Miitomo, My Nintendo and an Online 3DS/Wii U eShop launches in America and Europe 3/31

[Jave]

Passing the Nintendo Press Release via NintendoEverything:

REDMOND, Wash., March 29, 2016 – Don’t miss out on being a part of a Nintendo first! On March 31, Miitomo, the company’s first-ever smart device application, is launching in the United States and several other countries. Miitomo is a free-to-start social experience that lets users spark one-of-a-kind conversations with friends in a whole new way using Mii characters. The app recently launched in Japan and was downloaded more than 1 million times in its first three days of availability, while achieving the #1 most downloaded free app status in both the App Store and Google Play storefronts.

“With Miitomo, Nintendo takes its first step into the world of smart devices,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Miitomo brings the special Nintendo charm and polish that people around the world love to an entirely new format and audience.”

Getting started with Miitomo and being a part of this Nintendo milestone is easy: After downloading the application for free on the App Store for iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, along with Android devices, users create a Mii character and customize 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 systems using a QR Code.

Once their Mii is ready, users can add friends who already have the app in person, or by linking the app with their existing Facebook or Twitter accounts. After that step is complete, it’s time to answer some questions! Miitomo creates conversations and turns discussions into a form of play by prompting users to answer all kinds of fun questions. How would you define your fashion style? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? If you were given ten grand to spend in one day, what would you do? The answers get shared among friends, sparking interesting conversations – part of the fun is discovering unexpected facts about your friends. When users hear how their friends responded to questions, they can give answers a “heart” or a written or picture comment.

To preregister for Miitomo, users can sign up for a Nintendo Account at https://miitomo.com before March 31 to receive an email when the app is ready to download. People that create their Nintendo Account and preregister before March 31 will also receive Platinum Points for the new My Nintendo rewards program, which will simultaneously launch with Miitomo. Aiming to be much more than a standard rewards program, My Nintendo is a comprehensive service that rewards users for interacting with Nintendo products and services in a variety of ways. Miitomo users who link the app to their Nintendo Account will be able to take advantage of My Nintendo to enhance their experience. Platinum Points can be earned by interacting with Nintendo apps and services, including Miitomo. Gold Points are earned when purchasing digital versions of games from Nintendo.com or Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Both Platinum and Gold Points can be redeemed for rewards like games, download content, in-app items and eShop discount coupons.

In addition to Miitomo and the My Nintendo program, Nintendo is also launching an enhanced Wii U and Nintendo 3DS shop on Nintendo.com on March 31 for users with a Nintendo Account to purchase digital games. Featuring an expanded catalog of more than 2,000 games, this digital store can be accessed on personal computers or smart devices. The shop serves as an additional purchase option to Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, with all purchases being sent directly to users’ Nintendo 3DS or Wii U systems for download. Users can now easily find and purchase games that are new, popular and on sale, as well as use filters to search by genre. Purchases of games from this site, as well as Nintendo eShop, will earn My Nintendo Gold Points.

[EricaofRenais]

So if I buy a physical copy of a game I won't get any points? That's not fair, I like physical better then digital because I collect the games I like and if I don't like the game I can resell it. Other then the fact my Wii U is almost out of space and I don't plan on expanding the memory at this point.

[Kirie]

So the points for digital downloads only thing is continuing in the west, too. Expected, but disappointing. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but I definitely prefer buying physical copies instead of digital ones. I guess I won't be getting all that much out of the new program. We'll see.

[The DanMan]

So the points for digital downloads only thing is continuing in the west, too. Expected, but disappointing. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but I definitely prefer buying physical copies instead of digital ones. I guess I won't be getting all that much out of the new program. We'll see.

Same here. Thanks to Amazon prime, games arrive the day they release; plus, I just like physical copies better.

[Ema Skye]

I have Amazon Prime so I doubt I'll be using this much.

That said, if the NX lacks a disc drive as rumors are suggesting, they may be pushing for digital games with this program because it's the way of their future.

[Fire Emblem Fan]

Oi. If they go digital-only...I just might be out for good. I HATE buying digital unless it's a VC game, otherwise I have NEVER bought anything digital.

[Sire]

I see both sides of the digital fence. In short, Physical for home consoles, Digital for practically everything else (mobile consoles and PC).

For me, I like having a physical library of video games, especially for home consoles. There's nothing like having a shelf full of your favorite games on display, and it's easy to pick up a game and load the disc in since it's a home console. Also, if you don't like the game, you can always resell it or trade it for something else.

However, as for mobile consoles (and the growing digitalization of PC gaming), I prefer those to be digital downloads. On mobile consoles (such as a 3DS), I like having a library on the system itself so I don't also have to carry around all of my cartridges with me everywhere I go. All I need to do is open up my 3DS, pick a downloaded game, and play. However, the collector and traditionalist in me still wants the physical versions of video games I really enjoy (such as the Fire Emblem series), so my 3DS gaming habits is a hybrid of physical and digital.

On the PC front, practically everything is a digital download these days, especially for indie titles. Sure, if you don't like a game, you are probably going to be stuck with it in your virtual library because it can be rather difficult to "trade, sell or refund" a digital good that is tied to your account, but otherwise, digital gaming is just how it is on PC. I really don't mind as I've gotten used to using various "game libraries" to manage my games as well as the "solo games" that need to be accessed through the developer's website instead of an existing store, like Steam.

[Zera]

Physical games have manufacturing costs, and that's why you won't get points for them.

[Yoshi2398]

i'm just glad i don't have to wait 2 months for it to release in Europre. i'm not salty over having to still wait for fates to come out in Europe what would ever give you that idea.

but i'm fine with digital rewards means i'll get VC mileage at least.

[angienessyo]

It wouldn't have killed them to include a QR code or something to scan for physical games. In the past they gave points and rewards for physical games, so it's dumb we're left out. Like several people above, I have Prime so I have no need to ever buy a Nintendo game digitally. It's not really much of a rewards program if you're only rewarding digital orders.