Tag: amiibo

  • Nintendo Amiibo Expands: New Kirby, Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 4 Figures

    Nintendo Amiibo Expands: New Kirby, Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 4 Figures

    Key Takeaways

    1. Nintendo launched a new collection of larger, more expensive Amiibo figures during a special Nintendo Direct event celebrating Mario’s 40th anniversary.
    2. The new Kirby Air Riders Amiibo are priced at $50 each and feature interchangeable riders and machines, with a game releasing on November 20, 2025.
    3. Super Mario Galaxy Amiibo cost $40 each, are larger than standard Amiibo, and will provide in-game bonuses when used with the upcoming remastered games.
    4. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Amiibo figures range from $30 to $40, with specific in-game rewards yet to be revealed before the game’s release on December 4, 2025.
    5. Amiibo prices have increased significantly from their original launch price of $15, reflecting their new premium features and sizes.

    Nintendo has introduced an exciting new collection of Amiibo figures, which are larger and more expensive, during its longest Nintendo Direct event ever on Friday, September 12, 2025. This extensive broadcast lasted for one hour and highlighted 40 upcoming games in celebration of Mario’s 40th anniversary.

    Updates on Existing Projects

    In addition, Nintendo shared news about previously announced projects like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby Air Riders, and remastered versions of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, along with related Amiibo releases.

    The latest Amiibo figures have moved into the premium price range, costing more than the usual $20 to $30 that fans have come to expect in the US, where these figures originally launched a decade ago at $15 each.

    Pricing and Features

    At the forefront are the Kirby Air Riders Amiibo, which are priced at $50 each, making them among the costliest in Nintendo’s collection. There are dual-pack options available, one featuring Kirby riding a Warp Star and the other with Bandana Waddle Dee on a Winged Star machine, both allowing for interchangeable riders and machines that connect easily.

    This feature also applies to the Kirby Air Riders game, slated for release on November 20, 2025, where players can scan their unique combinations to create custom Rides and Air Ride Machines in the game. These figures can be trained as Figure Players, gaining experience levels through continued use. Pre-orders for these sets are already available, with both Amiibo figures bringing the total to $100.

    Super Mario Galaxy Amiibo

    Close in price are the new Super Mario Galaxy Amiibo, each costing $40. Nintendo has stated they are “larger than the standard size” to explain the higher price. The collection includes Mario flying through space with his starry friend, as well as Rosalina and Lumas. These Amiibo are anticipated to stand at least 13.6 cm tall, similar to the XL-sized Detective Pikachu released years ago.

    Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 2, 2025. By tapping the Mario and Luma Amiibos, players will receive a Life Mushroom for extra health points, while tapping the Rosalina and Lumas Amiibo grants a 1-Up Mushroom.

    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Amiibo

    Completing the new Amiibo series are three figures from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, priced between $30 and $40, with the Samus and Vi-O-La figure taking the spotlight. The other two Amiibo consist of a standard Samus and Sylux, both tagged at $30 each.

    Nintendo has yet to disclose the specific in-game rewards associated with the Metroid Amiibos, but further details will likely emerge as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to release on December 4, 2025.

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  • Switch 2 Owners Can Use Amiibos Without Unboxing: New Hack

    Switch 2 Owners Can Use Amiibos Without Unboxing: New Hack

    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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  • Amiibo Sales Decline as US Tariffs Increase Nintendo Switch 2 Prices

    Amiibo Sales Decline as US Tariffs Increase Nintendo Switch 2 Prices

    Key Takeaways

    1. Nintendo confirmed the price of the Switch 2 will remain the same despite US tariffs, but amiibo accessory prices have increased.
    2. The popularity of amiibo figures has declined, with many items left unsold on store shelves.
    3. Amiibo are collectible figures that unlock in-game content, but their appeal has decreased recently.
    4. New amiibo, like the Donkey Kong and Pauline figures, are priced around $29.99, with some collectibles hitting $39.99.
    5. Shoppers are prioritizing the Switch 2 console and games over amiibo, leading to a search for cheaper alternatives like amiibo cards or NFC emulators.

    After some worry in April, Nintendo confirmed that the price of the Switch 2 would stay the same despite US tariffs on products from China. However, the prices for accessories have gone up, with amiibo figures being among them. The recent Donkey Kong Bananza Direct highlighted these collectible items, introducing a new amiibo. With prices reaching as high as $40, many Nintendo enthusiasts have noticed a drop in the popularity of these accessories among buyers.

    Discussion on Amiibo Prices

    A thread on the Switch 2 subreddit has ignited conversations regarding the rising prices of amiibo. Once, a particular store would quickly sell out of certain models, but now those same items are left sitting on the shelves. Other players also shared their experiences, mentioning similar situations at different stores.

    What Are Amiibo?

    An amiibo features beloved characters from Nintendo games, such as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. They come with NFC tags that can be scanned with compatible controllers. While gamers can unlock special in-game content with them, the appeal of the Switch 2 accessories seems to have diminished in recent times.

    The latest Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo is now available for pre-order and might perform better than some competitors. Although $29.99 may still feel pricey for certain fans, other amiibo figures have increased by $10. For instance, some collectibles from Street Fighter 6 are now priced as high as $39.99. This situation has led buyers to seek out inventive options. Less expensive amiibo cards offer a limited range but still include NFC tags for accessing in-game bonuses. Another option is using an NFC emulator or rewriter to make custom amiibo.

    Impact of Tariffs on Pricing

    For higher-priced items, the influence of US tariffs may not be as clear. However, any price increases are quite noticeable for lower-end Switch 2 accessories. Similar to many toys, amiibos are mainly plastic products manufactured in China. At the moment, shoppers are focusing more on purchasing the console and games rather than these cute collectibles.

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    Amiibo Sales Decline as US Tariffs Increase Nintendo Switch 2 Prices
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