Super Mario Run: iOS Exclusive!

One of the most EPIC video games of all time. The first Super Mario game was Super Mario Bros which was launched way back in 1985 on the NES(Nintendo Entertainment System), which became one of the most popular games amongst kids, which featured Mario and his brother Luigi, and I think this was one of the best stuff at video games. We always agree when we look back 15 - 20 years back the games we have played and it feels nostalgic. 

Post the first version we had many versions of Super Mario viz. Super Mario: Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros 2 , and so on till Super Mario Maker which was released on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. As the years progressed we could see the newer version of the game become more and more obsolete on older Nintendo and other handheld consoles. This shift finally tilting towards launch of the Super Mario run which is exclusively available on iOS only, and I think it is truly one of the best child games you can play with great UI. 

 

Design and UI

  

The characters in the game has been designed so very well. When you first load up the game and go through all the sign up process you will see that a lot of 3D work has been used in the User Interface and hats off to Nintendo to pull off such great characters and a fabulous User Interface. I am also an iOS Developer and one thing I can say is that a great character (s) for a a game and its gameplay differentiate it from the rest of the games. 

  
Image Credits: The Verge

Th user interface has been designed so well, if you see in the picture above all the characters including Mario, and the enemies along with the toads on the bottom of the screen, all are 3D characters. Keeping in mind how the old game was design way back in NES and the the Gameboy Advanced, the current gameplay has been maintained close to that but with a punch of high-end graphics that absolutely gives stunning User Experience. 

Gameplay

So as you see in the first picture above we have Mario's so called world, where in you can place buildings that are available in the Shop. Buildings are basically to beautify the place for your kingdom. So don't think its really something that gives a wow factor to the gameplay but its a fun way to build your kingdom. Considering how popular games like Clash of Clans and Clash of Kings have been this could definitely be why such a feature was included. 

You can also place and move buildings in the kingdom. The toad house allows you to play a bonus level where in you can collect lot of coins. Coins are basically used to make purchases in the game for your buildings and decorations for your kingdom. 

As you can see in the 2nd picture it allows you to play up to  the 3rd level only, after that to unlock the fort you need to make an in-app purchase. For a free user the maximum favour that Nintendo has done is give you a glimpse of the 30 second trial of the fort. So if you remember the boss battle underground in level 1 ? Yes this is that same level. 

There is something called as a Bubble, which means that when you get hit you get wrapped in a bubble and it will float you back to the start of the game , if you tap the bubble it will burst and drop you back in the game. You can do it only twice in the game , and then your game will be over. 

You must be aware of the Super Mushroom which makes Mario Bigger and he can beat tougher opponents. There is also the famous Super Star mode of Mario, which makes him invincible for a certain amount of time and also attract coins as he moves. 

Also there is something called as a Coin Rush Mode, which you can activate by making some cool moves. Like if you tap once , you just, you tap twice Mario will swirl and tap on enemy to pull off cool moves. Then there is a meter that fills up, and when its full Coin Rush is activated. Check the 2nd image in the Toad Rally Section, thats a Coin Rush Mode.

In the purchases you can buy new buildings and place them in the Kingdom. To give a lively atmosphere for the gameplay you can also buy decorative stuff for your Kingdom, and make it look better than the rest.

There are also characters and enemies you can view, and they unlock as and when you complete different levels of the game. So keep playing and finishing levels quickly to unlock characters and enemies. The meter beside the enemy 44/210 shows how many enemies you have beaten up to now. 

The new Toad Rally

This is most FUN part of the whole game, as I have already played other levels already and it almost is the same, but this level is kind of fun and gives you a different kind of a gameplay. Its called the Toad Rally.

You need Rally Tickets in order to get into the Toad Rally. One Rally ticket is used per Toad Rally, and you can obtain Rally Tickets by the following

• Clear world in tour for first time
• Place a ? Block in the kingdom
• Play a bonus game but this necessarily does not mean you will win a Rally Ticket. 
• My Nintendo also gives awards , where you can get them as a part of promotion. 

The number of courses in Toad Rally depends on how much of the World Tour you have completed. You are pitched against an opponent in the Toad Rally and the person which collects maximum number of coins wins and he gets Toads as rewards. If you lose your toads will be subtracted from the ones you already have. There is a limit on the total number of Toads you can collect as imposed by the Developer of the game. 

The most important part of the Gameplay whether World Mode or Toad Rally, this game requires an Internet Connection to Play, thats a sad part about it! However you can add and invite and play against them and check your friend-lists as well. 

Some more stuff you should know about the game

I have given you as much as possible, but I would suggest you should go through the Help and Inquiries section of the Game, as it gives you an in-depth into each and everything about the game. 

My suggestion is that when you use the game please link it to your Nintendo account, which you can create while signing up for Super Mario on opening the game for the first time. This gives you access to benefits on the Nintendo network, like linking your game to your account, so that if you change your device you wont lose track of progress. 

The game is compatible as of now with iPad Pro, iPad Air , 4th Generation iPad, iPad mini 2 devices and up, iPod Touch and iPhone 5 devices and up. Thats great right?! 

The language support available can be obtained from the settings section of the screen. I think this is about it. My verdict over all about the game below. 

• Graphics - 10
• User Experience - 9
• Gameplay - 8( Because they limited to 3 games only and requires compulsory internet to play)
• Sound and Audio - 9
• Informativeness - 10
• TOTAL RATING - 9.2