Having confirmed that it will release the Nintendo Wii U across all major markets by the end of the year the Japanese gaming giant has outed a number of new Wii U features with the next-generation console to sport NFC technologies within its tablet-esque controller.

Officially unveiled at E3 last year the Nintendo Wii U has continued to have additional functionality revealed over the past seven months with the latest news revealing the shock inclusion of Near Field Communication within the console’s LCD screen touting controller.

Nintendo Wii U Features

Whilst the main incorporation of NFC technologies within the controller will see Wii U adopters given the chance to interact with a variety game specific novelties such as smart cards or figurines, the portable controller will also host the ability to act as a digital wallet.

"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," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told investors.

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

Nintendo Wii U Release Date

Making the announcement during its quarterly products call earlier this week Nintendo confirmed that the eagerly awaited Nintendo Wii U release date will take place sooner than many expected with the motion heavy games console to hit the UK and a host of other countries ahead of the pre-Christmas shopping rush.

Are you tempted to splash out on the upcoming Nintendo Wii U? Does the inclusion of NFC tech make the device more appealing to you? Let us know via the comments box below.

Via: TechRadar