Super Mario Run for Android release date, UK price and rumours: Android game set to come out in 2017

After much anticipation, Super Mario Run was finally made available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on 15 December. It’s one of Nintendo’s biggest releases ever for iOS and since it was launched, has garnered more than 37 million downloads worldwide in three days, almost two million of which were in the UK, according to app data firm App Annie. But the question that’s yet to be answered is “when will Super Mario Run arrive on Android?” READ NEXT: Our Super Mario Run review (for iOS)

Sadly, no official date has been confirmed yet. However, we are here to keep you up to date with the latest news concerning Super Mario Run for Android and when you can expect to see it on Google’s mobile platform.

Be warned: We have noticed a few .apk files appearing around the internet (.apk is the file extension for Android apps) – these are non-official and malicious applications. It’s highly advised to avoid these apps, until it has been officially released on Android.

What is Super Mario Run?

First of all – for those who are a bit out of the loop – we should probably cover what exactly Super Mario Run is.

Set to give Pokémon Go a run for its money, Super Mario Run is a new kind of Mario game that you can play with one hand. In the game, the eponymous plumber constantly moves forward through a variety of courses that require a number of jumps to navigate.

Nintendo has wisely decided against taking us back to the days of awkward onscreen gamepad controls and instead stuck to the platform’s strengths: simple one-tap controls. What you’re looking at here is an endless runner in the vein of Temple Run and Rayman Jungle Run. There’s a run-to-the-flag mode that features traditional Mario levels and pinpoint jump timing, and a battle mode called “Toad Rally”, which pitches opponents against each other until the time runs out.

Mario will behave differently depending on the timing of your taps, so it’s up to you to show off particularly smooth moves, gather coins, and reach the goal.

When is the Super Mario Run Android release date?

So when will we see the game on phones other than the iPhone? While no solid date has been set, Nintendo has at least shed some light on the Android release of the already very popular mobile game. Although it’s not very specific. Nintendo’s American boss, Reggie Fils-Aime, said in a recent interview that it would be out on Android in 2017.

“In order to develop the game and make it as special, we had to focus on one platform and we decided to focus on iOS, iPhone, [and] iPad,” he said.

“And so, in the future, it is coming to Android, we’ve made that commitment and something that will happen in 2017.”

Vague, yes. But it could be worse. At least we know it’s on its way.

How much will Super Mario Run cost on Android?

There is no word yet on how much the game will cost for Android users to download, but we can assume it will be in the same region as the iOS version. The game costs £7.99 (which yes, is rather steep for a smartphone app) and expect the Android version to cost the same. 

The app has already received a lot of praise, but given its high price tag, Nintendo’s share prices have dropped. So, we might even see it cost less when it’s finally released on Android.

Be careful of clone Super Mario Run apps.

Desperate to get your hands on the new Mario game but don’t have an iOS device? You’ll just have to wait, unfortunately. Nintendo’s fresh game attracted a raft of clone apps on the Google Play store claiming to offer ported versions of the game as Nintendo and Apple were busy promoting the official game. But don’t be fooled. They are either other games cloaked as the original, or malicious apps that could cause harm to your device. Either way, they are not the game, so steer clear.