Nintendo Surprises Fans With 'Close to You' Animation on Nintendo Today! App — No Mario Cameos, All Mystery

Nintendo continues its long-standing tradition of surprising fans with creative experiments and unexpected content.

The company, renowned for iconic franchises like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pikmin, has never shied away from exploring new media and formats.

On June 21, 2024, Nintendo released a brand-new animated short, 'Close to You,' debuting first on the Nintendo Today! App and quickly expanding to the company's official social media channels, including the Nintendo of America YouTube channel. The animation, distinctively labeled 'Close to You,' immediately captured the community's attention for its minimalist, Nintendo IP-free approach.

Unlike Nintendo's typical promotional efforts, which often spotlight beloved characters, this short revolves exclusively around a curious baby character.

Throughout the video, unseen forces interact with several objects in the baby's room—most notably manipulating the baby's pacifier—with a tone that suggests a whimsical, almost magical environment.

Significantly, the animation avoids any direct reference to popular Nintendo series or familiar mascots, setting it apart as a creative anomaly in Nintendo’s modern output. Early viewer response was marked by intrigue and lively discussion, especially regarding what many fans interpreted as subtle callbacks to the Pikmin franchise.

Observant viewers noted the motif of small, unseen beings moving ordinary items—a foundational gameplay element of the Pikmin series.

One particular moment, around the 1:38 mark, features a blurry, ambiguous figure moving in the background, fueling further speculation around possible connections with Pikmin or an entirely new Nintendo project. Although Nintendo has not officially commented on whether 'Close to You' is connected to Pikmin or any existing property, the release echoes previous marketing tactics.

Notably, in July 2024, Nintendo deployed a similarly cryptic short prior to unveiling 'Emio – The Smiling Man,' tied to the Famicom Detective Club.

The current rollout on the Nintendo Today! App reflects Nintendo’s ongoing strategy of leveraging novel digital platforms and content formats to engage its audience. Nintendo's recent foray into dedicated applications such as Nintendo Today! also highlights the company's efforts to evolve past traditional distribution methods like the eShop and Nintendo Direct presentations.

By marrying original media content with existing fan engagement channels, Nintendo keeps its global player base energized, curious, and invested in both anticipated releases and surprise reveals. While the exact intent and future implications of 'Close to You' remain unconfirmed, its fresh approach underscores Nintendo's enduring capacity for innovation and storytelling.

As the animation continues to amass views across platforms, the gaming community eagerly awaits further clarification, updates, or perhaps an official reveal in an upcoming Nintendo Direct. For now, one thing is certain: with 'Close to You,' Nintendo once again demonstrates its unique ability to captivate, mystify, and foster conversation—whether or not Mario is involved.

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