COMING SOON: Nintendo's Amiibo range
Mario and chums are to get data-tagged toys before the end of 2014, by way of Nintendo's Amiibo line of collectibles that can interact with the 3DS and Wii U consoles.
The 15-strong set's figurines act as miniature representations of characters from significant Nintendo franchises and can store information and unlock extra features in a range of corresponding games.
Mario, Peach, Yoshi and Bowser are joined by the likes of Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Link and Zelda, and even the Wii Fit trainer.
Retailer listings indicate that each Amiibo will go for US$12.99 (RM40).
Handily, the Amiibo roster fits snugly within that of the upcoming Super Smash Bros. titles for Wii U and 3DS.
The 3DS version of the game is due Sept 13 in Japan and the week of Oct 3 internationally, while the Wii U title joins the Amiibo line in maintaining a less precise arrival time of Holiday 2014.
Other games that will support the tech include Wii U titles Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10, Yoshi's Wooly World and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, just as Activision's annual Skylanders games support an ever-expanding line of collectibles and the Disney Infinity franchise heads down the same lines with this year's Marvel-themed Disney Infinity 2.0.
The announcement accompanies news that two revised models of the handheld, dual-screened 3DS -- the New Nintendo 3DS for ¥16,000 (RM490), and its larger-sized sibling, the New Nintendo 3DS LL/XL for ¥18,800 ($570) -- will arrive in Japan this Oct11 and elsewhere in 2015.
Those come with the Amiibo's required NFC reader built-in, as well as the more powerful internals and an extra directional nub required for upcoming games such as acclaimed Wii adventure Xenoblade Chronicles.
Current models the 3DS, 3DS LL/XL and 2DS can be made compatible with the Amiibos by using an NFC adapter.—AFP/Relaxnews 2014
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