Nintendo Enters Mobile Segment With A Social Media Game

If we go back to the initial years of console gaming, Nintendo was a well-known name in the industry. Not only did the company have several popular game titles including Mario, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda; it also developed a number of successful gaming consoles. Today, it is a fading brand as it hasn’t been able to keep up with the competition. Microsoft and Sony have become pioneers in the console gaming category while the hand-held category of gaming consoles has been replaced by smartphones.

Nintendo is making a comeback though. After announcing that it will adopt the smartphone platform, it officially announced its first ever game for smartphones called Miitomo. More of a social media app rather than a game, Miitomo lets you create your own cartoon avatar known as a Mii. The Miis can be customised with different hairstyles, facial features, outfits, accessories and can also be given a nickname. Users can also create their Mii by taking their own photos. The Mii then asks you a bunch of questions to understand more about you and create a personality.

A player can also interact with other players’ Miis to learn more about each other and find common topics and points of interest. A player can also place their Miis into photos, edit them and share them on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Reggie Fils-Aimé, president Nintendo US, told The Wall Street Journal, "We believe we created a number of elements that are very sticky for the consumer. If we are successful in creating something sticky and shareable, we believe it will break through."

So basically you get a virtual world where you are a virtual identity, which sounds like an old concept, but it can definitely appeal to the younger audience who want something more than just a social media network. The app will support iOS and Android devices and is currently only available in Japan with US, UK and parts of Europe to follow. A free to play game along with in-app purchases, it is also first of several apps that Nintendo has planned for the next 12 months.

The company executives have also said to be considering Mario apps as it has been the biggest franchise, but haven’t confirmed any details. No confirmed details if the app will be available in India anytime in the future, but even if it does, chances of the game being popular would be slim.