włodi from London, UK on Wikimedia
The Nintendo Mii first appeared on the Nintendo Wii gaming console back in 2006. Fully customizable, down to a birthday and a favorite color, Miis quickly became synonymous with the Nintendo brand, and have appeared on every gaming console since.
But why? What makes these charming digital characters so addictive in the video game world? How come Nintendo seems to be the only one that has taken advantage of a digital character? Why do we still see, and choose to create Miis, today?
Family-Friendly
As Xbox and PlayStation quickly became associated with a more mature audience, the adorable Miis fit the wider “family-friendly” branding that Nintendo maintained. The Miis have stayed for so long because of Nintendo’s more approachable energy. When was the last time you heard somebody talk about the Xbox Avatars?
Game Integration
The Miis became such a popular part of the Wii that Nintendo spent a lot of time and money making a plethora of Wii-focused games. This allowed for a more immersive feel, with players getting to watch their digital selves race around a track, hit a home run, or get knocked out by Matt in the boxing ring.
For Laughs
The Miis had a humorous energy to them. If you picked them up on the Wii, they would flail their limbs like a cat trying to escape its owner’s grasp. Folks also made quite…creative Mii's, often just to see how crazy they could make a character.
Another Mii-focused game that became quite popular in the late 2010s was Tomodachi Life, a life-sim game that allowed you to have all of your friends and family living together on a little island. This, of course, caused some pretty hilarious drama on our 3DSs.
There is a simple amusement in how a Mii moves that has maintained its comedic value for nearly 20 years.
Nostalgia
Whether it's due to the Mii celebrating its 20th anniversary next year or popular demand has called for it, Nintendo is planning to release a sequel to Tomodachi Life in 2026, called Living The Dream.
While the company was trying to distance itself from the Mii for a few years, likely due to oversaturation of the avatars, Miis, and the Wii in general, it has become a popular item in early 2000s nostalgia videos. This means that Miis have become somewhat “popular” or “trendy” again, which will only be catapulted by the release of Tomodachi Life early next year.
Community
Outside of personal gaming integration, Miis were an art form that you could share with the Nintendo audience. From the “mingle” and “parade” settings on the Mii Channel, to the 3DS StreetPass, and Miiverse on the Wii U, you could show off your handiwork, and look through other players’ handiwork as well.
These community-oriented software kept players, even if on a less personal level, in communication with one another. Your funny-looking Mii is probably still on a stranger’s console somewhere, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Regardless of how or why, or what’s next, one thing is clear: The Mii has worked hard to retain and maintain its status as an iconic part of the Nintendo brand. Even if they’re not as commonly used today, their simple designs, hilarious demeanor, and in-game integration will forever keep them in a special place in our hearts.
