May 04, 2024 | Updated: 11:35 AM EDT

‘Super Mario Run’ Latest News & Update: Sales Target Missed, Nintendo Realizes Failure In Pay-Once Scheme

Mar 27, 2017 06:51 AM EDT

“Super Mario Run” did make headlines last week thanks to the relese of the game to Android device owners. While millions of downloads are expected to result in the coming weeks, the sales targets of the company have not been met.

With due consideration to its ploy of requiring players to pay up $10 to unlock the full version of “Super Mario Run,” the obvious is that not too many took the bait. Instead, most have been satisfied playing the game with the free features that come with it. This is with reference to the three levels and the other game modes such as “Toad Rally.”

Regardless, Nintendo is sticking with the pay-once scheme to unlock the full version of “Super Mario Run” even if sales are going poorily according to Mac Rumors. For the iOS version of the game, there were added features coinciding with the Android version release. That included new playable characters, new Bowser challenges, and the East mode which gave access to “World Tour Mode.”

Some call the move as a means to somehow appease gamers with the added features and levels. There is a sign that the company intends to soften its stance on the stiff $10 sales price despite the fact that it has failed to reel in revenue for “Super Mario Run.”

And based on a report from Nikkei, it seems that Nintendo will pretty much use the same model for another game app, “Fire Emblem Heroes.” It offers a “freemium” price model which Nintendo claims is doing well. Similar to their position on “Super Mario Run,” “Fire Emblem Heroes” will not follow the free-to-play scheme, same with other future games they are planning.

Nintendo plans to release two to three mobile games annually. “Animal Crossing” has been mentioned as the next game for release though that may only happen by March 2018, IGN reported.

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