Overview
Super Mario Run is a free mobile action platformer from Nintendo that brings classic Mario characters and level design to smartphones. It pairs the familiar charm of the series with simple, touch-friendly controls so players can enjoy pick-up-and-play platforming on the go.
Story and objectives
The basic storyline follows Mario’s usual quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser, but the game layers in a secondary goal: restoring and decorating the Mushroom Kingdom. As you clear stages you earn coins and other rewards that let you purchase buildings, decorations, and cosmetics to personalize your kingdom.
Core gameplay
This is a side-scrolling auto-runner where characters move forward automatically and your taps control jumps and special moves. Levels are engineered with timing-based gaps, enemies, and branching coin paths. Many stages are designed so you’ll revisit them multiple times to collect colored coin sets (pink, then purple, then black), which increases challenge and replayability.
Multiplayer and competitive modes
Toad Rally offers a social, competitive twist: you compete against recorded runs from other players, trying to outscore them and impress the cheering Toads. Entry into rallies requires Rally Tickets, which are earned through gameplay and events. Unlike some console Mario titles, this release does not include a level editor or user-created stages.
Customization and replay value
Coins and other drops fund cosmetic items and structures for your Mushroom Kingdom, giving a progression loop beyond simply finishing levels. The tiered coin system and Toad Rally both encourage repeated playthroughs and mastery of stage mechanics.
Key points worth noting
- Multi-pass coin objectives (pink → purple → black) that extend each level’s lifespan
- Streamlined controls: automatic running with tap-to-jump input
- Kingdom-building features that let you spend in-game currency on decorations
- Competitive Toad Rally mode that uses ghost runs and Rally Tickets
- No support for user-created levels or a course editor
Quick takeaways
- No level creation tools are included in this release
- Rally competitions rely on consumable Rally Tickets to enter
- Decorative purchases and kingdom upgrades use coins you collect in stages
- The game’s heart is its auto-run platforming and simple touch controls
- Replay is driven by progressively harder coin challenges and multiplayer events
Bottom line
If you want a nostalgic Mario experience tailored for touchscreens — simple to learn, built for short sessions, and backed by a progression loop of collectibles and kingdom customization — this title offers that blend. It trades the depth of traditional console editors for accessibility and bite-sized challenges suited to mobile play.
Technical
- iPhone
- Android
- German
- Russian
- French
- Korean
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Portuguese
- English
- Italian
- Spanish
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Japanese
- Dutch
- Free