amiibo

Concept artwork for amiibo.

amiibo is a brand of "Toys to Life" products^[1] consisting of near field communication-based figurines that can have data read and written on them, used as add-ons to games with amiibo compatibility. Originally referred to internally under the working title "Nintendo Figure Platform" ("NFP") in development^[1], the first line of amiibo, based upon Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, launched on the same day as Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the first amiibo-compatible game, and there are amiibo lines based upon various games and franchises^[2], such as the Super Mario and Yoshi's Woolly World lines.

Features

amiibo can be used with Wii U software by placing a figure on the near-field communicator built into the Wii U GamePad under the D-pad; the console must also be updated to at least version 5.3.0. A peripheral for the Nintendo 3DS has also been released in the fall of 2015 that wirelessly connects to the 3DS to send and receive data^[3]; the New Nintendo 3DS, however, features a built in near-field communicator on the bottom touch-screen. amiibo 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 Super Smash Bros. line Mario figure can also be used in Mario Party 10.^[4] Multiple games can read an amiibo's data, while only one game's data can be written to the figure at a time.^[5]

In addition to figurines, a card format is also available.^[6] Additionally, an app released for the Wii U, amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits, allows players to unlock demos of certain NES and SNES titles by scanning amiibo.^[7]

Mario-related games compatible with amiibo

Game		Description	Read/Write or Read
	Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker	Upon scanning the Toad amiibo, "Pixel Toad" appears, hidden in each stage for the player to find. Every other amiibo increases the player's amount of 1-ups.	This game only reads the data on the amiibo.
	Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam	Compatible amiibo give the player special support cards to use in battle.	This game both reads and writes data on the amiibo.
	Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games	In the 3DS version, scanning a Mario amiibo will unlock a Gold Mario costume, while scanning a Sonic amiibo will unlock a Super Sonic costume, both of which can be used on the player's Mii. In the Wii U version, scanning either one of the above two amiibo will let players play the Mario League and Sonic League modes respectively, where the player can win the Gold Mario and Super Sonic costumes in each one.^[8]	This game only reads the data on the amiibo.
File:Box NA - Mario Kart 8.jpg	Mario Kart 8	Compatible amiibo will unlock 19 alternate costumes for Miis, giving them a racing suit based upon the character scanned.	This game only reads the data on the amiibo.
File:WiiU MarioParty10 pkg.jpg	Mario Party 10	Scanning certain amiibo allows the player to access amiibo Party mode, in which the amiibo characters are used as game pieces to travel across the board; the player can also unlock special boards based upon the scanned amiibo to play on in amiibo Party. amiibo with data from the game can also save Tokens obtained in the mode. Touching any amiibo figure to the Wii U GamePad controller gives the player a Scratch Bonus, used to win Mario Party Points, and special figure bases for amiibo with Mario Party 10 data.	This game both reads and writes data on certain amiibo, while it only reads data on other amiibo.
	Mario Party: Star Rush	Compatible with the Super Mario series line of amiibo, the functionality differs with each game mode. When an amiibo is used in Toad Scramble, players can control that character, with that character also having stronger stats. In Coinathlon, players can use that character scanned additionally with two extra items. In Balloon Bash and Mario Shuffle, players receive a Special Dice Block at the start of the game. If Mario Party 10 data is on the amiibo figure, a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Dice Block is rewarded depending on if the amiibo has special Tokens saved to it. If a Dr. Mario amiibo is used in Rhythm Recital, a new music track can be used. In Challenge Tower, if a player gets a Game Over, an amiio figure can be used to continue right from that spot; however, each figure can used only once per day. In Boo's Block Party, if the Boo amiibo is scanned, Boo appears in the background. In Character Museum, the player can collect stamps with amiibo.	This game only reads the data on the amiibo.
	Mario Sports Superstars	To be announced.
File:MarioTennisUltraSmashBoxart.png	Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash	When a compatible amiibo is scanned into the game, that character appears in the game as a computer partner that can be trained, similarly to Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.	This game both reads and writes data on the amiibo.
	Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge	Scanning a Mario series amiibo creates a toy character of the scanned character to navigate a level; different character toys have different abilities. Scanning a non-Mario series amiibo creates a Mini Spek to navigate a level.	This game only reads the data on the amiibo.
	Super Mario Maker	Scanning amiibo of certain characters allows them to be inserted into the game as a power-up, though only in the Super Mario Bros. graphical style. By placing the character inside of a block, they appear as a Mystery Mushroom when hit, which transforms Mario into that character. Accompanying sound effects also result, and some mystery costumes can do a pose by pressing all mystery costumes can be unlocked by completing the 100 Mario challenge, By scanning either 30th Anniversary 8-bit Mario amiibo, a Big Mushroom appears in the game, which will turn Mario into Big Mario.^[9] Big Mario's color scheme depends on which amiibo is scanned.	This game only reads the data on the amiibo.
	Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS	Once an amiibo is scanned in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the player can play with them in a team battle or against them. They are referred as Figure Players (shortened as FP) in-game. They are actually being controlled by CPUs and players can train them, until they reach level 50. The player can customize their power, defense, and speed values at their own will with the obtained custom parts. By playing as FPs, they may grow by level (which caps at 50) and change their strategy depending what their opponents usually do. During fights, they may obtain gifts, such as Trophies, Equipment, and Gold, which are given to the player.	These games both read and write data on the amiibo.
	Super Smash Bros. for Wii U		These games both read and write data on the amiibo.
	Yoshi's Woolly World	Once a Yoshi amiibo is scanned in Yoshi's Woolly World, another Yoshi appears, which mimics the moves of the player. The player can also make a Yarn ball out of the Yoshi, and throw it like in multiplayer mode. Players can save one Yoshi design onto the Yarn Yoshi amiibo. Scanning any other amiibo unlocks a Yoshi design based on the character.^[10]	This game both reads and writes data on certain amiibo, while it only reads data on other amiibo.

Non-Mario games compatible with Mario-related amiibo

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy +: Unlocks plane designs based on amiibo scanned (compatible with Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser).
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash: If the player has also linked a Chibi-Robo amiibo to the game, figures of Chibi-Robo imitating the scanned amiibo's pose will be added for collection in the Toy Capsule Machine (compatible with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Dr. Mario, Bowser Jr., Rosalina, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Wario).
Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors Legends: Any non-The Legend of Zelda-based amiibo gives the player a random material, weapon, or Rupees. Up to five amiibo can be scanned per day.
Kirby: Planet Robobot: Provides a copy ability to Kirby. Certain amiibo yield specific abilities, such as Mario giving Kirby the Fire ability, Peach giving him the Parasol ability, or Yoshi giving him the Whip ability.
Picos 3D: Round 2: Unlocks a Picos puzzle based on the scanned character (compatible with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Bowser, and Dr. Mario).
Style Savvy: Fashion Forward: Unlocks outfits and accessories that are designed by the respective character (compatible with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Bowser, and Rosalina).
One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X: Unlocks costumes based on amiibo scanned (compatible with Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi).
Pokkén Tournament: Unlocks various in-game items such as clothing items and money. Up to five can be scanned daily.
Skylanders: SuperChargers: Allows use of the playable characters Donkey Kong and Bowser by scanning the Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser figurines.
Miitopia: Unlocks costumes for a Mii to wear, based on the amiibo scanned (compatible with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Toad, Rosalina, Daisy, Donkey Kong, and Dr. Mario).

amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits

Main article: amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits

In a Nintendo Direct, amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits was announced as a free-to-play game in which tapping amiibo figures on the GamePad unlocks demos of classic games. These demos are randomly chosen and assigned to the amiibo, and will allow the player 3 minutes to traverse through "gameplay highlights." By tapping the amiibo during the demo, the player can change the scene and also reset the timer.

Mario-related amiibo lines

Super Smash Bros.

Release dates

Region	Wave	Release dates
North America	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4 Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7 Wave 8 Wave 9 Wave 10 Wave 11 Wave 12	November 21, 2014 December 14, 2014 February 1, 2015 May 29, 2015^[11] July 31, 2015^[11] September 11, 2015^[11] September 25, 2015 November 1, 2015 November 13 , 2015 November 20, 2015 January 22, 2016 March 16, 2016
Europe	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4 Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7 Wave 8 Wave 9 Wave 10 Wave 11 Wave 12 Wave 13	November 28, 2014 December 19, 2014 January 23, 2015 February 20, 2015 April 24, 2015 May 29, 2015 June 26, 2015^[12] July, 17 2015^[12] September 25, 2015^[13] October 23, 2015 November 20, 2015 January 29, 2016 March 18, 2016
Japan	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4 Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7 Wave 8 Wave 9 Wave 10 Wave 11 Wave 12	December 6, 2014 January 22, 2015 February 19,2015 April 29, 2015 May 28, 2015 June 11, 2015 July 30, 2015^[14] September 10, 2015 ^[13] October 29, 2015 November 5, 2015 December 17, 2015 April 28, 2016
Australia	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4 Wave 5 Wave 6 Wave 7 Wave 8 Wave 9 Wave 10 Wave 11 Wave 12	November 22, 2014 December 12, 2014 January 29, 2015 April 25, 2015 May 30, 2015 July 4, 2015 July 23, 2015 September 26, 2015 October 24, 2015 November 21, 2015 January 30, 2016 March 19, 2016

Figure list

Figures	Wave				Compatible Mario-related games
Figures	NA	EU	JP	AU	MK8	SSB3DS	SSBU	CT:TT	MP10	YWW	SMM	MM&F:AC	ML:PJ	MT:US	MS:R16OG	MP:SR
File:AMIIBODEBOWSER.png Bowser	3	3	2	3											-
File:AMIIBODEBOWSERJR..png Bowser Jr.¹	6	8	7	7	-								-		-
File:AMIIBODECAPITANFALCON.png Captain Falcon	2	2	1	2									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODECHARIZARD.png Charizard	4	5	4	4	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEPITSOMBRIO.png Dark Pit²	5	7	6	6	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEDIDDYKONG.png Diddy Kong	2	2	1	2	-								-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEDK.png Donkey Kong	1	1	1	1									-		-
File:AMIIBODEDRMARIO.png Dr. Mario³	6	8	7	7
Duck Hunt⁴	7	9	9	8	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEFALCO.png Falco²	10	11	10	10	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEFOX.png Fox	1	1	1	1									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEGANONDORF.png Ganondorf	6	7	6	6	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEGRENINJA.png Greninja¹	4	6	5	5	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEIKE.png Ike	3	3	2	3	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEJIGGLYPUFF.png Jigglypuff³	4	6	5	5	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEREYDEDEDE.png King Dedede	3	4	2	2	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEKIRBY.png Kirby	1	1	1	1									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODELINK.png Link	1	1	1	1									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODELITTLEMAC.png Little Mac	2	2	1	2	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODELUCARIO.png Lucario¹	3	3	2	3	-								-	-	-	-
Lucas	11	12	11	11	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODELUCINA.png Lucina	4	5	4	4	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODELUIGI.png Luigi	2	2	1	2											-
File:AMIIBODEMARIO.png Mario	1	1	1	1
File:AMIIBODEMARTH.png Marth	1	1	1	1	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEMEGAMAN.png Mega Man	3	4	3	3									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEMETA.png Meta Knight²	3	4	2	3	-								-	-	-	-
File:Mewtwo-amiibo.png Mewtwo	9	10	9	9	-								-	-	-	-
Mii Brawler¹	8	9	8	8	-						-		-	-	-	-
Mii Gunner¹	8	9	8	8	-						-		-	-	-	-
Mii Swordfighter¹	8	9	8	8	-						-		-	-	-	-
File:Mr. G&W amiibo.png Mr. Game and Watch⁴^a	7	9	9	8	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODENESS.png Ness⁴	4	5	4	4	-								-	-	-	-
File:Amiibopikmin&olimar.png Olimar	6	8	7	7									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEPALUTENA.png Palutena⁵	5	7	6	6	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEPAC-MAN.png Pac-Man	4	5	4	4									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBOPEACH.png Peach	1	1	1	1											-
File:AMIIBODEPIKACHU.png Pikachu	1	1	1	1	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEPIT.png Pit	2	2	1	2	-								-	-	-	-
R.O.B.⁴^b	7	9	9	8	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEROBIN.png Robin	4	5	4	4	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEROSALINA.png Rosalina & Luma³	3	3	2	3									-		-
Roy⁴	12	12	12	12	-								-	-	-	-
Ryu	12	12	12	12	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODESAMUS.png Samus	1	1	1	1									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODESHEIK.png Sheik	3	3	2	2	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODESHULK.png Shulk⁴	3	4	3	3	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODESONIC.png Sonic	3	4	3	3									-	-		-
File:AMIIBODETOONLINK.png Toon Link	3	3	2	3									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEALDEANO.png Villager	1	1	1	1									-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEWARIO.png Wario	4	5	4	4									-		-
File:AMIIBODEENTRENADORADEWIIFIT.png Wii Fit Trainer	1	1	1	1	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODEYOSHI.png Yoshi	1	1	1	1											-
File:AMIIBODEZELDA.png Zelda	2	2	1	2	-								-	-	-	-
File:AMIIBODESAMUSZERO.png Zero Suit Samus	6	7	6	6									-	-	-	-

¹ - Exclusively at Toys "R" Us at launch in North America.
² - Exclusively at Best Buy at launch in North America.
³ - Exclusively at Target (Walmart in Canada for Jigglypuff and Dr. Mario) at launch in the United States; in the case of Rosalina, while originally planned to be exclusive in Canada, it was instead distributed in limited quantities to several retailers at launch after several stores were closed.
⁴ - Exclusively at GameStop (EBGames in Canada) at launch in North America.
⁵ - Exclusively on Amazon at launch in North America.
^a - Available in four different poses, which can be detached from the amiibo stand.
^b - Available in two color schemes: The red R.O.B. (based on the Famicom) was Japan-exclusive, while the gray R.O.B. (based on the NES) was released overseas. Both colors have now been released worldwide.

Super Mario

Release dates

Region	Wave	Release dates
North America	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	March 20, 2015 May 29, 2015 November 4, 2016
Europe	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	March 20, 2015 October 7, 2016 November 4, 2016
Japan	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	March 12, 2015 December 17, 2015 October 20, 2016
Australia	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3 Wave 4	March 21, 2015 May 30, 2015 October 8, 2016 November 5, 2016

Figure list

Figures	Wave				Compatible Mario-related games
Figures	NA	EU	JP	AU	MK8	SSB3DS	SSBU	CT:TT	MP10	YWW	SMM	MM&F:AC	ML:PJ	MT:US	MS:R16OG	MP:SR
Boo^a	3	2	3	3											-
Bowser	1	1	1	1											-
Daisy	3	3	3	4											-
Diddy Kong	3	3	3	4											-
Donkey Kong	3	2	3	3											-
Luigi	1	1	1	1											-
Mario	1	1	1	1
Mario - Gold Edition¹²	1	N/A	2	2
Mario - Silver Edition^[15]³	2	N/A	N/A	2
Peach	1	1	1	1											-
Rosalina	3	2	3	3											-
Toad	1	1	1	1		-	-								-
Waluigi	3	3	3	4											-
Wario	3	2	3	3											-
Yoshi	1	1	1	1											-

¹ - Exclusively at Walmart at launch in United States.
² - Exclusively at Target at launch in Australia.
³ - Exclusively at EB Games at launch in Australia.
^a - Glows in the dark.

Yoshi's Woolly World

Unlike other amiibo, the Yoshi's Woolly World amiibo are made of yarn rather than plastic, with an NFC chip and scan point in the underside rather than having a base with the chip in it. The Mega Yarn Yoshi, however, has the NFC chip underneath its left foot instead of its underside.

Release dates

Region	Wave	Release dates
North America	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	October 16, 2015 November 15, 2015^[16] February 3, 2017
Europe	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	June 26, 2015 November 27, 2015^[17] February 3, 2017
Japan	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	July 16, 2015 December 10, 2015 January 19, 2017
Australia	Wave 1 Wave 2 Wave 3	June 25, 2015 November 21, 2015 February 4, 2017

Figure list

Figures	Wave				Compatible Mario-related games
Figures	NA	EU	JP	AU	MK8	SSB3DS	SSBU	CT:TT	MP10	YWW	SMM	MM&F:AC	ML:PJ	MT:US	MS:R16OG	MP:SR
Green Yarn Yoshi	1	1	1	1										-	-
Pink Yarn Yoshi	1	1	1	1										-	-
Light Blue Yarn Yoshi	1	1	1	1										-	-
Mega Yarn Yoshi¹	2	2	2	2										-	-
Poochy	3	3	3	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

¹ - Exclusively at Toys "R" Us at launch in North America.

30th Anniversary

Release dates

Region	Wave	Release dates
North America	Wave 1	September 11, 2015^[11]
Europe	Wave 1 Wave 2	September 11, 2015^[18] October 23, 2015^[18]
Japan	Wave 1	September 10, 2015^[19]
Australia	Wave 1 Wave 2	September 12, 2015^[20] October 24, 2015

Figure list

Figures	Wave				Compatible Mario-related games
Figures	NA	EU	JP	AU	MK8	SSB3DS	SSBU	CT:TT	MP10	YWW	SMM	MM&F:AC	ML:PJ	MT:US	MS:R16OG	MP:SR
30th Anniversary Mario - Classic Color (Mario (Classic Colours))	1	1	1	1
30th Anniversary Mario - Modern Color (Mario (Modern Colours))	1	2	1	2

Skylanders: SuperChargers

While they are primarily meant to be Skylanders figures, the bases of these figures act as a switch that, when twisted, switches between the Skylander mode, and an amiibo mode which allows the figures to be used in amiibo-compatible games compatible with other versions of the figure. These figures are included with the Skylanders: SuperChargers starter packs for Nintendo consoles; Turbo Charge Donkey Kong comes with the Wii U version, while Hammer Slam Bowser comes with the Wii and Nintendo 3DS versions; each figure also comes with a personal vehicle.^[21] The standard versions were later released separately alongside their vehicles.

Release dates

Region	Release dates
North America	September 20, 2015 (With Game) January 9, 2016 (Separately)
Europe	September 25, 2015
Japan	TBA
Australia	September 26, 2015

Figure list

Figures	Wave				Compatible Mario-related games
Figures	NA	EU	JP	AU	MK8	SSB3DS	SSBU	CT:TT	MP10	YWW	SMM	MM&F:AC	ML:PJ	MT:US	MS:R16OG
File:Bowser Toy.jpg Hammer Slam Bowser	1	1	1	1											-
File:Donkey Kong toy.jpg Turbo Charge Donkey Kong	1	1	1	1									-		-
Dark Hammer Slam Bowser	1	1	1	1											-
Dark Turbo Charge Donkey Kong	1	1	1	1									-		-

Controversy

The availability of certain amiibo have been subject to criticism. For example, the Target exclusive shipments of the Rosalina & Luma amiibo have been stated to be ceased permanently, limiting the availability of the amiibo in the U.S. until a restock at Target.com came mid July 2015.^[22] Immediately following the preorder release of the Wave 4 amiibo, GameStop servers experienced a major overload and shut down temporarily for nearly an hour. The incident has been met with intense criticism and frustration by fans who wished to purchase the amiibo.^[23] John Vignocchi, the executive producer of Disney Infinity, another game that uses NFC figures, has stated "[An intentional shortage] is irresponsible and rude to your hardcore fans.", referring to the amiibo shortages.^[24] Satoru Iwata has noticed the issue and has apologized for it; he has promised that more will be manufactured to meet the demand in the future.^[25] The amiibo cards, which are confirmed to be released in the near future, are intended to address the amiibo figurine shortages.^[26]