'Super Mario Run' release date, news: Tim Cook looking forward to launching new iOS game

Nintendo Creative Fellow Shigeru Miyamoto announces a Mario Bros game for the iPhone, as a translator stands nearby, during an Apple media event in San Francisco, California, U.S. September 7, 2016.Reuters/Beck Diefenbach

"Super Mario Run" is scheduled to arrive on iOS devices in December, and Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, is very excited about it. He even visited the Nintendo headquarters and had an exclusive hands-on experience with their upcoming game.

Cook posted on Twitter an image where he is playing the new side-scrolling game, "Super Mario Run." The CEO is with other Nintendo top executives that include the legendary game creator, Shigeru Miyamoto. Cook added the caption, "Getting the hang of Super Mario Run, thanks to Miyamoto-san and his awesome team at Nintendo!"

Based on the picture, Cook is having a grand time playing the game, while Miyamoto and another executive were all smiles as well. The image also means that the one-handed platformer game is ready, and it will be available on the App Store in December.

Previously, the tech community was surprised when Miyamoto showed up on the stage during the iPhone 7 unveiling last month. The game creator demonstrated how "Super Mario Run" works, right down to the pressure that a player needs to put on the screen to make Mario jump higher.

However, the upcoming game will not be iOS exclusive. Nintendo mentioned that, "We do intend to release the game on Android devices at some point in the future." The game is described as: "At long last, Mario jumps into a new adventure on the iPhone and iPad, this time playable using only one hand. Even if this is your first Mario game, you won't be able to put it down!" Kotaku reported.

The description also added: "In this game, you constantly move forward through the courses while using a variety of jumps to navigate. Your character will behave differently depending on the timing of your taps, so it's up to you to show off particularly smooth moves, gather coins, and reach the goal!"

Cook was in Japan as part of his East Asian tour. Prior to having a hands-on experience with the game, he went to Shenzhen, China, where he announced that Apple will open a research and development facility in the province. This shows the commitment of Apple in the said country, Tech Times reported.

"Super Mario Run" will arrive on the iPhone and iPad in December.