Super Mario Run Release Date, Pricing Details Announced

Super Mario Run, Nintendo's first Mario smartphone game, will launch on December 15, the publisher announced today. Nintendo also confirmed the game's pricing structure. The initial download is free and lets you play "elements of the game's three modes." If you want unlimited access to the three modes, you can pay $10. It remains to be seen if there will be any further microtransactions.

The game works with any iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that is running iOS 8 or newer. Additionally, Nintendo confirmed the game will be available at launch in 151 countries and regions, localized for English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Russian, and traditional Chinese.

Announced during the iPhone 7 reveal in September, Super Mario Run is an auto-runner that can be played with one hand. Mario runs forward on his own, jumping over obstacles and enemies when the player taps the screen. You can use your other hand to eat a hamburger.

As mentioned, Super Mario Run has three modes, the first of which involves collecting coins. The second sees players taking on the ghosts of other players to compete for high scores. As for the third mode, this lets players create their own Mushroom kingdom using coins and Toads collected in the other modes. It's not exactly clear how this works.

Super Mario Run is Nintendo's second smartphone game, following Miitomo. At least two more games are coming, including those based on the Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem franchises.

For on Super Mario Run, check out GameSpot's interview with Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, in which he talks about how the game retains "the core essence of what makes a Mario game a Mario game."