Amiibo History: 10 Years of Collectibles on Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and 3DS – 2015 Retrospective

Amiibo History: 10 Years of Collectibles on Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and 3DS – 2015 Retrospective Since debuting in 2014, Nintendo’s amiibo line has evolved far beyond simple toys-to-life figurines, becoming a coveted staple for game collectors, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and 3DS aficionados alike.

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, we look back at the eventful year of 2015—a period marked by significant expansions, exclusive releases, and ambitious cross-brand collaborations—underscoring Nintendo’s unwavering innovation in the collectibles market. Splatoon amiibo Expand the Universe In the spring of 2015, Nintendo introduced a new dimension to its amiibo portfolio: the Splatoon amiibo lineup.

Coinciding with the official launch of Splatoon on May 29, 2015 for the Wii U, three unique amiibo figures—Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, and the special Inkling Squid—were introduced.

The Inkling Boy and Girl were sold individually, while the green Inkling Squid could only be obtained in a 3-pack set.

Scanning these amiibo in Splatoon’s Inkopolis Plaza unlocked exclusive in-game gear, feeding demand from dedicated fans.

While initial demand didn't quite match the frenzy seen in earlier Super Smash Bros.

releases, the Splatoon 3-pack remained a highly sought-after item well beyond launch. Super Smash Bros.

amiibo Wave 5 and Exclusive Partnerships Later in 2015, Nintendo continued to capitalize on its amiibo momentum with Wave 5 of the Super Smash Bros.

series, which took an unconventional approach: the wave was split into 5A and 5B.

Wave 5A, debuting in July, featured Palutena (exclusive to Amazon) and Dark Pit (Best Buy exclusive).

5B arrived on September 11, 2015, introducing Dr.

Mario (Target exclusive), Bowser Jr.

(Toys"R"Us exclusive), Zero Suit Samus, Ganondorf, and Olimar.

Simultaneously, GameStop began offering the Retro 3-Pack, containing R.O.B., Mr.

Game & Watch, and Duck Hunt Duo, marking the first time a three-figure bundle appeared in the Smash series.

While pre-orders were smoother than in previous waves, select figures—especially Dark Pit—remained difficult to find initially before restocks eased the chase for collectors. A Unique Twist: Yarn Yoshi amiibo and the Mega Release At E3 2015, Nintendo delighted fans by unveiling the Yarn Yoshi amiibo set, crafted with genuine plush material and released alongside Yoshi’s Woolly World.

The Japanese launch occurred months ahead of the North American release on October 16, 2015, prompting eager collectors to import early.

The lineup culminated in November with the US-exclusive Mega Yarn Yoshi amiibo at Toys"R"Us—a giant, plush collectible that retailed for $40 and rapidly sold out, later becoming a prized and valuable item on the secondary market. 8-Bit Mario and the Launch of Super Mario Maker September 11, 2015 also marked the arrival of Super Mario Maker on Wii U, commemorated by two new 30th Anniversary Mario amiibo: a Classic NES-styled 8-bit Mario and a Modern Color variant.

The Modern Color edition was initially exclusive to a limited-edition Wii U bundle, spurring collectors to purchase entire systems solely for the amiibo. The Skymiibo Crossover: Nintendo x Skylanders SuperChargers In a bold cross-brand effort at E3 2015, Nintendo and Activision revealed Skylanders SuperChargers figures Hammer Slam Bowser and Turbo Charge Donkey Kong—known as "Skymiibo." These figures boasted dual functionality: a switch on their base let players toggle between amiibo and Skylander modes.

Initially, these crossovers were only available through Wii U and 3DS Skylanders starter packs; Dark Edition versions demanded even greater commitment from completionists. Animal Crossing amiibo and the Rise of amiibo Cards On November 13, 2015, Nintendo launched Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival for Wii U with a wave of seven amiibo figures, alongside the debut of collectible amiibo cards.

While the figures (including a Target-exclusive Lottie release) struggled to resonate with fans and sales lagged, the collectible card series became a quick success, delighting both casual players and die-hard fans alike. Wrapping Up 2015: Chibi-Robo and More Smash Bros. November also saw new Super Smash Bros.

amiibo—Mewtwo (widely available) and Best Buy-exclusive Falco—and the launch of Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, bundled with an exclusive amiibo.

Later, Amazon offered the Chibi-Robo amiibo individually, catering to collectors who preferred figures over software. Summary 2015 was a milestone year for Nintendo’s amiibo, with highlights stretching from plush Yarn Yoshis to the unexpected Skymiibo collaboration, and the debut of amiibo cards.

Nintendo’s strategy of themed exclusives, retail partnerships, and platform integration on Wii U, 3DS, and beyond established amiibo as more than collectibles—they became an enduring aspect of Nintendo’s modern gaming identity.

Stay tuned for our continued exploration of amiibo history in 2016 and beyond.

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