Nintendo shares gain 15 percent in Tokyo after partnership with Apple

Shares of the Japanese video game giant Nintendo gained 15 percent in early trade of the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Thursday, following the announcement on Wednesday of its partnership with Apple to bring its iconic Mario character to Apple devices.

Within half an hour, the price of the Kyotobased, western Japan, company shares soared up 15.18 percent, reaching 28,445 Yen ($279.8).

On Wednesday, during the Apple event in San Francisco, USA, the creator of Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto, announced the arrival of his legendary video game character on the App Store with the brand new ‘Super Mario Run’ application.

The app marks the first time that Nintendo is associated with Apple for distribution of one of its games and was also one of the first innovations presented by the American company during its long awaited event, which centered on launching the new iPhone 7 and a new Apple Watch.

Miyamoto, the creator of game hits such as ‘Donkey Kong’ or ‘The Legend of Zelda’, explained that ‘Super Mario Run’ will hit the App Store before Christmas this year at a fixed price and without inapp purchases.

The agreement with Apple has reinvigorated the Japanese company, whose shares had stabilized after shooting to record highs in July as a result of the smartphone game ‘Pokemon Go’, which became a global success.