Nintendo's first mobile app Miitomo launches in UK on Thursday

UPDATE 31/3/15 12.00pm: In other Nintendo news, the company's fresh customer reward programme My Nintendo has now rolled out in the UK.

Anyone can now log on to my.nintendo.com and register for an account using a Nintendo Network ID, Facebook or Twitter account, or alternatively just an email address.

Once set up you can collect points for interacting with Nintendo apps - such as Miitomo, which goes live on the iOS and Android app stores later today - and buying Nintendo products.

In return you can then get Miitomo bonuses - currently on offer is a Mario costume - along with discounts and other Nintendo games for 3DS and Wii U. Of note, the My Nintendo exclusive Picross: Zelda Twilight Princess is available to claim for free once you have acquired 1000 Platinum Points. I'm currently on 600.

ORIGINAL STORY 29/3/15 2.00pm: Miitomo, Nintendo's first mobile app, launches in the UK and across Europe this Thursday, 31st March.

The free-to-play app arrived in Japan earlier this month and racked up more than a million downloads.

Miitomo allows Mii characters to meet and share discussions, fuelled by answers you give to questions. It's available for both iPhone and Android devices.

This Thursday will also see the roll-out of the new customer reward programme My Nintendo, which will reward players for interacting with Nintendo's mobile apps, or buying Wii U and 3DS games.

You can then earn points to be spent on free games, in-game items and discounts for other Nintendo titles.

Both Miitomo and My Nintendo will use Nintendo Accounts, the company's new unified account system. Sign-up for a Nintendo Account before the end of April you'll get a download code for arty 3DS game Flipnote Studio 3D.

Also this Thursday, Nintendo will finally enable downloads from its own eShop website - meaning you can at last buy games using eShop credit without having to directly use a 3DS or Wii U.