Pokemon Smile is only one of several new titles announced today in a Pokemon Presents broadcast. An unusual spin-off from the legendary catch em' all series, Pokemon Smile is an AR mobile app that aims to make tooth-brushing more fun for children.
Using a phone's front-facing camera, the app will encourage brushing with an onscreen Pokemon. The Pokemon, trapped by cavity-causing bacteria, must be freed through thorough brushing. There will be over 100 different Pokemon to rescue, and they can even be caught afterwards.
Cleaning and Catching
Regular brushing will unlock new hats to be worn while using the app, and they can even be decorated. Timers can be set up to make sure children, or adults, are brushing for long enough. and it's also possible to set reminders to brush at the appropriate times.
While a bit of a surprise, this is not the first healthy-living Pokemon app that Nintendo have announced recently. Last year the company revealed that it was working on a Pokemon Sleep app, that would help track healthy sleeping patterns. What seems clear is that both these apps must be inspired in some way by Pokemon GO. Niantic's genre-defining AR Pokemon game has often been praised for its ability to get players outside and exercising.
Pokemon Smile is available now on iOS and Android.