Taking Collectibles to the Next Level: The Innovative Power of Nintendo Amiibo

Nintendo has always had a knack for redefining gaming experiences and with the release of amiibo in 2014, they achieved a whole new level of collectibles. These tiny figurines not only look like something you want on your shelf, but they also deliver real in-game rewards and opportunities that no other collectible can match.

To say that Nintendo is a major player in all things gaming isn’t an exaggeration; as of December 2023, the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch claimed their places as 2nd and 3rd best-selling video game consoles of all time. Incorporating near-field communication (NFC) technology into game accessories proved to be another remarkable innovation. The NFC chip allows the figurines to communicate with certain Nintendo consoles, namely Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, and Nintendo Wii U. The company has also released the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/ Writer accessory to allow amiibo to be used with older consoles.

What’s really incredible about amiibo is the added layer of interaction and immersion they bring to some of the most popular Nintendo games. The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., and Super Smash Bros. series offer some of the best amiibo around, but they’re by no means the only ones. You can pick up amiibo for Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Minecraft, and so many more. The features of each amiibo varies depending on the game; in The Legend of Zelda series, for example, your Link amiibo gives you in-game rewards such as treasure chests, useful items, or special companions who can help in battles. In Super Mario games, amiibo like Boo offer exclusive outfits, power-ups, and other benefits.

The Super Smash Bros. series has taken amiibo to new heights by allowing players to train and level up their customized fighters, which will reflect a player’s skills and playstyle – meaning that if you generally favor a particular playstyle, the character will learn from you and mimic it. This alone should make you excited about these games. The characters gain new abilities and tactics as they fight, storing the data within the amiibo so it can be transferred between compatible games. You can even send your characters on journeys across the internet, where they fight with other player’s characters to test their skills and earn rewards – all without you needing to be online.

So what next for Nintendo amiibo? The release of Sora from Kingdom Hearts earlier this year marked the completion of the Super Smash Bros. set, the series that started it all. Nintendo haven’t yet confirmed amiibo support for their new games, Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Princess Peach Showtime, but they are restocking the entire Super Smash Bros. Ultimate line, with products due to hit the physical and digital shelves later this month. They are also bringing back out-of-stock amiibo including Cloud from Final Fantasy VII and Sonic the Hedgehog. However, with the next version of the Nintendo Switch (currently known as “Switch 2” in the gaming community, although this very likely won’t be its real name) due for release next year, fans are anticipating new amiibo to go with the new games that will undoubtedly follow.

Nintendo has done an incredible job of merging physical and digital products to create interesting, dynamic content and enhance gameplay experiences. NFC technology represents a fascinating step forward in the relationship between physical products, such as collectibles, and non-fungible tokens (NFT). Nintendo’s capitalizing on this growing trend is as impressive as it is innovative, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Are you a fan of amiibo? What game would you most like to see an amiibo for? Let us know in the comments. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest in collectibles, gaming, online deals, and more.

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