amiibo

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Key art for amiibo for use on the Wii U

amiibo (Japanese: アミーボ amiibo) are a line of interactive figures and cards by Nintendo. Each amiibo figure or card contains an NFC chip in its base, which allows it to interact with multiple games on the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles using near field communication. Pokémon amiibo are the franchise's second venture into NFC collectables, following 2013's Pokémon Rumble U NFC Figures.

While the Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 all natively support NFC, the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS do not. The Nintendo NFC Reader/Writer was released in October 2015, which can scan and allow these systems to communicate with amiibo.[1]

History

SmashWiki
SmashWiki
SmashWiki has more about this subject:
the NFC Reader/Writer allows the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS to use amiibo.

Several Pokémon characters have been released as part of the Super Smash Bros. series (known as the Super Smash Bros. Collection in parts of Europe). These figures were released in tandem with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, with Pikachu being the first of the set to be released at launch with the game. An update for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, the companion title that released before for Wii U was issued with release of the Nintendo NFC Reader/Writer allowing for the previously existing amiibo to function with the game.

In a Nintendo Direct on November 12, 2015, a card featuring Shadow Mewtwo, a bonus boss character from Pokkén Tournament, was revealed to be included in first print retail copies of the game.

In 2016, an extra-large Detective Pikachu amiibo was released.

In 2019, more Super Smash Bros. Pokémon amiibo were released to coincide with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, including the first human character to be represented - Red, as the Pokémon Trainer fighter, along with his Squirtle and Ivysaur as separate releases.

List of Pokémon amiibo

Character Series Initial game release Japanese release American release European release Australia release Korean release

Pikachu
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U December 5, 2014 November 21, 2014 November 28, 2014 November 29, 2014 September 10, 2015

Lucario
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U January 23, 2015 February 20, 2015 January 23, 2015 January 29, 2015 December 3, 2015

Charizard
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U April 29, 2015 May 29, 2015 April 20, 2015 April 25, 2015 December 3, 2015

Greninja
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U May 28, 2015 May 29, 2015 May 29, 2015 May 30, 2015 December 17, 2015

Jigglypuff
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U May 28, 2015 May 29, 2015 May 29, 2015 May 30, 2015 December 3, 2015

Mewtwo
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U October 29, 2015 November 13, 2015 October 23, 2015 October 24, 2015 December 3, 2015

Shadow Mewtwo
none Pokkén Tournament (Wii U) March 18, 2016[note 1] March 18, 2016[note 1] March 18, 2016[note 1] March 19, 2016[note 1]

Detective Pikachu
Pokémon series Detective Pikachu March 23, 2018 March 23, 2018 March 23, 2018 March 24, 2018

Pichu
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. Ultimate July 19, 2019 July 26, 2019 July 19, 2019 2019 2019

Pokémon Trainer
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. Ultimate July 19, 2019 July 26, 2019 July 19, 2019 2019 2019

Squirtle
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. Ultimate September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019

Ivysaur
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. Ultimate September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019

Incineroar
Super Smash Bros. series Super Smash Bros. Ultimate November 15, 2019 November 15, 2019 November 15, 2019 November 15, 2019 November 15, 2019

Compatibility list

Certain games allow amiibo to write save data to it so it can be retained even when using it with a different game or system. However, an amiibo can only hold save data for one game at a time. So far, the only Pokémon amiibo-compatible games that offer this ability are Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Games with specific responses to Pokémon amiibo

Game First release Effect Read type Compatible amiibo
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS September 13, 2014 Becomes a Figure Player—matching AI-controlled character that can be powered up and fought with/against in numerous game modes. read/write PikachuLucarioCharizardJigglypuffGreninjaMewtwo
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U November 21, 2014
Super Mario Maker September 10, 2015 Becomes a costume that Mario transforms into when he consumes a Mystery Mushroom. Unlike most amiibo costumes, however, the Pokémon amiibo costumes do not feature custom sounds or music. read-only PikachuLucarioCharizardJigglypuffGreninjaMewtwo
Pokkén Tournament March 18, 2016 Allows the player to temporarily use Shadow Mewtwo as a character, as opposed to unlocking it by clearing the Chroma league. read-only Shadow Mewtwo
Kirby: Planet Robobot April 28, 2016 Gives a Copy Ability for Kirby corresponding to the scanned amiibo, up to 10 per level. Also gives Kirby food to heal.
  • Scanning a Pikachu amiibo gives Kirby the Spark Copy Ability.
  • Scanning a Charizard amiibo gives Kirby the Fire Copy Ability.
  • Scanning a Lucario amiibo gives Kirby the Fighter Copy Ability.
  • Scanning a Jigglypuff amiibo gives Kirby the Mike Copy Ability.
  • Scanning a Greninja amiibo gives Kirby the Ninja Copy Ability.
  • Scanning a Mewtwo amiibo gives Kirby the ESP Copy Ability.
  • Scanning any other Pokémon amiibo gives Kirby a random Copy Ability.
read-only PikachuLucarioCharizardJigglypuffGreninjaMewtwo
Shadow MewtwoDetective PikachuPichuSquirtleIvysaurIncineroar
Detective Pikachu March 23, 2018 Unlocks all Pika Prompts in any cleared chapters. read-only Detective Pikachu
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate December 7, 2018 Becomes a Figure Player—matching AI-controlled character that can be powered up and fought with/against in numerous game modes.
Data from 3DS/Wii U carries over; Charizard data becomes Pokémon Trainer data, with the first Pokémon defaulting to Charizard instead of Squirtle.
read/write PikachuLucarioCharizardJigglypuffGreninjaMewtwo
PichuSquirtleIvysaurIncineroar
Produces a Detective Pikachu Spirit when scanned. read-only Detective Pikachu

Games with generic responses to Pokémon amiibo

All interactions listed below are read-only.

Game First release Platform Effect
Hyrule Warriors November 11, 2014
(via patch)
Wii U Grants a present: a weapon, a small Rupee bonus, or crafting material. Each amiibo can only grant one present per day, and this action can only be performed five times a day.
Hyrule Warriors Legends January 21, 2016 3DS
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition March 22, 2018 Switch
Mario Party 10 March 12, 2015 Wii U Allows players to play the Scratch Bonus minigame to win additional Mario Party Points.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker March 19, 2015
(Wii U; via patch)
Wii U Grants the player 1-Up Mushrooms.
July 13, 2018
(3DS/Switch)
3DS, Switch
New Style Boutique 2: Fashion Forward/Style Savvy: Fashion Forward April 16, 2015 3DS Gives the player a Star Hair Clip in a random color.
Word Puzzles by POWGI April 16, 2015 3DS, Wii U Includes the amiibo's nickname and owner name in word searches.
amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits April 23, 2015 Wii U, 3DS Unlocks a randomly selected, short, playable portion from one of 32 included NES or Super NES titles
Yoshi's Woolly World June 25, 2015 Wii U Unlocks a generic amiibo Yoshi design.
Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World January 19, 2017 3DS
Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash October 8, 2015 3DS Gives the player 50 or 100 Moolah once a day. Up to 20 amiibo can be scanned daily.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Atsumete ☆ Tomodachi Daisakusen! November 26, 2015 Wii U Gives the player free Don Kobans.
Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge January 28, 2016 3DS, Wii U Drops a Mini Spek into the game.
Pokkén Tournament March 18, 2016 Wii U Allow the player to obtain in-game items, such as accessories for their player avatar.
After Shadow Mewtwo is permanently unlocked, the Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card also serves this purpose.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games June 23, 2016
(Wii U)
Wii U Gives the player free coins and rings.
Miitopia July 1, 2016 3DS, Switch Gives the player free tickets for the minigame arcade.
Teddy Together 3DS July 1, 2016
(via patch)
Gives the player free coins.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force August 19, 2016 3DS Unlocks a skull-themed recolor for the player's mech.
Monster Hunter Stories October 8, 2016 3DS, Switch Gives the player free rare materials.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild March 3, 2017 (Wii U, Switch)
June 5, 2025 (Switch 2 Edition)
Wii U, Switch, Switch 2 Gives the player a random assortment of materials.
Mario Sports Superstars March 10, 2017 3DS Allows players to recruit stronger versions of existing characters
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia April 20, 2017 3DS Summons a computer-controlled generic ally to fight for the player for a turn, similar to the spell Invoke.
Hey! Pikmin July 12, 2017 3DS Gives the player 10 Sparklium seeds.
Pokkén Tournament DX September 22, 2017 Switch Allows the player to obtain in-game items, such as accessories for their player avatar.
Because Shadow Mewtwo is now unlocked at the start, the Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card also serves this purpose.
Fire Emblem Warriors September 28, 2017 3DS, Switch Gives the player free weapons, gold, or materials.
Super Mario Odyssey October 27, 2017 Switch Gives the player a Power Moon location on the current kingdom map through Uncle amiibo.
Gives the player a set amount of Coins or a Heart if scanned while holding the Right Button.
Style Savvy: Styling Star November 2, 2017 3DS Gives the player an emblem or design pattern.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim November 11, 2017
(Switch)
Switch Spawns a treasure chest of gear in front of the player.
Resident Evil: Revelations November 28, 2017
(Switch)
Switch Grants the player a random amount of BP Points for the Raid Mode shop or resources for use in Raid Mode games. Each amiibo can be scanned once per day.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Bayonetta 2 February 16, 2018
(Switch)
Switch Grants the player extra in-game currency, items, or materials.
Kirby Star Allies March 3, 2018 Switch Gives the player some food and a Picture Piece.
WarioWare Gold July 27, 2018 3DS Wario draws a random sketch that can be sold for gold coins. Up to three can be scanned per day.
Mega Man 11 October 2, 2018 Switch Gives health or energy refills, or can even give 1-Ups.
Super Mario Party October 5, 2018 Switch Grants Party Points that the player can spend on background music and other extras.
Diablo III: Eternal Collection November 2, 2018 Switch Summons a group of challenging enemies for the player to face.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses July 26, 2019 Switch Spawns items at the amiibo Gazebo.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land March 25th, 2022 Switch, Switch 2 Spawns a Car-Mouth Cake, a cherry, and two Yellow Star Coins.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 July 29th, 2022 Switch Grants the player EXP or collectables that spawn after closing the menu. Up to three can be scanned per day.
Fire Emblem Engage January 20, 2023 Switch Grants the player a random consumable item or material at the amiibo Gazebo. Up to five can be scanned every 24 hours.
Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe February 24, 2023 Switch Gives the player a cherry and twelve Point Stars if used in Story Mode, Extra Mode and the Arena modes.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom May 12, 2023
June 5, 2025 (Switch 2 Edition)
Switch, Switch 2 Gives the player a random assortment of materials.
Donkey Kong Bananza July 17, 2025 Switch 2 Any amiibo will grant balls of random material to be used and interacted with.

Gallery

NFC reader/writer

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Included in first print retail copies of Pokkén Tournament.

References

External links

This article is part of both Project Sidegames and Project Merchandise, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames and Merchandise, respectively.