Guest post by John Wilkerson of The Wired Homeschool.
Super Mario Run, announced earlier this year, is the first highly anticipated mobile game from Nintendo. Initially released for iOS devices, it is expected to be released for Android early next year, parents can expect to hear about the chart-topping app for months to come.
On its first day, Super Mario Run was downloaded 2.85 million times according to Apptopia which broke the previous record of 900,000 downloads held by PokÈmon Go. That means if your child hasn’t already installed the game, they’ll want to soon.
About the Game
Super Mario Run is a single player, side-scrolling, endless running game where players guide the eponymous Mario through several worlds to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Along the way players collect coins while trying to avoid Bowser’s minions and falling off the screen. If you’re a fan of Super Mario Brothers this sounds familiar to you.
Nintendo has done a good job of making this game unique. It’s not just a simplified version of a very popular game from the 80’s. It has unique game-play elements that will entertain you and your kids.
The game has a mini-games within it which can be unlocked by earning tickets. You earn tickets by collecting all the pink, purple, and black coins on each level. You can also recruit Toads into your kingdom to restore it to its former glory.
Initial and On-going Costs
The first 3 levels of Super Mario Run are free. To unlock the remaining episodes you’ll need to spend $9.99. While this seems like a lot for a casual game, keep in mind that there are no in-game micro-transactions. No need to worry about Johnny or Sally running up your bill.
Additional Features
In addition to earning bonuses in the game, bonuses are given for connecting your Nintendo account. If you or your child don’t already have an account, you can create one in your device’s browser.
Players can also connect with friends by sharing their player ID, linking to social media accounts, email, text, or adding someone’s player ID manually. Once you’re friends with another player you can challenge them in Rally Mode.
Final Thoughts
Super Mario Run is a fun game that you and your kids will want to play. It’s challenging and the nostalgia factor for adults is certainly what’s driving its popularity.
As with any game, parents need to be aware of a few things:
1. If you link to or create a Nintendo account you should be aware of the privacy policy.
2. Linking to social media accounts brings with an additional set of privacy issues.
3. While initially free, the $9.99 price might seem high but there are no micro-transactions.
4. There is the potential that your child will spend too much time playing it.
About the Author: John Wilkerson is a homeschooling dad of 7 living in upstate New York. Through his podcast and blog, The Wired Homeschool, John has been providing practical advice to parents on using technology in homeschooling for over 6 years. Connect with John on Twitter: @jwilkers.