Nintendo to Launch Skylanders Style Figures for Wii U and 3DS
Nintendo-themed figures will talk to games
Nintendo will launch a series of Skylanders-style figurines based on its characters to interact with games across both the Wii U and 3DS.
The company announced the new range of figures, currently dubbed Nintendo Figurine Platform (NFP) during its financial briefing. The range will use a base station that uses infra-red to communicate with the Wii U's Gamepad, as well as an NFP reader in development for the 3DS. Much like Skylanders, the figures themselves will be able to store data, enabling them to interact with a range of Wii U and 3DS software.
“What is especially unique about NFP is that it is not classed as an accessory product of a certain software title but as a platform itself. “The figurines, which consumers can buy and collect, are going to work with multiple software titles to be released in the future, and we are aiming to develop more software titles compatible with the figurines," said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.
“Nintendo has a lot of well-known character IP that has originated in video games, and we have been regularly releasing titles from game franchises that make use of this character IP. This is why I believe a brand-new type of platform will be born when the character IP becomes compatible with NFP."
The NFP range should launch for Wii U by the end of the year and for 3DS next year. Nintendo hopes to showcase the kit at E3 this year.
"At the same time, there are not only going to be decorative boxes for video game hardware and packages for software, but also Nintendo character figurines displayed on store shelves. This will provide exposure for Nintendo, play a great role in raising our brand awareness and create more opportunities for consumers to play video games."
Nintendo announced very sobering financials for the period to March 31st yesterday.
The company announced the new range of figures, currently dubbed Nintendo Figurine Platform (NFP) during its financial briefing. The range will use a base station that uses infra-red to communicate with the Wii U's Gamepad, as well as an NFP reader in development for the 3DS. Much like Skylanders, the figures themselves will be able to store data, enabling them to interact with a range of Wii U and 3DS software.
“What is especially unique about NFP is that it is not classed as an accessory product of a certain software title but as a platform itself. “The figurines, which consumers can buy and collect, are going to work with multiple software titles to be released in the future, and we are aiming to develop more software titles compatible with the figurines," said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.
“Nintendo has a lot of well-known character IP that has originated in video games, and we have been regularly releasing titles from game franchises that make use of this character IP. This is why I believe a brand-new type of platform will be born when the character IP becomes compatible with NFP."
The NFP range should launch for Wii U by the end of the year and for 3DS next year. Nintendo hopes to showcase the kit at E3 this year.
"At the same time, there are not only going to be decorative boxes for video game hardware and packages for software, but also Nintendo character figurines displayed on store shelves. This will provide exposure for Nintendo, play a great role in raising our brand awareness and create more opportunities for consumers to play video games."
Nintendo announced very sobering financials for the period to March 31st yesterday.
Companies:
Nintendo
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