'Super Mario Run' Release Date News: iOS Game Won’t Work Offline, Miyamoto Says

Super Mario Run doesn’t launch on the App Store until Dec. 15, but when it’s available for download, you’ll need to make sure you have a constant internet connection.

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto said in a recent interview with Mashable , Super Mario Run doesn’t have an offline mode. “For us, we view our software as being a very important asset for us,” Miyamoto said. “And also for consumers 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.”

Having constant network connection will make it possible to save progress and sync info across multiple devices. Nintendo originally wanted to make the World Tour available offline, but doing this would complicate the connect with the Toad Rally and Kingdom modes, he said.

“We had thought at one point that it would be nice to have the World Tour [story] mode available standalone, to be able to play without that connection. But then the challenge is when that's operating in a standalone mode, it actually complicates the connection back to the Toad Rally and Kingdom modes,” Miyamoto told Mashable.

Nintendo told Engadget that Super Mario Run’s online connection allows it to enhance the game experience for players. Having a constant internet connection will make it easy to access scores from other players.

Nintendo’s president Reggie Fils- Aimé detailed Super Mario Run’s three game modes: World Tour (level-based platform adventure), Toad Rally (where you can compete against players from around the world) and Kingdom Builder (where you can build your own Mario Kingdom.).

Super Mario Run arrives for iPhone and iPad on Dec. 15. Super Mario Run is free to download, but you’ll need to pay $10 to unlock all of the levels.