Download Super Mario Run on an Android phone? You could be in BIG TROUBLE - Express.co.uk

Super Mario Run became available for iPhone and iPad owners last week.

But while those with access to the Apple App Store are sitting pretty, the Android UK release date for the game is still up in the air.

Since it is not on the Google Play Store, many users have taken to searching for an APK file for Nintendo's first mobile Mario game.

For those who don't know, APK install files are like .exe files on Windows, and let phone owners install applications and games on their Android devices without having to go through the Google Play Store.

But be warned – Super Mario Run does not have an APK for Android yet.

Since Nintendo has yet to push-out Super Mario Run to the Google Play Store, these APK databases are all fake.

Shady websites claiming to have early – and free – access to the files are using the popularity of the game to trick people into downloading malware.

The webpage claims that downloading the APK files will enable you to play Super Mario Run on a Samsung Galaxy, or LG V20, or Google Pixel.

Vice President of Research for app security company Axran, Aaron Lint told GamesBeat: "As Nintendo’s second foray into mobile gaming with one of their lead franchises, Super Mario Run is immediately going to be a prime target for attackers trying to exploit its code – especially with the number of users which will be downloading this game.

"Just as with the previous smash hit Pokémon Go, we anticipate the appearance of corrupted fake apps used to spread malware."

If you think you’ve been the victim of a cyber-attack, check out Express.co.uk’s guide on the next steps to take here.

Even when Nintendo finally releases its highly-anticipated Mario game on Android, it's very risky to download from a third-party site.

Hackers can inject additional code to an otherwise harmless game in an effort to compromise your data. Of course, some users will take that risk just so that they can pirate the game without paying a penny.

Otherwise, Nintendo currently charges £7.99 to unlock all of the platformer's levels.

The game has received lots of one-star reviews, as fans complain about the price tag, online-only requirements and more.

Some fans are upset that the World Tour story mode is locked behind a paywall and only the first few levels are free-to-play.

Others have argued that the free levels are so easy that it puts them off buying more.

It doesn't appear to have done sales much harm, because Super Mario Run downloads have soared, according to CNBC.

Super Mario Run is already the most-downloaded game on the US App Store, and is expected to hit 500 million downloads for Nintendo.

As for when Android users can expect the game, Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime said that it would be out on Android in 2017 during a recent interview.

"In order to develop the game and make it as special, we had to focus on one platform and we decided to focus on iOS, iPhone, [and] iPad," he previously said.

"And so, in the future, it is coming to Android, we’ve made that commitment and something that will happen in 2017."