Wii U controller includes NFC communication

Nintendo has confirmed the inclusion of Near Field Communication in the Wii U controller.

The most well known example of NFC-like tech is London’s Oyster travel payment service, which is based upon the very similar RFID standard.

The use of such technology opens up a range of possibilities for Nintendo, not least of which is the ability to top up accounts with pre-paid Nintendo cards purchased from retail.

It would also provide for in-built functionality for systems such as those seen in Activision’s Skylanders and, potentially, interoperability with certain mobile phones.

Nintendo also hinted that such a system could be used for micropayments.