TheNintendo Switch 2certainly has a lot to live up to. Of course, the undeniable success of the original Switch gives Nintendo’s new console the tough task of attempting to replicate that success a second time roundwhile proving itself as a worthy successor by improving on what has been done before. While there are many areas in which the Switch 2 can improve on its predecessor, there’s one console feature that’s in desperate need of change.
Despite being a prominent feature on Nintendo consoles over the last decade, amiibo functionality has consistently struggled to make a significant impact. The lackluster application of the figurines in many of Nintendo’s major titles has caused the platform to lose the success it found during its initial launch, to the point where the release of new amiibo has become a rarity. With the Switch 2 set to launch later this year,amiibo functionality has reached a crucial turning point, and if it is unable to prove its worth, then maybe the time has come for the application to end altogether.
Amiibo Have Been A Part Of Nintendo Consoles For Some Time
The Platform Found Initial Success During The Wii U Era
It’s not hard to see why amiibo were initially so successful. Their launch in 2014 came at a time when the toys-to-life genre was seeing huge success with the likes of theSkylandersandDisney Infinityseries. The idea of using figurines to swap between characters, unlock new abilities, and more added a level of interactivity to games not seen previously. Moreover,with Nintendo being known for consistently challenging gameplay conventions, alongside their wide array of iconic characters, the toys-to-life genre was a perfect fit.
Nintendo Switch 2 Is Already Avoiding PlayStation 5’s Biggest Failure
While the PlayStation 5 and Switch offer drastically different experiences, they both suffered from the same problem when they were first released.
It was abundantly clear at the start that Nintendo was willing to utilize the potential of amiibo in its software. This is most apparent in the game that amiibo launched alongside,Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, which allowed players to use figurines to train fighters that can then assist them during battle. The additional application that amiiboprovided forSmash Bros.added a level of strategy and variety to the game overall,allowing players to train custom CPU fightersand showcasing the huge potential that these figurines possessed.
Nintendo demonstrated a clear passion for amiibo functionality during its initial launch.
On top of this, amiibo had an advantage against other toys-to-life series, as Nintendo made a large portion of the figurines compatible with multiple different titles, such asMario Kart 8andSplatoon.The multiple uses of each individual figurine meant that they had far more versatility than other toys-to-life series could provide, making them a more worthwhile purchase overall. Nintendo demonstrated a clear passion for amiibo functionality during its initial launch, which contributed greatly to the early success of the figurines.
Amiibo Don’t Offer Any Substantial Benefits To Nintendo Games
The Figurines Provide Little Gameplay Changes Overall
Unfortunately, since their launch, amiibo have failed to be properly utilized in the vast majority of Nintendo games that the figurines are compatible with. This is most evident in how amiibo functionality often adds very few substantial changes to gameplay in the many titles it’s included in, often resorting to providing players with small cosmetic rewards for owning the figurines. Titles likeSuper Mario Odysseyare certainly guilty of this, allowing players to unlock certain outfits earlier in the game,comprising a small boost rather than offering a unique gameplay experience altogether.
Super Mario Odysseydid include other amiibo functionalities with the figurines made specifically for the game, such as temporary invincibility and the ability to locate purple coins. However, none of these offered substantial changes to gameplay.
Moreover,Nintendo has failed to make proper use of the multi-functionalitythat made amiibo so appealing to begin with. While figurines are often compatible with multiple different games, manytitles hide certain features behind figurinesmade specifically for said game. For example, the Switch port ofDark Souls: Remasteredrequires players to purchase the Solaire of Astora amiibo in order to unlock a simple gesture that they can perform.With figurines costing a minimum of $15.99 USDthrough the officialMy Nintendo Store, it’s a high price for players to pay for what is ultimately a minor reward.
Nintendo’s refusal to fully realize the potential of amiibo that was showcased so many years ago has caused the application to become unsustainable. The lackluster application of amiibo functionality and the insistence on purchasing game-specific figurineshas turned a unique and creative gameplay experience into glorified, overpriced DLC. Moreover, the amount of dedication demanded from players to maintain a constantly growing collection, only for them to receive little in return, has quickly caused the appeal of amiibo as a game functionality to dwindle, making its lack of appearances in recent titles all the more clear.
How Nintendo Could Improve Amiibo For Switch 2
The Company Should Take Advantage Of The Application’s Potential
With the Switch 2 steadily approaching,Nintendo has an opportunityto showcase the potential that amiibo possess to players. One crucial change would be the addition of more substantial gameplay applications.Rather than providing simple cosmetic rewards or boosts to players, amiibo functionality should be able to offer a more varied, alternative experience akin to their application in titles such asSuper Smash Bros. for Wii U. Doing so would not only elevate the overall experience of said games but alsopresent amiibo as a more worthwhile investment to players overall.
The practice of using amiibo to train fighters that can be used in battle was also implemented intoSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and the feature made a return on the Switch withSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Another way that Nintendo could broaden the appeal of its figurines is through amiibo-focused games on Switch 2. It’s something that the company has experimented with in the past in games likeAnimal Crossing: amiibo FestivalandMini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge.With amiibo-focused titles,Nintendo would be provided with a blank canvas to truly experiment with their functionality and gameplay applicationswhile also allowing players to make greater use of their pre-existing collections, better demonstrating the potential of amiibo than has been shown in the past.
Nintendo Is Still Making Mobile Games, But The Upcoming Switch 2 Just Highlights Why That’s Pointless
Nintendo mobile games are becoming more of a pointless endeavor than ever before, especially with the Switch 2 set to launch later this year.
It’s currently unconfirmed whether the Switch 2 will maintain amiibo functionality similar to previous consoles. However, if the console does include this feature,it would give amiibo one final chance to make a more significant impact, offering more creative and varied experiences overall. If Nintendo fails to utilize amiibo in a substantial way that justifies players' investment, then theNintendo Switch 2might be the right time for the feature to be left behind altogether.
