Super Mario Run is a one-handed platforming game for casual players, featuring campaign, multiplayer, and kingdom-building modes on iOS and Android.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#52
▲10Games · free
Sentiment
3.9
1.7M reviews
Nemesis
Sonic Dash: Fun Endless Runner
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The game removes the cognitive friction of complex controller inputs, allowing players to engage in short, high-quality platforming sessions during brief windows of downtime.
For Casual mobile gamers and fans of the Mario franchise seeking short, accessible play sessions.
What does it look like?
Key features
Mechanics optimized for vertical, single-thumb input where Mario runs automatically and jumps via screen taps.
24-course campaign mode focused on rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser.
Asynchronous multiplayer mode where players compete for high scores and recruit Toads to their kingdom.
How much does it cost?
The one-time purchase model creates a hard conversion wall that frustrates users expecting a fully free experience.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentseasonal eventsperformanceopaqueShow more...
The app currently ships approximately 0.12 releases per week, placing it firmly in the maintenance tier. Development is characterized by long periods of inactivity punctuated by minor updates that occasionally include event-related features. The latest release occurred 138 days ago, reflecting a stable but slow development trend. The publisher consistently utilizes opaque release notes, focusing on generic bug fixes rather than detailed feature documentation.
Who built it?
Nintendo Co.
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Super Mario Run Stickers
8-bit Super Mario StickersUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Review voice lately leans mixed. Users appreciate fluid and satisfying movement mechanics make the single-touch platforming experience feel rewarding for long-term fans and high-quality production values and classic nintendo aesthetic provide an authentic experience on mobile devices, but report aggressive paywall after the first few levels frustrates users who expect a fully free experience.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Fluid and satisfying movement mechanics make the single-touch platforming experience feel rewarding for long-term fans
- High-quality production values and classic Nintendo aesthetic provide an authentic experience on mobile devices
- Regular event updates and collectible statues provide ongoing engagement for players who have completed the main campaign
- Aggressive paywall after the first few levels frustrates users who expect a fully free experience
120 of 158 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 3 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Super Mario Run
How's the Games market?
Super Mario Run maintains a presence in the Action category, though its grossing performance is inconsistent across regions. The reliance on a one-time purchase gate creates monetization friction relative to the discovery advantage provided by the Nintendo brand.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By SEGA
The definitive mascot-driven runner rival, leveraging Nintendo's primary historical competitor to capture the same casual platforming audience.
- 3D behind-the-back perspective compared to Mario's 2D side-scrolling layout
- Endless runner mechanics focused on high scores rather than fixed level completion
- Aggressive live-ops schedule with frequent character crossovers and seasonal events
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Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Super Mario Run
Where is it heading?
The casual platformer market is consolidating around titles with frequent live-ops updates, leaving Super Mario Run exposed due to its maintenance-only release schedule. Without a shift toward recurring content or a more flexible monetization model, the app will likely see continued erosion in its active user base as players migrate to more dynamic alternatives.
- Technical instability post-update disrupts gameplay, leading to lost progress and increased churn pressure on the core base.
- The maintenance-only update cadence leaves the app vulnerable to more dynamic rivals who ship frequent live-ops content.
The SWOT
- Fluid single-touch platforming mechanics sustain engagement
- High-quality production values maintain brand authenticity
- Implement level-builder feature to increase replayability
- Add requested characters like Rosalina to roster
Next best moves
Audit crash-reporting logs because technical instability is the top complaint post-update → stabilize daily active habit
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The one-time purchase model is a retention feature, not just a monetization failure…
Read the full takeSince the last report: Technical instability and a lack of content updates have solidified the app's maintenance-mode status, leading to a decline in sentiment and increased user frustration regarding the paywall.
Bottom line
The core platforming mechanics retain a loyal base, but the maintenance-mode cadence and aggressive paywall limit growth. Stabilizing the technical experience is the immediate priority to prevent further erosion of the active user base.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Super Mario Run free to play?
Can I play Super Mario Run offline?
What are the best alternatives to Super Mario Run?
Sources
- [1] App Store listing, source
Report last updated