I played Nintendo's first smartphone game — here's what 'MiiTomo' is like

Nintendo

After topping the charts in Japan, Nintendo's first smartphone game, MiiTomo, is officially available in the U.S. for both iOS and Android.

If you're wondering what a Nintendo game on a smartphone looks and plays like, this guide will take you through the game's setup process, providing you with an overview of MiiTomo's gameplay.

It's yet to be seen whether the game will catch on internationally, but in my time with it, I could see it becoming a surprise smash. MiiTomo is only the first in five games Nintendo and mobile game maker DeNA are set to release in the next year.

Here's what it's like to play.

Getting Started: After downloading and installing the app, you're asked to chose your location and whether to link MiiTomo to a new or existing Nintendo account. Doing so will allegedly net you some in-game bonuses.

Making your Mii: Using your phone's front facing camera, MiiTomo will make a Mii — an avatar Nintendo first introduced in 2007 alongside the Nintendo Wii — whose facial characteristics match yours. The results aren't perfect, but you can easily customize all of the Mii's attributes to your heart's content.

Personalizing your Mii: In addition to altering your Mii's physical appearance, you're also able to customize their voice and personality. The voice controls are surprisingly robust, and while the results aren't particularly natural sounding, it's possible to approximate your natural speaking voice.