Back in the day, Nintendo ventured into mobile gaming by creating titles for iOS devices; a move that some might recall, while others may not. Regardless, it’s worth noting that Nintendo is still pursuing mobile development, as they’ve recently unveiled an update for their nearly decade-old game Super Mario Run, which ties in with their latest Mario Party release, Super Mario Party Jamboree, exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo announced that an upcoming update for Super Mario Run will introduce three kinds of mission sheets, allowing players to acquire statues depicting Mario, Peach, and Bowser inspired by the Super Mario Party Jamboree. This event is taking place now until January 29. While some may find this update endearing and a clever method of promoting Mario’s latest Mario Party spectacle, the timing raises questions as it has been almost an entire year since the mobile game last received an update, leading some to speculate that Nintendo had forgotten about the game entirely.
Back in the day, “Super Mario Run” hit the market amidst a wave of speculation suggesting that mobile games, specifically those designed for smartphones, would be the sole path forward for the gaming industry. It turned out that this assumption was off the mark; it overestimated the imminent demise of conventional gaming and hardware manufacturers.
In the time when Nintendo’s Wii U sales were disappointing, various media outlets (who might not have had expertise in gaming economics and may not have been avid gamers since the 1990s) suggested that Nintendo should abandon traditional video game consoles and instead shift their focus towards mobile gaming, following the trends set by Silicon Valley.
Despite ignoring suggestions from the media, Nintendo managed a comeback by launching the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Simultaneously, they expanded their reach by bringing several beloved game franchises to mobile devices worldwide.
The game “Super Mario Run” turned out to be one of the least favored Mario games ever made. In this tap-to-jump, auto-scrolling platformer, Mario moves on his own. Among longtime followers of the series, reactions were divided because of its straightforward design. Moreover, it sparked some controversy among traditional mobile users due to its initial $10 cost.
During this period, numerous mobile games had transitioned to a free-to-play model, generating revenue through advertising and in-game transactions.
Although the game appeared unsuccessful, analytics company Sensor Tower suggested that the company could have earned over $50 million in profit. This could indicate the significant impact of brand recognition on a device widely owned by consumers. If these financial reports are accurate, then the upcoming update, which is the first since 2023, seems more justifiable. However, some fans might still be puzzled by the lengthy time gap.
It appears that Nintendo may have been shifting focus away from mobile gaming, with the last significant game launched for this platform being “Pikmin Bloom” in 2021. Another notable title, “Dr. Mario World,” released in 2019, was effectively retired just two years later when its live service was terminated on Halloween 2021.
Super Mario Run represents a daring experiment from Nintendo’s past, an era marked by innovation as the company sought to rebuild its reputation following the financial struggles of the Wii U and the untimely death of its president and CEO, Satoru Iwata.
It appears that Nintendo’s foray into mobile gaming will remain an unusual chapter in their history, occasionally dabbled with. However, given the excitement surrounding the potential Nintendo Switch 2 and the upcoming sequel to the “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” this app being considered as a side project underscores just how much they’ve progressed since the launch of “Super Mario Run” in 2016.
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2025-01-26 16:55