Mario Artist Communication Kit

A unique tool for online interaction

Released alongside the Nintendo 64DD, Mario Artist: Communication Kit (1999) was one of the lesser-known gems from the experimental period of Nintendo’s hardware. This game allowed users to interact with others via the internet—a novel feature at the time. Unlike typical Mario games, this title focused on digital communication, featuring several creative tools for users to send drawings, messages, and custom content online.

Drawing and sending messages

At its core, the Communication Kit featured a simple drawing tool where players could create sketches, which could be sent over the internet to friends. These drawings could be personalised with various stamps and decorations. It was essentially a creative way for players to communicate, sharing their artwork with others in a shared online space. While not a game in the traditional sense, it was an early attempt at blending social interaction with Nintendo’s creative software lineup.

Online community experience

The game allowed users to communicate with others through the Mario Artist platform, one of the few games to support online features via the 64DD. Players could send not only messages and drawings but also images created in other Mario Artist titles, such as Polygon Studio. This element of connectivity was a groundbreaking step for the era, laying the groundwork for later online multiplayer and communication features in gaming.

Limited availability and regional exclusivity

As with other 64DD titles, Mario Artist: Communication Kit was a Japan-only release. The 64DD’s commercial struggles limited the release of its software, and only a select few were able to experience this niche title. Its regional exclusivity makes it a rare find for collectors and a curiosity for gaming historians interested in early online gaming concepts.

A precursor to modern social gaming

While the Mario Artist: Communication Kit didn’t receive widespread attention or acclaim, its experimental use of online communication was ahead of its time. The title predated similar features found in later consoles and systems, offering players a way to communicate through digital art—something that would eventually evolve into the more interactive online spaces in later generations of gaming.

The legacy of Nintendo’s experimentation

Despite its limited scope and availability, Mario Artist: Communication Kit is part of a broader trend in Nintendo’s history of embracing new concepts and experimenting with technology. It was an early step in Nintendo’s online aspirations and a significant part of their experimentation with the 64DD system. Its legacy is felt today in how games now combine art, communication, and multiplayer experiences seamlessly.

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