NFC Game: E3 Predictions/Thoughts

[Hero-of-Time]

The other week Iwata stated that they would be showing something at E3 that would use this. I figured we could discuss ideas on how to use it and what franchises could be a good fit.

 

NOTE: Lets not discuss whether you think it's a bad idea, it will never happen or whether or not it devalues the game.

 

I like the whole Skylanders/Disney Infinity approach, what with the figures being scanned into the game. Something like Disney Infinity but set in a Nintendo World with Nintendo characters would be fantastic if done correctly. I imagine it being sort of a being like Captain N, with all the Nintendo worlds connecting to each other.

 

Animal Crossing could be a good existing franchise to use as well. Being able to go out and buy the villagers or furniture you want and then scan it in via a card or even a little toy would be great. I remember doing this kind of stuff back when I imported the Cube version and had the e-reader. I would like to see this come back in some form.

 

Smash Bros could use it for things like items in battle or assist trophies. Nothing major but just little additions like that.

 

I'm personally shocked the Nintendo haven't used it yet. Sure they gave it a shot with Pokemon Rumble U but it was such a half hearted affair it didn't take off at all. Not to mention the game wasn't that great either.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Hero-of-Time

[Dcubed]

It's almost certainly Smash Bros 4, used in exactly the same way as KIU's AR cards (figurine battles, optional way to unlock trophies).

[RedShell]

So is there no chance that MK8 could use the NFC feature?

Would be a pretty cool way to unlock special karts/bikes:

 

Although I'm not sure if I'd like it in MK actually. This NFC idea has the potential to be annoying if some of them only get a limited release and are difficult to get hold of.

[Hero-of-Time]

So is there no chance that MK8 could use the NFC feature?

Would be a pretty cool way to unlock special karts/bikes:

 

Yeah, with the way that you can customize your karts now getting different wheels, gliders etc. would be pretty cool. It could even be something simple as decals for your vehicle.

[Cube]

Pokémon Trading Card Game. It would come with a new card series with one NFC card per pack (I think having them all NFC would be too expensive).

[RedShell]

Yeah, with the way that you can customize your karts now getting different wheels, gliders etc. would be pretty cool. It could even be something simple as decals for your vehicle.

Yep, seems a perfect fit.

I'm still hoping that there'll be a way to create custom decals like in MKDS, using the touch screen though. But anyway, back on topic...

 

Is Pokémon Rumble the only Wii U game to make use of the feature so far?

 

I've not played that game, so what's the deal, do you just hold the little figure over the GamePad and it suddenly appears in the game? Do you only need to do it once, or does scanning it multiple times do something too?

 

Just wondering if the NFC feature can be used in real-time as a gameplay mechanic?

[Ike]

Fire Emblem. Buy some figures and unlock them in game, similar to Fire Emblem Awakening where you could get previous characters via the DLC chapters. Fire Emblem doesn't tend to get much merchandise so it'll be a nice bonus.

 

Dragon Quest Battle Road Victory on the Wii let you scan cards to unlock them in the game but that required the DSi app, now you would just to use the Gamepad. Pokemon TGC could also work the same way.

 

Can only think of using it to unlock stuff atm, which is kinda boring, lol.

 

Maybe some sort of battler where you need to keep scanning items to change your moves or change form? Wonderful 101 probably could have used something like that.

[Hero-of-Time]

Is Pokémon Rumble the only Wii U game to make use of the feature so far?

 

I've not played that game, so what's the deal, do you just hold the little figure over the GamePad and it suddenly appears in the game? Do you only need to do it once, or does scanning it multiple times do something too?

 

Just wondering if the NFC feature can be used in real-time as a gameplay mechanic?

 

Yeah, you just place them on the pad and they appear, it's not mid battle though. Before you start an arena you pick your team and this is where it gets scanned in. You have to scan it in every time you fire the game up.

[Ronnie]

I think Animal Crossing would be a pretty safe bet. They've seen how popular it is on 3DS and it suits NFC perfectly.

[Ike]

You can call them in mid-battle as an assist though. It's a bit of a pain scanning them everytime.

[Retro_Link]

One of the IGN staff suggested Nintendo could use it as a way of physically selling you eShop games and vouchers.

 

So you go into a store and buy a Mario figure which you scan to purchase Mario Bros. on the eShop.

 

The collectable figurine aspect could generate more digital sales, and they could promote upcoming games/make people aware of what new eShop titles via these figures.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Retro_Link

[Ronnie]

One of the IGN staff suggested Nintendo could use it as a way of physically selling you eShop games and vouchers.

 

So you go into a store and buy a Mario figure which you scan to purchase Mario Bros. on the eShop.

 

The collectable figuring aspect could generate more digital sales, and they could promote upcoming games/make people aware of what new eShop titles via these figures.

 

Nice idea!

[dazzybee]

Yeah that's how I would want it to work, I don't like the idea of spending a lot of money to get a character or whatever. And the only way to get it. However, if some Pikmin DLC cost £4.99, you can download it, or you can buy a £4.99 or even a £5.99 pikmin toy with it then that would be great. An extra incentive to buy DLC and eshop games.

 

The idea of Smash Bros having loads of figures to unlock characters etc. fills me with dread (unless it was like above, a choice)

 

Imagine Nintendoland, you download it. But each game figurine is the attraction for that game. It would be pretty great

[Retro_Link]

Yeah that's how I would want it to work, I don't like the idea of spending a lot of money to get a character or whatever. And the only way to get it. However, if some Pikmin DLC cost £4.99, you can download it, or you can buy a £4.99 or even a £5.99 pikmin toy with it then that would be great. An extra incentive to buy DLC and eshop games.

 

The idea of Smash Bros having loads of figures to unlock characters etc. fills me with dread (unless it was like above, a choice)

 

Imagine Nintendoland, you download it. But each game figurine is the attraction for that game. It would be pretty great

Althooooough, there is ALOT of money and potential sales to be made from the Skylanders/Disney Infinity approach... so whilst to some of us it might seem like money we don't want to spend, that's the selfish approach as actually it really should be something Nintendo pursue, as they have the PERFECT library of characters and location for it.

 

I think I heard on IGN the other day too when they were talking about that idea I mentioned above, that Skylanders has now actually outsold Barbie!!... which is insane!!

 

Apparently it's the world biggest selling figure or something, however the toys themselves cannot actually be classed as figures or something, and therefore Barbie still holds on to it.

[dazzybee]

Yeah, but Nintendo think much more ethically - like how they don't want to take advantage of their core IP with micro transaction/free to play; how the promised they'd never do it with Animal crossing, how they won't whore out their IP and be selective. So I don't think they'd take the piss, and I wouldn't want them to either.

 

The perfect balance is CHOICE. Maybe with a little extra charge. A set amount to just download the DLC, a little extra to buy a figure!

[Retro_Link]

Tbf even if it's a whole new NFC game it's still choice! Nintendo aren't forcing anyone to go out and start collecting these figures for a new game. They'd be mad to ignore it.

 

But anyway, I don't mean to get this thread moved on to the business side of it.

 

I think Nintendo should release a Disney Infinity style toy box, that would be the dream game to come of this.

 

If not, then a Warner Bros. LEGO Nintendo game, where by the game itself is self contained just like any other LEGO game, but NFC would be built into the LEGO sets and figures that accompany the game, and they could provide alternate costumes and DLC missions etc... to expand the game, and it's post game content.

 

I still love the idea of collecting NFC Smash Trophies too, but don't really see a good use for them without actually building Smash around them from the start.

[Mandalore]

F-Zero! All those ships would make awesome NFC figures. It could work like Pokemon Rumble and allow for ship customisation.

[Ashley]

What would be nice is if whatever it was had both NFC and a QR code so you could use it on Wii U and on the 3DS (with AR).

 

Out of interest, how much does Pokémon Rumble U cost if you were to collect em all?

[Hero-of-Time]

Nintendolife have their say in regards to the NFC stuff.

 

HERE

[Serebii]

Yeah, you just place them on the pad and they appear, it's not mid battle though. Before you start an arena you pick your team and this is where it gets scanned in. You have to scan it in every time you fire the game up.

As @Ike said, you can scan them mid-game though, and they'll appear as AI players to help you for the duration.

 

In addition to that, you can also scan any NFC chip, including bank cards, and it'll extrapolate a Pokémon for it. It's actually pretty cool that they included that.