Miitomo Launches Alongside the new My Nintendo Service

Miitomo, Nintendo’s mobile app described by the company as “a unique free-to-start social experience”, is releasing today. The app is more social experience than game, using Mii characters to ask questions in a manner similar to the now discontinued Everybody Votes Channel on the Wii. The app has already amassed over a million downloads in Japan after its launch there earlier this month.

After downloading the app for free from the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch or iPad,along with Android devices, users create a Mii character and customise facial features like eyes and hair, as well as voice and personality. Users can also use the camera on their smart devices to snap a photo of themselves, which can be used to create a Mii, or they can simply import their Mii from their Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family system using a QR Code.
Alongside this launch, the replacement for Club Nintendo, entitled "My Nintendo", is also launching. This works in a similar way to Club Nintendo, but vastly expanded. As well as getting points for buying games, there are also awards for other actions such as logging in to the Miitomo app, linking Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The rewards this time seem to be largely digital. Things like 3DS themes and discounts on games are available, but there are also free games to be earned as well. The popular physical rewards that were the mainstay of Club Nintendo are not set to return at launch, but Nintendo haven’t ruled out physical gifts as a reward for collecting points.

The update to online services also includes a new online storefront for the eShop. This means that it is now possible to purchase games for your Wii U or 3DS while on the move and have them remotely installed to your console via Wi-Fi or SpotPass.

Finally, users who sign up for a Nintendo Account before the end of April will also be able to download Flipnote Studio 3D to their 3DS for free. To claim the download, users must link their new Nintendo Account to the Nintendo Network ID they use on their 3DS, then use the download option on the Flipnote Studio 3D page on the official Nintendo website between 31st March and 30th April.