Nintendo UK has just confirmed the existence of Teddy Together, a previously unannounced 3DS title aimed at young children.
Building on the virtual pet mechanics seen in the likes of Tamagotchi and Nintendogs, the game introduces the player to a teddy bear who comes to life, asking various questions to learn more about its new owner. It's also a bit like Miitomo, to be honest:
The story begins when a teddy bear is delivered to the player's house, along with a mysterious key. The magic starts when Teddy springs to life and starts to speak to the player! Children can give Teddy a name and enter their own name, creating an instant personal connection between the two new friends. From this point on, the tale of Teddy Together advances a bit each day as children learn more about the teddy's purpose and the mysterious key, making it an ideal interactive bedtime story that parents and their young children can enjoy together.
This inquisitive little bear is particularly interested in learning more about friendship, and often asks the player questions like, "What do you do for fun?", "How do you make friends?", and "What's your favourite food?". Teddy will remember those answers and bring them up in conversation later on, forging a unique relationship between Teddy and the player, as the answers are always just between them*. Teddy's cute reactions and encouraging personality are sure to bring a smile to any child's face, which might even help them grow in confidence and self-esteem. Players can also introduce Teddy to their friends, who can give answers that Teddy will remember and even mention later on.
As with other virtual pet games, keeping Teddy's tummy filled is of utmost importance. You can also clothe the bear, wash Teddy's fur and plant seeds in your garden. Coins are used to purchase some items, and these are earned either via play or using a "compatible" amiibo:
Teddy loves to eat too, so children can play fun minigames via the Touch Screen to prepare a range of meals, then feed Teddy. But be careful: sometimes the food will be too hot, and the player will have to blow into the microphone to cool it down! Teddy can be a bit of a messy eater at times, so a little light cleaning might be needed after a meal. Don't worry: Teddy also loves to take baths, so is never dirty for long! Players can dress their teddy up too, with a big range of tops, hats, shoes, accessories and more, plus different fur colours to unlock too, making each player's bear even more unique to them. Clothes, special lollies that unlock new fur colours, and seeds that can be planted in the garden are all purchased using coins, which are earned through playing or by tapping a compatible amiibo figure once a day.
The game itself appears to be a port of a Bandai Namco release called Kuma Tomo from a few years back:
Interestingly, Nintendo has gone to great lengths to point out that the game has no online connectivity whatsoever, and the answers given by children to Teddy remain private:
As Teddy Together does not have any online features, no words entered during the game are shared with Nintendo or third parties.
We can't imagine that this is the kind of unannounced 3DS title many hardcore Nintendo fans will have been waiting for, but at least it shows that Nintendo knows its handhelds are popular with kids. Will you be giving Teddy the benefit of the doubt when the game arrives on July 1st?
Comments (38)
NA Release?
looks kinda interesting, might wait on a review though.
I might have bought bought the game for a young girl I know, but my problem is that I don't live in a English country so like a bit too hard ;^^.
Still I am glad for young kids though and hopefully the game is good enough to play for teens and adults as well :+). (Kinda a like Animal Crossing if good enough and have enough interesting content).
It's Miitomo for toddlers.
@MysteryAozz I would assume so, but we've only had the UK PR email so far.
A magical teddybear coming alive and befriending kids? I'm reminded of the movie Ted.
Is this an actual Nintendo-developed game?
It looks ADORABLE! I want it and I'm a "grown up"
Oh. I remember someone in the forums even contacting Bamco asking for this. At least I think it was this one. I guess the person will be happy now.
This is not helping Nintendo's attempted appeal to other audiences. Who would buy this?!! How many young children play on a 3DS? I see too many on a tablet nowadays. At least there's amiibo support, so that makes up for the, lack of online and Miitomo level gameplay. They would have been much better releasing it on a smart device or having a physical teddy, not Nintendogs Miitomo for the tiny fraction of 3DS owners who will buy this. (Okay, I might be ranting a bit too much, but I seriously never expected this.) Oh, is this a third or first party title by the way? If it's a first party title, now we know WHY ZELDA.U HAS BEEN DELAYED because they're working on this!
@Damo Seems to be a localized version of a three year old Bandai Namco released title. Maybe you should add that info
Also, a Japanese trailer for that game can be found here:
https://youtu.be/7PfBXmPJZ-Q
@KJ85 Good spot!
Get that bear into Smash, pronto.
Good for those who want it and hopefully NoA will localize so those in the US who want it can also enjoy.
I personally have no interest but to be honest the last announced 3DS game I'm interested is Kirby Planet Robobot which I'm delaying my purchase of due to Hyrule Warriors Legends and FE Fates being gigantic (as in length) games.
Hopefully the Treehouse isn't behind localization...
I'm a totally masculine, manly, male man of the XX/XY chromosome-bearing (pun not intended!!!) variety that digs the text-to-speech novelty and I dare say…
I think I want this. =P
A localisation of Love Plus+ would be preferable though.
I like how in my mind, hearing that it came from Japan makes it seem a whole lot more interesting than if it was to [predictably] come from a Western dev. :V
But I gotta give them credit, for its intended audience, the game looks packed with content, and even more impressive, fairly polished!
Granted, I'm not the target audience, but I couldn't be any less interested. Hopefully they're saving their juicy announcements for a Nintendo Direct...
this seems more exciting and deep than metroid federation force.
my daughter would love this game. Hope it releases here in NA
@Moon You mean Zelda U, Zelda U, Zelda U, Zelda U and finally Zelda U?
@Grumblevolcano lol yeah, pretty much.
2016 holiday saved. Nintendo should have an E3 Live Press conference for this game alone.
Seriously though, if it's any good I'll have my 3 year old use it.
@Barbiegurl777 I was instantly happy for you when I saw this news. Hopefully it comes to NA for you. Gotta admit, I always doubted this would get a localization but here it is
I don't have much of a clue about the game, but I like the little teddy bear character.
Love the comment when you click on the image 😂
Will keep an eye on this one.
@Barbiegurl777 I respect your enthusiasm. I hope you get your NA release.
Get on board the Hype Train! This is going to blow away the competition at E3! Forget Zelda Wii U/NX, this is for hardcore gamers.
Now imagine this becoming a horror game mid way through where your Bear is actually possessed by a demon, which is why it is alive.
@KJ85 3 years old but I found out about this yesterday on /r/amiibo.
it has amiibo support... thats why it it was posted there.
@Barbiegurl777 That's... not very nice. Don't bother these people with something they have no control over! Also, I'd say we're rather lucky. Europe had to wait FOREVER for YKW, which is a pretty big release, while we got it last year.
@TheRedCap30 I would play that.
@Barbiegurl777 Well, I definitely hope North America gets it for your sake. And if not, you can get a European 2DS or 3DS if you want to import it. Something tells me that won't deter you.
It seems the reception is better than I thought. I'm glad there are people who realize not every game is made for them.
I hope USA version will be released soon (and also with new cover art box).BTW, when i heard the Kuma's Japanese voice back on 2013 before, it was so annoying. I mean, the voice tone and accent. I hope they change the accent and tone for Western release. I have ever experienced with good games but with annoying character voice, such as Dokapon Kingdom Wii (the Cupid voice is really, really annoying), also Hello Kitty Party NDS. Anyway, let's hope for USA release so American gamers will not getting upset.
@Barbiegurl777 I remembered you wanting this game for a good while. Hope this makes it to US, for you
@Barbiegurl777 Mention to them that the 2DS is really cheap. In the US it is now $80. You're probably looking to spend $100 or less to import. That is the price of a Wii U and 3DS game together. You waited so long; don't give up hope.
Also, don't be deterred. Despite what their site says, Namco Bandai still makes console and handheld games. Heck, even Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS was made by them. You still have a chance!
Who needs Metroid when we've got Teddy.
@Barbiegurl777 I'm...honestly a bit surprised by your sheer excitement
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