Pokémon Rumble U will launch for Nintendo Wii U alongside seven Pokémon figurines with near field communication compatibility, according to the latest trailer for the title shared by The Pokémon Company.
According to CoroCoro magazine via translation from Serebii, figures will be placed on the Wii U GamePad's NFC reader in the bottom left corner, which will read and transfer the Pokemon's into the game for use in battle.
The figures will be available in capsule machines at Japan's Pokémon Centers for 200 yen ($2) apiece and will be distributed randomly. Confirmed figures include Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Piplup, Lucario, Torchic and Victini, with a seventh rare unnamed figure available in limited quantities. This is the "first set" according to The Pokémon Company, hinting at the possible debut of a second set sometime after the game launches. Nintendo will also sell a case to hold all seven figures for 780 yen ($5).
Pokémon can still be caught in-game without purchasing the figures, although players will not be able to upgrade their abilities. Pokémon spawned using the figurines can be trained and given power boosts using in-game coins.
Yesterday the company announced that Pokémon Rumble U will be available in Japan on March 24 as the first Wii U title to utilize the console's NFC feature. A representative for Nintendo told Polygon there is currently no information regarding a North American release date. Take a look at the game as well as the figures in the trailer above.
