Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
The Wii U tablet controller will feature close proximity radio communication technology called Near Field Communication (NFC), which shares similarities to the RFID style Oyster cards used across the London transport network.
“The NFC I’m referring to here is the non-contact NFC standard that is compatible with FeliCa and MIFARE, and is expected to be widely used around the world in the near future,” said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.
He added: “By installing this functionality, it will become possible to create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via non-contact NFC and to expand the new play format in the video game world. Adoption of this functionality will enable various other possibilities such as using it as a means of making micro-payments.”
Luckily for VideoGamer.com our editor Tom Orry happens to be an “expert” on RFID, having produced 10,000 words on the technology back when he was hoping to pursue a career as a software engineer – the video game world’s gain is also a massive gain for the credibility of software engineers everywhere, trust me.
In addition to the figurines and cards mentioned by Nintendo, Tom reckons we could see the technology used to transfer data between controllers and to pair up controllers to Wii U consoles. An invaluable insight, thanks Tom.
Alternatively you might want to go down a massive waterslide holding one, just like you can with a Barclay Card.
