Snapshot from the 'Super Mario Run' trailer (Photo : YouTube/ NintendoMobile)
"Super Mario Run" is the first in the series to launch for mobile devices. It is now available for iOS devices and will be made available for Android in 2017. The game offers a free demo but in order to fully experience the game players are advised to pay $9.99 to get the full product.
According to a video report from CNET there are three main game modes: World Tour, Toad Rally and the Kingdom Builder. It is further noted that "Super Mario Run" requires an Internet connection to be played, even when the player is going through the single-player campaign.
The World Tour is a single-player mode that includes 24 different stages across 6 worlds. The Toad Rally allows players to compete against other players and the Kingdom Builder allows players to create their own section of the Mushroom Kingdom. Both of the latter two modes are required to unlock characters.
In order to unlock the five secret characters, players must play Toad Rally and gather a certain number of Toads to live in their Mushroom Kingdom. Once enough currency has been acquired the player can then purchase the needed house to unlock the character.
A previous report further detailed that only three of the extra characters are unlocked in this fashion. The other two characters are unlocked by finishing the World Tour's 24 stages and by purchasing the full game. Other than the $9.99 to get the access to all the stages and the last character no microtransactions will be found.
Playing the game only requires one hand. Mario runs automatically and the player simply needs to tap the screen to make him jump, Polygon reported. Holding down longer will make Mario jump higher and the character automatically vaults over small obstacles and enemies.
Since the game runs automatically there are special blocks that help the player traverse each stage. Some blocks pause Mario from running and others will cause him to jump backwards instead of forward. Just like traditional games there are some power-ups like the Super Mushroom that makes Mario bigger and the Star that makes him invincible for a short period.
