Swapdoodle

''Swapnote'', known as ''Nintendo Letter Box'' in Europe and Australia, and in Japanese, is a messaging application exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS. It was released in December 2011 on the Nintendo eShop. ''Swapnote'' was the successor to '' PictoChat'' for the Nintendo DS.

Overview

''Swapnote'' allows users to draw 3D messages and then send them to either registered friends online via SpotPass or other users locally via StreetPass. Users can also draw flipbook animations with up to four pages, add photos and sound clips and send messages to multiple friends.

Nikki

The software features a mascot known as Nikki, a Mii character who is featured in the tutorial messages where she serves as a guide. Users can also download her as a Mii by using a QR code according to ''Nintendo Life''.

Due to the character's popularity, Nintendo had released a Nintendo 3DS game featuring Nikki called although the app was exclusively available to members of the Japanese Club Nintendo rewards program. Nikki also has influenced a fan made character Ikki designed by Tiny Cartridge for '' Shantae: Half-Genie Hero''.

Release

On July 5, 2012, Nintendo updated the ''Swapnote'' application to feature six different colors of ink, with only one color being available per message. On April 11, 2013, Nintendo updated ''Swapnote'' yet again, including the ability to take photos or record audio directly through the application, as well as the ability to undo drawings, and use different colors on each page of a message. Nintendo of America released a software update on December 15, 2020, titled "Swapnote Remastered" with instructions on how to perform the update on their support website. The patch notes state that the update "fixed some problems" with the application.

Discontinuation

Nintendo abruptly suspended SpotPass functionality of ''Swapnote'' on October 31, 2013, presumably after an incident in Japan where minors were sharing Friend Codes with people who had exploited the messaging service to allegedly exchange pornographic imagery. Additionally, the ''Special Notes'' service, which were also sent via SpotPass to promote Nintendo games, has also been suspended. Nintendo issued an apology to those who had been using the application in a responsible manner. In addition, '' Flipnote Studio 3D: Friends'' closed the following day.

''Swapdoodle''

''Swapdoodle'' ( in Japanese), the successor to ''Swapnote'', was released as a free-to-start downloadable title in North America and Europe on November 17, 2016. The series retains several features from the original ''Swapnote'', with the exception of photo and sound attachments and StreetPass sharing, while adding new features including Doodle Lessons, stamps, secret pages. The application could be expanded with purchasable downloadable content, which adds new pen colors, stationery, note capacity and lessons.

In some regions, downloadable content for ''Swapdoodle'' was available as rewards on My Nintendo that could be redeemed in exchange for Platinum Points.

After the closure of the 3DS eShop, the downloadable content for Swapdoodle is no longer available. SpotPass sharing and other online services along with the Nintendo Network have been discontinued as of April 8, 2024, but ''Swapdoodle'' can still be used as an offline app.

Reception

Despite being a successor to ''PictoChat'', ''Swapnote'''s messaging model is not based on the standard instant messaging model as ''PictoChat'' had been, as the application lacks instant messaging features such as keyboard functionality, chat rooms, and live-continuous messaging. The application received generally positive reviews.

Footnotes

References

{{Nintendo 3DS

2011 video games
Art games
Inactive online games
Nintendo 3DS eShop games
Nintendo 3DS-only games
Nintendo 3DS games
Nintendo games
Nintendo Network
Products and services discontinued in 2024
Video games developed in Japan
Video games scored by Kenji Yamamoto (composer, born 1964)

ca:Nintendo Network#Nintendo Letter Box