First Official Nintendo iOS Game 'Miitomo' Hits Japanese App Store

[MacRumors]

Nintendo's first official iOS game, Miitomo, made its long-awaited debut in the Japanese App Store yesterday.

As promised, the company's first foray into smartphone apps is a free-to-play social title in which players can create and customise their own avatars, known as Miis, which can communicate with other Miis on the social network.

Apart from the social angle, the main incentive to play is to earn points which can be exchanged for discounts on console and handheld games, console themes and other rewards through the company's new loyalty program, My Nintendo, which also launched in Japan alongside the game.

MacRumors sister site Touch Arcade has posted its first impressions on Miitomo, which is currently limited to the Japanese App Store but expected to roll out to most countries by the end of the month.

If you simply can't wait, Touch Arcade has also posted a helpful guide explaining how to download games from other regions.

Nintendo has promised more games for smartphones, some of which are expected to be pay-to-download. Registrations have also gone live for Nintendo's new multiplatform account system, Nintendo Account, which connects PC, Nintendo hardware and smartphone users, and enables the transfer of game data between mobile and console games.

Update: Nintendo has announced that Miitomo launches in the U.S. and "several other countries" on March 31.

Article Link: First Official Nintendo iOS Game 'Miitomo' Hits Japanese App Store

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Well, that was a waste of time for Nintendo. You can earn points to get discounts on physical games and consoles?! God they really don't get it, do they... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[robertosh]

Bring Kirby's Dream Land and you will earn more than selling consoles.

 

[Narcaz]

Their approach is so bad. Even if they still want to continue their "outdated" hardware business, they could at least throw a bone to their loyal customers. Port a few selected SNES/N64 games to iOS/TV OS, sell your own special MFI Bluetooth controller and make a ridiculous high profit without killing your own consoles. They could even get away with the subscription model, but no. Miitomo? Seriously?!

 

[adamneer]

How is anyone supposed to play this game while timidly holding both their hands over their mouth and giggling?

 

[orbital~debris]

Looking forward to being able to get this from the UK App Store.

Also - the new Nintendo Account sounds good and will hopefully bring better access across platforms, à la iCloud.

 

[Dydegu]

I hope we get Game and Watch.

 

[orbital~debris]

I hope we get Game and Watch.

On the Watch!

 

[cmChimera]

Bring Kirby's Dream Land and you will earn more than selling consoles.

And Sony should put Uncharted and God of War on iOS too. Don't they read these forums?

 

[Pakaku]

Bring Kirby's Dream Land and you will earn more than selling consoles.

Give an iPhone buttons first, and then we'll talk.

 

[peterdevries]

Nintendo could partner up with Apple and design a controller that works with the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Sell Nintendo games on the Apple Store and make a killing. Start with old nostalgic games that don't compete with their current lineup.

But they keep clinging to their DS and console platforms both of which are continuing to decrease in overall importance.

I know someone will bring up the cash that Nintendo has and that the DS is doing fine, but if you look long term these things do not address the problems that Nintendo has.

 

[0098386]

Their approach is so bad. Even if they still want to continue their "outdated" hardware business, they could at least throw a bone to their loyal customers. Port a few selected SNES/N64 games to iOS/TV OS, sell your own special MFI Bluetooth controller and make a ridiculous high profit without killing your own consoles. They could even get away with the subscription model, but no. Miitomo? Seriously?!

Wouldn't their "loyal customers" be loyal and already own their hardware and games?
[doublepost=1458217232][/doublepost]

Well, that was a waste of time for Nintendo. You can earn points to get discounts on physical games and consoles?! God they really don't get it, do they... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Let's try and stop this early. They're not doing what *you* want them to do, but what they're doing is working.

http://vgsales.wikia.com/wiki/Best_selling_game_franchises
http://time.com/3850264/nintendo-sales-wii-u-3ds-universal-studios/
http://metro.co.uk/2014/12/08/ninte...miibos-bring-in-1-billion-in-revenue-4978231/
http://arstechnica.co.uk/gaming/201...profit-with-strong-software-and-amiibo-sales/

(But yes they've had some poorly performing products, and some outstanding ones like the Wii, DS, 3DS in recent years. The Wii U on the other hand... ehhh)

 

[TomaxXamot]

(...The Wii U on the other hand... ehhh)

Great post, mostly agree, except for the Wii U part. Unless you were only referring to sales numbers, which are disappointing at about 13 million worldwide. The Wii U as a console for mostly Nintendo exclusives has been incredibly satisfying for me.
The best console hands down for local play with friends, and some (not quite enough) truly amazing games that utilize the uniqueness of the GamePad. Plenty of truly amazing games, but not that many justify the GamePad.

 

[dwaltwhit]

how many people would buy a traditional pokemon title on the app store for 9.99? My guess is all the people. every people that has a phone.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Let me know when we can play Mario and I'll be there downloading it!

 

[Porco]

Mii not downloading this...

There now follows an extremely obvious post stating extremely obvious things:

They should release everything they own on Android and iOS except titles for their most recent, currently-selling devices/consoles. It would be retro-gaming heaven, a promotional super-win, and they'd make a big pile of money too. With the performance of mobile devices they could probably just make an emulation app/container that would work for almost everything that isn't one of their current devices.

 

[0098386]

Great post, mostly agree, except for the Wii U part. Unless you were only referring to sales numbers, which are disappointing at about 13 million worldwide. The Wii U as a console for mostly Nintendo exclusives has been incredibly satisfying for me.
The best console hands down for local play with friends, and some (not quite enough) truly amazing games that utilize the uniqueness of the GamePad. Plenty of truly amazing games, but not that many justify the GamePad.

Oh I agree. I've got all the current gen systems, including a decent gaming PC, but it's the Wii U I play most. Mario Kart and Smash Bros are the best games in their series so far, and being able to play through Mario Galaxy, 3D World, even New Mario 2, and Splatoon have been absolute blasts. It just didn't sell well. I think something like 1/3 of Wii U owners bought Mario Kart 8 which is a staggering attach rate, but when you consider how little the Wii U sold it's no longer impressive!

 

[LordQ]

"Oh, you wanted a port of any Pokémon version? Here, Miitomo" —Nintendo

 

[0098386]

Mii not downloading this...

There now follows an extremely obvious post stating extremely obvious things:

They should release everything they own on Android and iOS except titles for their most recent, currently-selling devices/consoles. It would be retro-gaming heaven, a promotional super-win, and they'd make a big pile of money too. With the performance of mobile devices they could probably just make an emulation app/container that would work for almost everything that isn't one of their current devices.

They already do... on the 3DS. You can buy NES, SNES, Gameboy games, as well as the occasional classic Sega port. If you were lucky enough to get an Ambassador 3DS you also have about 10 GBA games. On top of that it can play any DS or 3DS cartridge so there's a load of content available for it.

Why won't Apple let me install iOS on the Galaxy S7?

 

[Narcaz]

Wouldn't their "loyal customers" be loyal and already own their hardware and games?
[doublepost=1458217232][/doublepost]
Let's try and stop this early. They're not doing what *you* want them to do, but what they're doing is working.

http://vgsales.wikia.com/wiki/Best_selling_game_franchises
http://time.com/3850264/nintendo-sales-wii-u-3ds-universal-studios/
http://metro.co.uk/2014/12/08/ninte...miibos-bring-in-1-billion-in-revenue-4978231/
http://arstechnica.co.uk/gaming/201...profit-with-strong-software-and-amiibo-sales/

(But yes they've had some poorly performing products, and some outstanding ones like the Wii, DS, 3DS in recent years. The Wii U on the other hand... ehhh)

I won't always carry an extra 3DS with me. They seem to have no clue how to properly monetize the mobile emulator/ retro games market. Take a look around. There are many people offering cold hard cash for an option to play classic Pokémon, Zelda or whatever on their iOS/Android devices. Instead of embracing this potential, they keep fighting it and insist that we need special nintendo hardware to play their games. Even worse, they already have a bad history with those virtual console titles. Quality issues aside, it was a disaster with my VC titles for the Wii, which aren't only tied to the account, but also tied to hardware (and not transferable when your wii is broken and out of warranty, thanks for that).

 

[0098386]

I won't always carry an extra 3DS with me. They seem to have no clue how to properly monetize the mobile emulator/ retro games market. Take a look around. There are many people offering cold hard cash for an option to play classic Pokémon, Zelda or whatever on their iOS/Android devices. Instead of embracing this potential, they keep fighting it and insist that we need special nintendo hardware to play their games. Even worse, they already have a bad history with those virtual console titles. Quality issues aside, it was a disaster with my VC titles for the Wii, which aren't only tied to the account, but also tied to hardware (and not transferable when your wii is broken and out of warranty, thanks for that).

You can transfer your games quite easily, you just need to contact Nintendo. In cases of theft you can just give your ID name and they'll let you redownload them onto another system. Ironic that the Wii had that system in place and was the 2nd best selling system ever - and the Wii U has an account system instead and isn't doing too well.

It's like I asked that other poster here. Why can't I buy an Samsung device and install iOS on it? Apple would get my money from their subscription services. I'm offering cold hard cash to put iOS on the Galaxy S7.

(why would you need to carry an extra 3DS with you? You only need the one. I find mine slips into my old Powerbook shoulder bag nice and easy, or even my coat pocket. It's not big or heavy, plus you get streetpass from it too. On a sidenote I wish Apple would add a Streetpass like function to the iPhone for use in games)

 

[bushido]

literally who asked for this?

 

[pat500000]

Brought to you by Pretendo wheeeee!

 

[TomaxXamot]

Why won't Apple let me install iOS on the Galaxy S7?

As a longtime Apple user I always find it hilarious that people post stuff like this on a Mac forum. "Why can't Apple just port OSX to PC hardware?" Lol

 

[furi0usbee]

Wake me when Mario makes his debut.