View source for Swapnote

{{short description|Messaging application for the Nintendo 3DS}}
{{Infobox software
| title = Swapnote
| logo = Swapnote logo English.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| developer = [[Nintendo System Development|Nintendo SDD]]<br>Denyu-sha<ref name="iwata asks p1">{{cite web|title=Swapnote|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/swapnote/0/0|work=Iwata Asks|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=25 November 2013|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622234955/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/swapnote/0/0|url-status=live}}</ref>
| other_names = Nintendo Letter Box <br> Suddenly Exchange Diary
| author =
| engine =
| platform = [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| replaces = [[PictoChat]]
| replaced_by = Swapdoodle
| released = {{Video game release|JP|December 21, 2011|PAL|December 22, 2011|NA|December 22, 2011}}
| discontinued = yes
| genre = [[Drawing]]
}}
'''''Swapnote''''', known as '''''Nintendo Letter Box''''' in [[PAL region]]s and {{nihongo_foot|'''''Suddenly Exchange Diary'''''|いつの間に交換日記|Itsu no Ma ni Kōkan Nikki|group=lower-alpha}} 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]].
== Overview ==
''Swapnote'' allows users to draw 3D messages and then send them to either registered friends online via [[SpotPass and StreetPass|SpotPass]] or other users locally via [[SpotPass and StreetPass|StreetPass]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Wahlgren |first=Jon |date=2011-10-21 |title=Kid Icarus, Kirby Getting 3D Classics Makeovers |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/10/kid_icarus_kirby_getting_3d_classics_makeovers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426174239/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/10/kid_icarus_kirby_getting_3d_classics_makeovers |archive-date=2012-04-26 |accessdate=2011-10-22 |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=}}</ref> Users can also draw flipbook animations with up to four pages, add photos and sound clips and send messages to multiple friends.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=James |date=2012-01-01 |title=Review: Nintendo Letter Box (3DSWare) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2012/01/nintendo_letter_box_3dsware |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== 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]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=2012-01-03 |title=Add Nikki to Your Mii Collection |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/01/add_nikki_to_your_mii_collection |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Due to the character's popularity, Nintendo had released a Nintendo 3DS game featuring Nikki called {{nihongo_foot|''Nikki's Travel Quiz'',|ニッキーの旅するクイズ|Nikkii no Tabisuru Kuizu|group=lower-alpha}} although the app was exclusively available to members of the Japanese [[Club Nintendo]] rewards program.<ref name="Destructoid-cites-NTQ">{{cite web |last=Nakamura |first=Darren |date=2015-01-21 |title=Swapnote's Nikki to return in Nikki's Travel Quiz |url=http://www.destructoid.com/swapnote-s-nikki-to-return-in-nikki-s-travel-quiz-286476.phtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712005030/http://www.destructoid.com/swapnote-s-nikki-to-return-in-nikki-s-travel-quiz-286476.phtml |archive-date=2015-07-12 |accessdate=2015-07-10 |website=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=}}</ref> Nikki also has influenced a fan made character Ikki designed by Tiny Cartridge for ''[[Shantae: Half-Genie Hero]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=2015-11-03 |title=Swapnote's Nikki is Revived as a Fan-Created Character in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/11/swapnotes_nikki_is_revived_as_a_fan-created_character_in_shantae_half-genie_hero |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Swapnote Updated to Feature Additional Colors - News |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30965 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002122935/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30965 |archive-date=2013-10-02 |accessdate=2013-09-18 |website=Nintendo World Report |publisher=}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |first=JC |last=Fletcher |date=2013-04-11 |title=Swapnote update adds photo, filtering features |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/swapnote-update-adds-photo-filtering-features/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201010028/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/swapnote-update-adds-photo-filtering-features/ |archive-date=2015-02-01 |access-date=2013-09-18 |website=Joystiq}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Support: How to Update Swapnote |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/54060/~/how-to-update-swapnote |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216183652/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/54060/~/how-to-update-swapnote |archive-date=2020-12-16 |access-date=2020-12-16}}</ref>
=== Discontinuation ===
==''Swapdoodle''==
{{Infobox software
| title = Swapdoodle
| other_names = Illustrated Exchange Diary
| developer = Nintendo
| released = November 17, 2016
| platform = [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| replaces = Swapnote
| genre =
}}
'''''Swapdoodle''''' ({{Nihongo_foot|'''''Illustrated Exchange Diary'''''|イラスト交換日記|Irasuto Kōkan Nikki|group=lower-alpha}} 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 November 2016 |title=Nintendo reveals Swapdoodle, out today on the 3DS eShop |url=http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-reveals-swapdoodle-out-today-on-the-3ds-eshop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520124244/https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-reveals-swapdoodle-out-today-on-the-3ds-eshop/ |archive-date=20 May 2018 |accessdate=19 May 2018 |website=Nintendo Everything |publisher=}}</ref>
The downloadable content is no longer available.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216083802/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847 |archive-date=2022-02-16 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Nintendo Support}}</ref> SpotPass sharing and other online services along with the [[Nintendo Network]] have been discontinued on April 8, 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discontinuation of Online Services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63227/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008001742/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63227/ |archive-date=2023-10-08 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Nintendo Support}}</ref> but ''Swapdoodle'' is now an offline app as users can still use it and the previously purchased content only to themselves.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 7.3
| title = Review scores
| GSpot = 3.5/5
}}
Despite being a successor to ''PictoChat'', ''Swapnote''<nowiki>'</nowiki>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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fabris |first=Jack |date=October 23, 2013 |title=Swapnote bringing messaging to the 3DS |url=http://www.thetanooki.com/2011/10/23/swapnote-bringing-messaging-to-the-3ds/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102135119/http://www.thetanooki.com/2011/10/23/swapnote-bringing-messaging-to-the-3ds/ |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=The Tanooki}}</ref>
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Nintendo 3DS}}
[[Category:2011 video games]]
[[Category:Art games]]
[[Category:Inactive online games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS-only games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Network]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2024]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Kenji Yamamoto (composer, born 1964)]]
[[ca:Nintendo Network#Nintendo Letter Box]]