Developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo,[1] Flipnote Studio allowed users to create both word-based and picture-based notes with the stylus, add sound, and combine them to create frame-by-frame flipbook-style animations.

In English-language keynote addresses and conferences prior to its release, the application was referred to as Moving Notepad by Nintendo, and was announced at E3 2009 officially as Flipnote Studio.

[3] After the closure of the Nintendo DSi Shop on March 31, 2017, the original Flipnote Studio is no longer available for download.

Flipnote Studio offers the user three main tools with which to create drawings: a pen, an eraser, and a paintbrush, each of which are heavily customizable.

Additional features such as layering, shrinking, enlarging, moving, copying, cutting, pasting, etc.

The Japanese version of the software allows the user to take photos directly from Flipnote Studio itself.

The Flipnote Hatena website offered the ability for users to rate and comment on the works of others, as well as to embed their animations into other webpages.

[13] For example, the categories "Stick Figures", "Spoof", and "Birds" were added at the request of users.

[citation needed] Prior to the release of Moving Notepad/Flipnote Studio 3D, the closure of Flipnote Hatena was announced.

[7] Fans vocally protested the shutdown and contacted Nintendo, Hatena, and even news media in an attempt to prevent the end of the services.

DSi Library was critically panned for lacks of various features, random selection and distorted audio.

[15] Services for Flipnote Gallery: World and Nintendo DSi Library ended on April 1, 2018.

The most notable of such custom servers is Sudomemo (which was launched in January 2014), as well as now-closed pbsds and Freenote.

In 2010 and 2011, as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations for the Mario and Zelda series, Nintendo sponsored official Flipnote contests.

[23] During its first six months of operation in Japan, Flipnote Hatena reports having received over 1,000,000 user-submitted creations.

[12] IGN gave the Flipnote Studio an "outstanding" rating of 9.0/10, while also giving it an editors' choice award.