Nintendo has a way to distance yourself from toxic social media platforms that you can’t control with today’s new Daily News app. While Nintendo is in its current state today, it’s just a densely populated news feed, the app’s calendar feature may be worth installing.
Four months ago, Nintendo released an app like Spotify that only plays Nintendo music. Aptly named Nintendo Music, the app offers Mario and Zelda makers a way to control how fans officially listen to the game’s themes and soundtracks.
Nintendo has made a similar move on messaging and chat platforms that serve as alternatives to messaging platforms like Discord, the Nintendo Switch Online app. The NSO app includes game-specific services (such as nooklink for) Animal Crossing: New Horizons), but the main draw is to interact with friends online and use voice chat while playing online. It’s something that many people actually want to do with disagreement.
Today at Nintendo is the latest attempt by Nintendo to carve out its own space, where you can send news directly to your fanbase. Like a well-known Nintendo direct presentation, the app seems like a way to bypass media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter).
The company is already using Nintendo to break the news. Less than 24 hours after the app was announced on Friday morning, the company placed a 25-second video at the top of its feed, announcing the 2027 release date for a live-action movie based on the Legend of Zelda. I also “leaked” a new image of the Switch 2 itself. NewsFeed includes some timely bites, including this week’s Nintendo Direct: Switch 2 Showcase and some of the latest Nintendo Direct trailers countdowns. Otherwise, supplemental fluffs are embedded, including a brief history of the Fire Emblem series, orchestral performances in video game music, the beloved otter of Animal Crossing, and Pascal’s funny “Pearl of Wisdom.”
Nintendo’s attempt at a news break today is flawed at least at launch. Despite choosing to notify from the app, Nintendo didn’t actually warn Friday news about the Legend of Zelda movie today. I actually had to (had breath!) Open the app manually In the morning I checked what was new to me. Hopefully, like a short second day stop of the app, these are just an increase in pain.
However, this is Nintendo’s calendar today. This could keep the app installed on my phone. In addition to delivering adorable daily animations based on the Nintendo series such as Pikmin, Super Mario, Animal Crossing, and more, there’s amazingly useful information here. The calendar tracks past and upcoming events, including real-world events such as Nintendo’s direct stream and Nintendo’s San Francisco retailer openings. It also tracks game and demo release dates and in-game events. Thanks to the latter feature, you can keep tabs for upcoming events Animal Crossing: New Horizonsmake sure you don’t miss Bunny Day or Fishing Tournament.
Nintendo’s Today Calendar currently tracks in-game events for 11 titles. Splatoon 3, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tetris 99and Mario Kart Tour. As someone who relies on various notifications to provide information and has a short attention span relying on tasks, I look forward to how well the app can do at tracking the real world and virtual events. (Frankly, I also have high hopes for something like a release date that leaks apps. That’s going to happen.)
Like other smart device apps developed by Nintendo, Nintendo is today a smooth, early tool that does about half of what I want to do. It is doubtful that Nintendo today will achieve its goal of completely replacing services like Facebook, Instagram and X, at least from a news delivery perspective, but it is off to a decent start.
