Skylanders figures utilize Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Embedded in the base of every figure is an NFC tag (specifically an NXP MIFARE Classic or similar derivative).
Example: Simple Python snippet to compute a basic XOR checksum over a BIN (illustrative) skylanders nfc bin files
Skylanders, the popular toys-to-life franchise, bridged physical collectibles and digital gaming by embedding NFC-enabled figures with unique data that games could read and write. Central to understanding the technical and preservation aspects of Skylanders is the BIN file format used to store the NFC figure data. This essay examines what Skylanders NFC BIN files are, how they work, why they matter to collectors and preservationists, legal and ethical considerations, and technical approaches to analysis and archiving. The primary use for these files is
You might be asking: Why go through the trouble of messing with BIN files when I can just buy the figures? how they work
The primary use for these files is . As official servers dwindle and physical production of the toys has ceased, maintaining the ability to play the games has become a challenge. .bin files offer a solution through:
Skylanders implemented techniques to make casual cloning and tampering harder: