Wii U Controller Has New NFC Function

Near Field Communication allows wireless transfer of data and means you can just swipe your credit cards to pay for in-game items.

By Matt Mann /

We seem to be finding out new information about the Wii U on a daily basis now, the latest coming day with the reveal of a new function for the controller being announced. Nintendo had confirmed a new function for the Wii U controller at a investors meeting called Near Field Communication or NFC for short. Near Field Communication allows wireless transfer of data; this feature is most commonly used in scanning real world objects like cards or action figures into the game. This is how Nintendo described the technology to investors:
"By installing this functionality, it will become possible to create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via noncontact 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 micropayments."
Great it will make it even easier for us to use our credit cards to pay for in-game items, all we have to do is swipe our cards in front of the Wii U controller and presto we get a new hat for our character. Easy as that to spend your child's college savings on video games! Here is a demonstration of NFC through Activision's game Skylanders: http://youtu.be/_J7Eyf0h1vM