Pokémon Smile

File:Pokemon Smile Gameplay.jpg gameplay featuring Bulbasaur.]]

The game uses the camera of the device it is being played on for an augmented reality system, which is used to play the game. Bacteria appear in the player's mouth and hold Pokémon captive. By brushing their teeth, the player is able to rescue the Pokémon. At the end, the game allows the player to attempt to catch one of the Pokémon. After catching Pokémon, they can be leveled up.{{cite web|last=Naudus|first=Kris|title='Pokémon Smile' uses AR to get kids to brush their teeth|website=Engadget|date=17 June 2020 |url=https://www.engadget.com/pokemon-smile-tooth-brushing-app-134552405.html|access-date=2023-05-19|archive-date=2023-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519162920/https://www.engadget.com/pokemon-smile-tooth-brushing-app-134552405.html|url-status=live}} The player can also earn other rewards, such as hats and stickers. Hats can be worn by the player in-game while they are brushing their teeth, while stickers are able to be placed on photographs taken of the player at the end of a tooth-brushing session.{{cite web|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|title=Pokémon Smile: The Kotaku Review|website=Kotaku|date=2 July 2020 |url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-smile-the-kotaku-review-1844242342|access-date=2023-05-19|archive-date=2023-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519142949/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-smile-the-kotaku-review-1844242342|url-status=live}} The time spent brushing can be set between one and three minutes.{{cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date= |title=Pokémon Smile Is Here To Remind Your Kids To Brush Their Teeth |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/pokemon-presents/2020/06/17/pokemon-smile-is-here-to-remind-your-kids-to-brush-their-teeth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519161610/https://www.gameinformer.com/pokemon-presents/2020/06/17/pokemon-smile-is-here-to-remind-your-kids-to-brush-their-teeth |archive-date=2023-05-19 |access-date=2023-05-19 |magazine=Game Informer}} Each day, the game is able to notify users up to three times to remind them to brush their teeth.{{cite web|last=Keane|first=Sean|title=Pokémon Smile is a free app for brushing your teeth|website=CNET|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/pokemon-smile-is-free-app-for-brushing-your-teeth/|access-date=2023-05-19|archive-date=2023-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519160240/https://www.cnet.com/culture/pokemon-smile-is-free-app-for-brushing-your-teeth/|url-status=live}}

The game will sometimes fail to recognize a player's brushing. According to The Pokémon Company, a colorful toothbrush in a bright room usually solves the problem.{{cite web |last=Han |first=Karen |date=11 August 2020 |title=I thought I knew how to brush my teeth until I played Pokémon Smile |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/11/21363731/pokemon-smile-learn-to-brush-teeth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519164334/https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/11/21363731/pokemon-smile-learn-to-brush-teeth |archive-date=2023-05-19 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Polygon}} The game's difficulty is adjusted depending on the age inputted by the game's players when first playing the game, and the game allows for multiple save files with the goal of allowing multiple people to play with the same game.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-07 |title=『ポケモンスマイル』億劫な歯磨きに楽しみを！ 開発スタッフに聞く、"楽しく歯磨き習慣化"をかなえる注目アプリの秘密 {{!}} ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202008/07203358.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=ファミ通.com |language=ja |archive-date=2020-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108212522/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202008/07203358.html |url-status=live }} The game's soundtrack gets progressively more upgrades as the player captures more Pokémon.

Smile was developed by staff members from both The Pokémon Company and educational company LITALICO using Unity engine. LITALICO had previously developed the toothbrushing game Brushing Brave, which received positive responses. LITALICO reached out to The Pokémon Company in order for Brushing Brave{{'}}s gameplay to get more attention by adding the Pokémon franchise to its gameplay. The game was developed with the intention of teaching children to brush their teeth through the Pokémon medium. As a result, the development team elected not to include in-app purchases and made the game free to play. The game was also hoped to be beneficial in allowing children to have early experiences with the Pokémon franchise. The game's sticker mechanics, proposed by the game's artist Kanahei, were additionally implemented due to being popular with children.

Development of the game began in July 2019, with development ramping up in September of the same year. Development of Smile proceeded quickly, in part due to LITALICO already having developed the game engine Smile used. The Pokémon are drawn in a unique art style by artist Kanahei,{{Cite web |date=2024-10-27 |title=【八尾市】ポケモン歯ブラシGETだぜ☆八尾市内の小学３年生対象に『ポケモンスマイルではみがき大作戦in八尾』実施！ |url=https://yao.goguynet.jp/2024/10/27/pokemonsmile/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=号外NET 八尾 |language=ja |archive-date=2024-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128230207/https://yao.goguynet.jp/2024/10/27/pokemonsmile/ |url-status=live }} while the game's sound is done by former Capcom employee Reo Uratani, who also assisted with debugging the game. Uratani primarily implemented instruments familiar to younger children. Takashi Maeda, CEO of the company NASU Co., Ltd, aided in development of the game, helping develop the game's visual elements. Maeda stated he designed the game's menus with the intention of making sure they were accessible even to those unfamiliar with video game menus.

The game was announced during a Pokémon Presents presentation on June 17, 2020, and made available later that day.{{Cite web |last=Nedd |first=Alexis |date=17 June 2020 |title='Pokémon Smile' left me with clean teeth and lots of questions |url=https://mashable.com/article/pokemon-smile-review/?europe=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621042439/https://mashable.com/article/pokemon-smile-review/?europe=true |archive-date=21 June 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |website=Mashable}} The game received its first major update in November 2021, adding several new hats and four new Pokémon.{{cite news |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=8 November 2021 |title=Pokémon Smile gets first ever content update, nearly 18 months after launch |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-smile-gets-first-ever-content-update-nearly-18-months-after-launch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519155133/https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-smile-gets-first-ever-content-update-nearly-18-months-after-launch |archive-date=2023-05-19 |access-date=2023-05-19 |newspaper=Eurogamer.net}} The second major update to the game was released in June 2022. It added over 100 Pokémon, including all remaining second generation Pokémon (from Pokémon Gold and Silver) that were not already in the game.{{cite web |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=3 June 2022 |title=Pokémon Smile Adds Over 100 Pokémon, And They're All Utterly Irresistible |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/pokemon-smile-adds-over-100-pokemon-and-theyre-all-utterly-irresistible |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519145610/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/06/pokemon-smile-adds-over-100-pokemon-and-theyre-all-utterly-irresistible |archive-date=2023-05-19 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Nintendo Life}}

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In the months following the game's release, the game received over half a million downloads.{{cite web |last=Forde |first=Matthew |date=7 August 2020 |title=Pokémon Café Mix generates 2.9 million downloads in first month, tops $1 million revenue |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/exclusive-pokemon-cafe-mix-first-month-revenues/ |access-date=31 October 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer |archive-date=24 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724040303/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/exclusive-pokemon-cafe-mix-first-month-revenues/ |url-status=live }} Following its release, Smile collaborated with the Xylitol Ramune candy brand, with Pokémon in the art style of the game appearing on its packaging.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=ロッテより『ポケモンスマイル』コラボデザインの「キシリトールラムネ」が4月11日より新発売 |url=https://www.ndw.jp/pokemon-goods-230403/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Nintendo DREAM WEB |language=ja |archive-date=2024-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526115126/https://www.ndw.jp/pokemon-goods-230403/ |url-status=live }} The company Lotte later produced dispensers for the Smile-themed Xylitol candy.{{Cite web |title=『ポケモンスマイル』キシリトールサーバーが誕生！ ゲームには新しいポケモンも {{!}} アニメージュプラス - アニメ・声優・特撮・漫画のニュース発信！ |url=https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/44641 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=animageplus.jp |language=ja |archive-date=2022-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608174345/https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/44641 |url-status=live }} An educational picture book, titled "Rub and Play! Pokémon Brush", which was themed around Smile, was later released.{{Cite web |title=色が変わるふしぎな知育絵本『こすってあそべる！ ポケモンはみがき』 {{!}} アニメージュプラス - アニメ・声優・特撮・漫画のニュース発信！ |url=https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/40386 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=animageplus.jp |language=ja |archive-date=2021-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110082936/https://animageplus.jp/articles/detail/40386 |url-status=live }} To coincide with Dental and Oral Health Week in Japan, an event was held in Tokoname, where Smile was suggested as a method of encouraging children to brush their teeth.{{Cite web |title=親も驚嘆「あんなに真剣に歯を…」苦手だった歯みがきに子供達が夢中 アプリ『ポケモンスマイル』で虫歯予防 {{!}} 東海テレビNEWS |url=https://www.tokai-tv.com/tokainews/article_20220606_19153 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=www.tokai-tv.com |language=ja |archive-date=2024-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128102129/https://www.tokai-tv.com/tokainews/article_20220606_19153 |url-status=live }} In the city of Yao, Osaka, The Pokémon Company partnered with the city in order to have elementary school students learn to brush their teeth. Students could fill out a coloring book every time they brushed their teeth well, which could be exchanged at associated dental appointments for a Smile-themed toothbrush.{{Cite web |title=ポケモンスマイルで はみがき大作戦 in八尾 |url=https://www.city.yao.osaka.jp/0000075441.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=八尾市 |language=ja}} A similar collaboration was held in Fukuoka.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=「ポケモンスマイル」，福岡市で"はみがき大作戦"の実施が決定。小学1年生を対象に，はみがきの啓発や歯科健診の習慣化を目指す |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/514/G051468/20201130083/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=4Gamer.net |language=ja |archive-date=2023-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120081853/https://www.4gamer.net/games/514/G051468/20201130083/ |url-status=live }}

Luke Plunkett, writing for Kotaku, praised the game. Though he found the game to be lacking in features for adult fans of the series, he found the game's mechanics and gameplay to be effective for helping young children brush their teeth. Chris Scullion, writing for Nintendo Life, stated that while the game did not add much, it proved to be an effective way of making brushing teeth more exciting. He criticized the lack of an ability to scale the difficulty of the game for young children, as well as the game's difficulties with being able to see a player's face in a darkened environment.{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2020-06-22 |title=Review: Pokémon Smile (Switch) - You've Gotta Brush 'Em All |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/mobile/pokemon_smile |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602071732/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/mobile/pokemon_smile |url-status=live }}

Gavin Lane, writing for Nintendo Life, praised the game for its ability to market the Pokémon franchise in a way that appealed to both parents and children, as well as for its "wholesome" presentation and goals.{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Gavin |date=2020-06-18 |title=New Pokémon Snap Was The Crowd-Pleaser, But Pokémon Smile Is The Franchise's Most Cunning Play Yet |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/talking_point_new_pokemon_snap_was_the_crowd-pleaser_but_pokemon_smile_is_the_franchises_most_cunning_play_yet |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603135737/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/talking_point_new_pokemon_snap_was_the_crowd-pleaser_but_pokemon_smile_is_the_franchises_most_cunning_play_yet |url-status=live }} Karen Han, writing for Polygon, enjoyed the game, but disliked the game's difficulty with tooth-brushing, which Han stated resulted in her quitting the game entirely. Alexis Nedd, writing for Mashable, found the game to be fun, and found that the game's difficulty and tooth-brushing goals encouraged her to keep playing the game.

• {{cite book |author= |title=こすってあそべる！ ポケモンはみがき |date=November 8, 2021 |publisher=Shogakukan |isbn=9784097353416 |location=Japan |page=24 |language=Japanese |trans-title=Rub and Play! Pokémon Brush}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://smile.pokemon.com/en-us}}

{{Pokémon}}

{{Nintendo mobile games}}

Category:2020 video games

Category:Android (operating system) games

Category:Augmented reality games

Category:Educational video games

Category:IOS games

Category:Media about oral hygiene

Smile