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Nintendo's first mobile app isn't what you'd expected (or wanted...)

Still, it's better than nothing.

Nintendo's first mobile app isn't what you'd expected (or wanted...)
29 October 2015

Our thumbs positively quivered with excitement when Nintendo announced it was entering the app business - a weird reaction, but doctors assured us we'd be fine.

Super Mario Bros on an iPhone!

Multiplayer Mario Kart on a tablet!

Pokémon battles draining our battery to buggery!

Imagine our collective sigh of disappointment when Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima revealed the company's first app wouldn't feature Mario, Samus nor Donkey Kong - but the Miis. 

Yep. Those disproportioned little avatars that you flapped about with on Wii Sports

Miitomo ("Mii friend" in Japanese) is a "communication application that helps friends share fun personal facts and interests".

So, it's an app to tell your friends, who you met in real life through social interactions, about your interests. Right.

The "free-to-start" mobile game (you'll be able to buy new outfits) will see you create a Mii - selecting hair, facial features and an outfits - before engaging in a conversation with other Mii. You discuss hobbies, interests and... stuff. With both words and emoji.

"Instead of the users proactively sending their own messages, Miitomo has a unique characteristic that can be called 'friendly communication starters' as your Mii will automatically dispatch the answers you gave to certain questions to your friends," explained Kimishima explained in an investor briefing.

Sure - our first impressions are layered with more cynicism than a sceptical lasagne; Miitomo is clearly aimed at the casual gamers who saw the likes of the Wii thrive in its early years, while apps like Pokémon Go will cater for the 'keen' gamers out there.

We just really, really want Nintendo to dip into their vast library of classic games and bring some magic to our smartphone. Is that too much to ask?