Does Every Villager Have an Amiibo Card? Your Ultimate Animal Crossing Amiibo Guide
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The short answer is no, not every villager in Animal Crossing has an amiibo card. While the vast majority of villagers do, there are a few Non-Player Characters (NPCs) like Lloid and Gullivarrr that do not have amiibo cards. The good news is that all standard villagers are represented, meaning you can potentially invite your favorite resident to your island using this handy little piece of tech!
Understanding Amiibo Cards and Their Functionality
Amiibo cards are physical trading cards containing an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip. When scanned using a compatible device (like your Nintendo Switch), they interact with certain games to unlock features, characters, or items. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, amiibo cards primarily allow you to invite specific villagers to your campsite, and eventually, to become residents of your island. They also unlock character posters that you can purchase.
These cards bring a level of control to villager hunting that simply wasn’t possible before. Forget spending countless Nook Miles Tickets searching mystery islands – with an amiibo card, you can hand-pick the neighbors you want!
The Amiibo Invitation Process
Before you start inviting villagers, there are a few prerequisites:
- You need to have your campsite built.
- You need to have invited your first campsite visitor to live on your island.
- The amiibo functionality must be unlocked at the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services, which happens the day after your first camper moves in.
Once these are met, you can scan an amiibo card at the Nook Stop to invite the corresponding villager to your campsite. However, it’s not a one-and-done deal!
The Three-Visit Rule
An amiibo villager won’t automatically agree to move in after their first visit. You’ll need to invite them to your campsite on three separate days. Each time, they’ll ask you to craft a specific item for them. Once you’ve crafted all three requested items and spoken to them after their third visit, they’ll finally agree to move to your island.
If your island is already full (ten villagers), the amiibo villager will suggest a current resident to move out in their place. This gives you complete control over which villagers leave your island!
Amiibo Card Rarity and Collectibility
With over 500 cards in the Animal Crossing amiibo series, some are naturally rarer than others. The “Holy Trinity” of amiibo (Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, and Marth) from the early Super Smash Bros. line are particularly scarce, but these are figures, not cards.
Sanrio collaboration amiibo cards are also highly sought after, as they’re the only way to obtain the six Sanrio-themed villagers (Marty, Rilla, Chelsea, Toby, Étoile, and Chai).
Amiibo cards are sold in booster packs, with each pack containing a mix of “regular” villager cards and “special” NPC cards. The random nature of these packs adds to the thrill of collecting, but it also means that finding specific villagers can be challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand Animal Crossing amiibo:
1. Are amiibo villagers different from NMT villagers?
No, Amiibo villagers are in no way different from NMT (Nook Miles Ticket) island villagers once they move onto your island. They have the same dialogue, personality, and behaviors. The only difference is how you invite them.
2. How many total amiibo cards are there?
Including promotional cards, there are a total of 509 Animal Crossing amiibo cards. These are split across multiple series and include both villagers and special characters.
3. Is the Villager amiibo card rare?
While the Villager figure is indeed considered rare, the Villager amiibo card is less so. However, the demand for it can still be high due to the popularity of the character.
4. Are amiibo cards random?
Yes, each pack contains randomly selected amiibo cards. You’re not guaranteed to get any specific card when purchasing a pack.
5. Is it safe to use fake amiibo cards?
Generally, yes, it is safe to use fake amiibo cards. The game cannot distinguish between a genuine card and a well-made spoof. However, be cautious when rewriting them, as the rewritable chips have a limited lifespan.
6. Do amiibo cards kick out villagers?
Yes, if your island is full, inviting an amiibo villager to move in will allow you to choose which current resident you want to replace.
7. Who is the rarest villager on ACNH?
Octopus villagers are often considered the rarest due to their limited number (only five in the entire franchise).
8. Are amiibo villagers the best way to pick your villagers?
Yes, without question amiibo cards are the best way to choose your villagers. They allow you to pick the exact villager you want, which is impossible with Nook Miles Tickets or the campsite.
9. Which Amiibos are discontinued?
From the first wave of amiibo figures, Marth, Wii Fit Trainer, and Villager were discontinued. These are physical figures, not the cards.
10. What is the rarest amiibo ever?
The Qbbi (BoxBoy!) amiibo is considered the rarest and most expensive amiibo figure.
11. What do NPC amiibo cards do?
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, NPC amiibo cards unlock character posters that you can purchase in-game. Some may also unlock special interactions in the game.
12. What was the first amiibo ever made?
The Super Smash Bros. line was the first series of amiibo released, launching alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
13. Can you use an amiibo twice?
Yes, you can use amiibo multiple times across different games or on different consoles, as long as the game doesn’t save data directly to the amiibo. For inviting a villager to your campsite, you will need to use the same amiibo card three separate times.
14. What villagers can you only get with amiibo?
The Sanrio villagers (Marty, Rilla, Chelsea, Toby, Etoile, and Chai) can only be obtained by scanning their amiibo cards at your campsite.
15. Why won’t my amiibo villager move in?
Amiibo villagers require three separate visits to your campsite before they’ll agree to move in. Make sure you’ve crafted their requested item each time and spoken to them after their third visit. If your island is full, you’ll also need to choose a current resident to move out.
Beyond Gameplay: Amiibo Cards and the Educational Impact of Gaming
While amiibo cards primarily enhance the gaming experience, they also touch on broader concepts relevant to education. The collectibility of amiibo cards can foster skills in organization, cataloging, and even economic understanding (supply and demand). The strategic use of amiibo to optimize your island in Animal Crossing promotes problem-solving and planning.
Furthermore, the popularity of Animal Crossing and its associated merchandise, like amiibo cards, sparks discussions around digital literacy, intellectual property, and the impact of gaming culture on society.
For those interested in the intersection of gaming and education, resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provide valuable insights and research. Their work highlights how games can be powerful tools for learning and development.
In conclusion, while not every character in Animal Crossing has an amiibo card, the cards offer a unique and engaging way to customize your island and collect your favorite villagers. Happy collecting, and happy gaming!