amiibo
amiibo (アミーボ, amiibo) are a line of interactive figurines and cards available for usage with the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch,[1] and Nintendo Switch 2 systems. By scanning an amiibo with near field communication technology, players can receive various effects in games.
For the Wii U, amiibo are scanned using the Wii U GamePad. New Nintendo 3DS models can directly scan amiibo; older Nintendo 3DS models require an NFC adapter to scan them.[2] For the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, amiibo are scanned on either the right Joy-Con or the Pro Controller.
While the concept of figurines using NFC technology to interact with the Wii U was previously explored by Nintendo with Pokémon Rumble U, Super Smash Bros. 4 was the first game to feature the amiibo branding, acting as the debut and flagship title for the line.
In September 2016, Nintendo reported that 39 million amiibo figurines have been sold, along with 30.6 million amiibo cards.[3] By September 2022, total sales reached 77 million toys.[4]
Function in the Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros.-series amiibo figures for every playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4 have been released, as well as every character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate not featured in Smash 4. Some alternate costumes, such as male and female Corrin, have separate amiibo available; others, such as Alph for Olimar, do not. amiibo interact with games in the Smash series in two ways: Read-Only, where data on the amiibo can be downloaded into the game, and Read/Write, which have the additional functionality of data from the game being uploaded onto the amiibo.[5] amiibo based on playable fighters are Read/Write, while all other compatible amiibo are Read-Only.
amiibo notably break a unique rule about the Smash series. Masahiro Sakurai has stated that any mass-produced merchandise related to the series outside of free giveaways and limited edition collectors' items are generally prohibited. The only exception so far has been amiibo, which have been in regular circulation since November 21st, 2014.[6]
In Super Smash Bros. 4[edit]
In Super Smash Bros. 4, amiibo figures function as Figure Players. A Figure Player is a computer-controlled character whose behavior and customizations are saved to the amiibo figure. The Figure Player learns from the fighters it fights against, leveling up in the process (up to level 50). Figure Players can be fed equipment to modify their stats.
Any amiibo figure corresponding to a playable character may be used, not just the ones released in the Super Smash Bros. amiibo series; however, amiibo cards cannot. Figure Players can be used on any copy of the game (even if the character has not been unlocked or downloaded). Scanning the amiibo in either game will not unlock the character however.
amiibo fighters can pick up trophies and Custom Parts.
After battling for a bit, amiibo can bring gifts to the player. The gifts can include gold, trophies, equipment, custom moves and/or Mii Costume headgear/outfits. The more it battles, the more gifts it will have to bring back.
While Super Smash Bros. for Wii U natively supports amiibo, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS predates amiibo, so it was unable to do so at launch. Version 1.0.5, released on February 9th, 2015, added support for scanning amiibo if the game is played on a New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 2DS, while version 1.0.8, released on June 14th, 2015, added support for an external NFC reader/writer accessory, enabling support for the earlier released 3DS and 2DS models. The user must have one of these pieces of hardware to use amiibo with the 3DS version.
amiibo are not required to unlock any characters or other features in the games—they are completely optional for playing both versions.[7]
Owing to Figure Players' ability to be "trained" and used on other consoles, amiibo tournaments have become a minor side event at some Smash 4 tournaments.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
amiibo compatibility returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. amiibo figures that represent playable characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can be used as Figure Players, while amiibo that represent non-fighter spirits can instead be used to obtain those spirits.
Any amiibo figure corresponding to a playable character may be used as a Figure Player, not just the ones released in the Super Smash Bros. amiibo series; however, most amiibo cards cannot (with the exception of Isabelle, Ryu, Ken, and Terry amiibo cards). Figure Player data from Super Smash Bros. 4 can be converted for use in Ultimate, but once it is converted, the data can no longer be used in Super Smash Bros. 4. The player can either choose to carry over some of the data (level 50 amiibo will become level 12 amiibo in Ultimate), or they can reset it and level the amiibo up again. If they carry over the data, then the player gets a random reward. Custom movesets and abilities inherited from equipment will not be transferred to Ultimate. As Charizard was folded back into Pokémon Trainer's team, a Charizard amiibo will scan as Pokémon Trainer with Charizard as the starting Pokémon.
Like in Super Smash Bros. 4, Figure Players function as computer-controlled opponents that learn from their opponents. However, it is now possible to disable their ability to learn. Figure Players no longer consume equipment, as the feature did not return. Instead, Figure Players can inherit up to three support spirits, permanently consuming them in order to gain their skills, having access to these skills even if spirits are disabled in the rules.
They also can bring back gifts after battling. Possible gifts can be a random Novice/Advanced class-Spirit, a small amount of gold, a small amount of SP, Snacks of all sizes, Spirit Board items, and/or random unlockable song.
Introduced in version 3.1.0, amiibo Journey allows Figure Players to fight other amiibo over the internet for a set amount of time, gaining experience while it is away. Upon return, the Figure Player will level up accordingly and possibly give the player gifts it earned while battling.
Compatible amiibo of characters from other series who are not playable in the game will grant a spirit corresponding to the character scanned. However, only one reward will be granted per amiibo, even accounting for individual figures or bands with the same design.
Release[edit]
The Super Smash Bros. line of amiibo were released in waves with staggered release dates. Each date contained a subset of the entire Smash lineup. The waves, the figurines they contain, and their release dates are detailed below; waves are listed in their American sets and dates, although the contents of each wave sometimes vary by region.
Smash-related amiibo are priced at $12.99 in the US, $15.99 in Canada, £10.99 GBP in the United Kingdom, $17.95 AUS in Australia, ¥1200 JPY in Japan, and €14.99 EUR in Europe.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo are priced at $15.99 in the US.
Wave 1[edit]
The first wave of amiibo launched on November 21st, 2014, alongside the American release of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The European release followed on November 28th, 2014. The amiibo in this wave were the first ever amiibo to officially release. The wave featured newcomers Villager and Wii Fit Trainer, and veterans Donkey Kong, Fox, Kirby, Link, Mario, Marth, Peach, Pikachu, Samus, and Yoshi. The eight starter characters from the original Super Smash Bros. were all in this wave.
In Japan this wave was released alongside Wave 2 on December 6th, 2014.
Wave 2[edit]
The second wave of amiibo was released alongside the first one in Japan on December 6th, 2014. It was then released on December 14th, 2014 in the Americas and on December 19th, 2014 in Europe. The wave featured newcomer Little Mac and veterans Captain Falcon, Diddy Kong, Luigi, Pit, and Zelda.
Wave 3[edit]
Eight amiibo from the third wave were originally released in Japan on January 22nd, 2015, specifically Bowser, Sheik, Toon Link, King Dedede, Meta Knight, Ike, Lucario, and Rosalina & Luma. The final three amiibo, Sonic, Mega Man, and Shulk were released on February 19th, 2015.
The entire wave was released in Australia on January 29th, 2015, and in the Americas on February 1st, 2015. In North America, several of the amiibo are exclusively available through specific retailers.
In Europe, Wave 3 was split in two. Bowser, Ike, Lucario, Rosalina & Luma, Sheik, and Toon Link were released on January 23rd, 2015, while King Dedede, Mega Man, Meta Knight, Shulk, and Sonic were released on February 20th, 2015.
A quirk about the Ike amiibo is that it will default to Costume 2 when scanned into Ultimate, as both the costume and this amiibo are based on his design in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. As there is no Ike amiibo based on his default Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance costume, it is impossible to default an amiibo to that costume.
 Lucario |
Toys "R" Us exclusive at launch 
|
 Meta Knight |
Best Buy exclusive at launch
|
 Rosalina & Luma |
Target exclusive at launch 
|
 Shulk |
GameStop exclusive at launch EB Games exclusive at launch 
|
Wave 4[edit]
The first six amiibo from the fourth wave were originally released in Europe on April 24th, 2015 and in Japan on April 29th, 2015. These are specifically Ness, Charizard, Wario, Robin, Lucina, and Pac-Man. The final two amiibo, Jigglypuff, and Greninja were released in Japan on May 28th, 2015 and in Europe on May 29th, 2015. The entire wave was released in the Americas on May 29th, 2015. Like Wave 3, in North America, several of the amiibo are exclusively available through specific retailers. This is the last wave to feature fighters from the original Super Smash Bros., while this is also the first wave to feature unlockable characters.
The Pac-Man amiibo was sold exclusively at Best Buy on October 19, 2018, in line with the upcoming release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This is notably the last time a Super Smash Bros. amiibo was retailer exclusive and the only time a previously non-exclusive amiibo was made exclusive after its initial release.
 Greninja |
Toys "R" Us exclusive at launch
|
 Jigglypuff |
Target exclusive at launch Walmart exclusive at launch
|
 Ness |
GameStop exclusive at launch EB Games exclusive at launch
|
 Pac-Man |
Best Buy exclusive on Oct. 19, 2018 |
Wave 5[edit]
The fifth wave of amiibo was released in Europe on June 26th, 2015, in Japan on June 11th, 2015, and in the Americas in late July 2015, with Dark Pit releasing on July 31st, 2015, and Palutena releasing on July 24th, 2015. This wave also included Palutena as the first amiibo to be exclusive to an online retailer in North America, as well as being the only wave containing only exclusives in North America.
 Dark Pit |
Best Buy exclusive at launch Gamers and El Palacio de Hierro exclusive at launch 
|
 Palutena |
Amazon exclusive at launch
|
Wave 6[edit]
The sixth wave of amiibo was released in the Americas on September 11th, 2015, making the following amiibo available: Zero Suit Samus, Olimar, Bowser Jr., Dr. Mario, and Ganondorf. In Europe and Japan, Ganondorf and Zero Suit Samus released alongside Wave 5, and Dr. Mario, Bowser Jr., and Olimar were released on July 17th, 2015, with the remainder of the wave releasing in September 2015. R.O.B., Mr. Game & Watch, and Duck Hunt were bundled together as a "retro 3-pack" in North America and released exclusively at GameStop on September 25th, 2015 in North America and were individually released on October 29th, 2015 in Japan. Subsequent reissues of these three in North America were packaged individually. This was the final set of amiibo featuring starters. The Mr. Game & Watch amiibo features multiple, swappable poses, and is the only Smash amiibo with this distinction. The standard pose is his official SSB4 artwork, as are other amiibo; the amiibo also includes parachute from Fire, getting a 9 using Judge, and a bell-ringing pose resembling his side taunt and artwork pose from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The two different R.O.B. amiibo are unique in that both versions will use the default costume, which changes depending on the region, a trait not shared with other design variants.
Mr. Game & Watch's multiple poses.
R.O.B. (Japan)
R.O.B. (international)
 Bowser Jr. |
Toys "R" Us exclusive at launch
|
 Dr. Mario |
Target exclusive at launch Walmart exclusive at launch
|
 Duck Hunt Mr. Game & Watch R.O.B. |
GameStop exclusive at launch EB Games exclusive at launch
|
Wave 7[edit]
The seventh wave of amiibo was released in Europe on October 23rd, 2015, in Japan on October 29th, 2015, and in the Americas on November 13th, 2015. This wave included the release of the first amiibo of a downloadable character, Mewtwo. Falco was released in North America exclusively at Best Buy and Europe on November 20th, 2015. The three Mii Fighters was released in the United States on November 1st, 2015 in a 3-pack exclusively at Toys "R" Us.[8] The 3-pack was released in Canada on November 20th, 2015. Subsequent reissues of the Mii Fighter amiibo had them packaged individually. This is the last wave to have the initial releases of fighters from the base roster.
The three Mii Fighter amiibo were released individually in Europe, on the same day as R.O.B., Mr. Game & Watch, and Duck Hunt were released.
