Nintendo First Smartphone Game Announced! 'Miitomo' Release Date, Gameplay & Features

Nintendo is finally launching its very first game for the smartphone, and while many expected it would be bringing its popular Mario Brothers, Zelda or Donkey Kong characters to the platform, the company decided it will have "Miitomo" as its first free-to-play title.

According to CNBC, "Miitomo" is not just a game with a usual concept because it's also a social networking communication app that allows users interact with their friends. Players will have to create avatars - called Mii - so that they can chat and discuss amongst themselves. 

"You might dig up some previously-buried topics of conversation, learn about a surprising side of your friend you've never seen before, find things you never knew you had in common," said Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima, via Wired.

Apart from the communication aspect, users of "Miitomo" will be able to make in-app purchases, according to BBC. Nintendo hopes to release the app globally by March 2016, and it will be available for iOS and Android devices, according to CNet.

This is only the beginning for the gaming company as eventually, Nintendo plans on publishing four other free-to-play games by early 2017. According to the Los Angeles Times, one of these could be the fan favorite "Super Mario."

The company first announced that it will be developing smartphone apps back in March 2015, but since then, Nintendo has been quiet about its plans until this week. Considering that the company used to lead gaming development in the past decades, its absence in the smartphone platform has been a surprise for many in the industry.

"Unbelievable that it has taken so long for Nintendo," said Peter Warman of Newzoo in the LA Times report. "They had to see Apple, Google, King and Supercell surpass them in terms of 2014 game revenues to take action toward mobile. However, it never is too late because smartphone and tablet gaming is here to stay."

In line with "Miitomo's" launch, Nintendo is also introducing the Nintendo Account service, which will be integrated in both mobile and PC platforms with the help of cloud-based technology, CNBC reported.

However, according to Steve Bailey, a mobile expert, Nintendo's move is actually a risk. He says in a BBC report. "I don't expect it to be a rousing stand-alone success. This is an exploratory effort and one whose role will be complementary to a broader catalogue of games going forward."