Nintendo won't be making any more 'Super Mario' games for iPhone
Nintendo director and designer Shigeru Miyamoto has confirmed Mario won't be coming back to smartphones like iPhone.
'Mario Run' wasn't a big hit on mobile
Nintendo has released a range of titles on mobile devices like iPhone. They have seen middling success, but they never penetrated the market in the way such popular intellectual properties usually would.
In an extensive interview with Variety, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto spoke about mobile gaming and the future of Mario. While he didn't have any announcements about upcoming titles, he confirmed Mario wouldn't be returning to smartphones.
After $60 million of earnings from "Super Mario Run" in its first year, and $300 million generated for "Mario Kart Tour" since its 2019 debut, it was clear Mario wasn't winning mobile. For comparison, "Mario Kart 8" has raked in $3 billion on the Nintendo Switch console.
"Having Mario games as mobile apps expands the doorway for far more audience to experience the game, and also expands the Mario gaming experience, where you only need your thumb on one hand," said Miyamoto. Despite that, he also stated that "mobile apps will not be the primary path of future Mario games."
Nothing was said of the other Nintendo properties on iPhone. "Animal Crossing Pocket Camp" and "Fire Emblem Heroes" are both still actively being updated in the App Store.
The franchise's future is in question, with "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" coming to theaters Wednesday, April 5. While Miyamoto wouldn't elaborate on where the character will appear next, it is clear it won't be on mobile.
Read on AppleInsider
'Mario Run' wasn't a big hit on mobile
Nintendo has released a range of titles on mobile devices like iPhone. They have seen middling success, but they never penetrated the market in the way such popular intellectual properties usually would.
In an extensive interview with Variety, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto spoke about mobile gaming and the future of Mario. While he didn't have any announcements about upcoming titles, he confirmed Mario wouldn't be returning to smartphones.
After $60 million of earnings from "Super Mario Run" in its first year, and $300 million generated for "Mario Kart Tour" since its 2019 debut, it was clear Mario wasn't winning mobile. For comparison, "Mario Kart 8" has raked in $3 billion on the Nintendo Switch console.
"Having Mario games as mobile apps expands the doorway for far more audience to experience the game, and also expands the Mario gaming experience, where you only need your thumb on one hand," said Miyamoto. Despite that, he also stated that "mobile apps will not be the primary path of future Mario games."
Nothing was said of the other Nintendo properties on iPhone. "Animal Crossing Pocket Camp" and "Fire Emblem Heroes" are both still actively being updated in the App Store.
The franchise's future is in question, with "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" coming to theaters Wednesday, April 5. While Miyamoto wouldn't elaborate on where the character will appear next, it is clear it won't be on mobile.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Mario Kart Tour was reported to have made $200m when it hit 200m downloads, which is $1 per copy:
https://twinfinite.net/2021/04/mario-kart-tour-hits-200-million-downloads-200-million-revenue/
If they were able to convince mobile game players to spend $10-20 per copy, it would have been a successful game.
Mobile players only spend that much through addictive game mechanics and in-app purchases. Mario Kart Tour had the potential for long-term gameplay but the in-app purchases don't offer enough of an incentive to buy them.
I was hoping to see a Donkey Kong Run game. Super Mario Run was a good game. They just need to figure out what people are willing to pay for, maybe character costumes, power moves, unlock extra worlds, extra characters. What's certain is mobile players will never pay console game prices and that will always be their advantage.