Nintendo launches new mobile app to speak directly with players

Nintendo has launched a new smartphone application called Nintendo Today to communicate directly with players.

The app was announced by Shigeru Miyamoto during a bumper Nintendo Direct and is billed as a “new channel based on the concept of delivering information to [players] directly.”

Miyamoto said the application will function like a “daily calendar” that allows users to plan ahead for events such as Nintendo Direct presentations and game releases.

It will also feature other content such as news, comics, wallpapers, and homescreen widgets spotlighting Nintendo characters and franchises.

Following the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase on April 2, 2025, news about the upcoming console will be funnelled to users “daily and directly” through Nintendo Today.

Nintendo Today will be available to download on compatible iOS and Android smart devices later today.

It’s an interesting move from Nintendo that could allow the company to establish and maintain a clear line of communication with consumers.

Nintendo Today will be accessible to anybody with a Nintendo Account.

Nintendo continues to experiment with how it can engage players and fans beyond the confines of the console ecosystem. Last year, the company debuted the Nintendo Music streaming application to let players listen to tunes from major series like Animal Crossing and Super Mario—albeit without proper crediting.

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It also released an alarm clock dubbed ‘Alarmo’ in October 2024 to help those with a penchant for hitting snooze “wake up to a world of games.”

New virtual game cards will help Switch owners share digital titles

As well as debuting new footage from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Rhythm Heaven Groove, Nintendo also unveiled the virtual game card.

The new feature can be used to manage and share purchased digital titles in a similar way to physical releases. For instance, players who leverage the feature will be able to lend digital titles to another player or system tied to a Nintendo account.

“Similar in concept to moving physical game cards between systems, virtual game cards make it possible to ‘eject’ a purchased digital title from one Nintendo Switch system and ‘load’ it onto another—whether it belongs to a member of the same Nintendo Account family group, or a second system tied to your account,” reads an explainer.

“This optional feature allows you to view virtual game cards or eject them from your system. The digital game can also be lent to a Nintendo Account family group member’s system via local wireless connection.”

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Games that have been lent to another family group member will be automatically returned after two weeks. Virtual Game Cards will be available on Nintendo Switch in April, but will also be heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch.