BY VIEWCAST    UPDATED December 8, 2024
Super Mario Run brings a fresh twist to the beloved Mario franchise by combining classic elements with new, innovative gameplay. As a mobile game, it has managed to capture the essence of Mario’s adventures, offering both nostalgia and a modern touch for players of all ages. With its release, it became evident that Nintendo has once again outdone itself, creating a game that's engaging, challenging, and above all, fun.
At its heart, Super Mario Run is an automatic runner where Mario perpetually moves forward, navigating through various obstacles, enemies, and gaps by simple tap controls. This design choice makes the game accessible and easy to play with one hand, appealing to a broad audience. The objective is to save Princess Peach from Bowser, a storyline familiar to fans, but with the added twist of rescuing Princess Daisy and participating in multiplayer battles, enhancing its replay value.
The game shines with multiple modes, including the classic tour mode, the competitive Toad Rally, and a Kingdom Builder feature. These modes offer varied gameplay, from racing against the clock and other players to strategically designing your own Mushroom Kingdom. The inclusion of a free playable character, Toad, and the challenge to unlock more characters like Princess Daisy, keeps players engaged and motivated to progress.
Super Mario Run doesn't just play well; it looks and sounds great, too. The game sports a stylized art style that fits the modern mobile aesthetic while staying true to the colorful, vibrant world of the Mario series. Its soundtrack and sound effects are equally nostalgic, enhancing the overall experience.
While Super Mario Run is free to download, it operates on a "Free to Try" model, where players can purchase the full game to unlock all levels and features. This has been a point of contention for some, but for those looking to 100% the game, the purchase is well worth it, providing hours of entertainment without intrusive ads or microtransactions—a rarity in mobile gaming.
Despite being released over seven years ago, Super Mario Run continues to have a strong player base. Its periodic updates, lack of ads, and solid gameplay have contributed to its longevity. The game encourages competition and cooperation among players through its multiplayer mode, keeping the community alive and engaged.
Super Mario Run is a testament to Nintendo's ability to innovate while preserving the charm of its iconic franchises. Whether you're a long-time fan of Mario or new to the series, this game offers a compelling reason to jump into Mario's world, showcasing that good game design is timeless.
Yes, Super Mario Run is free to download and offers a selection of levels to try for free. Full game access requires a one-time purchase.
Yes, after downloading the game and the required data, Super Mario Run can be played offline.
Yes, Super Mario Run offers a multiplayer mode called Toad Rally where you can compete against players from around the world.
Characters can be unlocked by completing certain tasks, like finishing specific levels or through the Kingdom Builder feature.
No, Super Mario Run does not have microtransactions. It operates on a one-time purchase model for the full game.
Super Mario Run is primarily a mobile app designed for smartphones. However, you can run Super Mario Run on your computer using an Android emulator. An Android emulator allows you to run Android apps on your PC. Here's how to install Super Mario Run on your PC using Android emuator:
Visit any Android emulator website. Download the latest version of Android emulator compatible with your operating system (Windows or macOS). Install Android emulator by following the on-screen instructions.
Launch Android emulator and complete the initial setup, including signing in with your Google account.
Inside Android emulator, open the Google Play Store (it's like the Android Play Store) and search for "Super Mario Run."Click on the Super Mario Run app, and then click the "Install" button to download and install Super Mario Run.
You can also download the APK from this page and install Super Mario Run without Google Play Store.
You can now use Super Mario Run on your PC within the Anroid emulator. Keep in mind that it will look and feel like the mobile app, so you'll navigate using a mouse and keyboard.