This past Friday, Nintendo made a monumental jump in the world of technology. They released their first smartphone app for iOS and Android. Titled Miitomo, Nintendo has taken an aim at social media in their own "Nintendo-ish" way. With quirky sounds, animations, and music, Miitomo has brought Miis to the App Store forefront. This game is free with features that one can pay for if they choose.
When first opening the app, one is told to make a Mii of their self. They pick their facial features, personality, and even voice and diction. With all of these feature, one is able to make a true image of their self and bring it to life in the Nintendo world. Once your Mii moves into their new room, they start asking the player questions about their personal life. For example, "What was your most recent purchase?" after answering the question, it is shared with your friends that from Facebook and Twitter that you are linked with through the app. You can visit your friend's Miis homes to learn information about them that you would not necessarily see on Facebook or Twitter.
There is also a feature, Miifoto, where one can take unique pictures of their Mii and then post the picture on their social media accounts directly from that application. The player can design the photos however they please and add any text they want. This adds for a more personal feel in the game as opposed to preset phrases.
There are also games in Miitomo that players can win prizes from. The games are designed like drop games that are found in arcades. A player pays 500 in-game coins, and drops their Mii. Whatever item the Mii lands on, the person wins a prize. It can be clothing for their Mii or candy which the player can exchange to their friends Miis to look at questions without having to wait for them to talk about it.
So far, I have answered over 70 questions within the game and there still seems to be another boatload of questions for me to answer. I have banked a few hours into Miitomo over this weekend and the game is simplistic but addicting. It is interesting to see Nintendo jump from games like Mario where the player controls Mario in his efforts to save the Mushroom Kingdom to social media, controlled by personal Mii characters. This was extremely innovative for Nintendo and their stocks have jumped up 8% since the release in Japan a few weeks ago.
This is one of the many smartphone apps that Nintendo plans on releasing within the next twelve months. One of the apps that the company plans on releasing is Pokémon Go which will be the first Pokémon game that is not on a Nintendo device.
