Shortly after Apple first revealed that Nintendo was bringing Super Mario Run to the iPhone and iPad, many users discovered that Cupertino was also using the game's highly anticipated release as a test run for a new "Notify" system in the App Store.

Upon searching for the title on their devices before it was available, users were given the option of tapping an orange "Notify" button where the Get button or price usually appears.

super mario run app store
Undoubtedly many users tapped or clicked the button thinking they would be first to play Nintendo's debut title on iOS. But the delay between the game's appearance in the App Store and the actual delivery of notification prompts has left many users skeptical of the feature.


For many, the notification came the day after the game had been officially released. Large numbers of people received it long after they had downloaded and purchased the full game. Others are apparently yet to receive the prompt they signed up to receive.

It's possible that the sheer volume of users visiting the App Store in excitement for Super Mario Run caused a system-wide lag that prevented the notifications from being pushed to end-users' devices. If so, some may wonder why Apple chose to test the Notify service on such a hugely anticipated title in the first place.

Conversely, Apple may have intentionally staggered the notifications to ease the load on its systems as gamers raced to download the app. In that case, the feature could prove a smart move on Apple's part for when big-name game publishers stoke up excitement for upcoming titles in the future.

Top Rated Comments

chr1s60 Avatar
89 months ago
I think this feature is more for people that don't go to sites like Macrumors or other tech sites daily or even weekly. For those people, receiving an alert a few hours or a day or two after release won't matter.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
89 months ago
File under 'first world problems'... :D
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6836838 Avatar
89 months ago
Who cares. So it was a day after it was released. Does it matter?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sleepydinosaur Avatar
89 months ago
Gamers are a an entitled bunch...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Telos101 Avatar
89 months ago
Who cares. So it was a day after it was released. Does it matter?
I guess you cared enough to offer your opinion on the matter ;-P

Seriously though, if I ask to be notified about an event when it happens, it's not unreasonable to expect to be notified when it happens. Otherwise the 'feature' is not fulfilling its job, or it's substandard.

I mean, you could argue the notify button is there for people who don't care when they get notified, as long as they do get a notification at some point. Fine, but obviously there's loads of people out there who DO want to know when something is available, so they probably feel let down by it.

It's a slippery slope. Get complacent, accept shoddy services, say 'yeah whatever, it's just a game', but the next time Apple fails to notify you about something you REALLY DO care about or delays that notice for hours or even days, then what right do you have to complain? How do you establish a threshold of acceptance and reliability for a service which is consistently inconsistent? Amirite?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A MacBook lover Avatar
89 months ago
Can't believe people spent $10 on this game when there are better games with more depth, better graphics, that are actually free
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
Apple Watch Edition Gold 2015

Original Apple Watch is Now Obsolete, Including $17,000 Gold Model

Monday October 2, 2023 9:15 am PDT by
All first-generation Apple Watch models released in 2015 were added to Apple's obsolete products list on September 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. As a result, these outdated "Series 0" watches are no longer eligible for repairs or other service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Provider locations. The list of obsolete models includes the first-generation...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Mac Trade-In Changes May Indicate New Model to Launch This Month

Tuesday October 3, 2023 6:30 am PDT by
Apple may be proceeding with plans to release a new Mac model this month, according to potentially related information obtained by MacRumors. Details pertaining to imminent changes to Mac trade-ins provided to MacRumors by a verified source suggest that Apple will likely begin accepting new models for trade-in this month. Similar changes in June coincided with WWDC, when Apple began accepting...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...