Nintendo enters the interactive toy add-on market with Amiibo!
Following in the footsteps of Disney’s Infinity and the Spyro spin-off Skylanders, Nintendo has announced at E3 their own line of NFC compatible mini figures to provide extra content and allow players to import new characters into games by connecting via the Gamepad.
The concept was initially explored in Super Smash Bros Melee, not in a physical way, but within the game’s setup. All of the characters were figurines who would suddenly come to life and enter the game world. In fact, this holds very true to how the player interacts with the Amiibo. Once the figure connects with the Gamepad, they materialize within the game. During the E3 presentation, it was the upcoming Super Smash Bros sequel on show, explaining that your Amiibo will take on a life of it’s own, allowing the character associated with it to level up through experience and battles. You can use them as foes or allies against friends, and as they battle more you will be able to customize their abilities, stats and even their tactics, ensuring that no two are alike.
The first ten Amiibo figures will be released at the same time as Super Smash Bros sometime this winter, with more to follow afterwards. Compatibility will only initially be supported via the Wii U, however, Nintendo is currently developing a peripheral to allow usage with the 3DS.
In addition to this, there are several other titles through which players will be able to enhance their experience with Amiibo, such as Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and Yoshi’s Woolly World. Nintendo have also stated that there are ‘more games and figures in the works right now’. Unlike Disney or Activision, Nintendo haven’t limited their selves to a single series of games and are looking for a wider implementation, with such a large roster of memorable and adored characters they could well be set to turn around their financial woes. Could this finally save Nintendo from it’s initial hardware sale woes? We certainly hope so.
