Since the moment the world learned that Nintendo's Wii U console would support Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the industry expected the games giant to leverage the functionality with the behemoth Pokemon brand, particularly given Activision's proven success with Skylanders.

Now it appears they're taking their first steps into the area, with report of Japanese magazine CoroCoro revealing Pokemon Rumble U for the Wii U --a new game in the Pokemon Rumble series that will allow players to leverage extra in-game abilities by scanning special Pokemon figurines on the Wii U GamePad (from Polygon):

According to Serebii.net, an article in the recent issue of CoroCoro Magazine states that Japan's Pokémon Center shops will sell the figures, which when used will make the Pokémon appear in-game.

Pokémon Rumble U will support up to four players and include all 649 numbered Pokémon, with 100 available on the battlefield at once.

The figures will be released alongside the title on launch day for 200 yen apiece, and the title will launch through the Nintendo Wii U eShop for 1,200 yen.

Five Pokemon figurines, including the quintessential Pikachu, will reportedly make their way to stores on the game at 200 YEN each (around $2), with the game launching digitally on the Nintendo Wii U eShop for 1200 YEN (about $12), on April 24th in Japan. No word on any Western launch details have yet emerged.