Super Mario is already a well-known franchise, but a recent reveal is going to make it even bigger.
Apple has unveiled details about its latest mobile adventures, more specifically the unveiling of the iPhone 7. However, it was a huge surprise that a special guest took the stage during Apple’s big presentation. According to GameSpot , Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto took the stage to announce Super Mario Run .
Super Mario Run is Nintendo’s first true smartphone game https://t.co/CnQr3bzVSa pic.twitter.com/40vaiSGaNJ
— The Verge (@verge) September 8, 2016
Super Mario Run , as the name implies, is going to be a mobile game in which Mario will continuously sprint through stages toward a goal. Left or right, players will need to tap on the screen in order to make the plumber jump and perform various other actions. While this isn’t necessarily the first game that Miyamoto has brought to mobile, it will be the first time that fans get to play a Mario game on more than just a Nintendo console.
Miyamoto went into detail about the choice to bring Super Mario Run to mobile devices, specifically the direction that he wanted to take in regard to making the port.
“With Mario games, what’s important is that they always be simple to understand, easy to know what to do,” Miyamoto begins. “So this time we’re really paying attention to that and making it one that you can play one-handed while still retaining the core essence of what makes a Mario game a Mario game.”
We played Super Mario Run! Here’s what we thought: https://t.co/MkFs0yMoxH pic.twitter.com/EinraKOdTG
— IGN (@IGN) September 8, 2016
The market for Super Mario games is generally geared toward a younger audience, though it goes without saying that older age groups continue to play for nostalgia and an added challenge. Super Mario Maker is testament to this. Stages can range from a simple run and jump course to an overwhelmingly difficult set of obstacles to traverse.
Super Mario Run will flow within the same vein, as Miyamoto weighs in on the complexity of the new mobile game.
“Of course, we’ve been making Mario games for a very long time now, so we’re not just making a simple or easy Mario game,” Shigeru states. “There are a lot of techniques in the game that you can use, and the better you get at mastering those techniques, the better you’ll perform in the game.”
Mobile games for iOS and Android vary in terms of difficulty, making Super Mario Run a welcome addition to the library available for phone users. Alongside the simple run mechanic, there’s also a “Toad Battle” mode where players will be able to compete against characters for high-score purposes.
Miyamoto had this to say about the overall ease of control in Run .
“We have created Super Mario Run to be perfect for playing on your iPhone. 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.”
Never seen this before. Listing for Super Mario Run in the App Store with “Notify” button pic.twitter.com/pZh8rNVU2X
— Ravi (@ravi_hiranand) September 7, 2016
Could we be seeing a connection between iOS and Android with Nintendo’s current hardware? A report by TIME reveals that Nintendo doesn’t have plans for connectivity between devices at this time. With the Nintendo NX set to release around March of 2017, this could change between now and the expected date for it to hit shelves. Regardless, it’s a pretty big deal that Nintendo is making a push toward mobile gaming.
Super Mario Run is set to be released to iOS users by December of this year. It’s being reported that Android users will be getting the game later, though it’s not expected that it’ll be released before 2017.
What are your thoughts on Super Mario Run ? Are you excited for the possibility of Nintendo bringing more games to mobile phones? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
[Image via Nintendo]
