A brand new payment option will be coming to Wii U, Nintendo have announced today. In partnership with Japanese company Suica, the movement will introduce a rechargeable smart card that will offer players the ability to pre-load cash, and pay via NFC.
Typically used on public transport in Japan, the Suica cards will pave the way for this innovative new payment method. The swipe cards will allow gamers to pay quickly and simply for eShop purchases, forgoing the need for credit card details, or the pre-packaged cards available in stores today. The announcement comes following the recent reveal of Nintendo’s Amiibo figurine line that cemented the Wii U Gamepad’s NFC capabilities.
Intent to build on some of the Gamepad’s lesser known features, such as NFC, has been in circulation for quite some time and this new software delivers on those ambitions in a contemporary and efficient way. While the function will be limited to Japan for the time being, effort is being made to accommodate as large a scope as possible – several brands of cards will be available for use across the country, although Suica will offer a unique loyalty scheme transferring a small return on all purchases.
Along with being fast, clean and efficient, the new card scheme will enable much of Nintendo’s family orientated demographic the ability to limit transactions incurred by children. The industry has been under the watchful eye of the FCC in recent years as incidents of accidental or unapproved digital purchases have spun out of control, leaving many parents angry, frustrated and demanding refunds. This NFC payment method on Wii U will prevent children from charging near unlimited amounts to credit card details stored on the eStore.
Nintendo have stated the new card system will be usable from 22nd July, unfortunately, we can only speculate on when the system will hit the Western market.
