Review: Super Mario Run

A big year of mobile games ended with one of gaming’s most iconic figures jumping his way onto our cellular screens.

As red as Santa and just as jolly, Super Mario’s mobile arrival was a Christmas come early for many gamers.

But is Super Mario Run a precious gift or is it best left forgotten under the Christmas tree?

Thankfully, though not without its inevitable frustrations, Super Mario Run has made a very graceful and not to be missed leap to mobile.

As with every Mario game before it, this one once again sees you chasing after Princess Peach who has yet again been taken prisoner by that pesky Bowser. To top off this repeated heartbreak, Bowser has also left Toad Kingdom in ruins leaving you to pick up the pieces as you set out to rescue Peach.

This extra dimension adds some invaluable depth to the game allowing you to customise the kingdom you rebuild, win over Toads to your kingdom from other players and put the many, many coins you earn in the main mode to use.

Restricted by the mobile platform, Super Mario Run follows the trend of many games before it on the platform by being an automatic runner. In both game modes, Mario runs without your input and even jumps over immediate objects leaving you to control his jumps to defeat enemies and reach coins. Coins after all, are the name of this game for though completing the 20 plus levels on offer are satisfying, it’s trying to capture as many coins on each level that offer the real challenge.

From ordinary gold coins to the more allusive pink, purple and black coins, you’ll really have to plan your every move if you are to set a respectable score. Something you’ll really want to do because Super Mario Run allows you to add other users and compare scores as you play.

As an online only game, Super Mario Run takes full advantage of this connectivity in its second mode Toad Rally. In this mini-game, you’ll go head to head with another player on a chosen level to see who can claim the most coins and win the most followers through killing enemies and timing your jumps right. The winner of these battles will win a number of toads to add to your kingdom allowing you to level up which in turn allows you upgrade and better customise your kingdom.

Though I haven’t gotten too carried away with the kingdom aspect, seeing it grow is innately satisfying and keeps you motivated to play Toad Rally even once you track down Peach in the main game.

Though very addictive, this game isn’t perfect with some occasional freezes (likely to do with the other 50 million players!) and frustrating regeneration bubbles that often lead to repeated deaths rather than a second chance, my main issues with it so far.

Coming in at a hefty $15 on the App Store, Super Mario Run still managed to surprise me however with its depth and overall quality. This is more than just a generic runner with Mario’s face stuck on. Not only is the platforming itself spot on, you can tell the game has been crafted with real care. From the nostalgic sound effects to the very crisp visuals, this wasn’t a game made over night.

Unlike Mario himself in this game, you can tell the developers behind Super Mario Run took their time to build a Mario game true to the franchise. Overcoming the switch to mobile with stunning simplicity and even taking advantage of the medium to increase connectivity between users, Super Mario Run is a game you and your mobile deserve to have.

Score: 8.5/10

 

Posted in Blog, Games