Super Mario Run Sets App Store Record With 40 Million Downloads as New Game Mode Rolls Out

[OliverFoggin]

You know it doesn't need 100% of the time continuous internet right? It just checks in on occasion.

It checks every time you start the game, every time you start a level, every time you end a level, every time you open the shop...

If you don't have a connection at any of these points then it locks with a screen and a "retry" button until you have a connection and press "retry". There isn't a way of closing the screen and browsing other levels etc... you need a connection to close that screen.

Once you have started a level you can play multiple times... as long as you don't hit the flag pole at the end.

It is one of the most aggressive online requirements that I have seen.

 

[ipedro]

I'm surprised by how fast it's growing given how poor the app store reviews are. I think we're at 2 1/2 stars. The paywall seems to come up quick and the initial play of the game was more or less boring and not challenging

I went through the first couple of levels and hit the paywall. I then deleted the game.

You're missing on a lot of the fun. Like any Nintendo game, the first levels gradually train you how to become an expert in the control mechanics. That's where the real fun begins.

It's pretty amazing how a single tap "button" can do so much once you know how to use it. You'll begin to notice that the level design evolves to allow you to move in all directions. Soon enough, I forgot about the "limitation" of Mario's automatic moving because level design allowed me to use walls and other devices to reach exactly where I needed to reach — including going backwards.

It's another brilliant game by Miyamoto. The only downside is that it's too short. It'll be a shame if the mechanics that they've built aren't exploited further in new levels. There's so much more that can be done with it. I hope that they change their mind and add a Star World after collecting all the black coins.

 

[OliverFoggin]

It's another brilliant game by Miyamoto. The only downside is that it's too short. It'll be a shame if the mechanics that they've built aren't exploited further in new levels. There's so much more that can be done with it. I hope that they change their mind and add a Star World after collecting all the black coins.

I noticed that in the shop there is a pink, purple and black pipe that says something like "It has a star on it and when tapped will take you to a secret course".

Sounds like a star world to me.

You can purchase them once you have collected all of the respective coloured coins

 

[dlanor15]

Make it available off line, so when I have no internet and nothing better to do on my phone, I could possibly try this game. Only then I may consider buying it. Price isn't issue for me.

I agree, the price is not an issue for me, I actually enjoy the first 3 levels and was ready to buy it, however the fact that I can't play it on my commute to/from work (subway) means I can barely play it, that is my only downtime during the day.

So unless they make it available offline, its a no go from me, i even emailed them about it.

 

[Kaspersky]

Oh, it's Nintendo?! I read it SEGA

 

[trainwrecka]

Except that a number of us are ok with paying $10 but not paying $40 because Nintendo choose to weasel their way out of Family Sharing. I would've bought it but I'm not supporting it on those grounds alone.

I've got this installed on multiple devices through one $10 purchase. Shares in the same way all my other apps do.

 

[ipedro]

I can't run backwards and its just another run game (granted one of the better ones).

That's a part of the challenge. Mario runs backwards when the level demands it. There are also ways to go back if you miss something or if an objective of the level like a coin or other item requires you to go back.

Once you've played through the game, you'll realize that this is far more complex than an automatic runner, if only for the simple reasons that a) you're not always running and b) you do run in different directions. After about the 2nd world, I stopped thinking about how I wasn't in control of the running because it was a part of the challenge and to an extent, I was able to stop and even reverse direction when needed.

 

[joeblow7777]

That's a part of the challenge. Mario runs backwards when the level demands it. There are also ways to go back if you miss something or if an objective of the level like a coin or other item requires you to go back.

Once you've played through the game, you'll realize that this is far more complex than an automatic runner, if only for the simple reasons that a) you're not always running and b) you do run in different directions. After about the 2nd world, I stopped thinking about how I wasn't in control of the running because it was a part of the challenge and to an extent, I was able to stop and even reverse direction when needed.

This is all very true, and I think that part of why people are complaining that the game sucks and not wanting to pay for it is that all you get for free are the 3 most basic levels. It really doesn't seem worth the price if you think that's the entire game.

 

[FasterQuieter]

It would cost me $30 (2 kids) and I wouldn't be able to play it on the subway. If these things change I'll definitely buy it.
[doublepost=1482334213][/doublepost]

How often do you find yourself with no internet connection on your iPhone? Either cellular or on wifi?

For myself, about 2 hours a day. The 2 hours I play iPhone games! And about 50 hours a year in the air.

 

[ipedro]

I would happily pay $10 for this game...if I meant I could play it on more than one of the devices I own. I'm not paying $10 per device.

Then I guess you're "happily" going to buy the game because it does work on multiple devices. I have the game on my iPhone and also play it on the glorious 12.9" screen of my iPad Pro. No workarounds. I'm signed in to each device with my Apple ID so it shows up as already purchased.

 

[TallManNY]

I've installed it on 5 iOS devices on 3 different Nintendo IDs.

1 - Purchase the IAP on your main Apple ID. Setup a Nintendo ID and link your game to that ID. The Nintendo ID tracks and syncs your game progress as well as your IAP.

2 - On your second device, install the game. During the initial game setup, link it to your Nintendo ID. Since your linked NID has the IAP, the full game unlocks and your progress is sync'ed.

Additional steps to get this on your other family member's devices:

1 - if the family member's device is logged in to the app store with their own Apple ID, log out and log in with your ID that has already made the IAP. *Critical* step so that you're not charged $9.99 again.

2 - During the initial game setup, *skip* linking to Nintendo ID. Proceed to completing the tutorial and make avail the purchase option. Go ahead and make the purchase. This is a bit of a leap of faith as it'll look as if you're paying for it again. It will say that you already own it and will unlock it without paying again.

3 - Create another NID and link the game to it. That NID now has the IAP tied to it. Play through it a bit so that everything syncs up on your NID.

4 - Delete the game. Log out of the app store from your Apple ID, and log back in with the family member's original Apple ID. Install the game again with family member's ID.

5 - During the initial game setup, link the NID. The full game should be unlocked.

The purpose of this is to keep your individual game progress, and when the app gets updated, you don't need to log in with your Apple ID to get the update. I setup my kids' devices with this method earlier this week.

Have fun!

Thanks. I downloaded it onto a few devices before deciding to buy. I will delete it from the other devices and then follow your advice.

 

[BreadofWonder]

Lol, no, it wasn't engaging enough to re-do the handful of level just to capture some of the colors. Its just not a good game imo.

You really should try for the colored coins. That aspect has made this game more fun than any other mobile game I've ever played (seriously).

 

[Kramerjn]

As far as the Rally Mode goes, has anyone else noticed that they cap the number of tickets you can have at 99?

 

[ipedro]

That's the point though. The levels for each coloured coin are different. Not just that they have different block placement in them. Some of the levels change significantly between the pink, purple and black coins.

Is it just me or is Mario running faster after the purple coins are achieved? It makes total sense if he is since the player is getting better and the coins are harder to reach. I also noticed different block and enemy placement throughout the levels after achieving a coloured coin.

 

[ftaok]

Every time Apple releases something these forums are full of complaints and whining. Nintendo releases a game and these forums are full of complaining and whining........

Nintendo and Apple are the two companies that have millions of fans, but get so much negative press. It's like they're soulmates.

Every little hiccup by either of these companies and it gets blown up to be a friggin catastrophe.

Other companies have big flops and they get a pass because they're "innovating" or going for "moonshots".

Astonishing. Nah, not really astonishing. I'm numb to it after years and years of this.
[doublepost=1482334933][/doublepost]

Which brings me to my last point...man do people not value software at all.

Totally on point!

 

[slimothy]

Changing the price to $2.99 would not make a difference. The majority of the people complaining are people who have decided that they will never pay for a mobile game. Whether it is $9.99, $2.99 or $0.99 people will complain about it and still not buy it.

I agree with the always online thing.

RE running left... you can in some places. But that restriction adds to the fun and the skill of the game

Based on some metrics from apps I've managed, I think it makes a bigger difference than you think. A lot of people pay for games, though these days it's 99c micro transactions. 2.99 is about as high as you can go before people really start expecting AAA quality titles. But yeah, the online thing is asinine. And for running left, idk how they could implement it better than they have, but it's a necessity for it to feel like a true Mario title.

 

[MH01]

Downloaded, tried playing on a train, deleted. Would have paid full amount had it not been for daft internet connection requirement.

Does not matter how many downloads they get if the retention rate is low.

 

[jujufreeze]

Will Nintendo never learn? This would have been SO successful at $5 for the complete game, no wifi-only DRM and family sharing. For an additional $5 you get to unlock more characters, costumes and cosmetic changes. As it stands I see few of these millions shelling out $10

 

[lkrupp]

it's a personal record for me too: the fastest game I abandoned and deleted after downloading and playing for a while.

Does that make you feel important?
[doublepost=1482335691][/doublepost]

Will Nintendo never learn? This would have been SO successful at $5 for the complete game, no always-online DRM and and family sharing. For an additional $5 you get to unlock more characters, costumes and cosmetic changes. As it stands I see few of these millions shelling out $10

Does it matter what a few naysayers on an Apple hating website think?

 

[jujufreeze]

Does that make you feel important?
[doublepost=1482335691][/doublepost]

Does it matter what a few naysayers on an Apple hating website think?

To you apparently

 

[justafew]

Except that a number of us are ok with paying $10 but not paying $40 because Nintendo choose to weasel their way out of Family Sharing. I would've bought it but I'm not supporting it on those grounds alone.

This! I had no problem with the $10 price tag as I love Mario and my kids love Mario. But once I realized it was an in-app purchase with no family sharing, I was done. I'm not paying $40 for the game.

 

[ftaok]

Will Nintendo never learn? This would have been SO successful at $5 for the complete game, no always-online DRM and and family sharing. For an additional $5 you get to unlock more characters, costumes and cosmetic changes. As it stands I see few of these millions shelling out $10

A few million paid copies of this game is a ton of money.

The original article stated an 8% conversion rate. At 25 million downloads and the 8% conversion, that's 2 million paid copies. At $10 a pop, that's $20,000,000 of revenue in 4-days. Nintendo and their developers get 70% of that, so that's $14 million.

All this means that it's a HUGE HIT!

 

[TallManNY]

I have and it's not that bad. Better than an auto-run Mario that even auto jumps the enemies for you.

Have you played the higher levels yet? They are much harder and more interesting. I'm not saying it is a great game, but the free levels are really easy to finish. Even just the next world is much harder to get to the other side on each level.

 

[ftaok]

This! I had no problem with the $10 price tag as I love Mario and my kids love Mario. But once I realized it was an in-app purchase with no family sharing, I was done. I'm not paying $40 for the game.

You can get around this limitation by going through a few hoops. Sure, not as easy as regular Family Sharing would be, but it's not that much of a hassle.

A guy outlines the procedure on Page 2 or 3.

 

[jujufreeze]

A few million paid copies of this game is a ton of money.

The original article stated an 8% conversion rate. At 25 million downloads and the 8% conversion, that's 2 million paid copies. At $10 a pop, that's $20,000,000 of revenue in 4-days. Nintendo and their developers get 70% of that, so that's $14 million.

All this means that it's a HUGE HIT!

Then it could have been an even yuger hit had Nintendo understood economics!