What are amiibo?
amiibo are interactive figures and cards that work with your games. Tap an amiibo while playing compatible Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS or Wii U software and you’ll uncover surprising new features! amiibo have different effects depending on the game: you might unlock new modes, weapons or character customisations, or even boost your amiibo’s abilities to turn it into your perfect partner – or a formidable foe!
With the NFC Reader/Writer accessory (sold separately), you can also use amiibo with Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS!
Systems compatible with amiibo
- Nintendo SwitchYou can use amiibo on Nintendo Switch by tapping them to the NFC touchpoint on the right Joy-Con or the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (sold separately).
- New Nintendo 3DS systemsYou can use amiibo on New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL and New Nintendo 2DS XL by tapping them to the NFC area on the bottom screen.
- Nintendo 3DS and 2DS + NFC Reader/WriterYou can use amiibo on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS via the NFC Reader/Writer accessory (sold separately).
- Wii UYou can use amiibo on Wii U by tapping them to the NFC touchpoint on the Wii U GamePad.
amiibo come in different forms
Some amiibo are figures, while others are cards, but they act the same way and can do the same things no matter which form they're in! If you have a compatible amiibo, you can tap it while playing compatible software to power up your gameplay in different ways!
Unlock new content!
Access new content in your games with amiibo! Get extra items, meet new characters and more when you use amiibo in compatible software.
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, if you tap the Wolf Link amiibo you can can summon Wolf Link to appear in-game and join you as a partner.
In Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo, if you tap a compatible amiibo you can invite animals to your town to visit. You can even ask them to move in!
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildNintendo SwitchExplore a vast and dangerous land to help Link regain his memories following a 100-year slumber in this critically-acclaimed open-air adventure.
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiiboNintendo 3DSThe official Nintendo of Europe website for Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Start a new life as mayor of your own town and create the perfect place to live, only on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL!
Get a new look!
You can change the look of in-game characters and expand your customisation options with themed costumes by using amiibo in compatible software.
If you tap a compatible Splatoon amiibo in Splatoon 2, you can befriend them and unlock new gear for your Inkling to wear!
Meanwhile, in Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World, you can tap an amiibo to unlock Yoshi patterns based on that character – see what Yoshi would look like as Mario, Kirby, Donkey Kong and more!
- Splatoon 2Nintendo SwitchTraditional 4-on-4 turf battles return in Splatoon 2 for Nintendo Switch, along with new stages, new fashions and new weapons!
Open up new challenges!
In certain compatible software, you can access all-new missions with amiibo.
If you tap the Alm or Celica amiibo in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, you can unlock a special dungeon where you'll battle bosses and collect items.
Meanwhile, in Picross 3D: Round 2, you can tap an amiibo to unlock special puzzles based on classic Nintendo characters!
- Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of ValentiaNintendo 3DSThe glorious past is reborn in Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, only on Nintendo 3DS family systems.
- Picross 3D: Round 2Nintendo 3DSUncover hidden shapes and your inner puzzling prowess in Picross 3D: Round 2, only for Nintendo 3DS family systems!
Power up the party!
In Mario Party: Star Rush, tapping an amiibo figure from the Super Mario Collection lets that character join you as an ally in Toad Scramble. In other modes, you can play as the amiibo character, receive special Dice Blocks or get other bonuses!
In Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival, tapping an Animal Crossing amiibo figure lets you use that character as your board game counter. You can also use Animal Crossing amiibo cards to play fun minigames!
- Mario Party: Star RushNintendo 3DSThere's no time to wait in Mario Party: Star Rush! Packed with minigames and new modes, it's the most perfectly portable Mario Party game to date.
- Animal Crossing: amiibo FestivalWii UIn Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival for Wii U, the animals will race around a board game town where the seasons change just like they do in other games in the Animal Crossing series.
Train up a powerful fighter!
In some games, you can build up your amiibo’s abilities as you play, allowing you to create an amiibo character just for you!
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, amiibo can be trained up as your strongest ally – or your fiercest opponent. Bring an amiibo into the action as a Figure Player, then fight alongside it or against it. The more a Figure Player fights, the more it'll level up, and it'll even pick up tactics from any opponents it fights!
One amiibo, multiple games
A single amiibo can be used with multiple games, adding a whole new level of fun to your favourite titles. Even if you have game data from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U saved on your amiibo, you can still use it to unlock content in lots of other games too!
amiibo-compatible games are separated into two types:
Read/write
Some software can read and write specific data to and from amiibo, so your amiibo’s abilities can change as you play.
Read
Other games only read data from amiibo; for example, tapping an amiibo might bring that character or some of their attributes into the game!
It's only possible to store data from one game that uses the read/write function on an amiibo at any one time, but an amiibo can be used with games that use the read function whether they have save data stored on them or not. To find out more about managing your amiibo save data and amiibo Settings, visit our FAQ section.
A software update may be required to use amiibo functionality in amiibo compatible games. A system update may also be required to use amiibo functionality.
Mii and amiibo
Simply tap an amiibo to register your Mii data to make it your own! You can also assign a nickname to your amiibo. As you use it in games, your amiibo will develop to become unique to you!
Figures shown not actual size. Designs may vary. Compatibility and functionality of amiibo may vary between games.
