NFC payments are a common thing with smartphones, but now the Wii U will be joining the ranks of devices that are able to accept NFC payments. Starting July 22, Wii U owners in Japan will be able to purchase digital money cards that can be used to buy things on the Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo says several digital cards sold in Japan will work with this system, including Suica, Pasmo Kitaca, Toica, Manaca, Icoca and more. These payment cards are embedded with IC chips and are often used to purchase train or bus tickets, or to buy things at a convenience store. The reason Japan has so many different cards is because they serve regional areas.
This change will come with firmware 5.1.0. There’s no mention of when this will be available outside of Japan, but given the fact NFC payment services like Google Wallet and ISIS exist here in the United States, it could be a feature that expands to the rest of the world soon.
