List of gaming NFC platforms

This list of Gaming Near field communication (NFC) Platforms provides an overview of the uses of NFC in gaming.

Currently, games have leveraged NFC in unlocking additional features through payment. This takes the form of a direct transaction over NFC^[1] or by purchasing a physical item, which signals to the platform that a certain set of features has been purchased (e.g. Skylanders). This list catalogues Gaming NFC Platforms by device.

Mobile

Android

• Gun Bros.^[2]
• Near Field Ninja^[3]
• NFC Cards^[4]
• Skylanders, with additional tools necessary^[5]

iOS

As item-triggered game enhancement

• Disney Infinity, with app download necessary^[6]
• Skylanders, with additional tools necessary^[5]

As payment

• In-App Purchases^[7]

Here, games that leverage Apple's In-App Purchase framework use information stored in the NFC Secure Element to process the purchase through Apple Pay. While an NFC radio is not used here, the NFC protocol is used nonetheless.

Other

For mobile consoles, like the Nintendo 3DS see Console.

Console

Nintendo Wii, Wii U and 3DS

As item-triggered game enhancement

• Pokemon Rumble U NFC Figure
• amiibo, built into Nintendo consoles since 2014. Works with Wii U and New 3DS and all older Nintendo 3DS systems via a peripheral device.^[8]
• Disney Infinity, with an NFC base^[6]
• Skylanders, with an NFC base. Works with Wii and later, and 3DS and later.^[5]

As payment

• The Wii U GamePad controller can read information from an NFC data source.^[9]

PlayStation

• Disney Infinity, with an NFC base. Works with PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4^[6]
• Skylanders, with an NFC base^[5]

Xbox

• Disney Infinity, with an NFC base. Works with Xbox 360 and Xbox One^[6]
• Skylanders, with an NFC base^[5]

References