Nintendo's new mobile platformer Super Mario Run sets a new record for day one downloads on the App Store, being downloaded almost 3 million times on iOS.

In the run up to the game's release, it was clear that Nintendo's mobile platformer, Super Mario Run, would be a hit. Millions of people had signed up to be notified the instant the game was released on the App Store, showing clearly just how eager people are to play Mario's smartphone debut. But the game has proved so popular that Super Mario Run has now set an App Store download record.

According to analytics firm Apptopia (via The Verge), Super Mario Run was downloaded 2.85 million times the first day of its release, making it the biggest launch in the history of the App Store. Apptopia says that this eclipses Pokemon GO (which has now been downloaded over half a billion times), as that app only got 900,000 in its first day on the iOS and had been downloaded 5.6 million times by its third day of availability. Though, it should be noted that Super Mario Run launched in 150 countries whereas Pokemon GO only launched in three.

Apptopia points to the initial Super Mario Run announcement, which was made during Apple's recent iPhone 7 announcement event, as a huge factor in the game's success. Moreover, Super Mario Run featured alongside the Nintendo Switch on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon and no doubt, the many millions of people who watch the show downloaded the mobile game at launch.

Though these figures are impressive, there are a few other success metrics for the game. For example, many will want to know just how much money the game can make. Recent estimates suggested that Super Mario Run will make over $70 million in its first month of availability and Nintendo will look at that – rather than just initial downloads of the game (which offers some content for free) – as an indicator of whether the game is a hit for the company or not.

Moreover, it's yet to be seen whether the game will set download records when it's released on Android next year. In the meantime, Android users have plenty of time to download Super Mario Run alternatives and may find that the platforming/runner itch may have been scratched by the time the game comes to their mobile devices. Will the staggered launch impact Android launch numbers or will the game's reputation be enough? Who knows. For now, however, Nintendo can celebrate its App Store victory.

Super Mario Run is now available on iOS.