Super Mario Run is finally available on iOS devices and before you go and save Princess Peach from Bowser you’ll need to understand what Super Mario Run brings to mobile games.
Unlike other Mario games, this is an endless runner (of sorts) that allows players to simply touch the screen to jump. This allows for easy one-handed playing for those gamers who have to stand on trains or just want to play on the go.
Super Mario Run can be played for free but only the first three levels of the first world are unlocked. Either way, you will need to have internet access at all times to use the game, just an FYI. The full game is $9.99.
But before you run off to save the princess we’ve compiled a beginner’s guide to getting through Super Mario Run and all of its various game modes.
BASICS
The controls for Super Mario Run are really simple, all you have to do is tap on the screen to jump. That’s basically it but, of course, there’s a lot more to it than that. The longer you touch and hold the screen, the higher Mario will jump. If you jump while vaulting over enemies, you’ll pull off some cool moves.
Mario can even perform Wall jumps. Tap on the screen as Mario hits a wall to do a wall jump to get over certain obstacles and get more coins.
Each level will have Mario run straight. You can’t move backwards and you can’t stop unless you run into an obstacle. You jump your way through each course until you make it to the end of the line (but be sure to do so before the time runs out).
If you make a mistake (fall into a crevice or get hit by an enemy) you’ll pop into a bubble and be forced back. Once you stop spinning, tap the screen to break the bubble open and Mario will continue to run.
Just like in classic Mario games, there are powerups to help Mario defeat enemies. The Super Mushroom is available to let Mario jump higher and take a hit if need be. If Mario is hit by an enemy or falls down a crevice, he will lose the power-up.
Mario will automatically jump and vault over small obstacles and small enemies so you won’t always have to worry about jumping. However, if you time your jumps right you can hit enemies and defeat them. This will earn you more coins and the more coins you earn the more bonus goodies you’ll be able to buy.
COINS
The coins you get in each level of Super Mario Run will help you buy new items in the other game modes (more on that later). However, the yellow coins aren’t the only things you’ll want to collect.
Each level has five Pink Coins that are placed in more difficult areas of each course. High jump, wall jump, do everything you need to do to get them and you’ll be rewarded. Collect them all and receive Rally Tickets for Toad Rally. These are also the key to getting more Toads in Toad Rally.
However, once you’ve collected all five in a course, different colored coins will appear. Purple Coins will be placed in more difficult areas and then after that, Black Coins will be placed in even more difficult spots of a course.
Try and collect them all.
TOAD RALLY
The first game mode in Super Mario Run is Toad Rally. This is the game mode where you compete against other players. But this isn’t about how fast you can go. This is all about style.
You can become the winner based on how many coins you collect and how many Toads show up to cheer you on. The more cool jumps you perform, the more Toads appear.
There’s also a Coin Rush gauge that fills up when you perform certain actions, like flips and wall jumps. When it fills all the way a Coin Rush begins and a ton of coins will appear for a short time. This is the perfect chance to get all the coins and give yourself a good lead.
Each round of Toad Rally needs one Toad Rally ticket.
Once you’re done and if you win, Toads will want to join your kingdom. There are five different Toads, red, blue, green, purple and yellow. You’ll need a certain number of each Toad to obtain different buildings and characters.
The more Toads decide to join your Kingdom, your castle will level up. And with so many Toads, they can help you build your Kingdom.
KINGDOM BUILDER
In this mode, you can get, move and place buildings in your very own world.
You can use the coins you’ve won to purchase items and building in the shop. Buildings are split into three categories in the shop, Buildings, Decorations and Special.
Decorations are just that. You can purchase decorations to dress up your own Kingdom to your liking.
Buildings are where you can house your Toads and put things that can power Mario up before going off on a run. Collect as many different Toads as possible to unlock these buildings to see what they can do.
In the special tab, this is where you can unlock characters, and expand your kingdom and unlock new courses.
CHARACTERS
Speaking of new characters, you can unlock up to five new playable characters. Some characters are unlocked when beating the game and some need their own buildings (and Toads) to unlock.
Check out the list of hidden characters and how to unlock them, here.
If you want to switch characters, when you are in the course selection screen there is a Mario icon in the bottom right corner. Press it and the character selection screen will pop up. Each character has their own special ability, so be sure to try them all out.
CHALLENGING FRIENDS
You can challenge your friends by adding to them your friends list. To do so, you have a number of options.
Linking to your Twitter or Facebook account will show you your friends/followers who also linked the game to their accounts making it easier to add them.
You can also send a text message or email to your friends to download the game and invite them to become a friend.
And finally, you can exchange Player IDs. By inputting a friend’s Player ID you will have accepted them as a friend and they will be added to the list. You can also send your ID via text or email.
Is there anything else we missed? Let us know some of your favorite things in Super Mario Run in the comments section below.
