Pokemon Rumble U hits Europe, US next month

Players can strengthen NFC figures using in-game coins, change their moves and assign them with a special trait. The figures will also save data for use on a friend’s console. In the US, 18 Pokémon Rumble figures will be sold exclusively at participating GameStop stores priced at $3.99 each. In Europe, Nintendo told MCV: "We're still working through the plans for the small number of figurines we plan to release, and will update people in due course." The NFC figures aren't required to play the game, meaning all 649 Pokémon can still be found and captured without buying them.

The game’s story sees players attempting to guide lost Pokémon back to the Pokémon Toy Shop after a delivery is swept down a river and washes up on a strange riverbank. The title supports up to four players, offering cooperative play to defeat enemies or friendly competitions to see who can beat and befriend the most Pokémon at one time.