Super Mario Run update for iPhone brings easy mode, Korean language support

A new update to "Super Mario Run" eliminates all the stress of the game, with a new "easy mode" removing the timer allowing players to explore the level at their leisure.

Tuesday's update to the game gives gamers unlimited time, in addition to infinite bubbles to complete a level, eliminating the concern about failing the level. The update also adds support for the Korean language, alters Toad Rally, reducing penalties for poor performance, and making the Toads easier to collect.

Initially announced onstage during Apple's iPhone 7 event by none other than legendary game maker Shigeru Miyamoto, "Super Mario Run" is very much a casual title, mixing traditional side-scrolling action with endless runner-style mechanics.

"Super Mario Run" features three main game modes: World Tour, in which gamers run through six worlds and 24 courses to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Mario's notorious nemesis Bowser; Toad Rally, a multiplayer mode that pits users against friends and other players in a race to gather coins; and Kingdom Builder, which lets users customize a virtual environment with buildings and decorations purchased using collected coins and toads acquired through Toad Rally.

As touted by Nintendo's marketing, the game only requires only one hand to play — Mario runs through the world as users tap on the screen, making him jump to avoid obstacles, strike objects, clear gaps and perform other maneuvers. Level scores, coins and world progress are collected and tallied, much like Mario's many console installments.

"Pricing was designed to reassure parents that they would be charged just once, not multiple times," said Nintendo about the pricing model for "Super Mario Run." "We hope to maximize the number of people who interact with our characters on mobile, to bridge them to console gaming and to create synergies."

Nintendo claims to have no plans to expand the game at this time. The title will be available on Android in March.

"Super Mario Run" is free to download from the App Store, though unlocking the full game requires a $9.99 purchase. The title is a 204-megabyte download.

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4 Comments

Metriacanthosaurus 880 comments · 8 Years

About 7 years ago

So auto-jump over enemies wasn't enough, now you have infinite time and lives.

Remember when games actually had a challenge instead of catering to the modern "everybody wins" fiasco?

This is not Mario.

mike1 3437 comments · 10 Years

Any word on iPad horizontal layout support?

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

Metriacanthosaurus said:

Remember when games actually had a challenge instead of catering to the modern "everybody wins" fiasco?

The phrase “Nintendo Hard” used to exist for a reason. Fucking mobile games and cultural marxism ruining the entire industry.

Marvin 15355 comments · 18 Years

Metriacanthosaurus said:

So auto-jump over enemies wasn't enough, now you have infinite time and lives.

Remember when games actually had a challenge instead of catering to the modern "everybody wins" fiasco?

This is not Mario.

The easy mode is just an option if you can't pass a level and won't count the collectibles if you use it. If someone bought Mario Run for a younger kid who isn't able to unlock the levels, they can't go any further into the game because you have to finish a level to get to the next one.

The auto-jump also doesn't make things as easy as it sounds. It's only for small enemies and only if they are on the same level. If you jump into an enemy or hit birds, spikes, projectiles, shells, fire or fall down a hole, you lose a life.

I think this game is about as well adapted to a touch interface as it could have been done. If games like Donkey Kong were made for the platform, I'd hope they'd use the same control method.

There are a few things that would make Mario Run closer to the original Mario games like swiping on screen to change direction and if you get a powerup, being able to tap on the character or button to do a special move e.g fire power, Yoshi eating enemies, the cape to fly high, swipe down to go down pipes etc. but it's pretty close to the original Mario experience. If they ported some of the earlier Mario game levels, it would be clearer to see how close they are.

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