Can an Amiibo Be Used on Multiple Consoles? The Definitive Guide
Yes, absolutely! The beauty of amiibo lies in their versatility. With a few caveats, you can indeed use a single amiibo across multiple Nintendo consoles – Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and New Nintendo 3DS (with the necessary NFC reader). The ability to transfer these little figurines and cards between systems opens up a world of cross-platform fun and unlocks various in-game bonuses.
However, understanding the nuances of amiibo compatibility is crucial to avoid any potential data conflicts or surprises. Not all games interact with amiibo in the same way, so let’s dive into the specifics of how you can maximize your amiibo collection across your Nintendo ecosystem.
Understanding Amiibo Functionality
At their core, amiibo are Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled figurines and cards that interact with supported games and consoles. Think of them as physical keys that unlock digital content or provide unique in-game advantages. When you tap an amiibo to your console’s NFC reader, data is transmitted between the figure and the game.
There are two primary ways a game might use amiibo:
- Read-Only Functionality: The game reads data from the amiibo but doesn’t write any data back to it. This is the most common use case and allows you to use the same amiibo across multiple consoles and games without any conflicts. Examples include unlocking costumes in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or receiving daily items in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
- Read/Write Functionality: The game both reads data from and writes data to the amiibo. This type of interaction is more complex because the amiibo can only store data from one game at a time. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a prime example, where the amiibo “learns” and evolves based on your training.
Navigating the “Read/Write” Hurdle
The key consideration when using amiibo across multiple consoles is whether the game utilizes read/write functionality. If a game saves data to the amiibo, such as training data in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you’ll need to manage that data carefully.
Here’s the crucial point: An amiibo can only store data from one game at a time that uses the read/write feature. If you want to use an amiibo with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on one console and then use it with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on another console, you’ll need to reset the amiibo’s game data first. Resetting the data will erase any progress or customizations you’ve made to that amiibo in the game.
Steps to Reset an Amiibo
Luckily, Nintendo makes it easy to reset your amiibo. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to System Settings on your Nintendo Switch or Wii U.
- Scroll down to the amiibo section.
- Select “Reset amiibo.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to tap the amiibo to the NFC reader.
Once the amiibo is reset, it will be as if it’s brand new, ready to be used with a different game or console. Keep in mind that resetting an amiibo will erase all data associated with it, so make sure you’re okay with losing any progress before you proceed.
Amiibo and Nintendo Accounts
Each amiibo can be registered to a Nintendo Account. This allows you to personalize the amiibo with a nickname and assign an owner. Registering an amiibo to your Nintendo Account does not restrict its usage to only that account. However, if you are planning on transferring save data from an old Wii U to a new system, or switching save data between systems, you may need to make sure that the amiibo owner matches the current user on each system.
Games Learning Society
Beyond their practical use, amiibo contribute to the broader landscape of game-based learning. Through interaction with these physical figures, players develop a deeper connection with the games they play. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society seek to harness the educational potential of gaming. To learn more about the intersection of gaming and education, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Amiibo Cards vs. Figurines
The same principles apply to both amiibo cards and figurines. Both use NFC technology and interact with games in the same way. The only difference is the form factor. Amiibo cards are often more affordable and easier to store, making them a popular choice for collecting characters from games like Animal Crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify amiibo usage across multiple consoles:
1. How many amiibo can I use at once?
You can use as many amiibo as you want per day, but some games might limit how many times you can scan a particular amiibo within a specific timeframe. It is usually once a day.
2. Can I use one amiibo on two different Nintendo Switch consoles?
Yes, for games that do not save data to the amiibo figures, a single figure can be used with multiple copies of the same game.
3. Are amiibo single-use items?
No, amiibo are reusable. You can use a single amiibo with multiple games, adding a whole new level of fun to your favorite titles.
4. Can amiibo cards be reused in Animal Crossing?
Yes, you can reuse the amiibo cards as many times as you want in Animal Crossing.
5. How many times do I have to invite an amiibo villager to my campsite before they move in?
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you need to invite an amiibo villager to your campsite three times and fulfill their crafting requests each time before they will agree to move to your island.
6. Can I reprogram an amiibo?
Yes, you can reprogram an amiibo by resetting its data in the System Settings menu. This will erase any saved game data on the amiibo.
7. What happens when an amiibo reaches level 50 in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Amiibo Level 50 is equivalent to CPU Level 15. The AI doesn’t get any harder past Level 15, but they continue learning tactics based on the opponents they face.
8. Can I use the same amiibo for different games?
Yes, but an amiibo can only save data for one game at a time if the game uses read/write compatibility.
9. Can I use amiibo without cards?
Yes, you can use amiibo figures and cards without each other. The two function identically.
10. Can I scan someone else’s amiibo?
Yes, you can scan someone else’s amiibo. If the amiibo has been registered to a different user, you may need to reset the amiibo data before you can register it yourself.
11. Do amiibo coins work the same as figures?
Yes, amiibo coins contain the same data as the figurine versions and function identically.
12. What is the rarest amiibo ever?
Qbby (BoxBoy!) is generally considered the rarest and most expensive amiibo due to its limited availability.
13. Can I use amiibo if my island is full in Animal Crossing?
Yes, if your town is full and you invite a villager to your campsite using amiibo cards, you can ask them to move in, and they will replace one of your current villagers.
14. Are amiibo worth buying?
Whether amiibo are worth buying depends on your personal preferences. They can provide cool in-game bonuses, but they are primarily collectible figures with limited interactive functionality.
15. What do I need to use amiibo?
You need an amiibo figure or card, a compatible game, and a Nintendo Switch, Wii U, or New Nintendo 3DS/2DS XL system (the latter requiring an NFC reader accessory for older models).