COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Nintendo is launching its highly anticipated and very first mobile game today, ‘Super Mario Run.’
The app makes its debut on Apple devices today.
Users tap the screen to make Mario jump, instead of using a controller.
The app marks a shift in Nintendo’s strategy as the gaming industry moves past consoles and computers.
“The question is where are you going to get the most bang for your buck? And financially, there are more people with smartphones than there are with either console games or game capable computers,” said Palmer Group CEO Shelly Palmer. “The vast majority of people who are interested in gaming will be able to take advantage of it on anything distributed on mobile.”
Users can play part of the game for free and can purchase unlimited access for $9.99. It’s a departure from the ‘freemium’ model in which users don’t pay for the game, but make repeated in-app purchases to get more features.
“I just feel like they’re leaving a lot of money on the table by not picking the freemium option, because a bunch of free games are now making a billion dollars a year– but when you put out a paid game like this you cap your earnings at ten dollars a consumer,” said Kuuhubb founder Tero Kuittinen.
Apple has exclusive rights to Super Mario Run, at least at launch time.