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Android scammers set their sights on Super Mario Run

Published Dec 16th, 2016 9:18AM EST
Super Mario Run Android
Image: Nintendo

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Super Mario Run is currently the most popular game in the App Store, and it’s a solid first effort from Nintendo. The game is more than enjoyable on the iPhone, even though I personally can’t see myself continuing to play it for very long. But the appeal of Mario games on a mobile device is immense, and there are plenty of people who would like to install Super Mario Run on their devices but currently can’t. Yes, I’m looking at you, Android users.

There is no version of Super Mario Run for Android at this point. There are many clones you should be wary of though, especially if you get your Super Mario Run knockoffs from untrusted sources.

If you are going to get a Super Mario Run clone on your Android device, then you had better look for one that’s available in the Google Play store. At least that app is a lot safer than clones that you get from alternative sources, which are already being promoted around the internet.

So if someone says they have the APK of Super Mario Run for Android and YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT RIGHT NOW FOR FREE… head for the hills. There’s no Super Mario Run for Android. Nintendo has not created an Android version yet, so obviously no one advertising a leaked APK actually has it. If anyone says they do, they’re lying. If they’re lying, it means that APK you just downloaded may be malware meant to steal data from you, or profit from you in some other way.

The only way to play Super Mario Run right now is to use an iOS device. It doesn’t have to be an iPhone, it can be an iPod touch or an iPad. You could also head over to an Apple store and try it there.

As for playing the game on your Android smartphone or tablet, you’d better wait for Nintendo to figure out how to launch it on Android. It’s very likely Nintendo doesn’t want to miss out on the opportunity of bringing the game to Android, but it has to figure out how to combat piracy before the game launches.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.