Swapnote

Swapnote, known as Nintendo Letter Box in PAL regions and Suddenly Exchange Diary^[a] in Japan, is a messaging application for the Nintendo 3DS. It was released in December 2011 on the Nintendo eShop. Swapnote was the successor to PictoChat for the Nintendo DS.

Swapnote

Other names	Nintendo Letter Box Suddenly Exchange Diary
Developer(s)	Nintendo SDD Denyu-sha[1]
Initial release	JP: December 21, 2011 PAL: December 22, 2011 NA: December 22, 2011
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Predecessor	PictoChat
Successor	Swapdoodle
Type	Drawing

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.^[2] Users can also draw flipbook animations with up to four pages, add photos and sound clips and send messages to multiple friends.^[3]

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.^[4]

Due to the character's popularity, Nintendo had released a Nintendo 3DS game featuring Nikki called Nikki's Travel Quiz,^[b] although the app was exclusively available to members of the Japanese Club Nintendo rewards program.^[5] Nikki also has influenced a fan made character Ikki designed by Tiny Cartridge for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.^[6]

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.^[7] 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.^[8] 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.^[9]

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.^[10][11] 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.^[12][13] In addition, Flipnote Studio 3D: Friends closed the following day.

Swapdoodle

Swapdoodle

Other names	Illustrated Exchange Diary
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Initial release	November 17, 2016
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Predecessor	Swapnote

Swapdoodle (Illustrated Exchange Diary^[c] in Japan), 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.^[14]

The downloadable content is no longer available.^[15] SpotPass sharing and other online services along with the Nintendo Network have been discontinued on April 8, 2024,^[16] but Swapdoodle is now an offline app as users can still use it and the previously purchased content only to themselves.^{[citation needed]}

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	7.3

Review score

Publication	Score
GameSpot	3.5/5

Review scores

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.^[17]

Footnotes

1. いつの間に交換日記, Itsu no Ma ni Kōkan Nikki
2. ニッキーの旅するクイズ, Nikkii no Tabisuru Kuizu
3. イラスト交換日記, Irasuto Kōkan Nikki

References

1. "Swapnote". Iwata Asks. Nintendo. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
2. Wahlgren, Jon (2011-10-21). "Kid Icarus, Kirby Getting 3D Classics Makeovers". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
3. Newton, James (2012-01-01). "Review: Nintendo Letter Box (3DSWare)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
4. Whitehead, Thomas (2012-01-03). "Add Nikki to Your Mii Collection". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
5. Nakamura, Darren (2015-01-21). "Swapnote's Nikki to return in Nikki's Travel Quiz". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2015-07-12. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
6. Whitehead, Thomas (2015-11-03). "Swapnote's Nikki is Revived as a Fan-Created Character in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
7. "Swapnote Updated to Feature Additional Colors - News". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
8. Fletcher, JC (2013-04-11). "Swapnote update adds photo, filtering features". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
9. "Nintendo Support: How to Update Swapnote". Archived from the original on 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
10. Ashcraft, Brian (6 November 2013). "Accused Child Predator Allegedly Used Nintendo's Swapnote Service". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
11. "わいせつ画像:ゲーム機で送信させる 女児被害、容疑者を書類送検 ／茨城" (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. 2013-11-06. Archived from the original on 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
12. "Notice about service for Nintendo 3DS software Swapnote". Nintendo. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014.
13. Brown, Andrew (2013-10-13). "Swapnote, Flipnote 3D Discontinued". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
14. "Nintendo reveals Swapdoodle, out today on the 3DS eShop". Nintendo Everything. 17 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
15. "Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation". Nintendo Support. Archived from the original on 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
16. "Discontinuation of Online Services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software". Nintendo Support. Archived from the original on 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
17. Fabris, Jack (October 23, 2013). "Swapnote bringing messaging to the 3DS". The Tanooki. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2024.