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Miitopia
Miitopia
from Wikipedia

Miitopia
DeveloperNintendo Entertainment Planning & Development[a]
PublisherNintendo
DirectorYuichiro Ito
ProducerKouichi Kawamoto
Designers
  • Kazuhiro Yoshikawa
  • Naoya Yamamoto
ProgrammerTakaomi Ueno
ArtistKyohei Seki
WriterReizo Hirama
Composers
  • Toshiyuki Sudo
  • Shinji Ushiroda
  • Yumi Takahashi
  • Megumi Inoue
PlatformsNintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch
ReleaseNintendo 3DS
  • JP: December 8, 2016
  • WW: July 28, 2017
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: May 21, 2021
GenresAction-adventure, role-playing
ModeSingle-player

Miitopia[b] is a role-playing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. It was originally released in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017, with a remastered version developed by Grezzo for the Nintendo Switch releasing on May 21, 2021. The game features customizable Mii characters in a turn-based battle system and follows the story of a group of heroes battling the Dark Lord, who is stealing the faces of Miitopia's inhabitants. The game received mixed reviews, with critics praising its creative life simulation elements and humor while criticizing its combat system and repetitive gameplay.

Gameplay

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Two Mii characters engaging in the game's combat sequence on the 3DS version. Players' stats and actions can be accessed from the 3DS's bottom screen.

Miitopia is a role-playing video game with life simulation elements. Playable characters are created with Mii avatars and have certain personality traits which influence their role in combat.[1] Each party member has one of several standard character classes or "jobs" such as warriors and mages; as the game progresses, more classes become available.[1] Like Tomodachi Life, the relationships between Miis outside of combat affect the game: for example, Miis not getting along with one another can make combat more difficult.[1] Miitopia supports the ability to import Miis and their trait settings from Tomodachi Life, as well as from players' friend lists. The game supports Nintendo's line of Amiibo figures, which allow players to use unique cosmetics on their Miis.[1]

The Nintendo Switch remake introduces a new makeup and wig feature which allows players to further customize their in-game characters, including options not available on the console's Mii Maker application. The Switch remaster also adds a horse that can help in combat, outings that let characters gain relationship experience points (accessed via Outing Tickets) and the Tower of Despair, a secret final dungeon unlocked after the Tower of Dread.

Plot

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The game begins with the main protagonist, a Mii of the player's choice, arriving in Greenhorne Town. Soon, the Dark Lord, who can steal faces from Miis and use them to control peaceful creatures and turn them into monsters, attacks the town. The hero chooses a character class and is sent on a journey to stop the Dark Lord. Along the way, the player creates more companions, meets the Great Sage, and reaches Greenhorne's castle, where the quest continues after the Dark Lord steals the faces of the King and the Princess. The team then enters the kingdom of Neksdor, but the Dark Lord attacks, stealing the hero's companions and rendering them without a class. After the guardian gives the hero new powers, they journey through Neksdor, meeting three new companions and the Genie of the Lamp. The team continues on to the Realm of the Fey, where the Dark Lord attacks, stealing the hero's companions and their character class again and prompting the guardian to provide a new group of character classes. The hero is tasked with saving the three Fab Fairies of the Realm, who show the team the way to the Dark Lord's castle in Karkaton. However, before they can open the door, the Dark Lord steals their faces. After retrieving their faces, the Fab Fairies open the door to Karkaton; when the team arrives there, the Dark Lord attacks again, stealing the hero's new companions but not their powers. The hero is tasked with saving their friends with help from the Great Sage.

The team fights and defeats the Dark Lord, and afterwards, it is revealed that it was a common Mii who a wisp known as the Dark Curse possessed. The Dark Curse attempts to possess the hero, but the Great Sage intervenes and is possessed instead, becoming the Darker Lord. The team tracks down the Darker Lord through the lands of Powdered Peaks, Peculia, and Nimbus before reaching the Darker Lord's Domain in The Sky Scraper, fighting previous bosses along the way. After reaching the top of The Sky Scraper, the heroes go to the Otherworld for the final showdown with the Darker Lord; although it evolves into the Darkest Lord, it is ultimately defeated. Afterwards, the Great Sage is freed and traps the Dark Curse, then explains its history to the hero. It was once an ordinary Mii who was rejected because they had a boring face; they decided to get rid of their face, and over time became a soul of hatred, malice and evil, which became the Dark Curse. The hero is given the choice to either destroy the Dark Curse or provide them with a new face and body. If the hero provides the Dark Curse with a new life, the Great Sage takes them on their travels to have them atone for their mistakes. If the hero decides to destroy the Dark Curse, they use their divine power to destroy it. Regardless of the outcome, they are praised for saving Miitopia.

Reception

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Miitopia received mixed or average reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[2] Famitsu awarded both versions a score of 31/40.[5]

Many critics have drawn comparisons between Miitopia and Tomodachi Life[6][8][7][12] due to the two involving Miis and having similar mechanics, despite having different premises. Jeff Cork of Game Informer described Miitopia as a hybrid between Tomodachi Life and an old-school role-playing video game, allowing for a "simple but effective" player experience.[6] While Jonathan Leack from GameRevolution draws a similar comparison between Miitopia and Tomodachi Life, his opinion of the former was less favorable, noting that the interactions between characters in Miitopia were "let down by uninteresting writing", and were less humorous compared to Tomodachi Life.[7]

He also criticized the lack of player involvement, describing how the lack of player choice in exploring areas made him feel like the game was on autopilot most of the time.[7] Similarly, Heidi Kemps of GameSpot felt that Miitopia was a "slow slog you mostly watch rather than play",[8] and Jon Mundy of Pocket Gamer also discussed the lack of challenge and player input.[11] Allegra Frank of Polygon had similar feelings, saying that the game often let the Miis "do their thing", but found that this was often enough to entertain her. She highlighted that the uninvolved segments of the game were balanced out by its overall dynamic nature, saying that the game periodically shaking up the cast, map, and combat occurred often enough to keep her engaged.[12]

Despite the combat being an essential part of the game, it was not universally praised. Leack criticized the unchallenging combat in earlier parts of the game,[7] while Frank criticized the high frequency of battles causing repetitive gameplay.[12] They found that the auto-battle mechanic mitigated, but did not completely solve, this issue. Also criticized was that all party members except for the play Mii were controlled by AI. Kemps and Frank both noted that lack of player control over the party's actions could lead to frustrating gameplay.[8][12] Despite this, Frank praised the creative "hidden intricacies" of the battle system, due to characters' jobs and personality traits affecting their combat style.[12]

Most critics cited creativity to be Miitopia's greatest asset; Cork, Kemps, Leack, and Frank agreed that the creative spin on a more traditional role-playing concept was ultimately its main highlight.[6][8][7][12]

Sales

[edit]

By February 2017, the 3DS version had sold over 168,000 copies in Japan.[16]

During its first week in the UK, the Switch port sold 36% more copies at launch than the 3DS version, debuting at #2 behind Resident Evil Village.[17] In Japan, the Switch port launched at #2 behind Rune Factory 5 with 72,725 physical copies sold, three times the sales of the 3DS version.[18] By its second week of release, the Miitopia Switch port surpassed competition to take the #1 weekly sales spot in Japan, with 34,451 physical copies sold.[19] According to Media Create, the Switch port debuted at #1 in South Korea.[20]

The Nintendo Switch version has sold 1.79 million copies as of November 2023.[21]

Legacy

[edit]

Two music tracks from Miitopia, "Boss Battle" and "Boss: The Darkest Lord", were featured in the crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[22] A Nintendo Switch port of the game, developed by Grezzo, was released on May 21, 2021.[23][24]

Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Miitopia is a developed and published by , in which players assemble a customizable party of Mii characters to embark on a whimsical adventure across a to defeat the , a villain who steals the faces of the kingdom's inhabitants and assigns them to monsters. Originally released for the on December 8, 2016, in and July 28, 2017, internationally, the game features turn-based battles where party members utilize job-specific abilities drawn from a variety of classes including , Pop Star, , and , each with unique skills and equipment options. A key mechanic involves managing interpersonal relationships among party members through interactions at inns, meals, and excursions, which influence combat performance by enabling cooperative attacks and buffs when bonds strengthen. An enhanced port for the launched on May 21, 2021, adding features such as support for cosmetic rewards, a customizable companion, and expanded makeup options for Mii customization, while maintaining the core 3DS gameplay and supporting play in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes. The game's lighthearted tone emphasizes humor derived from player-chosen Mii representations of friends, family, or celebrities in unexpected roles, alongside exploration of diverse regions and a narrative focused on themes of friendship and heroism.

Content

Gameplay

Miitopia is a game featuring a party of up to four customizable characters that embark on quests across various realms, engaging in turn-based battles and building relationships to overcome challenges. Players control only the protagonist directly, while companions act autonomously based on their assigned jobs, personalities, and levels, emphasizing through composition and indirect . The game's progression involves exploring a with automated travel along paths, triggering random encounters and side activities in towns. The core combat revolves around a turn-based battle system where enemies appear on one side of the screen and the on the other. The protagonist can select commands such as Attack for basic physical damage, for job-specific abilities, Magic for elemental spells (limited by MP), Item for using consumables like grub to restore HP, or fleeing via horse-riding to escape weaker foes. Players can reposition any party member to "safe spots" on the to avoid attacks, adding a tactical layer to positioning. Companions execute actions independently, influenced by their traits, but high friendship enables cooperative moves like the "helping hand" assist, where one supports another's attack or defense for bonus effects. The job system offers 14 classes unlocked progressively through story milestones and post-game content, each with unique weapons, skills, and stat growth patterns that shape combat roles. For instance, the Pop Star uses microphones to perform morale-boosting songs and dances alongside damaging attacks, the wields frying pans for melee strikes and cooks healing grub, and the deploys gadgets for status effects and elemental blasts. Jobs can be switched at inns, retaining some rank progress, and leveling up a job unlocks advanced skills and stat bonuses at specific levels, encouraging experimentation with hybrid builds. Two secret jobs, the agile and life-draining , become available only after completing specific post-game challenges. Mii customization occurs via the Mii Maker tool, allowing players to create characters by adjusting facial features, hairstyles, outfits, and accessories, with the Nintendo Switch version adding wigs and makeup for greater detail. The party consists of the plus up to three companions, while over 55 roles for NPCs—including friends, villagers, royalty, and villains like the —are filled by recruiting or customizing from a personal library or shared online codes. This system enables humorous or personal party compositions, such as assigning celebrities to villain roles. Each is assigned one of seven personalities—Cool, Kind, Cautious, Airheaded, Energetic, Stubborn, or Laid-back—which affect stat growth, auto-battle decisions, and interaction quirks. For example, a Kind Mii prioritizes protecting low-HP allies but may heal excessively, while a Stubborn one powers through with boosted attack after status ailments but resists healing. Personalities can be changed via in-game quizzes at key points, optimizing for job synergies like pairing Laid-back with support roles for relaxed recovery focus. These traits also influence overnight events, fostering unique dialogue and behaviors. Relationships form the social core, leveling up through shared experiences like overnight stays at inns or ticket-based outings to locations such as beaches or cafés, where mini-games like rock-paper-scissors determine friendship gains. Levels range from 0 to 99, with higher tiers unlocking frequent assists in battle, such as joint attacks or revives, and culminating in "" status for maximum teamwork bonuses. Inn events feature randomized vignettes, like exchanges or quarrels, that directly impact these bonds and provide grub or gold rewards. Outside battles, emphasizes questing on the , where players select paths leading to random enemy encounters or visits for side quests. These include errands like fetching items, battling local threats for and gold, or recruiting new Miis to fill roles, with up to three daily quests available via the post-game Travelers' Hub. Travel is semi-automated, with occasional prompts for actions like horse jumps over obstacles. Post-game content expands progression with areas like Galados Isle and New Lumos, unlocking via the Travelers' Hub after the credits. Players tackle bonus story quests, including superboss battles against entities like the , and challenges that grant access to secret jobs and ultimate . These tie into prior mechanics, requiring high-level jobs and maxed relationships for success. Accessibility options include an Easy mode that halves HP and while boosting player stats, auto-battle for passive progression, and a speed-up feature in the Switch version to accelerate animations and travel. These make the game approachable for casual players without altering core strategy. The Switch port retains these while enhancing visuals for better readability on larger screens.

Plot

The story of Miitopia centers on a world where customizable characters live ordinary lives until the Dark Lord launches an assault by stealing the faces of the inhabitants in the peaceful town of Greenhorne, leaving the victims bodiless and depressed while attaching the faces to monsters. The , a player-created , arrives in Greenhorne and becomes the first to have their face restored by a magical charm, granting them the ability to perceive and combat the disguised monsters; from there, the hero assembles a party of recruitable Mii companions to pursue the and reclaim the stolen faces across the land. The narrative unfolds across several distinct realms, each representing a chapter in the adventure with unique environments and escalating threats. It begins in Greenhorne, where the initial face thefts occur and the forms amid the disrupted town life; progresses to the arid expanses of Neksdor, involving ancient and perils; moves to the enchanting Realm of the Fey, a whimsical domain of magic and genies; advances to the volcanic region of Karkaton; continues via the Travelers' Hub to the serene kingdom of Gesundheit, whose calm is shattered by the Dark Lord's influence; explores the snowy peaks of New Lumos; and culminates in the surreal , a dreamlike that challenges the boundaries of reality. Travel between these realms occurs via a , advancing the story sequentially while allowing brief interactions influenced by party members' jobs and personalities. Central to the tale are the protagonist as the steadfast hero leading the charge, a team of up to three recruitable members each with personalized backstories that add depth to their roles in the quest, the menacing as the primary antagonist who wields dark magic to sow chaos, and supporting allies such as the Steward, who provides guidance and resources from a hub area, and the Roaming Gourmet, a wandering offering sustenance and tips during travels. The story weaves themes of through the bonds formed among members, identity via the literal and metaphorical significance of reclaiming faces, and adventure in the epic journey to restore harmony, all amplified by the face-stealing premise and evolving group dynamics. The main arc concludes with the party's confrontation and defeat of the , resulting in the restoration of all stolen faces and the return of peace to Miitopia. Post-game content expands the narrative with optional areas like Galados Isle, bonus story quests including superboss battles against entities like the , and further explorations that tie into prior mechanics. The overall narrative style is lighthearted and humorous, driven by player choices in Mii selection and dialogue responses that create branching, personalized interactions, while preserving fixed major events to maintain a cohesive storyline.

Production

Development

Miitopia was first announced during a Japanese Nintendo Direct presentation on September 1, 2016, as a role-playing game for the Nintendo 3DS centered on customizable Mii characters, drawing inspiration from Nintendo's longstanding Mii avatar system that originated with the Wii console in 2006. The project was developed in-house by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) Production Group No. 4, under producer Kouichi Kawamoto, whose team had previously created titles such as Brain Age, AR Games, and Find Mii, with additional staff drawn from the Tomodachi Collection (the Japanese version of Tomodachi Life) and other Mii-focused projects to infuse social simulation elements into the RPG structure. Director Yuichiro Ito led the effort, emphasizing a comedic tone and player-driven customization to set the game apart from conventional RPGs, while simplifying traditional job-based mechanics for greater accessibility on the 3DS hardware. Development began prior to the announcement and targeted the 3DS's capabilities, including touch controls for intuitive Mii editing and compatibility with existing Mii data across platforms, with internal testing focused on balancing the relationship-building and turn-based battle systems. The core concept evolved from a straightforward Mii adventure into a fuller RPG experience, incorporating influences from classic Japanese RPGs but subverting expectations through humorous, character-focused storytelling; post-game content was integrated late to extend replayability. Key challenges included maintaining seamless Mii interoperability between the 3DS and prior Nintendo ecosystems, as well as localizing the game's quirky humor for international audiences without losing its whimsical appeal.

Release

Miitopia was first revealed during a Japanese presentation on September 1, 2016, with an initial trailer showcasing the game's extensive customization options and RPG elements. Marketing campaigns for the title emphasized its humorous tone, quirky storytelling, and the unique party-building mechanics that allow players to assign friends and family as customizable characters in various roles. The game launched for the in on December 8, 2016, followed by a worldwide release on July 28, 2017, in , , and , published by . It was made available in both physical and digital formats through the , with no special editions or bundles beyond standard retail packaging; in some regions, physical copies included promotional 3DS themes as incentives. Localization efforts supported multiple languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch, featuring fully translated text and subtitles, though the game relies on generic vocalizations rather than full voice acting, with no major content differences across regions. The original release experienced no significant delays from its announced schedule. A port for the , developed by to adapt the title for the platform after the 3DS lifecycle ended, was announced during a on February 17, 2021, and released worldwide on May 21, 2021. This version retains the core content of the 3DS original but includes enhancements such as high-definition graphics, support for motion controls during horse-riding segments, faster loading times, and additional cosmetic options like new horse colors and expanded makeup for Miis. Like the 3DS edition, it offers standard physical and digital releases with no special editions. Key platform differences distinguish the versions: the 3DS release leverages StreetPass for sharing Miis with other players and supports stereoscopic 3D visuals, while the Switch port integrates features for cloud saves but lacks a direct StreetPass equivalent, instead introducing an "outing tickets" system to facilitate interactions offline. The Switch version was positioned as a revival of the game for a new audience, with handling porting to ensure compatibility while preserving the original's essence.

Post-release

Reception

Miitopia received mixed or average reviews upon its initial release for the in 2017, earning a aggregate score of 67/100 based on 50 critic reviews. The port, released in 2021, fared slightly better with a score of 71/100 from 60 critics, reflecting enhancements like improved visuals and additional content such as new horse customization options. Critics frequently praised the game's charm, extensive personalization features, and replayability driven by job variety and party relationship mechanics, which added emotional depth through humorous interactions and bonds among characters. Nintendo Life gave the 3DS edition an 8/10, highlighting the innovative blend of job system flexibility and relationship-building as a fresh twist on traditional RPG elements. The Switch version received comparable acclaim for its portability and upgraded graphics, with Nintendo Life scoring it 7/10 and noting the timeless design's appeal in short play sessions. Despite these strengths, reviewers often criticized the combat system's repetitiveness and the grindy progression, particularly in later stages where battles felt drawn-out and lacking strategic depth. GameSpot assigned both versions a 5/10, pointing out the simplistic story and random elements that undermined engagement for more experienced RPG players. Destructoid echoed this with a 7/10 for the 3DS release, describing the narrative as underdeveloped and the auto-battle mechanics as too passive, potentially frustrating fans of complex RPGs. The absence of online multiplayer features was another common critique, limiting social sharing of custom parties beyond local play. For the Switch port, some noted that while the updates addressed minor issues like screen filtering, core gameplay flaws persisted. Player reception was notably more positive, with user scores of 7.9/10 for the version (based on 126 ratings) and 8.2/10 for Switch (based on 182 ratings), where communities emphasized the appeal, potential on via homebrew tools, and the cathartic fun of personalizing Miis. Users appreciated the emotional layers in party bonds, such as or support animations during fights, and the game's of tropes through quirky events. The Switch version garnered extra for its handheld mode suitability and vibrant visuals, contributing to renewed interest in retrospective discussions around 2023, where outlets like RPGamer revisited it as a cozy, accessible RPG ideal for newcomers. Miitopia received no major awards but earned recognition in Life's 2017 Game of the Year considerations for its innovative integration.

Sales

The Nintendo 3DS version of Miitopia, released in 2016 in Japan and 2017 worldwide, achieved estimated worldwide sales of 1.17 million units. Regional breakdowns showed Europe leading with 0.54 million units, followed by North America at 0.30 million, Japan at 0.26 million, and other regions at 0.07 million. Nintendo reported shipping 1.22 million units of the 3DS version as of December 2021. The Nintendo Switch port, launched in May 2021, sold 1.04 million units worldwide by August 2021, according to Nintendo's financial results. Estimates indicate lifetime sales reached 1.79 million units by August 2023. In , the Switch version saw strong initial physical sales, with 72,725 units in its debut week and 34,451 units the following week, allowing it to top the charts. Combined across platforms, Miitopia exceeded 3 million units sold worldwide by 2023 estimates. As a niche RPG, Miitopia outperformed comparable 3DS titles like Ever Oasis, which sold under 0.3 million units globally. The Switch version benefited from the platform's larger install base and digital availability, contributing to renewed interest during a period of limited new RPG releases. Long-term sales remained steady through the Nintendo eShop, with periodic spikes tied to promotional events.

Legacy

Miitopia's release on the in 2021 revitalized interest in Nintendo's avatar system by introducing enhanced customization features, such as wigs and makeup, which demonstrated the potential for Miis in more narrative-driven genres like RPGs. This resurgence contributed to the integration of Miis in later titles, including (2022), where players can use personalized Miis as avatars in multiplayer modes. The game has cultivated a dedicated fan community, particularly evident in the active scenes for both the and Switch versions. Platforms like GameBanana host numerous mods enabling custom Miis, job alterations, and gameplay tweaks, allowing players to extend the game's replayability. Fan art proliferates on sites such as , often featuring recast adventures with original characters, while hosts discussions on lore theories exploring elements like the Dark Lord's backstory and the game's world-building. Additionally, a niche community has emerged, with strategies shared on forums to optimize party compositions and battle efficiencies. Miitopia's quirky personalities and the antagonistic have spawned widespread memes, capturing the humor in randomized interactions and dramatic face-stealing plots, shared across platforms like and Imgflip. The title is frequently referenced in gaming discourse as an accessible into RPGs, appealing to non-gamers through its lighthearted mechanics and low-stakes progression. The success of the Switch port, which added features like horse companions and expanded cosmetics while preserving the core experience, has fueled speculation among fans about further adaptations, though no official announcements for additional ports, such as to PC, have materialized as of 2024. Retrospectives have since hailed Miitopia as a "hidden gem" of the 3DS library, highlighting its innovative use of Miis in retrospective features on Nintendo's handheld era. By 2025, Miitopia maintains ongoing relevance through fan-driven creativity, with communities marking the fourth anniversary of the Switch version via celebrations and shared content. Its emphasis on personalized narratives has broadly encouraged similar player-centric elements in Nintendo's portfolio, underscoring the enduring appeal of customizable avatars in .

References

  1. https://miiwiki.org/wiki/Miitopia
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