Is Super Mario Run Completely Free? A Deep Dive
No, Super Mario Run is not completely free. While the game offers a free download and allows players to sample a portion of the gameplay without any payment, unlocking the full experience requires a one-time purchase. Think of it as a ‘try before you buy’ model. You get to play the first few levels and experience the core mechanics, but if you want to delve into all of the game’s modes, levels, and features, you’ll need to make a payment. The good news is that this is a one-time fee; there are no further in-app purchases required after unlocking the entire game.
This means you can enjoy a taste of Super Mario Run entirely for free, allowing you to determine whether the game aligns with your preferences before committing financially. You can explore the first three levels across several game modes. However, progression beyond these initial levels requires purchasing the full game.
Super Mario Run: A Breakdown of Free and Paid Features
Free Content
- Free Download: The game itself can be downloaded from the App Store (iOS) for free.
- First Three Levels: Players can play the first three levels of the “World Tour” mode. This serves as a demonstration of the game’s core gameplay and mechanics.
- Sampling Other Modes: The game allows you to briefly try out all of the modes, including “Toad Rally,” “Remix 10,” and “Kingdom Builder,” providing a glimpse of what they offer.
Paid Content
- Full World Tour Access: Unlocks all levels in World Tour mode beyond the initial three.
- Complete Access to All Modes: Enables full access to “Toad Rally,” “Remix 10,” and “Kingdom Builder” modes.
- No Further In-App Purchases: After the one-time purchase, there are no further in-app purchases required. This offers a clear and straightforward transaction process.
Why Isn’t Super Mario Run Completely Free?
The decision to offer a free trial with a paid unlock is a common approach for mobile games. This model allows players to assess the quality of the game and make an informed purchase. It allows users to feel secure in the purchase of the game knowing that they will enjoy the game’s style before purchasing.
Nintendo’s focus on quality and a satisfying, complete gaming experience likely led to the decision to implement a paid unlock to access all content, rather than monetizing the game through frequent in-app purchases, which can often be perceived as invasive or disruptive to gameplay.
Super Mario Run FAQs
1. How much does it cost to unlock the full version of Super Mario Run?
The full version of Super Mario Run costs $9.99 as a one-time in-app purchase.
2. What exactly is included in the paid version of Super Mario Run?
The paid version unlocks all the remaining levels in World Tour mode beyond the first three, and grants full access to Toad Rally, Remix 10, and Kingdom Builder modes.
3. Is Super Mario Run available on Android?
Yes, Super Mario Run is also available on the Google Play Store for Android devices, following the same free trial and paid unlock model.
4. Do I need an internet connection to play Super Mario Run?
Yes, Super Mario Run requires a constant internet connection to play. This is for security and to ensure that the game’s online features work correctly.
5. Can I play Super Mario Run offline?
No, you cannot play Super Mario Run offline. A constant internet connection is mandatory to access the game.
6. Can I unlock additional characters without extra payments?
Yes, you can unlock playable characters like Luigi, Yoshi, and Toadette through in-game achievements and collecting specific numbers of Toads in “Toad Rally” mode without further purchases.
7. How do I unlock Luigi in Super Mario Run?
Luigi is unlocked by building Luigi’s House in your Kingdom. You will be able to build this once you have collected 150 Green Toads and 150 Purple Toads from “Toad Rally” mode.
8. How do I unlock Yoshi in Super Mario Run?
You unlock Yoshi by collecting 30 Red Toads and 30 Yellow Toads in “Toad Rally” mode.
9. How do I unlock Toadette in Super Mario Run?
To unlock Toadette, you’ll need to collect 200 Red Toads, 200 Blue Toads, and 200 Green Toads in “Toad Rally” mode.
10. What are the main game modes in Super Mario Run?
The main game modes are:
- World Tour: The core single-player story mode.
- Toad Rally: Compete against other players’ ghosts for Toads.
- Remix 10: A rapid-fire series of short levels.
- Kingdom Builder: Customize your own Mushroom Kingdom.
11. Is Super Mario Run the only Mario game on mobile devices?
Yes, Super Mario Run was the first Mario game specifically designed for mobile platforms. While other Mario-themed mobile games may exist, this was the first full-fledged platformer.
12. Is there a way to get Super Mario Run for free?
Aside from the initial free levels, there is no legitimate method to get the full game for free. Avoid any app that claims to unlock the full game for free; they are not legitimate.
13. How do I purchase the full version of Super Mario Run?
Purchasing the full version is done through your device’s app store’s payment system (App Store for iOS and Google Play Store for Android).
14. Are there any other hidden costs or in-app purchases after unlocking the full game?
No. Once you’ve made the one-time purchase of $9.99, you’ll have full access to all the game’s features, and no other in-app purchases are required.
15. How long does it take to complete Super Mario Run?
A typical playthrough of the main objectives of Super Mario Run can take about 2 hours. For gamers who want to achieve full completion and unlock everything, they should expect to spend around 20 hours.
Conclusion
Super Mario Run provides a solid mobile gaming experience with a clear and fair monetization strategy. The free download and sample levels allow players to decide whether they like the gameplay before making the purchase. While the game is not entirely free, the one-time payment to unlock the full content is a straightforward way to access all of the modes and levels, without being required to make further payments for additional content. This simple system makes Super Mario Run a user-friendly experience for both casual and hardcore Mario fans.