PictoChat
| |
| PictoChat | |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| System | Nintendo DS |
| Release Date | US November 21, 2004 JP December 2, 2004 AU February 24, 2005 EU March 11, 2005 KO January 18, 2007 |
PictoChat is a pre-installed application for all Nintendo DS models. It is primarily a chat program for DS users. It was later used as one of the more unique stages in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
PictoChat hosts 4 rooms with a maximum capacity of 16 users per room. While users can type or write messages to each other, the program opens up for all types creativity since users can also draw pictures in the program. It allows for users to scroll back through the chat log and copy a message so for any user to alter. This has helped more creative users to make the most out of the program by making their own frame by frame animation, before Flipnote Studio made those talents more accessible. PictoChat only works within a limited local range and does not go online. Whenever a user quits the application they are asked to shut down the entire system.
When the Nintendo DSi was released the program was slightly updated. In addition to animating the PictoChat icon on the main menu, users are no longer required to shut down the system after exiting. A hidden easter egg was added to change the color of the ink from black to rainbow. While only DSi models have access to this, the rainbow ink is viewable in the older models.
PictoChat only works as it's own entity but the program has been built into a few Nintendo-published titles for multiplayer matches. Specifically ones that focus on players taking turns and concentrating to win a game. A lite version of it was used in True Swing Golf where players could send messages to each other between turns. A more advanced version (even surpassing the one later available on DSi) was used in Clubhouse Games. The major difference being that it was able to be used online during Friend Matches. Other noticeable additions include choosing from several different colors, choosing stamps to decorate the text box, and even choosing to fill in the background with a color. Somewhat like the rainbow ink on the DSi, a special constantly animated gold ink could be unlocked.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
PictoChat was one of the more unique stages in Super Smah Bros. Brawl. It's world icon is represented by the DS Logo. Characters battle on top of a text box declaring one of the characters to have entered the room. When a character is knocked out a stage, the text box announces that character to have left the room. As time passes different drawings appear, which can either be used as static platforms, dangerous obstacles, or animated traps. A brand new theme song was created for this stage utilizing sound bytes from both PictoChat and the Wii Menu. Other available songs that play on this range from various casual Wii and DS programs such as Brain Age, the Mii Channel, and Wii Sports.