Nintendo Accounts Introduced In Japan; 'Miitomo' Release Date Announced!!

Nintendo's new smartphone and online service called Nintendo Accounts and is now available in Japan, according to Kotaku.

Customers in Japan, or users who own Japanese consoles may now register for their own account. This enables players to have access to different features when a Wii U or a 3DS is connected to internet capable devices.

Nintendo Accounts was first introduced in October, by the company's president Tatsumi Kimishima. The account will allow players to access their Nintendo content by logging in to their existing Nintendo Network ID or various social media services like Facebook, Google or Twitter.

Users have the option to sign up for brand new accounts or transfer their old accounts, revealed Techradar.

The system is meant to incorporate a player's experience on PC, Wii U, and 3DS. How the service works is explained in detail in the Japanese Nintendo Account page.

When gamers are away from their consoles, they will still be able to access the eShop and make purchases. Also, downloads are sent automatically to the applicable system.

Japanese fans using a Nintendo Account have an added incentive. For every 1,000 yen spent on eShop, Nintendo is giving back 100 yen and this promo runs through Feb. 1.

Kimishima previously mentioned "Nintendo Account's" other capabilities as well, like the capacity to create cloud saves, assemble a friends list and receive notifications that are game-sepcific. Nintendo's president also hinted on future interactivity at theme parks, reported Polygon.

Nintendo opened a new Japanese blog site alongside Nintendo Account. The blog "Topics" collects fun facts, questions and answers and a variety of news for fans. The Nintendo Account and Topics blog show Nintendo's heightened interest in directly communicating with fans through non-console platforms.

Launching in March 2016 is Nintendo's "Miitomo," the company's first in smartphone gaming. In October, this communication application was shown to the company's investors.

No in-game footage was seen but Kimishima showed deatails and screens. This indicates that to be able to communicate with other players, "Miitomo" will depend on user-created "Miis."

"Miitomo" is the first of at least five smartphone games being developed.

There is no word yet on "Nintendo Account's" availability in other regions.