Collecting Nintendo’s cute NFC enabled figures called Amiibo has become somewhat of an obsession. I want to document my collection on this here part of the interwebz because why not. As of the date of this article, I have ALL of the retail available figures, including Japan-only releases. This is probably going to take a while… Yay for long term blog content!
Obsessive collector origin story
Twas slightly after Christmas 2014, and I was at my parents’ house for the holidays. Post-Christmas Boxing Day shopping is tradition here in Canada so we headed to Walmart to do just that. Amiibo had first launched about a month before this, but I had no interest in them at all. I was playing Hyrule Warriors on the Wii U back then and read somewhere that the Link Amiibo unlocked some cool things in the game.
‘Why not?’ I innocently thought to myself. I love the Legend of Zelda series so a figure of Link would be awesome to have along with the in-game boost. That was all I wanted to get that day; just a simple NFC figure of Link.
When I got to the Amiibo section of Walmart that fateful day, I was shocked to find an almost completely empty shelf. There were only 4 figures left: Link, Zelda, Samus and Peach. Something snapped in my brain when I saw that scene. I impulsively scooped up all 4 and headed to the checkout.
When I got home, I started researching what figures were available and learned of shortages (as is tradition with Nintendo products). I just wanted to scoop up the characters I loved before they were gone at first, but that quickly spiraled into ‘I NEED THEM ALL!!’. Alas.
The thrill of the hunt became an incredibly fun hobby and I just couldn’t stop. Plus they all looked so freaking cute together the more I got! Sigh.
Amiibo #1: Link (Super Smash Bros. Series)
Released: November 21st, 2014
Chronological Smash Bros. Series Release: #5
The figure that started it all. Curse you, Link! Curse you, dammit. This first version of Link was part of the OG Amiibo launch wave (there are many ‘better’ Links around these days). He definitely shows how far Amiibo have come in terms of quality since their humble origins.
It’s a running joke in the Amiibo collector community to call him ‘pee stick Link’ because of his yellow support structure. Ha! I love immature humour. Anyway, looking past that and his bendy Master Sword, he’s overall not that bad. I love his little shield/tunic details and courageous expression. Amiibo were also much cheaper back then so you get what you pay for, eh.
Amiibo #2: Samus (Super Smash Bros. Series)
Released: November 21st, 2014
Chronological Smash Bros. Series Release: #7
The Metroid series’ badass shero was also part of that first wave launch! She’s right up there with Link in terms of my favourite Nintendo characters so it wasn’t too much of a stretch to impulse buy her along with Link. The are also several ‘better’ versions of Samus around these days.
This original Super Smash Bros. variant is still cool despite her notorious leaning problems. As you can sorta see in my photo, my OG Samus has a bit of a her-right lean going on. I guess she needed a pee stick support too? The white supports under her heels aren’t quite doing the job, unfortunately. I still love the figure for what it is, though! The dark colours on the box art made it feel very Metroid-y as a bonus.
Amiibo #3: Zelda (Super Smash Bros. Series)
Released: December, 2014
Chronological Smash Bros. Series Release: #13
Princess Zelda was part of the second wave Smash Bros. Amiibo launch. Looks like I scooped her up during her official launch month! It was hard playing catchup with the releases when I first started collecting.
The details on her dress are far from perfect, but I like them for what they are. Again, these were pretty cheap licensed figures with NFC functionality when they first came out. The Hyrule triforce design and attempt to show the dress flowing is pretty cool. I also loved all the purple on the box art!
Amiibo #4: Peach (Super Smash Bros. Series)
Released: November 21st, 2014
Chronological Smash Bros. Series Release: #2
Ever the helpless damsel in distress, Peach is very far from my favourite princess to say the least. There’s no denying she is an important part of the Mario series, though. That’s why she is chronologically the 2nd Amiibo ever released. She can definitely kick ass in the Smash and Mario sports games, so there’s that!
Her original Smash Amiibo design is certainly cute! Her bright blue eyes and super heavy duty dress are well done. My OG Peach has some paint bleed from one of her crown jewels leaking onto the back of her hair, but it’s not that bad, eh. Like I said a lot already, I love these figures for what they are including their flaws.
I only have four of these, but one of them is the Shovel Knight one of which I’m most proud.
You liking this post was my 20th like! Congrats!!! There’s no prize. 👏
The gold Shovel Knight or regular Shovel Knight?
Ta very much!
Oh, the regular one. I didn’t even ruddy know there’s a ruddy GOLD one.
Not as cool as the gold one, but the regular one is still cool nonetheless! 👍
Pffffffffffffft. The one I have is the BEST in the world.
Whatever.
Cook stuff! I just have a few: Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Mega Man, and Wolf Link. I’m thankful I stopped there because it could have very easily gotten out of hand quickly 😂
Those are awesome ones! You are very smart to avoid this addiction haha.