Apple has teamed up for a “super” new app, bringing Nintendo’s most famous character to iOS. Super Mario Run is an endless runner launching this holiday season in which the iconic video game character automatically runs to the right. Players can tap and hold the screen to make Mario jump, avoid obstacles or hit objects—all while completing as many levels as they can and racking up points. Super Mario Run will also feature “Toad Rally,” a multiplayer mode where players can compete against their friends for the high score, which is earned by collecting coins and impressing Toad characters with “daring moves.” Players can then use their performance to customize their very own Mushroom Kingdom.
The game was presented on Wednesday at the 2016 Apple Event by Super Mario Brothers creator, Shigeru Miyamoto who demonstrated the colorful, one-handed gameplay design.
“Super Mario has evolved whenever he has encountered a new platform, and for the first time ever, players will be able to enjoy a full-fledged Super Mario game with just one hand, giving them the freedom to play while riding the subway or my favorite, eating a hamburger,” said Miyamoto.
Super Mario Run does not yet have a price point, but it will be fixed and not the popular “freemium” model, i.e. you will not be prompted to buy in-game items. iOS users will be able to download and enjoy a portion of Super Mario Run for free and will be able to enjoy all of the game content available in this release after paying a set purchase price,” Nintendo stated in a press release.
The title has already appeared in the App Store for users to receive notifications for when the game becomes available. Apple will also release Mario stickers in iMessage for iOS 10 alongside the game’s release. If you don’t have an iOS device, don’t cry in your mushrooms just yet—“We do intend to release the game on Android devices at some point in the future,” Nintendo confirmed.
For those who just can’t get enough of Nintendo on iOS, Niantic’s mobile darling, Pokémon GO will soon be available on Apple Watch by the end of 2016.
“With Pokémon GO on Apple Watch, I will never miss a PokéStop,” said John Hanke, CEO and founder of Niantic. Unlike other versions of the break-out hit, Apple Watch users will not have to break out their phones to interact with the game. According to Hanke, Pokémon GO has already been downloaded 500 million times on iOS, and players have walked 4.6 billion kilometers while playing the game. The Apple Watch version will not only allow players to collect creatures along their path, but it will track their steps and calories burned in real time, too.
