Wii U Controller Has New Functionality

Nintendo increases tablet's ability to communicate.

January 26, 2012

 Nintendo's touch screen controller for the Wii U is now becoming a more powerful tool for communication. During the latest investor conference for the company, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata confirmed "NFC functionality" would be featured in the tablet device.

NFC, short for Near Field Communication, is a communication standard which allows for wireless distribution of information. Iwata described the uses of NFC to investors in this way:

"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."

It remains to be seen just how Nintendo plans to make use of the Wii U controller's NFC abilities. In addition to communicating with its own system, the tablet could conceivably relay information to other Wii U systems or controllers.