Super Mario Run Requires an Internet Connection to Because Nintendo is Afraid of Piracy

Nintendo's Super Mario Run requires always-on internet to play

If you’re planning on playing Super Mario Run on your next flight the plane better have WiFi because it requires an always-on internet connection. Nintendo says that’s by design because they want to prevent game piracy.

Nintendo's Super Mario Run requires always-on internet to play
Surprise! Super Mario Run requires and active internet connection to play.

Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was asked about the always-on internet requirement by Mashable. He responded,

For us, we view our software as being a very important asset for us. And also for customers who are purchasing the game, we want to make sure that we’re able to offer it to them in a way that the software is secure, and that they’re able to play it in a stable environment.

That’s not exactly a clear confirmation, so Mashable asked, “Just to be clear: When you say ‘security,’ you mean the risk of piracy, right?”

His response: “That’s correct.”

Super Mario Run launches on December 15th exclusively on the iPhone and iPad. That means the game is available only through Apple’s App Store, and includes anti-piracy protection baked in, locking it to the devices linked to individual iTunes Store accounts. In other words, if you didn’t buy the game, you can’t play it.

Requiring users to have an active internet connection when playing Super Mario Run won’t be a big deal for some users, but it’ll be a giant pile of Goomba-doo for anyone hoping to kill some time on a flight, or anywhere else they can’t get online.

Super Mario Run costs US$9.99, and while its required active internet connection will turn off some potential buyers it won’t likely keep Nintendo from collecting coins like Luigi on a power jump. Still, it’s yet another opportunity for the pundits to say Nintendo found another way to shoot itself in the foot.

3 thoughts on “Super Mario Run Requires an Internet Connection to Because Nintendo is Afraid of Piracy

  • Given that Pokemon GO had a bit of a piracy problem – both in terms of fake apps, and also in terms of maps-tracking sites that allowed users to ‘cheat’ (as they saw it), I can see why they’re doing this.

    It’s a fairly straight correlation to Pokemon GO, which doesn’t work if you don’t have a connection. Being maps based there’s less desire to play while travelling, which is the main point of difference.

    This is just the next step up. I hazard a guess that Nintendo will require a Nintendo ID or something similar to play.

  • I don’t get the paranoia. You buy it with a specific App Store account (AppleID) which allows you to play it on any of your same-AppleID devices, right?

    So why does it require a CONSTANT internet connection ?? Why isn’t it just requiring a connection on the first time on any new device – checking the credentials once and then allowing it to run without further connection ??

    Am I missing something here (quite possible) ?? Is there something that makes this an unworkable idea?

  • I don’t get to travel that often, so for me I would not mind the internet connection requirement, but like you said I would guess people that do travel would be bothered by this.

    I would imagine that Nintendo’s code for its big title games is the most valuable intellectual property it owns. If I were them I would be paranoid too.

    The main thing I want is one of those NES Classic Editions, but they still seem to be mostly sold out everywhere.

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