6 top games that are cheaper than Super Mario Run

We found out this week that Nintendo will be releasing Super Mario Run, its first proper mobile game, on December 15. We also found out that it will cost you £7.99 / $9.99 to play the full game.

Now, as we've already discussed, there's a strong case to be made that this is a wholly reasonable price for a high-quality, bespoke mobile game from one of the world's greatest developers. There are games on the App Store going for twice the price.

But just for the sake of balance, let's tackle this from another angle for a minute. There are iOS games of a similar stature that can be had for less than Super Mario Run's £7.99 / $9.99.

Here are six such examples.

Where better to start than Mario's one-time arch-rival for the console mascot throne, Sonic The Hedgehog? Sonic 4 hit the App Store with considerable fanfare as a return to the fallen mascot's roots, and the first mainline Sonic game to be made with mobile as a lead platform.

It's far from the best mobile platformer, but it's decent, and the production values remain impressive. More to the point, you can get the complete Sonic 4 experience - episodes I and II - for a total of £4.58 / $5.98.

Rayman Fiesta Run (£2.29 / $2.99)

Sonic may have the history and stature, but Rayman's mobile exploits bear a closer, more direct comparison with Super Mario Run. Both feature pre-existing platformer stars in bespoke mobile-only experiences.

What's more, both are colourful auto-runners that embrace the platform's unique input method. Yet Rayman Fiesta Run only costs £2.29 / $2.99.

Let's take an example of a recent platformer classic that's mobile through and through. Vulture Island wears its debt to Mario on its sleeve, but it's also a smart and ambitious adventure in its own right.

The asking price for this homegrown gem: £3.99 / $4.99, or half a Super Mario Run.

Ridge Racer Slipstream's asking price has fluctuated a fair amount since it launched three years ago, but it's currently settled at its original price of £2.29 / $2.99.

Of course, Ridge Racer Slipstream is a slick arcade racer rather than side-scrolling platformer. But it's also an established console property from a famed Japanese developer appearing on mobile in bespoke form. Sound familiar?

Invisible, Inc is a recent example of a high quality PC game that's been brought to mobile (well, iPad) undiminished. This means that it's a top tier, generously sized premium game - and it costs half the price of Super Mario Run.

This is an isometric roguelike stealth game set in a rich cyberpunk universe, and it works brilliantly on a touchscreen. All in all, a bit of a steal.

Swap 'Invisible, Inc' with 'SteamWorld Heist' in the above entry, and you wouldn't go far wrong. Image & Form's game is another high-quality mobile conversion of an excellent PC and console strategy game, only the action is side-on and the universe more steampunk than cyberpunk.