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Classic NES And SNES Playable Scenes Will Be Unlockable With Amiibo This Year
Nintendo still has plans to release an Amiibo reader for the original 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS systems. The company says the device is on track for release some time this summer.
More importantly, the publisher has revealed plans to make each figure have significantly more value. The company is planning a free application for the Wii U that will unlock classic Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo games by tapping Amiibo.
“With this app, once you tap your amiibo on the NFC area of the GamePad, you will be able to play highlighted scenes of one certain title for NES or Super NES,” company president Satoru Iwata said. “You cannot play the entire game due to a time limit, but another tap of the amiibo will enable you to try another highlighted scene in the game. We hope that when you tap your amiibo, the quickly changing game scenes will pleasantly surprise you and make you feel as though you have just exchanged a game cartridge.”
The company also has plans to increase Amiibo functionality with the 3DS systems. We’ve seen examples of this with a Super Smash Bros. for 3DS update and the upcoming Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
For more on Amiibo figure popularity by region, check out our earlier coverage.
[Source: Nintendo]
Our Take
One sentence we’ve heard echoed over and over with regard to Amiibo gives me a chuckle every time. “I don’t even know what they do, but I want ‘em,” people say. That blind collecting might just pay off if Nintendo executes on the idea to unlock classic game scenes using the Amiibo figures. I’d love to see this kind of utility added, as it makes the $13 characters have immense value.
I’m not thrilled with the idea of the Amiibo cards, though. They are an inexpensive solution for sure, but the fun of having these is the shelf appeal. Nintendo says it will respond to demand, but I’m skeptical given what we’ve seen this far. At least characters like Marth are getting a second chance thanks to Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
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