Parents need to know that Miitomo is a social-networking app by Nintendo that uses self-customized “miis” to represent real players. Communication on Miitomo mostly centers on answering and commenting on random questions that the app generates (“What’s your favorite food?” and “What do you do to relieve stress?”). According to the terms of service, players must be age 13 or older to use this app. Connect with friends (up to 1,000) via Facebook, Twitter, Nintendo, or an in-person, device-to-device option. Every time a player comments on a friend’s answer, she gets coins to spend on mii clothing, and users can purchase coins with real money through ungated in-app purchases. There’s also a pinball-like game called Miitomo Drop and a feature called Miifoto, which inserts miis (your own and your friends) into real photos. Read the privacy policy to find out about the type of information collected and shared.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

To create an account on Miitomo, register by providing your date of birth. Once registered, you can link a Facebook, Twitter, or Nintendo account. Then, players create a “mii” version of themselves by taking a photo with a phone or other device and designing one from scratch with the multitude of options for appearance and personality. Connect with friends (up to 1,000) via social media, Nintendo, or an in-person, device-to-device options. Every time players comment on a friend’s answer, they get points to spend on mii clothing. If you’ve enabled push notifications for this app, you’ll also get a notice every time a friend comments. Play Miitomo Drop to win candy, get free coins through a daily bonus, and insert your mii into photos from your device’s camera roll. If there aren’t enough coins to buy an item, a user can get more coins with real money through in-app purchases.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

Creating, styling, and communicating with your mii is pretty fun, although this app has even more potential for greatness. This social network is definitely unique and brings something new to the flooded messenger market. Watching your own likeness move around in the pinball-like Miitomo Drop game feels surreal, and more quirky games such as this could make this app an even more engaging experience. The miifoto mash-up of miis placed in real images can be laugh-out-loud funny, and players can dress their mii in some seriously eclectic clothes. To become an app that teens will use multiple times daily, Miitomo likely needs more options for communication, more games to earn coins, and more places and things for the miis (how about pets?). The app-generated, conversation-starter questions are interesting, but they’re also a way to unintentionally amass lots of personal information online, so remind kids to choose Miitomo friends wisely and not to overshare. Overall, this app is a great place to be a mii, with potential to be even better.

RATING AND CONTENT

Recommended for ages 14 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

Ease of play: 4 out of 5

Violence: 0 out of 5

Sexy stuff: 0 out of 5

Language: 0 out of 5

Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5

Consumerism: 4 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)

APP DETAILS

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android

Price: Free

Release date: March 31, 2016

Category: Social Networking

Size: 61.90 MB

Publisher: Nintendo

Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.1 and up