For months, even years, many have wondered if and when Nintendo would finally move away from the Friend Codes that were so cumbersome and annoying on previous systems. The publisher hadn't really offered many specifics with regards to Wii U. Today we were able to finally test out that environment, and see how you'd be able to connect with people you know - or simply play games with.

Simply put, Friend Codes are gone, replaced by your Nintendo Network ID, which is effectively a username. Your Network ID can be set up when you add a new Mii to your Wii U OS, or later through settings. After registering your ID to an e-mail address, you're able to use this to connect to others through the master Friend List 'application', which is accessible from the system's Home Menu (which you get to by pressing 'Home' on the GamePad).

Your Mii/account is at the top. Your pending requests below.

Adding Friends can work in two ways - through a request system or by both of you adding each others' names. Our live, retail environment proved both would work, but sending out requests seemed to have a strange delay, with some not seeing requests. Yet adding the other person manually worked instantly. A strange glitch that with any luck will be worked out in the days to come.

A look at an incoming Friend Request.

You can also view gamers you've played online with recently, and can send requests to them. Requests can be blocked as well, and you can flag your account so your friends can see when you're online and what you're playing.

Pretty straight forward, basically. And it's about time.

For more on Wii U, stay tuned to IGN.

Rich is an Executive Editor of IGN.com and the leader of IGN's Nintendo team. He also watches over all things WWE, Resident Evil, Assassin's Creed and much more. Follow him on Twitter, if you dare!

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