More Wii U News: "Final Format" at E3 2012, Tablet Controller has "NFC" Technology

Along with the full announcement of Nintendo Network, we also got some news about both the Wii U and 3DS today. First I'll talk about the Wii U. In the same investor's meeting that announced Nintendo Network, Satoru Iwata said the "final format" of the Wii U would be revealed at this year's E3. This could mean the design of the controller/console, the specs of the console's power, or both. Either way, something new about the Wii U will be revealed this June at the E3 conference.

The other part of news about the Wii U is that its tablet controller will have "Near Field Communication" (NFC) technology. It's a short-range communication protocol for mobile devices. In Japan it has widespread use in smartphones, and in the United States it is becoming prevalent. NFC can be placed on many things, as Iwata also described:

"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."

This would mean no more typing in numbers to get virtual cash for the latest downloadable game, as the prepaid cards would have a NFC chip in them, or you could even have your credit card info saved on your smart phone. All you would need to do with both is just put it close to the Wii U's controller.

Some awesome capabilities have come to this crazy controller

This news is definitely exciting. The idea of NFC cards and figures would definitely mean more games like last year's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, and I'm guessing that we will see Pokémon cards with NFC chips in them. But the possibilities of micropayments will definitely set the Wii U apart. There's a little more news today, but I have to go help with my class's taco dinner at a basketball game, so don't expect the 3DS news until 9 pm Pacific at the earliest.