Nintendo Direct: amiibo

Today’s Nintendo Direct shed a lot of light on the newest wave of amiibo, as well as other amiibo that will be launching later this year in conjunction with a number of games. Here are the highlights (courtesy of my viewing, and Nintendo of Canada’s Press Release):

Since there has been a lack of supply when it comes to certain amiibo, people heard rumblings about amiibo cards; essentially, they are amiibo in a cheaper, more accessible format. It doesn’t appear as if we are getting what we expected, despite the fact that amiibo cards will be coming. As of right now, they appear to be limited to an Animal Crossing line that will come out alongside Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. A special reader will also launch with the game for use on 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS.

amiibo tap was also announced this evening; the game – which will be free to download – allows amiibo owners to tap amiibo and unlock demos of classic NES and SNES games (seems to be randomly assigned). It appears that the amount of gameplay is limited to 3 minutes, but it is actually a really nifty idea to get people to try games they might have not otherwise. It is also an extra incentive to purchase more amiibo. Wait for the detractors to come out and yell loudly about how these demos should be available to anyone. That WILL happen.

The newest wave of amiibo will launch on May 29th and will include: Charizard, PAC-MAN, Wario, Jigglypuff, Greninja, Robin, Lucina and Ness. July brings Dark Pit and Palutena. And in September, Zero Suit Samus, Ganondorf, Olimar, Dr. Mario and Bowser Jr.

The highlight of the direct for myself was the announcement of new Yoshi amiibo. I figured we would get amiibo that LOOKED like yarn. I never imagined we would get amiibo that were actually MADE of yarn! Way to go Nintendo! The yarn Yoshi amiibo will come in three colors – blue, green, and pink – and will launch alongside Yoshi’s Wholly World later this year. Tapping a Yoshi amiibo to the gamepad will add another Yoshi to a players game.

Other amiibo news announced today were 9 more racing suites for Mario Kart 8, and some Splatoon amiibo – which look amazing by the way! – that will be sold individually or in a package of 3.

Nintendo did well with this direct, and it is hard to image them doing more at E3, although we know they will. Will you be getting any of these new amiibo?