Nintendo Opens Registration For First Mobile Game, Miitomo

Pre-registration for Nintendo's first mobile game, Miitomo, has commenced. The process, which starts here, requires users create a Nintendo account. As previously detailed, this is a key part of the company's plans to unify its various gaming and mobile platforms.

Miitomo is expected to launch in March for both iOS and Android devices in North America and Europe. Those who create their Nintendo Account before Miitomo's launch will receive Platinum Points to use in the new My Nintendo rewards program that will launch alongside the game. My Nintendo Platinum Points earned via pre-registration will expire six months after the launch of My Nintendo.

Nintendo described Miitomo as "a free-to-start social experience that uses Mii characters and lets you spark conversations with your friends in a whole new way."

Creating Miis are a core part of the experience, and players will be able to customise "facial features, eyes, hair, as well as voice, and personality." Each smart device's camera can be used "to snap a photo that will be translated into Mii form" and Miis can also be imported from the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS using QR codes.

My Nintendo, meanwhile, is said to be "more than a traditional rewards program" and is instead pitched as a "comprehensive service that rewards users for interacting with Nintendo products and services in a variety of ways."

As previously detailed, the new program will have two levels of points, Gold and Platinum. As of yet the exact nature of how points are accrued, and what they're used for, is not entirely clear.

Nintendo and its co-developer DeNA plan to launch five smartphone games by March 2017. Miitomo was expected to arrive before the end of the year but was delayed to March. Company president Tatsumi Kimishima said delay was due to "the need for more lead time to fully promote and explain Miitomo,"