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Nintendo has finally steeped out of their comfort zone and published an app for Android and iOS devices. And instead of giving us a mobile and tablet Mario or Zelda game, we got a social app. And even though “Miitomo” is Nintendo’s first mobile app, it made quite an impression on me. After setting up your Mii based on yourself (which can be done from scratch or using your device’s camera), voice, and personality you can start answering some questions. These answers are then relayed to your friends’ Miis or when yours visits theirs. Upon hearing them the answers can be liked and commented on while learning new facts about your friends. As you participate in the game, you’ll earn coins that you can use for the Shop and Points if you complete a My Nintendo Mission.

What? The QR codes work.

To add friends to Miitomo you can link your Twitter and/or Facebook account(s) to find them. From there you send friend requests they can accept. You can also add people by the Face-to-Face method if your coworker or neighbor doesn’t have an account to link. There is an option to block people as well, though the list you pick friends from is generated by your circle or mutual Twitter followers and FB friends.

The Shop is where you can buy new clothes for your Mii (or Miis that you added via QR Scans) with the coins that you’ve earned from participation or daily login bonuses. The clothes catalogue changes from time to time, so be sure to check it out when you have the coins. You could also buy more coins through the Shop’s app store, and I’ll admit the prices look a bit generous. As you essentially pay on the dollar for coins, furthermore, you get a bonus with it (such as 10,000 coins plus 1,500 more for $9.99, for example). So if you want to take a gamble with your coins, you can play the Mii Drop games. These Pachinko type mini games have you drop Miis for a chance to win either an article of clothing not sold in the Shop or some candy (used to give Miis to spill the beans if their creators kept their answer a secret).

It was quite a surprise when I first played this game.

Miifoto is another feature that has been flooding some Twitter time lines recently. In this part of the app you pose your Mii and your friends’ in front of a backdrop. There are preloaded backdrops, but you can also use photos from your device’s camera or any picture you put on it. After you take the picture, you can share it on Miitomo, on your social media network, or store it on the device to whip it out to show off to anyone else. So you can put yourself and friends in some crazy situations.

Spend my nights and weekends perfecting my warrior robot race, building them one laser gun at a time.

With the launch of Miitomo the new rewards program “My Nintendo” came along. At the moment, there is a decent amount of awards to redeem, such as Miitomo gifts and game tickets (for free chances at Mii Drop), discounts, and free games, apps, and themes. The themes did get stuck with the My Nintendo logo on the bottom screen, but they are still nifty to stylize your 3DS. To redeem these rewards you’ll be completing Missions for Points which are easy enough to do. And as for now, the Missions is based on logging into Miiverse and eShop (weekly), being on Miitomo, and eShop purchases. There are two types of points to earn for certain rewards.

They won’t be after me pot of gold because I ain’t got none!

Gold Points can only be earned by buying games through Nintendo eShop. The more you spend the more gold points you can get. Platinum Points are split into two different coin types, but they are one in the same. The normal Platinum Points are earned by completely missions outside of Miitomo (these include the login Missions). The Miitomo Points, as suggested, are earned by Missions from Miitomo. Both are pooled together when redeeming a Platinum reward. It’s a fairly nice start, and I hope next month’s rewards are just as good.

Pros:
+ Fun socializing app that lets your know more about your friends.
+ Platinum Points are easy to rack up.
+ Miifoto can be used for a variety of pictures, from simple to hilarious.
+ My Nintendo rewards are decent and can be easy to save for.
+ Real Money purchases for coins provide a bonus for your buck.

Cons:
– Answers are usually brought up again with the same Mii.
– Despite there being a power-saving option the battery will drain quickly.
– Gold Points are for big spenders.

Verdict:
Miitomo is on the right step for Nintendo entering the mobile app market. And while Club Nintendo will be missed by some fans, My Nintendo has a good start as the new rewards program. Just be ready to learn more about your friends. You may find some surprising answers.

Title: Miitomo
Developer: Nintendo
Format: Android and iOS
App use: Social
Resolution: Moto G (720×1280)
Release date: 2015-03-15
Spent time: 3+ hours
Price: Free (in app purchases)