Tomodachi Life Brings Mii Life Sim To 3DS In June

Releasing just in time to consume everyone’s lives during the week of E3, Nintendo has today announced a brand new game/life sim hybrid in yet another Direct video announcement. It’s called Tomodachi Life, it’s hitting the Nintendo 3DS, it’s arriving on June 6, and it’s actually a little tricky to explain.

“Build a bustling fantasy population of friends, family and your favorite personalities from TV, movies and sports, as Mii characters come to life with their own voice and personality, all on one wild and hilarious island where there is something new to discover every time you check in,” reads a statement from the Big N, sent out this morning following the latest Nintendo Direct. “The real emotional connection you already share with your characters will keep you glued to the drama, intrigue and hilarity that ensues as everyone goes about their extraordinary daily lives, evolving and interacting in unpredictable and often uproarious ways.”

So it’s you, Miis of people you know and celebrity Miis, living a sort of reality TV show on a tropical island as if Big Brother and Survivor had a baby and named Mario the godfather? You have my attention, Nintendo.

Tomodachi is Japanese for “friend,” so the game is all about watching your friends interact with one another in a virtual world and then having the opportunity to have an impact on that world, too. Apparently this line of games is already big business in their home country, pushing more than 5.5 million games out the door in recent years.

Players will be able to fine-tune their own Miis, giving them their own “voice traits” and personality traits to make them a one of a kind creation. You can then scan QR codes to swap them about, adding more unique creations to your fantasy island. The characters will then behave based on the life you breathe into them. You might get to fall in love with your favorite actor or actress, watch a family member try karaoke or witness your friends playing Wii games in the lounge. You can then take photos of all of the action and share them with friends.

“The plot of Tomodachi Life thickens with the addition of each character,” continues the statement from Nintendo. “As they deliver one gripping twist and turn after another, you can reward them with gifts of clothes, their favorite foods or special flourishes for their appartments.”

So, kind of like The Hunger Games, where winners are showered with a more extravagant life, only I doubt your Miis will be tasked with a deadly game of king of the hill. You, the player, will also be able to help your Miis solve various problems and, by interacting with them, expand the various facilities on your island in order to make their virtual lives more interesting.

Thanks, Nintendo! Just when I thought you had gone and taken a break from introducing absolutely bonkers games to the world, you pop up out of nowhere with yet another idea that might just be crazy enough to take the rest of the world by storm.