Pre-registrations for the Android version of Super Mario Run went live on the Google Play Store earlier today. Android users who pre-register for the game will receive a notification once Nintendo’s platformer becomes available for download at some point next year. Nintendo has yet to reveal a specific release date for the Android port of Super Mario Run as the Kyoto-based gaming company has previously only stated that its latest mobile product will launch on the Google Play Store at some point in 2017. However, seeing how pre-registrations for the game are already live, it’s reasonable to presume that Super Mario Run will be available on Android devices in early 2017, possibly even in January.
The Super Mario Run pre-registration page features a description that’s identical to the one present on the iOS App Store listing of the game. This indicates that Nintendo opted for the same free-to-try business model utilized by the recently released iOS version of the game. In other words, Super Mario Run will likely hit the Google Play Store as a technically free-to-play game. Once users download it, they’ll be able to play through three free levels as many times as they like. However, the rest of the content will be locked behind a $9.99 in-app purchase. While this price tag was met with some surprise and even dislike from the mobile gaming community, Nintendo defended its decision by stating that Super Mario Run features a single one-time fee that lets players access all of its content. Finally, the Google Play Store listing also confirms that the Android version of the game will require a constant Internet connection.
As for the product itself, it features 24 levels spanning across six worlds, all of which have a high amount of replay value. Apart from single player courses and a multiplayer mode, Super Mario Run also comes packed with a city building game mode allowing players to expand and improve their very own Mushroom Kingdom with coins earned in other modes. In addition to serving as a distraction from the main game, this alternative mode also allows you to unlock more characters which you can use during the platforming sections of the game.