The world of Amiibo collecting has quickly become this decade’s equivalent of the now-incomprehensible Beanie Baby craze of the 1990s. Hard-to-find Amiibo pre-orders are going for significant increases in the secondary market. Customers camp out to get limited shipments from exclusive stores. Last month, a rush of customers at GameStop locations across the country caused the retailer’s point-of-sale computer systems to go down in their eagerness to pre-order a new wave.
Throughout all of this, Nintendo hasn’t been very helpful or clear in communicating specifically which figures of the four existing waves of Amiibo figures will be available where, when, and in what quantities. That situation will change, the company reports on Facebook this afternoon.
We appreciate the enthusiasm our fans continue to show for amiibo. Sales of the product have exceeded our expectations. We understand how frustrating it can sometimes be when consumers can’t find certain numbers, we apologize for that.
As our library of amiibo continues to grow, some figures will be easier to find than others. We are constantly looking for amiibo re-release opportunities and are already making plans to bring back some amiibo figures that are currently out of stock. Stay tuned for details.
Nintendo intends to make it easier for consumers to know when new amiibo are coming through Nintendo press releases, timely updates on our social media channels and by working closely with retailers.”
Nintendo also promoted the recent launch of Nintendo’s Greatest Bits service, which allows Amiibo owners to unlock limited classic game demos on Wii U.
The availability of amiibo isn’t just of interest to toy collectors. With Nintendo increasingly locking gameplay content behind an Amiibo unlocked port, it’s important to know the availability of specific figures for those who want to get the most out of their games.
However, those interested in the collectible side of the equation should note that Nintendo is apparently making minor changes to the look of some reissued Amiibo. This will inevitably lead some collectors to place a high value on the rarer “first edition” figures, even as they try to track down every variation and minor alteration to add to their collections.
In any case, Nintendo’s promises for improved communications are a welcome, if vague, step in the right direction to make the Amiibo market a bit more predictable and easier to follow. If Nintendo wants to make good on that promise, it might start by clarifying what’s going on with the rumored silver Mario figures that have recently been spotted in the wild and on internal store systems, but haven’t been officially announced. Come on, Nintendo, spill the Amii beans already!