Nintendo to launch new photo-based game Pictonico on May 28
Nintendo has announced Pictonico, a new free-to-start mobile game launching on May 28, 2026, for iOS and Android devices. Co-developed with longtime partner Intelligent Systems—known for WarioWare, Fire Emblem, and Paper Mario—the game offers a unique gameplay twist: it transforms photos from a player’s camera roll into playable minigames.
The game features 80 minigames that use player photos as the basis for gameplay. Players can either select existing photos from their library or capture new ones directly within the app. The minigames range from comedic scenarios—such as having a boss eat food, attending a wedding, or removing a face mask—to more absurd situations like zipping someone’s mouth or imagining a grandpa dressed as a ballerina.
Pictonico will be available as a free download, with a limited selection of minigames playable in demo form. To access the full game, players must purchase “volumes” of content: Volume 1 is priced at $7.99 and Volume 2 at $5.99. The game is available for pre-order now on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
This announcement reflects Nintendo’s continued commitment to mobile gaming, a strategy the company reaffirmed during its February 2025 earnings call despite earlier speculation that the company might abandon the mobile market. Pictonico represents Nintendo’s ongoing effort to leverage its creative IP and development partnerships to expand its presence on mobile platforms.