Amiibo

amiibo is an upcoming line of figurines compatible with the near field communicator built in to the Wii U GamePad that can store data and be scanned by placing the figure on the communicator under the d-pad. The line is set to launch during the 2014 holiday season, around the same time as Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, which will also be the first amiibo-compatible game. A peripheral for the Nintendo 3DS, a circular white platform, has also been stated to be released in 2015 that will wirelessly connect to the 3DS to send and receive data. amiibo will come with data already on them, but data can also be written on them by the hardware. Several figures will be compatible with multiple games; for example, the Mario figure made for Super Smash Bros. can also be used with Mario Party 10 or Mario Kart 8 in addition to using a standard Mario figure.

Mario-related games compatible with amiibo

 * Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: Using these figures allows players to have the figure's character appear in the game and fight, either with or against the player or against each other. Every time an amiibo competes in battle, they increase their level and battle stats, the highest level being fifty. The amiibo grows more quickly when it faces other amiibo. Their moves are also customizable.

Figures confirmed

 * Mario (both "standard" and Super Smash Bros. artwork variations)
 * Donkey Kong
 * Link
 * Samus
 * Yoshi
 * Kirby
 * Fox
 * Pikachu
 * Peach
 * Zelda
 * Marth
 * Pit
 * Villager (male version)
 * Wii Fit Trainer (female version)