The Wii U, like its predecessor, will feature friend codes, but adding friends will be much more user-friendly, so says Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime.

In a statement to Kotaku, Fils-Aime explained that "there are friend codes, but it's not the existing friend code system".

"What do I mean by that? Here's what I mean: you will be able to identify people as friends and have a certain level of interaction vs. a different level of interaction for the more general population," he added.

"The method by which you identify someone as a friend is a lot simpler than what's happening today with Friend Codes."

On how it would work exactly, he expanded no more, though when quizzed on whether it might be similar to the streamlined system boasted by Microsoft and Sony he said, “Yes, they will be”.

Phil-Aimes made a point of mentioning that the achievements system Nintendo intendo to use-o will not be compulsory. "That is not our philosophy," said he.