Key Takeaways
1. Users can now scan Amiibos without opening the packaging, preserving collector’s items.
2. The Switch 2’s NFC reader can read chips inside many sealed Amiibo packages, a change from older models.
3. Newer Amiibo releases do not have NFC blocking tags, benefiting serious collectors.
4. Counterfeiting remains a significant issue in the Amiibo market, with fake products still being sold.
5. Nintendo has taken legal action against counterfeiters, winning a lawsuit for over $7 million.
Switch 2 users have found a neat trick that lets them scan Amiibos without having to tear open the packaging. This means no more sacrificing the pristine look of a collector’s box just to get some in-game goodies.
New Scanning Method
Before this discovery, if you wanted to use an Amiibo, you had to break the factory seal. However, as confirmed by Reddit user u/sputnikk in the r/switch2 subreddit, the Switch 2’s NFC reader can actually read the chips inside many sealed Amiibo packages. This is a big win for collectors who want to maintain the condition of their items while still enjoying the benefits of Amiibo scanning.
Collector’s Delight
Nintendo had previously used NFC blocking tags in older Amiibo models, but these are not found in newer releases. This change is fantastic for serious collectors who can now obtain in-game items without damaging their valuable “in-box” collectibles. Some users on Reddit humorously suggested taking their Switch 2s to stores to scan Amiibos right off the shelves, without purchasing them. While this is harmless—since most Amiibos can only be scanned once per day—it could impact retail sales.
Sales and Counterfeits
By September 2016, Nintendo had sold over 36 million Amiibos, and that number jumped to more than 77 million by September 2022. A lot of this success comes from releasing Amiibos that tie in with new game launches. However, the Amiibo market has faced issues with fake products and hacks, including the cloning of NFC tags, which let people imitate Amiibo data. Some counterfeiters have even gone as far as making fake Amiibos.
The counterfeit problem is nothing new; low-quality, unlicensed Amiibos and accessories have been sold on platforms like Amazon. In October 2023, Nintendo took action against some of these counterfeiters and won a lawsuit, getting awarded $7,030,158 from two sellers. Still, counterfeit Amiibos and cards are available on sites like eBay, which is a continuing worry for many collectors. Nintendo introduced Amiibos in November 2014, and they serve as interactive action figures that unlock new content, equipment, and game modes in Nintendo titles. Initially designed for the Wii U, the Amiibo craze is still very much alive today.
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