Nintendo won’t make any more Mario games for smartphones

Nintendo director has confirmed that future Mario games won't be on mobile, despite the success of previous titles.

Super Mario Run is a new kind of Mario game that you can play with one hand (Image: Nintendo)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Nintendo’s iconic game character Mario will not be returning to smartphones, according to Shigeru Miyamoto, the company’s director and designer.

Despite the success of Nintendo’s mobile titles, including “Super Mario Run” and “Mario Kart Tour,” which generated $60 million and $300 million, respectively, in their first year, Miyamoto confirmed in an interview with Variety that mobile apps will not be the primary path of future Mario games.

Also read | Super Mario: 10 unknown facts about the iconic video game character

“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,” Miyamoto said. He did not comment on Nintendo’s other mobile titles, “Animal Crossing Pocket Camp” and “Fire Emblem Heroes,” which are still being updated in the App Store.

Although Miyamoto did not provide any details on where the character will appear next, it is clear that it won’t be on mobile. With smartphones out of the picture, the Nintendo Switch looks like the most attractive portable device that’ll run future Mario games.