Nintendo Officially Shuts Down Miitomo App, Marking End of Its First Mobile Game Venture
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Published on: May 09, 2018
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Nintendo Officially Shuts Down Miitomo App, Marking End of Its First Mobile Game Venture
Nintendo has officially closed the chapter on Miitomo, the company’s pioneering Mii-centered mobile app.
Initially released in March 2016, Miitomo marked Nintendo’s debut in the mobile gaming market following decades of success on dedicated hardware platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
Targeted towards players looking to connect and communicate using customizable Mii avatars, the app quickly gained attention and topped download charts shortly after its launch.
Miitomo was developed internally by Nintendo and served as a key stepping stone in the company's expansion beyond traditional console gaming.
The app allowed users to create and dress their personalized Mii characters, answer whimsical questions, and interact with friends through unique social features.
While it generated substantial buzz and millions of downloads worldwide, Miitomo eventually saw declining user engagement, leading to Nintendo’s decision to end the service.
On May 9, 2018, at 16:00 JST, Nintendo officially ceased Miitomo's operations by shutting down the app's servers.
In a message to its community, Nintendo expressed deep gratitude: "We sincerely thank everyone for joining us in Miitomo.
With the service officially ending on May 9, 2018, we reflect on the journey since launch, and are immensely grateful to all participants.
We look forward to continuing to make new experiences with Nintendo, and hope you'll be part of our future adventures.
Thank you once again for your support."
Alongside this closure, Nintendo updated the official Miitomo website with the final event results and a farewell note, marking the end of an era for the company's inaugural mobile app.
Miitomo's discontinuation does not signify the end of Nintendo’s involvement in mobile platforms.
Under the guidance of its new President at the time, Nintendo reaffirmed plans to bolster its presence in the smartphone and tablet market with additional mobile games and applications, aiming to build on the lessons learned from Miitomo's development and reception.
As Nintendo continues to innovate across platforms—whether through its successful Nintendo Switch console, engaging titles featured in Nintendo Direct presentations, or expanding offerings on the eShop—the company maintains a recognized commitment to delivering interactive entertainment worldwide.
The legacy of Miitomo lives on as a testament to Nintendo's adaptability, serving as a foundation for future ventures in the increasingly dynamic mobile gaming space.
