Nintendo has unveiled the publisher’s Amiibo line of NFC figurines at E3 in Los Angeles. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata first announced plans to launch a line of figurines linked via NFC to games for the Wii U and 3DS consoles in May.
Nintendo Amiibos utilise existing NFC technology in the Wii U Gamepad, and an infrared 3DS peripheral, slated for release in early 2015, will extend the system to the 3DS handheld console.
“Each figure contains the spirit of the figure they represent,” said NOA Senior Product Marketing Manager Bill Trinen. “So, when you touch an Amiibo to a Wii U, that character will appear in the game to do battle while you cheer it on from the sidelines. There are many different ways to engage these characters in battle. You can pit them against other figures, you can face off against them yourself they can team up and fight alongside you.”
Trinen also confirmed Amiibo support for the publisher’s Super Smash Bros. title for Wii U, as well as plans add Amiibos to Nintendo games including Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and Yoshi’s Woolly World.
