Mobile Medicine: The Untimely End of “Dr. Mario Mania” on the App Store

In a move that has left fans of the classic puzzle game in a state of confusion, the beloved fan-made mobile title Dr. Mario Mania has been removed from the iOS App Store just weeks after its full release. This is not the first time a Dr. Mario-themed game has vanished from mobile devices; its official predecessor, Dr. Mario World, was also discontinued by Nintendo in 2021. However, the removal of this indie-developed game speaks to a different set of issues, highlighting the complex relationship between app stores and independent creators.

Dr. Mario Mania was a fan-made love letter to the classic Nintendo franchise. Developed by a dedicated solo developer under the name “Toadfan,” the game was praised for its faithfulness to the original formula while also adding a host of new, community-requested features. This included local multiplayer for up to four players, a level editor, and various gameplay styles that added a surprising amount of replayability to the simple premise. The game was available on a variety of platforms, including PC, Android, and iOS, with the iOS version being a particularly impressive technical achievement given the game’s high level of polish.

The Reason for the Removal: A Familiar Story

While the developer has not released an official statement, the removal of Dr. Mario Mania from the App Store is almost certainly due to a takedown notice from Nintendo. Nintendo is famously protective of its intellectual property, and while they have sometimes allowed fan projects to exist on platforms like PC, they are much stricter when it comes to curated app stores. The use of Mario’s likeness and the “Dr. Mario” title is a clear violation of Nintendo’s copyrights, and even though the game was a free, non-monetized project, the company is known to be proactive in protecting its brands.

The removal from the App Store is a major blow to the game’s developer and fans. The game had garnered a “Very Positive” rating on other platforms and was a perfect example of a fan project that was both a tribute and a significant improvement upon the original source material. It was a game that deserved to be played and enjoyed by a wider audience, but unfortunately, it was a victim of its own success and a company’s strict intellectual property policies.

Where to Play the Game Now

For players who still want to experience this fantastic puzzle game, there are a few options.

• Android: The game is still available for free on the Google Play Store and on Itch.io. The Android version is a direct port that runs smoothly on most modern devices.
• PC and Mac: The game is also available on PC and Mac via Itch.io, allowing you to play the game on your computer.

While the game’s mobile presence has been dealt a major blow with its App Store removal, the spirit of Dr. Mario Mania lives on. The game stands as a testament to the creativity and passion of the fan community, and its short-lived presence on the App Store serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the most harmless and well-made fan projects can fall victim to the unyielding hand of corporate policy.