Super Mario Run for iPhone

New mobile Mario title for fans

Nintendo has finally brought Mario to smartphones with Super Mario Run on iOS — a side-scrolling runner that packages classic Mario vibes into a handset-friendly format. The visuals are detailed and pop on-screen, and the familiar Mushroom Kingdom setting is recreated with a modern polish so players can enjoy Mario on the go. If you want an alternative to try, Dr. Mario World (free) is a top suggestion.

What sets it apart from nostalgia alone

Fans often ask whether the appeal is purely sentimental. While nostalgia helps, the real strength lies in thoughtful improvements. Movement and animation feel smoother, and the pacing has been tightened without becoming frenzied. Small but meaningful additions — such as kicking off a wall to change your fall trajectory — expand options without cluttering the core gameplay. Rather than relying on flashy backgrounds, the design team focused on refining controls and mechanics, making this feel like a natural evolution of the original titles.

Difficulty and how you improve

This entry is more forgiving than some of the early, punishing Mario outings, but that doesn’t mean there’s no depth. The game rewards practice: better timing and route choices let you keep momentum and avoid pausing to rethink each section. Skillful play reduces the need for cautious play and makes high scores and coin runs more achievable.

One-handed controls and the different ways to play

Super Mario Run is built around one-thumb play. Mario runs automatically; tapping performs jumps and enables moves like midair spins and wall rebounds. The title offers several distinct modes to keep the experience varied:

• Remix 10 — A rapid-fire mode made up of the series’ shortest courses, great for quick sessions and for finding Daisy in a constantly shifting lineup.
• World Tour — A more traditional run across 24 levels as you work to free Princess Peach from Bowser, gather colored coins, and chase high scores.
• Kingdom Builder — Use collected coins and cheering Toads to design and expand your own kingdom, unlocking over a hundred decorative and functional pieces.
• Toad Rally — Compete against friends or global players by stringing together stylish moves and collecting coins to attract cheering Toads that help grow your kingdom.

What you get by paying

Purchasing the full game unlocks additional content: access to every World Tour course, more playable characters, extra Toad Rally stages, and a wider selection of buildings and decorations for Kingdom Builder.

Final impressions

Treat this as if it were a fresh indie release: it’s addictive and well-executed. The price point has been criticized as a bit high compared with similar mobile runners, and it’s worth noting the full experience requires a purchase. Still, for long-time Mario fans or anyone who enjoys polished, fast-paced platforming, the gameplay, presentation, and redesigned controls make it an enjoyable buy.