Nintendo's Pictonico: New mobile game that turns selfies into minigames

Nintendo announced a new mobile game called Pictonico on May 19, 2026. This unique game is designed to turn players' photos into minigames, heavily inspired by the popular WarioWare series. Pictonico promises a playful experience full of humor, aimed at both solo and group fun.

Game concept and gameplay

Pictonico lets players use their own photos to create minigames. These can be selfies or images from their smartphone photo library. The game will feature 80 different minigames at launch, with some available for free as a demo. Players can use their creativity to create bizarre and amusing scenarios, ranging from friends on a red carpet to funny celebrity portraits.

The gameplay is similar to the WarioWare series, with players rapidly moving through short and chaotic minigames in succession. Pictonico offers different play scenarios, such as Score Attack challenges and progression modes. The minigames vary in difficulty, making the game accessible to a wide audience.

Monetization model and content

Pictonico will launch as a free-to-start game, meaning players can try out a selection of minigames for free. To access additional content, players will need to purchase paid game volumes. Volume 1 of the extra content costs $8, while Volume 2 is priced at $6. This model gives players the flexibility to expand the game as they want to experience more minigames.

Development and involved parties

Pictonico is being developed in collaboration with Intelligent Systems, the studio known for the WarioWare series. That influence is clearly visible in the game's art style and humor. With Pictonico, Nintendo once again shows that it is willing to experiment with innovative and unusual ideas in the mobile gaming space.

Pictonico is scheduled to release on May 28, 2026, and will be available on both iOS and Android devices. This offers a fresh gameplay experience for both Nintendo fans and casual players, further expanding the variety of Nintendo's mobile lineup.

With the official launch approaching, Pictonico could become a valuable addition to Nintendo's mobile gaming portfolio. The combination of creativity, humor, and the use of personal photos makes it a standout game in today's lineup.