Anyone here who has NOT played a Super Mario game of some sort? Anyone?

I still remember playing Super Mario on our Nintendo in the 1990s and constantly hating on the water levels. Any water level. Hated them.

And I’ll be totally honest with you. I haven’t bought any Mario games for our Wii U, besides Mario Kart 8; which should be a staple in any family. I’m not sure why we haven’t bought others. Possibly because we spend all our money on Lego Dimensions.

But it looks like we have another option coming up next month. I just received the press release from my Nintendo minion and it shows a new Mario game for iPhone and iPad: Super Mario Run.

Images provided by Nintendo Australia PR

For the first time ever, Mario can jump over those pesky turtles, dive down pipes, and keep searching in another castle–all on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. I think this is going to open up a huge revival in the Super Mario fandom. Watch a whole bunch of geeky parents find an even easier way to bring their spawnlings into the fold.

Well played, Nintendo. This is will definitely continue to bolster your ‘best family gaming company’ rep.

And I don’t care. I’ll still buy the game! The game starts off free to download, with some content available for free. However, if you want to play everything, you need to hand over some gold coins. For the geographically taxed, that’s going to be AUD$14.99.

Image provided by Nintendo Australia PR

Yes, American Minions. You are once again better off with your USD$9.99. And don’t even start, Brits. You only pay GBP7.99. I know it’s only a couple of dollars in the conversion, but it is still a benefit to the company. I’m not surprised (it IS business). I’m just tired of it happening AGAIN.

So what are the mechanics of this game? Well, Mario is always running (just like most parents, amirite?) and you just have to keep the screen moving. Tap to jump, double tap to jump higher, that kind of thing.

Image provided by Nintendo Australia PR

In the design, they really have taken the best bits of almost all the games. Three different modes allow you to play in a more nostalgic/standard setting; compete against others in Toad Rally; or build your own kingdom (which is just cutesy enough to become really competitive amongst the parents spawnlings).

Super Mario Run will be available in the App Store from 15 Dec 2016. Just in time for the Summer Holidays in Australia, and all the crazy travelling families who just happen to have an iPad for the kids. Yeah, you’ll thank me.

No word yet on Android or Google phones as yet. Not my fault (read: not my problem). Take it up with management.

Image provided by Nintendo Australia PR