Daz Feather

Arriving on 6th June, Tomodachi Life is undoubtedly Nintendo's big hope for a viral hit on 3DS this coming Summer. The Mii-sim's goal is to draw you into its wacky world, exactly the sort of approach that can create buzz on social networks and achieve long-term sales.

Nintendo is keen for plenty of gamers to at least try the title, of course, and just recently distributed Tomodachi Life: Move-In Version, a demo, to selected Platinum members of Club Nintendo in North America. Nintendo of Europe has now announced its own promotion to get game samples into the hands of 3DS / 2DS owners on the fence — Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version.

In what could be a smart move, every retail copy of Tomodachi Life — either physical or eShop — will come with two codes for the Welcome version, which can then be distributed to friends, family or random people on the internet. These codes are redeemed on the eShop and introduce players to the game, with a rare panda item — also an unlockable in the main game — and transferable save data then tempting these players into a full purchase. An excerpt from the press release is below.

Nintendo reveals that every full version of Tomodachi Life, launching on 6th June exclusively to Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, will come with two free download codes for the Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version for Nintendo eShop. The Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version offers the chance to sample the unique slice of Tomodachi Life with friends or family that have a Nintendo 3DS or 2DS system. Two lucky friends or family members will be able to try their hand at creating Mii characters, all with their own unique voices and personality traits, and once the Mii characters have moved onto the island they will start to interact and players can try to solve their problems. When the Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version is completed, players can unlock a rare panda suit item, which can be worn in the full game which can be purchased at retail or on Nintendo eShop.

...Two download codes for Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version are included with every full version of Tomodachi Life, which allows you to invite two friends to download it onto their Nintendo 3DS and 2DS system for free from Nintendo eShop. The Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version enables your chosen friends to sample the beginning of Tomodachi Life, and allows the creation of up to three Mii characters, where the new voice settings and personality traits can be experienced. It will then be possible to explore the gameplay, such as feeding Mii characters and gifting items such as new interiors and clothing or performing in a group.

If your friends like the taste of Tomodachi Life after completing the Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version, they can move all the residents of their newly-founded island to the full game which can be purchased on Nintendo eShop or at retail and keep their progress. In addition, players who complete the Tomodachi Life: Welcome Version can unlock a rare panda suit in one of eight colours to dress their Mii characters up with, and also use it in the full version.

It's unclear whether a similar promotion will also be implemented outside of Europe — we'd expect it to be confirmed for Australia too — but we'll keep our eyes peeled.

Are you planning to pick up Tomodachi Life, or hoping to grab a Welcome Version code off someone else? Let us know.