Mario is Running Away With Mobile Gaming

​By Sayo Jolayemi
    
     Nintendo’s beloved video game mascot has spiraled his way from the Wii and onto mobile devices with the new mobile game Super Mario Run. In this game, players take control of Mario with the ever classic task of saving Princess Peach from the hands of Bowser and restoring order to the Mushroom Kingdom. However, instantly players will notice an intriguing twist that gives way to the game’s title; Mario never stops running.

     This key component is the new gimmick that adds to the challenge of Super Mario Run. Discovering ways to climb over enemies and increase your coin total without losing momentum have lead to an innovative Mario game on the mobile scene. When first opening the game, players are greeted with a quick introductory level explaining the basics of different jumps and vaults. Afterwards players get to experience ‘Tour Mode’ which starts in World 1, a fairly simple world consisting of a few challenging tasks that are soon conquered. After defeating the first three levels the game ‘pauses’ requesting payment before proceeding onward with the journey. To continue playing the full game the player must pay $9.99 to unlock the current boss level and additional five worlds.

     For many the trip ends here as most are hesitant to fork up such a hefty cost for a mobile game. However, for the courageous few who do continue, the game becomes more interesting. Along with ‘Tour Mode’ another aspect of the game is revealed ‘Rally Mode’ where most of your game time will be spent. ‘Rally Mode’ consists of racing against the ghosts of other players and trying to outperform them by pulling of combos resulting in a higher coin total than your opponent. Successfully completing this means that Toads will move into your kingdom.
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     Gaining Toads allows you to customize your kingdom aesthetically for functionally as certain characters, (Luigi, Yoshi, and Toadette) can only be unlocked by achieving a certain Toad supply. Unlocking all the characters will take you some time though, because while winning in Rally Mode gains you Toads… losing a game means you lose your Toads.

     While it may seem pointless to some, the nostalgia behind bringing the mustachioed plumber to your phone screen is a feeling that can only be described as natural, the actual plot line of the game currently is very short however beating the game will provide an extra time consuming adventure, each level has five hidden pink coins, that when found unlock hidden purple coins, when those are found hidden black coins are unveiled. Finding all 480 coins unlocks three special dimensions with gameplay I myself am yet to discover.

     If you’re on the ropes about purchasing this game I highly recommend it, the thrill of finally getting the hardest coin or decimating an opponent in “Toad Rally” releases a feeling of content that justifies the ten-dollar price point.