Nintendo’s toys-to-life platform, better known as ‘Amiibo’ enables gamers to bring their Nintendo figurines to life within the games. Amiibo is available on the Nintendo Switch, 3DS and Wii U. If you want to know how Amiibos work, enjoy Our Kid Tech’s ultimate guide to Amiibos.
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Do the Nintendo figures actually come to life?
The Amiibos will not come to life like in your bedroom like Buzz and Woody, although they will come to life on the screen of your console.
As a result of spending time playing with your Amiibo and training them. Afterwards, you will find you have a portable character you can take with you on the go. This can be very useful for when playing games like Super Smash Bros with friends.
How Amiibos Work – Guide To Amiibos
In order to interface your console with the Amiibo, simply tap any Amiibo toy against the NFC reader on your console.
For example, if you want to register the Amiibo on your Nintendo Switch, you will need to hold the Amiibo over the stick on the right Joy Con.
If you are using a Switch Controller instead of a Joy Con, you will need to hold the Amiibo over the Switch logo.
If you are WiiU owner then you will need to scan the Amiibo below the D-Pad.
Lastly, the 3DS users will be required to purchase a separate NFC reader so that they can benefit from the Amiibo features. Once you have the NFC reader, simply place the Amiibo above it.
To demonstrate, please see below images.
Super Smash Brothers
One of the best ways to illustrate how Amiibos work and the application and awesomeness of their features is by looking at games such as Super Smash Brothers. In addition to customizing your Amiibo’s attack, defense as well as speed stats. You can even train your Amiibo in combat. Once you are ready for your Amiibo to join you in the arena, simply tap him against the console then watch the Amiibo spring into action and join with you as the ultimate battle companion.
Amiibo Card Series – Animal Crossing
Some games such as Animal Crossing have so many Amiibo characters to collect that collecting them all the figurines would cost a fortune. In fact, Animal Crossing has nearly 400 Amiibo characters!
With this in mind, Nintendo have produced them in card format. This was done with the intention of making them both affordable and easier to transport.
For Animal crossing gamers, Amiibo is not just an added feature, its actually an integral part of the experience. So long as you have your Amiibo card, you can invite that character to your village.
What’s more, Nintendo have a great online portal for Amiibo Animal crossing. For instance, you can track and learn about your current collection. Additionally, you can add characters to your wish list.
In order to access Nintendo’s Amiibo site, click here. (non affiliate link)
A Guide To Amiibos
Overall there are 180 Amiibo Nintendo figures with many variations. Not to mention the hundreds of characters included in card format. Deciding which Amiibo to buy can be very confusing.
For example, some Amiibos are compatible with certain games and not others.
By the same token, even if the Amiibo is compatible with the game, they may only unlock a special feature in the game. As opposed to also appearing in the game.
Similarly, even if they appear in the game, the game may only be able to read data from the Amiibo. As opposed to also writing data to the figure and improve their skill set.
Fortunately, we have Amiibo.life. Amiibo life’s comprehensive and easy to use guide to Amiibos is a massive game changer. It enables users to pick the right Amiibos. With Amiibo.life you can find how Amiibos work best for you.
In order to visit the Amiibo.life guide to Amiibos, click here. (non affiliate link)
Where To Buy Amiibos And For How Much?
First thing to remember is that there are no hard and fast rules for purchasing Amiibos. For the most part there are no standards in how Amiibos work in terms of price coupled with the fact that each one has different features and ability. Given these points, making a decision about which one to buy is a challenge. Although this may be true, Our Kid Tech will present a selection of the most popular Amiibos to help you make your first purchase.
Bowser Amiibo (Super Smash Bros Series) – How Amiibos Work
Indeed, King Koopa also happens to be King Amiibo. Not only can you train him to be awesome in Super Smash Bros and Mario Tennis, but he can unlock a bunch of features in other games. For instance he can make Fury Bowser appear in Super Mario 3D world and even unlocks a chain chomp weapon in Bayonetta 2. He is all round a fantastic Amiibo. The Bowser Amiibo (Super Smash Bros series) can be purchased for about 22$. If you want to purchase or for more information, click here. (non affiliate link)
Sonic Amiibo
What makes Sonic such a valuable Amiibo is the number of foundational and flagship games he can appear in as Sonic. This includes Super Smash Bros (Switch, WiiU and 3DS), where you can build him up and train him. He also appears in Mario Kart 8 (Switch and WiiU), Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Super Mario Maker and many more. If you are looking for a gateway Amiibo as a good introdution to the world of Amiibos, Our Kid Tech would recommend Sonic. The sonic Amiibo can be bought for around for around 50$. For more information or to purchase Sonic click here. (non affiliate link)
Zelda Amiibo
Yes, I know its shocking, Zelda is the name of the princess not the hero. If you are a switch owner and like to hang in Hyrule, then this should be your first Amiibo. She can join you in many top titles on the Switch including The Elder Scrolls, Super Smash Bros, Kirby and many more and of course she can be used in Zelda games, including Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors. For $25, you cannot go wrong. For more information and to purchase Nintendo figures like this one, click here. (non affiliate link)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Amiibo Cards
The Animal Crossing Amiibo cards are not limited to the Animal Crossing series. They can be used in games such as Mario Kart 8, Kirby and Conga Master Party. Now, like all collectible cards, the prices and possibilities are much more flexible, especially in the used market. However, you would be able to get 30 New cards with a storage box for around $25. For more information or to buy, click here. (non affiliate link)
Cat Mario and Cat Peach Amiibos
The super cool and adorable retro cat versions of Mario and Peach can be used as themselves in Super Mario 3D world and another 35 games as Mario and Peach. They are 55$ for the pair. For more information or to purchase, click here. (non affiliate link)
How Amiibos work – Conclusion
All things considered, the future of integrating figures with gaming is something that the industry as a whole is excited about. Not only is it a true innovation, but the possibilities are endless and in some cases mind blowing. Especially when you throw augmented reality into the mix.
Of course, Nintendo are leading the revolution with products such a Amiibo and Mario Kart Live. In a world where even the games themselves are in the cloud, it is refreshing to have something you can hold in your hand and collect.
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