The New 3DS has some neat tricks hidden within its small shell, one of which is the NFC scanner under the touch screen - it's primarily used for scanning amiibo figures and cards.
In Japan the feature is also used with top-up pay cards, such as those utilised on public transport. This functionality kicked in way back in late 2014 with the Japanese launch of the newer portable, with the following video showcasing how these pre-paid 'IC' cards can be used to buy eShop games in the country (this is also possible on the Wii U GamePad).
Now Capcom has announced it'll be releasing a game to put these cards to use in a more interactive experience. Supporting a wide range of cards - Kitaca, Suica, Pasmo, Toica, Manaca, Icoca, PiTaPa, Sugoca, Nimoca, and Hayakaken - it'll give you items and conversation unlocks based on the travel history logged on the card. 9000+ train stations in Japan will be featured, and it'll be interesting to see how Capcom produces gameplay based on the travel routines of players.
This is never likely to get out of Japan on New 3DS (or the old 3DS with the NFC scanner, if you prefer) - we don't even have the option to use pre-paid NFC cards on eShop purchases in the West - but it's an interesting idea that could inspire broader products in the future.
What do you think of this concept? Let us know in the comments.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 17
A new 3DS game or a new New 3DS game? Nintendo and their stupid naming decisions!...
too bad i gave mine back for my money back
@LegendOfPokemon Probably both. The new 3DS uses the built-in scanner, while the 3DS uses the NFC adapter.
Making your game a New 3DS exclusive sounds like a recipe for destruction.
If they combined this with something like the collaboration they done with the Louvre, they could create an interesting tourism game for certain cities around the world which use NFC cards for transport.
So....What is the purpose to scan Japanese Travel Cards ?
What can i get by scanning those cards for certain games ?
If something good and really cool idea, i might consider that.
Otherwise, well... not really worthed to do it.
Pokémon Go for a Train Ride
@Captain_Gonru This helps with NFC on NX. No, not the Miitomo meets PGo time waster, but eShop payments via cards. You can't deprive the Japanese public of their ability to spend money on the eShop. Even if amiibo are never used in a game, people need to be able to buy things on NX.
@LegendOfPokemon Behold codename NX, officially named New 3DS U
Interesting, and it immediately made me think of the e-Reader for Game Boy Advance and that Barcode Battler handheld/toy thing that was around years ago and caused phenomenon where people where buying up certain products from stores in order to scan them to get the best characters/stats in the game.
If Nintendo were to invest their NFC in Malaysia, the only card is the TouchNGo or TNG for short. We also have another card known as rapidPass but only usable for transportation handled by Prasarana. TouchNGo covers not just public transport but many others as well
Interesting, but quick question... Do we have NFC payment over here in ze west yet?
@Grumblevolcano I would have gone with New WiiDS myself.
@LegendOfPokemon i think this might be only for "New 3DS"
@AVahne No, make it harder please, make it harder to spend money.
I think we are going to see more new 3ds exclusives in the future. Everyone thinks that because there are 50 million of the old 3ds that Nintendo won't turn there back on them. 50 million bought and how many of that 50 million are still active are two very different things. With the surge from pokemon go and great sales in japan and the usa this summer the new 3ds has done great. I just recently upgraded to the Mario themed new 3ds and I love it. I just wish Nintendo would have released the new 3ds with all its great upgrades at launch. The new 3d puts the old 3ds to shame.
Woah... I had no idea you could do this. Time to find out how much money is on my Kitaca.
@Captain_Gonru Card reader
On 2nd thought, I think NFC would be easier.
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