Dr. Mario World

Dr. Mario World[lower-alpha 1] is a match-three mobile game developed and published by Nintendo in collaboration with Line Corporation and NHN Entertainment.[1] It was released for Android and iOS platforms on July 10, 2019.

Dr. Mario World
App Store icon
Developer(s)Nintendo EPD
Line Corporation
NHN Entertainment
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Producer(s)Hideki Konno
SeriesDr. Mario
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Android, iOS
ReleaseJuly 10, 2019
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Premise

The Mushroom Kingdom is being invaded by a horde of viruses of various colors. To save the Kingdom, Mario, Princess Peach, and Bowser must don lab coats and defeat the viruses by destroying them with capsules of the same color as the viruses. Along the way, they are joined by other characters from the Mario franchise—including Luigi, Yoshi, Toad, Toadette, Bowser Jr., Ludwig von Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, Waluigi, Wario, Princess Daisy, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Rosalina, Luma, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Baby Rosalina, Kamek, Dry Bowser, Larry Koopa, Roy Koopa, Nabbit, Goomba Tower, and Lakitu —as they complete puzzles spanning multiple worlds across the Kingdom.

Gameplay

In Dr. Mario World, and similar to prior Dr. Mario games, the player removes viruses from the screen by matching their colors with that of a pill capsule. The player orients a single pill capsule against an array of viruses and obstacles. As the pill begins to drift upwards, the player can rotate and horizontally move the pill such that, when settled, the pill's color will match at least two similarly colored viruses in a vertical or horizontal direction. The level is complete when all viruses are removed.[2]

The player is able to float multiple pills at once and even drag pills through obstacles to specific positions as long as the pill feasibly fits. Later levels add additional elements, such as shielded viruses and destructible blocks to complicate the removal of viruses. Other levels have additional requirements for completion, such as extracting hidden coins from blocks.[2]

Upon filling a "skill meter", the player can activate a special ability once or twice in each level. Different special abilities are associated with the game's playable characters. For example, Dr. Mario can remove the entire bottom row on the game screen, Dr. Yoshi removes three on-screen items at random, and Dr. Peach can remove a full column. The player can also purchase power-ups through real-money microtransactions to instantaneously fill the skill meter. At the time of launch, ten playable characters are available, with Dr. Mario as the default character. Following the completion of the first five stages, the player may choose to continue using Dr. Mario, or they may elect to switch to either Dr. Peach or Dr. Bowser. Players are also given the option to enlist "assistants" that provide the player with benefits during gameplay; for example, Pokey grants the player a 10% chance of earning an additional 3 seconds in timed stages, and Koopa Troopa grants 50 bonus points for each remaining capsule at the conclusion of a stage. Additional doctors and assistants are acquired at random using either coins accumulated during gameplay or diamonds purchased with real-world currency.[2]

Similar to other mobile match-three games, such as Candy Crush, the game is monetized through timers, currencies, and purchasable digital items. For example, the player uses "hearts" to play a level, which replenish over time. The player can use coins and diamonds to purchase new characters/abilities, power-ups, and bonus pill capsules. The player receives coins for completing daily activities. Diamonds packs are purchased in exchange for real-world money through the app store.[2]

The game has a simple single-player campaign and a "versus" multiplayer mode. Dr. Mario World requires a constant Internet connection.[2]

Development

The game was released for Android and iOS mobile platforms in 59 territories on July 9, 2019.[2][3]

Reception

The game received "mixed or average reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic.[4] Polygon reported not feeling forced to spend real money through the game's monetization mechanics.[2]

Within the first three days of the game's launch, Dr. Mario World had over two million downloads and US$100,000 spent.[5]

Notes
  1. Japanese: ドクターマリオワールド Hepburn: Dokutā Mario Wārudo

References
  1. https://www.businessinsider.com/dr-mario-world-release-date-nintendo-2019-6
  2. McWhertor, Michael (July 8, 2019). "Dr. Mario World has some fun twists on a classic puzzler, with a few mobile game gotchas". Polygon. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  3. Craddock, Ryan (June 18, 2019). "Dr. Mario World Only Launching For Specific Mobile Platforms In Some Countries". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  4. "Dr. Mario World for iPhone/iPad reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  5. https://sensortower.com/blog/dr-mario-world-first-72-hours

Further reading
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