Nintendo’s latest mobile game, Super Mario Run, became the fastest app in history to reach 40 million downloads. Just four days after its release, Super Mario Run climbed to the number one spot in the “Top Free” apps chart. This figure exceeds Pokemon Go‘s previous record for most first-week app downloads.
Though the app is free to download, this initial investment only provides the game’s first few levels. An in-app purchase of $9.99 USD, however, unlocks the full set of levels and features. This, along with the need for a persistent internet connection, disappointed many players. Despite wide criticism from fans, Super Mario Run has also become one of the top-grossing apps in over 100 countries.
In an interview with Japanese media outlet, Kyoto NP, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima discussed the app’s popularity. Kimishima stated the company hopes to exceed 100 million downloads with Super Mario Run. Though it is ambitious, this goal is likely to occur. Super Mario Run will release on Android devices in 2017, bringing along a massive amount of potential players.
Super Mario Run‘s success has inspired Nintendo to view smartphone releases as a viable earnings pillar. The app has created over $14 million USD in revenue. The company wishes to listen to community feedback to increase the amount of paying smartphone players. Nintendo hopes to turn this commercial response into a company feature. Its ultimate goal with mobile projects is to create as much excitement as was generated from their upcoming Nintendo Switch console. Kimishima also noted that efforts to compete in this market could result in the release of two to three mobile Nintendo releases each year.
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