Nintendo’s first mobile app Miitomo was launched in the U.S. on March 17. When first announced, some guessed that Nintendo’s app would be a new game of sorts, but many were surprised when the company introduced Miitomo as a new social media platform.
Miitomo allows users to create an avatar of themselves called a Mii. Once users have created their Mii, they are given the opportunity to take their first Miifoto in the photo booth.
Miifotos consist of a background, text and the user’s Mii. Photos from your smartphone can be uploaded as backgrounds to your Miifoto, which adds a great element to the photo booth. Many font choices, Mii poses and facial expressions are available to help add spice to the photos users may take.
After the Miifoto, the Mii walks the user through a tutorial of the game. Users can answer open-ended questions about themselves and share opinions which their Mii will then share with other users that visit them. By conversing with other Miis, the user gains in-app currency that can be used to purchase clothes from the shop and play games that earn items. New clothes are added to the shop daily to keep users coming to check in. Earning the maximum amount of coins per day helps keep funds available for items the user may want to purchase. Miis gain levels in fashion by changing their outfits daily and levels in popularity through talking to other users’ Miis, which can be added through Facebook and Twitter.
Unlike most character-based apps, Miis have a life of their own outside of their user.When the app opens, the user’s Mii might be out and about socializing with friends or taking a photo. Users shouldn’t worry, however — there is an option to call the Mii back to his or her home.
Users can like and comment on other Miis’ answered questions to gain popularity experience and coins.
When reading an answered question, the Mii speaks aloud all that was typed out, then the Miis who commented answer aloud — adding a spoken aspect to social media for the first time.
All-in-all, this app is adorable and highly addicting. Answering questions never really seems to get old. With a 190-character limit, there is a large amount of room to elaborate on your opinions, likes and dislikes. The only problem I have with the app — and it’s a big one — is the lack of things to do. Sure, answering questions is fun, and socializing with your friends is great — but what else is there? There is a limit to the amount of coins earned in a day by answering questions, commenting and liking that really makes you want to turn the app off. Nintendo has released information saying they will be adding several features in the future which sounds promising and is definitely needed. althought the app has flaws and many updates ahead, I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new, unique form of social media — Nintendo-lover or not.
