Super Mario Run needs an active Internet connection to play: Here’s why

Super Mario Run now available for download on iOS, but comes with a catch - can only be played with an Internet connection

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Super Mario Run was launched on December 15 and is available for free download to all iOS users

Super Mario Run is now available for iPhone and iPad users to download, and for those who have found their new go-to-game while travelling take note of this one catch – it can only be played while connected to the Internet.

Speaking to Mashable, creator of the game, Miyamoto said that an active Internet connection will be required to play the game. He’s citing security concerns as the reason why it isn’t available in offline mode. By security reasons, Miyamoto means digital pirates could steal the codes of the game in offline mode.

“We do have the Nintendo accounts system and through [that] we will be able to have connections, and players will be able to — for example — keep their saved data up in the cloud. And obviously, from a consumer perspective, your save data is a valuable thing,” Miyamoto told Mashable.

In another statement to Polygon, Nintendo has offered more explanation on this obsession with the data connectivity. According to the company, being online will offer players “access to other users’ play data and scores for automatically generated Toad Rally challenges.” Additionally “in-game events” which come with challenges, rewards can also be offered thanks to online connectivity.

Read: Super Mario Run comes to iOS: How to play, game modes and price

Only being able to play the game while connected to the Internet is not something that will go down well with all users. In a country like India, where cellular data connectivity is still rather poor, it will be difficult for people to play the game while traveling. These are the same problems some users experienced with Pokemon GO, which let’s face it people in India were playing way before the official release. Plus spending all your data on Super Mario Run is going to make several people unhappy. And this is not just an India problem.

Read: Super Mario Run first impressions: A perfect gift from Nintendo for the fans

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Super Mario Run is iOS users for free, but with limited accessibility to all the three game modes. To buy the game and be able to use all game modes, users will need to cough up Rs 620. The game offers three modes – World Tour, Toad Rally and Kingdom builder. The Android version of the game will come later.