The mobile game market is huge and largely untapped by traditional console developers and publishers. Studios that find success with mobile apps are huge players in the industry, as seen byTake-Two Interactive’s $12.7 billion USD acquisition of Zynga; known for titles includingWords with Friends,FarmVille, and licenced games likeHarry Potter: Puzzles & Spells. Nintendo has put in work translating some of its franchises into mobile games, but one surprising omission isCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker.
After years of handheld development from the Game Boy to 3DS, Nintendo’s first smartphone app wasSuper Mario Runin 2016. This auto-runner used the mechanics and art style of theNew Super Mario Bros.series and opened the door to further ventures. The family company also put outAnimal Crossing: Pocket Camp,Mario Kart: World Tour, and thenow-defunctDr. Mario World, though more success has been found via other developers' games like Intelligent Systems’Fire Emblem Heroesand Niantic’sPokemon GO.Captain Toad’s standalone adventures were built with many mobile game tenets in mind, so it would make sense to see the character get an official smartphone app next.
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The Mushroom Kingdom’s denizens have been staples of theSuper Mariofranchise for decades, dating back to Toads telling Mario that Princess Peach is in another castle throughout 1985’sSuper Mario Bros.A few attempts have been made to establish unique Toads, such as Toadsworth inSuper Mario Sunshine, the Blue and Yellow Toads inNew Super Mario Bros. Wii, as well as Toadette inMario Kart: Double Dash. Spin-off games have contributed even more in this regard, with earlyPaper Mariogames introducing characters like the chefs Tayce T. and Zess T.
However, few Toads have had as much name recognition as Captain Toad. The character first appeared in2007’sSuper Mario Galaxy, heading up the Toad Brigade that helps Mario complete certain levels with well-placed spaceship platforms and new Power Stars. Captain Toad wore his signature headlamp and backpack in this first iteration, but it wasn’t until 2013’sSuper Mario 3D Worldthat he returned with a more complete adventurer’s uniform.
ThroughoutSuper Mario 3D Worldand its Switch port, players can take on “Captain Toad’s Adventures” stages that involve leading Captain Toad to Green Stars scattered across isometric puzzle boxes. These puzzles were so popular that a standalone title,Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, released for Wii U in 2014 (also later ported to Switch). He would appear again inSuper Mario Odysseyto offer Mario new Power Moons, butTreasure Trackerwas Captain Toad’s gateway to becoming a Nintendo star.
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Many Nintendo mascots including Link, Samus Aran, and Kirby have yet to break into the smartphone gaming space. However, with much of the company’s output centeringSuper Mariosubfranchises likeMario KartandDr. Mario, theCaptain Toadseries would be perfect. Captain Toad levels inSuper Mario 3D WorldandTreasure Trackerare bite-sized puzzles, often about nativating an isolated space to reach some goal. Using a variety of environments and differing mechanics, aCaptain Toadmobile game could continuously release new puzzles akin tosmartphone success stories likeCandy Crush.
Another reasonCaptain Toadgameplay would translate well to mobile is the series' focus on touch controls. The original3D Worldlevels were ashowcase of the Wii U Gamepad, allowing players to turn the puzzle box around for views of every angle while influencing certain platforms. Some of this appeal was lost in bothSuper Mario 3D WorldandCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker’s transition to the Nintendo Switch. Gyro controls took over, with on-screen objects being influenced by a pointer instead.
Throwing this concept into a smartphone app would bring touch controls front and center with more functionality like pinch to zoom and camera panning. The uniquity of smartphones could also encourage Nintendo to buff outCaptain Toad’s multiplayer potential.Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyhad four-person multiplayer in Captain Toad’s Adventures levels, so a smartphone app could do something similar - or add a competitive aspect by asking players to reach treasure before their opponents.
Captain Toad: Treasure Trackeris available now on Switch and Wii U.
