Amiibo 2016: Key Releases, Milestones, and Nintendo Switch Era Preparation

Amiibo 2016: Key Releases, Milestones, and Nintendo Switch Era Preparation In 2016, Nintendo’s amiibo platform experienced a landmark year of growth, innovation, and expansion across the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U lines.

This pivotal year not only saw the introduction of new figures and collectible cards but also major contributions from third-party developers, a slew of Japanese exclusives, and the setting of the stage for future Nintendo Switch integration.

As amiibo continued to evolve, Nintendo and its partners delivered fresh gameplay features, fan-favorite characters, and highly coveted collectibles that continue to capture the attention of collectors and gamers worldwide. Third-Party Debut: Shovel Knight Amiibo by Yacht Club Games 2016 kicked off with the release of the Shovel Knight amiibo, produced by Yacht Club Games—a notable milestone as it marked the first time a third-party developer launched their own amiibo figure.

This collaboration allowed players to unlock exclusive content in Shovel Knight for both Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, including special challenge stages, cooperative multiplayer, and alternate costumes.

Access to this new content provided additional replay value for fans and solidified the Shovel Knight amiibo’s reputation as a standout release. Super Smash Bros.

and Animal Crossing Expansions Nintendo maintained strong momentum in January with the addition of Lucas from the Mother series to the Super Smash Bros.

amiibo collection, further diversifying the lineup on January 22nd.

On the same day, Animal Crossing saw a significant boost with the launch of Amiibo Card Series 2 in North America, expanding the collection by 100 cards, alongside figures for beloved characters such as Blathers, Celeste, Resetti, and Kicks.

Over the course of the year, Animal Crossing’s amiibo card series eventually grew to a massive 400 cards, making it one of the platform’s most robust collections. Special Editions and Major Collaborations On February 23rd, Capcom launched the Gold Mega Man amiibo—a special edition bundled with the Nintendo 3DS Mega Man Legacy Collection.

Distinctively packaged in a plain white box, this rare amiibo quickly became a must-have for collectors, often commanding high resale prices in its original packaging. That spring, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD bundled the Wolf Link and Midna amiibo, unlocking an exclusive challenge mode and, eventually, the ability to summon Wolf Link as a companion in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

By completing Twilight Princess HD’s gauntlet mode with maximum health, fans could carry over a highly powered Wolf Link into the next Zelda adventure, making this amiibo one of the most influential to date. Multiple Franchise Expansions: Pokémon, Smash Bros., and More With the March 18th launch of Pokkén Tournament for Wii U, Nintendo and Bandai Namco issued the Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card, which enabled immediate access to the character in-game.

The same date brought new Super Smash Bros.

amiibo (Roy and Ryu) and a fresh wave of Animal Crossing figures, such as Timmy & Tommy, Kapp’n, Rover, and Isabelle in a summer outfit. Kirby, Splatoon, and Japanese Exclusions June 10th celebrated Kirby: Planet Robobot with newly designed Kirby series amiibo, introducing unique figurines for Kirby, Meta Knight, King Dedede, and Waddle Dee.

The popularity of Waddle Dee stood out due to its absence from earlier Smash Bros.

lines.

In July, Splatoon received a sought-after second wave, highlighted by individual Callie and Marie figures and recolored Inkling sets. Japanese exclusivity remained a recurring theme: Capcom’s Monster Hunter Stories amiibo, introduced in October and expanded in December, became highly desirable for international collectors due to their impressive designs and limited regional availability. Mario Franchise Update and The Legend of Zelda’s Anniversary The holiday season introduced the highly-anticipated Waluigi amiibo alongside classic Mario universe characters such as Wario, Rosalina, Boo (in a glow-in-the-dark variant), Donkey Kong, Daisy, and Diddy Kong, driving immense fan enthusiasm and rapid sellouts.

December’s launch of the final Animal Crossing amiibo card set coincided with a significant game update and special crossovers, including Hello Kitty-themed cards in Japan. Nintendo capped off 2016 by honoring The Legend of Zelda’s 30th anniversary.

Four commemorative amiibo—8-Bit Link, Ocarina of Time Link, Toon Zelda, and Toon Link from Wind Waker—underscored the franchise’s storied history and hinted at further amiibo innovation for the impending Nintendo Switch era. Amiibo in 2016 embodied creative partnerships, thoughtful DLC, and a diverse array of collectibles, laying the foundation for the next stage of Nintendo’s interactive lineup.

As amiibo continued to evolve, fans eagerly anticipated how Nintendo would utilize the technology with the launch of new hardware and experiences in the years ahead.

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