the player will be given a Mushroom.

Unlike the game's other modes, players cannot choose their character. Most levels are played as Mario, except for the fifth level of each run, where Mario is replaced by a different, already unlocked character, randomly selected upon entering the area.

In addition, sometimes the 3rd or 7th level of the run will become a "Special Remix", an already existing level remixed to contain a new enemy or element, or "Secret Course", a brand new level not based off any World Tour stage. Rarely, the 1st level of a run can be replaced by a level that contains a Super Star, 5 Bonus Medals, and a bunch of coins. When they appear, these special stages will only last for 15 minutes before disappearing.

One Rally Ticket is required to play Remix 10. However, players who have not purchased the full game are required to wait for a period of time between two games starting from Area 3, or use Rally Tickets to skip the time. However, as the player advances through the mode, the amount of time between attempts and the number of Rally Tickets required to skip the wait increases.


 * Names in other languages

Playable
There are currently a total of 11 playable characters in Super Mario Run. At the start of the game, only Mario is available, with the rest being unlockable through playing each of the different modes.

Each character plays differently from each other; Luigi can jump higher than Mario, Toad can run faster than Mario, Peach can float in midair, Toadette can convert some Toads to the player's side before the final tally in Toad Rally, the playable Yoshis can flutter jump and obtain more Toads of their own color in Toad Rally, and Daisy can double jump. Prior to the 3.0.4 version of the game, only Mario and Luigi would grow big and be able to take 2 hits when touching a Super Mushroom. However, as of version 3.0.4, the rest of the playable characters receive a small form and thus can take 2 hits before dying as well.

Unlocking criteria
Since the later 5 worlds of World Tour, and by extension Yellow and Purple Toads, are exclusive to the full version of the game, only Mario, Toad, Blue Yoshi, and Princess Daisy can be unlocked in the free version.

Enemies
Once Mario defeats an enemy for the first time, it is added to the notebook. If Mario defeats a certain amount of the same kind of enemy, they will level up and drop more coins than usual when defeated in Toad Rally.

Obstacles
Obstacles are not included in the notebook as they cannot be defeated.

Updates
Nintendo has supported Super Mario Run post-launch in the form of new content, special events, and bug fixes. The following is a list of updates the game has received since launch.

Ver. 1.0.1
Release date: December 19th 2016 (iOS)
 * Issue with Friend List linking has been fixed;
 * Other minor issues have been fixed.

Ver. 1.0.2
Release date: December 30th 2016 (iOS)
 * Implemented feature improvements.

Ver. 1.1.0
Release date: January 31st 2017 (iOS)
 * Adds Easy Mode, which allows unlimited time and bubbles.
 * Implemented new event.
 * Added Korean language support.
 * Reduced the number of Toads lost after losing Toad Rally. Toads are now easier to collect.
 * Removed limit on number of times the “Toad” My Nintendo reward can be received to resolve the issue where Toad cannot be received again if, after already having already received the reward, user data is deleted.
 * Fixed other issues.

Ver. 1.1.2
Release date: February 21st 2017 (iOS)
 * Implemented bug fixes

Ver. 2.0.0
Release date: March 22nd 2017
 * Adds Android compatibility.
 * More buildings have been added to Kingdom Builder, will be unlocked via an upcoming event.
 * 4 new Yoshi colors are now available: Yellow, Red, Purple, and Blue. If you play Toad Rally with them, you will get more Toads of that color.
 * It is now easier to get Rally Tickets at the Bonus Game House.
 * The free version now gives access to more content.
 * “Bowser’s Challenge” is now available: if you clear it, you will be able to play through 1-4 in its entirety for free.
 * After clearing W1-4, more courses will become available in Toad Rally in the free version.
 * After clearing W1-4, Blue Toads and Green Toads will come cheer you in Toad Rally in the free version (those were previously found only in the paid version). They appear in the new courses unlocked after beating W1-4. Those Toads increase the number of items you can buy in Kingdom Builder. For example, you will be able to buy the Blue Yoshi home, allowing you to befriend Blue Yoshi.

Ver. 2.0.1
Release date: April 4th 2017
 * Implemented bug fixes

Ver. 2.1.0
Release date: April 24th 2017
 * The maximum number of Toads that can live in your kingdom has increased to 99,999.
 * Player icon improvements. You can now display your customized Mii character from Miitomo to really show off your fashion sense! (Note: Miitomo is required to use this feature. Miitomo is not available in all countries/regions.)
 * You can now find friends from your Nintendo Account.
 * Google Play achievements have been implemented. (Android)
 * Game Center achievements have been implemented. (iOS)
 * Other changes and improvements.

Ver. 2.1.1
Release date: May 23rd 2017
 * Implemented bug fixes

Ver. 3.0.3
Release date: September 4th 2017
 * Implemented bug fixes

Ver. 3.0.4
Release date: September 28th 2017
 * Remix 10: Super Mario Run courses done short and sweet!
 * In Remix 10, you’ll challenge 10 very short courses in a row. Daisy is lost somewhere along the way, so if you play enough courses you’ll be able to find her! You’ll also be able to play some extra Bonus Games and a Super Bonus Game to get various buildings for your kingdom as you run through this mode.
 * Even more fun with World Star!
 * There are some new courses to explore, including a forest, a ship packed with coins, and a whole airship armada. Each course adds a whole new level of fun!
 * Daisy, a new playable character, is here, and she brought a double-jump skill with her!
 * If you play through enough Remix 10 courses, Princess Daisy of Sarasaland will join your group of friends. Her double-jump ability lets her jump while she’s already midair!
 * Listen to your favorite music with the music-play feature!
 * Now you can listen to music stored on your device while playing Super Mario Run. Mario and his friends will wear headphones when this feature is turned on! Find some music that will get you pumped to run some courses!
 * New buildings for Kingdom Builder mode
 * You may earn brand-new buildings from the Bonus Games in Remix 10. Try to get as many as you can!
 * The way opponents are selected for Toad Rally has been adjusted.
 * There is now less of a chance you’ll play against someone whose Toad population is significantly different from yours.

Ver. 3.0.5
Release date: October 6th 2017
 * No patch notes available.

Ver. 3.0.6
Release date (iOS): November 1st 2017 (iOS) / November 17th (Android)
 * Adjustments have been made so the game properly fits the iPhone X screen. (iOS)
 * Now supports devices with wider aspect ratios (up to 2.17:1) when displaying the full screen lengthwise. (Android)
 * An issue where players could not perfectly clear a course has been resolved.
 * An issue where some items did not appear in the Notebook has been resolved.

Ver. 3.0.7
Release date: January 10th 2018
 * An issue where players could not get a Perfect result on some Remix 10 courses has been resolved.
 * Various other issues have been resolved.

Critical reception
Super Mario Run has received generally positive reviews, with the iOS version earning a 77 on Metacritic based on 46 reviews and an 77.31% based on 26 reviews on GameRankings. The game is generally praised for its simple, yet intuitive controls and that the game retains the quality level design from previous Mario platformers. Critics also praise the social competitiveness of the Toad Rally mode and building objects as motivation from Kingdom Builder. On the other hand, the game has been criticized for its relatively short World Tour length and low replayability of the levels, as well as the requirement for the game to be online.

Michael McWhertor of Polygon gave Super Mario Run a 7 out of 10 in his review. He has praised the game for its mechanics being translated well into taps for a touchscreen, but laments how it has been compromised by the lack of power-ups and precise control the series is known for. The review has described Kingdom Builder as a "lengthy grind in service of unlocking mostly cosmetic items." In his final verdict, he has described the game as "an enjoyable but imperfect adaptation of the Mario games for touchscreen devices." Jose Otero of IGN has given Super Mario Run an 8 out of 10,, praising the game for its strong level designs and new mechanics though also citing three-hit boss fights with Boom Boom and Bowser as "relics from Nintendo’s past" and states that "they’re not as smart or clever as the rest of the campaign stages." He has also cited that the visuals are not impressive, especially compared to another mobile auto-runner platformer, , but has praised Mario's animations within the game. His final statement stated that Super Mario Run is an elegantly designed platformer with strong hooks despite not being the best-looking Mario game by a longshot.

Sales
Super Mario Run received 3.5 million downloads in its first day, eclipsing another highly popular app game, Pokémon GO, which had only 900,000. It has reached the No. 1 spot in the App Store's top grossing and top free charts in the United States.

During an October 2017 Financial Results Briefing, it was reported that the app had been downloaded more than 200 million times worldwide, with 90% of the downloads being from outside Japan. Despite the large amount of downloads, it was also stated that the game had failed to reach an "acceptable profit point."

Awards and acknowledgements
Super Mario Run was nominated for the "Best Mobile Game" award at The Game Awards 2017. However, it ultimately lost to Monument Valley 2. Super Mario Run also achieved 2017's "Most Downloaded New Game" from Google Play.

App Store description
 A new kind of Mario game that you can play with one hand.

Super Mario Run has received some big updates! You control Mario by tapping as he constantly runs forward. You time your taps to pull off stylish jumps, midair spins, and wall jumps to gather coins and reach the goal!

Super Mario Run can be downloaded for free and after you purchase the game, you will be able to play all the modes with no additional payment required. You can try out all four modes before purchase: World Tour, Toad Rally, Remix 10, and Kingdom Builder.

■New mode Remix 10 Some of the shortest Super Mario Run courses you'll ever play! This mode is Super Mario Run in bite-sized bursts! You'll play through 10 short courses one after the other, with the courses changing each time you play. Daisy is lost somewhere in Remix 10, so try to clear as many courses as you can to find her!

■New World Tour courses A brand-new world of courses, World Star, has been added to World Tour mode! You can play this world after completing the first six worlds.

■World Tour Run and jump with style to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches! Travel through plains, caverns, ghost houses, airships, castles, and more.

Clear the 24 exciting courses to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, waiting in his castle at the end. There are many ways to enjoy the courses, such as collecting the 3 different types of colored coins or by competing for the highest score against your friends. You can try courses 1-1 to 1-4 for free.

■Toad Rally Show off Mario’s stylish moves, compete against your friends, and challenge people from all over the world.

In this challenge mode, the competition differs each time you play. Compete against the stylish moves of other players for the highest score as you gather coins and get cheered on by a crowd of Toads. Fill the gauge with stylish moves to enter Coin Rush Mode to get more coins. If you win the rally, the cheering Toads will come live in your kingdom, and your kingdom will grow.

■Kingdom Builder Gather coins and Toads to build your very own kingdom.

Combine different buildings and decorations to create your own unique kingdom. There are over 100 kinds of items in Kingdom Builder mode. If you get more Toads in Toad Rally, the number of buildings and decorations available will increase. With the help of the friendly Toads you can gradually build up your kingdom.

■What You Can Do After Purchasing All Worlds

・ All courses in World Tour are playable Why not try out the bigger challenges and thrills available in all courses?

・ Easier to get Rally Tickets It's easier to get Rally Tickets that are needed to play Remix 10 and Toad Rally. You can collect them in Kingdom Builder through Bonus Game Houses and ? Blocks, by collecting colored coins in World Tour, and more.

・ More playable characters If you rescue Princess Peach by completing course 6-4 and build homes for Luigi, Yoshi, and Toadette in Kingdom Builder mode, you can get them to join your adventures as playable characters. They play differently than Mario, so why not put their special characteristics to good use in World Tour and Toad Rally?

・ More courses in Toad Rally The types of courses available in Toad Rally will increase to seven different types of courses, expanding the fun! Along with the new additions, Purple and Yellow Toads may also come to cheer for you.

・ More buildings and decorations in Kingdom Builder The types of buildings available will increase, so you'll be able to make your kingdom even more lively. You can also place Rainbow Bridges to expand your kingdom.

・ Play Remix 10 without having to wait You can play Remix 10 continuously, without having to wait between each game.


 * Internet connectivity required to play. Data charges may apply.

References to other games

 * Super Mario Bros.: Various sprites are featured as decorations for Kingdom Builder.
 * Super Mario Bros. 2: Ninjis return from this game, retaining their appearance from the NES version. The background music for Remix 10 features a remixed version of the underground theme.
 * Super Mario Bros. 3: The background music for Remix 10 features a remixed version of the overworld theme.
 * Super Mario Land: Mario once again rescues Princess Daisy. Remix 10's background music features the remixed version of the underground theme, and Daisy's character description mentions Sarasaland, a location from this game.
 * Super Mario World: When the blue star triggering Coin Rush is released, the "item dropped" sound effect from this game plays. Remix 10's background music features the remixed version of the overworld theme. The Blue Bonus Game House has a minigame that is played the same way as the Bonus Game from this game.
 * Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island: When the player grabs a Super Star in Remix 10, a remix of the Powerful Infant theme from this game can be heard.
 * Mario Party 8: Princess Peach and Bowser's artworks are taken from this game. Some of Princess Daisy's voice clips originate from this game.
 * Mario Party DS: Yoshi's artwork is taken from this game.
 * New Super Mario Bros. 2: The music for the Coin Rush results screen is reused in this game, which is heard after clearing a course. The sound effect that plays when a ? Block releases a Gold Flower is heard when a Roulette Block releases three Super Mushrooms/Super Stars.
 * New Super Mario Bros. U: Graphics are taken from this game. Music from this game are also rearrangements. Some of the crowd cheers are also taken from this game.
 * Super Mario 3D World: Toad's artwork is an edited version of his artwork from this game.
 * Mario Kart 8: The timer countdown jingle from Battle Mode is reused for the countdown jingle in this game. Some of Luigi's, Princess Peach's, and Toadette's voice clips are reused from this game.
 * Mario Party 10: Toadette's artwork is taken from this game.
 * Super Mario Maker: The Airship tileset is taken from this game. The axes at the end of a castle levels function the same as the axe from this game, rather than a button in New Super Mario Bros. U. The Key design is also taken from this game. Many objects use their appearance from the New Super Mario Bros. U style.

Trivia

 * Super Mario Run is the first Mario game to be released on non-Nintendo hardware since Mario's FUNdamentals was released for Windows in 1998, 18 years prior, and is the first video game, Mario and overall, Nintendo themselves published on non-Nintendo hardware (their first smart device release, Miitomo, is not a video game by definition).
 * Super Mario Run is the first (and currently only) Nintendo game to be officially localized to Portuguese for Brazil.
 * Despite having no official Simplified Chinese language support and no official release in mainland China, Super Mario Run has an official FAQ page in Simplified Chinese, along with the other officially available languages. The Simplified Chinese FAQ can be viewed here.
 * On December 8, 2016, a demo of Super Mario Run was made available at Apple Store outlets worldwide.
 * The MP3 background music added to the official site for the Ver. 3.0.4 (28 September 2017) update contains metadata - notably the TPE4 tag ("Interpreted, remixed, or otherwise modified by"), which has the value of "Kenta Nagata".