Nintendo’s first collaborative effort with Apple, Super Mario Run, officially released on iOS devices today to generally positive reviews. Free to download initially, Super Mario Run does require players to fork out $9.99 USD for the full game experience. Without payment, only the first three levels of World 1 can be played.
Super Mario Run will also require an internet connection to play, with Nintendo citing piracy prevention as the main reason. Data provider Sensor Tower is predicting Super Mario Run will earn more than $71 million worldwide during its first month alone.
Like its retro predecessors, Super Mario Run begins with a letter from Princess Peach inviting Mario to join the rest of the crew for a party at the castle. She even promises to bake a cake. However, Bowser quickly intervenes and proclaims that he will be kidnapping the cake (and Peach), before wreaking havoc upon the entire castle.
If you own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can download Super Mario Run today from the App Store. The download requires iOS 8.0 or higher and clocks in at 205 MB. Super Mario Run will be available for Android sometime next year, but Nintendo is yet to provide a solid release date.
