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Last Story
Click Poppy28: Beautiful looking game. SmashboxLemon: This looks amazing - looking forward to playing it! MattL: Excited about playing The Last Story! regalado: Can't wait to play this... Nintendo-Gamer: Lively combat... fun scenario design! Twoshoes: Can't wait to get my hands on this. ninjafox: The graphics look really impressive - can't wait! The_BAAD_Man: This is No1 on my list! ACRID: My most anticipated game of 2012... Stulaw: Looking forward to this!
The Official Nintendo Magazine Issue #79

Latest Issue (#79)

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Latest News
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Wii U will be at its best at launch - Nintendo Next

New Wii U controller functionality confirmed


New console to use Near Field Communication tech
Posted by Thomas East | Friday 27-Jan-2012 10:08 AM
Wii U's unique controller will use NFC technology to allow users to read and write data (in a similar way to how the Skylanders figures work with the 'Portal Of Power') and also pay for things with compatible bank and credit cards.



"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," said Iwata.

"Adoption of this functionality will enable various other possibilities such as using it as a means of making micropayments."

As part of a financial briefing released this morning which also confirmed a new Mario 3DS game is in the works, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata also confirmed that the company will be focusing its efforts on building Nintendo Network - the online platform which will serve 3DS and Wii U.

"Competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content" - essentially DLC - will be part of the package, says Iwata.

Iwata also re-iterated that the Wii U release date will come by the end of the year.
 
 
fair enough
shy guy 64 27 Jan '12
A great idea, despite all the complaints against Skylanders I thought the Portal of Power was a brilliant innovation. More of this, but on games that people actually want to play, can only be a good thing.
Shmilly 27 Jan '12
the wii u would work well with a mmorpg thanks to the controller
killganon 27 Jan '12
That sounds amazing. Imagine being aable too put your AR cards on the touch screen and have the character appear on your HD tv! Or, and I've just made this up, instead of having downloadable characters for a game like Smash Bros, you could, say, buy a Captain Falcon card in a shop and scan it with the Wii U controller to have the character available in-game. That'd be pretty cool, and then you'd have a cool collectable Art Card after using it.
MartinIsAwesome 27 Jan '12
looking at this i wont get it a christmas after it comes out. most likely to be more than £200 mabe £300
torterratrainer 27 Jan '12
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