Decoding the Sheikah Slate: A Comprehensive Guide to Zelda Amiibo
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The world of Nintendo collectibles can be as vast and mysterious as Hyrule itself, and the amiibo line is a perfect example. For Zelda fans, these figures aren’t just decorative; they’re keys to unlocking in-game content, from unique weapons and armor to helpful items and even loyal companions. So, how many of these treasures are out there specifically for the Legend of Zelda franchise?
As of late 2023, there are 25 The Legend of Zelda amiibo, featuring characters all throughout the series of games. However, that number is constantly evolving! With new releases and potential re-stocks, staying informed is key for any dedicated collector. Let’s dive deeper into the world of Zelda amiibo.
Delving into the World of Zelda Amiibo
Beyond the core number, there’s a lot more to understand about Zelda amiibo. This includes their functionality, rarity, future releases, and the broader context of the amiibo ecosystem. Think of it as a Sheikah Slate guide to understanding these fascinating collectibles.
The Functionality of Zelda Amiibo
Zelda amiibo primarily function as a method of unlocking exclusive content within compatible games. This can range from:
- Special Chests: Often containing unique equipment, weapons, or armor.
- Item Drops: Receiving resources, food, or materials to aid in your adventure.
- Character Summons: Calling upon a character to assist you, as seen with the Wolf Link amiibo.
The specific rewards vary depending on the amiibo and the game it’s used with. For instance, using a Zelda-themed amiibo in Tears of the Kingdom will summon special chests and a variety of dropped items, while different amiibo will grant specific gear like Epona or unique fabrics. Most weapons will not appear in these chests until the Paraglider is received.
Rarity and Value: A Collector’s Quest
The value of an amiibo is determined by many factors, including:
- Production numbers
- Discontinuation status
- Character popularity
- Overall condition
For example, the Qbby (BoxBoy!) amiibo is considered one of the rarest and most expensive amiibo, out of all 206 figures ever released. First wave amiibo like Marth, Wii Fit Trainer, and Villager are no longer being stocked on store shelves. This increased demand can drive up prices in the secondary market. Some amiibo are dirt cheap, though, and lost all their value. It’s also worth noting that some amiibo are still quite expensive online due to their rarity upon launch.
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What About Future Releases?
Nintendo continues to support the amiibo line, with new releases coinciding with major game launches. Dataminers found references to a pair of paraglider fabrics not currently unlockable in Tears of the Kingdom, indicating that new Zelda amiibo would be available sometime in the Holiday 2023 period. New amiibo figures of Zelda and Ganondorf were planned for release during the Holiday 2023 period. Additionally, Nintendo has revealed the release date for the Tears of the Kingdom Zelda and Ganondorf amiibo, announced two new Xenoblade Chronicles amiibo, and finally announced the final Super Smash Bros amiibo, Sora from Kingdom Hearts.
The Amiibo Ecosystem: More Than Just Figures
It’s important to remember that the amiibo line isn’t limited to just figurines. It also includes:
- Amiibo Cards: Offering the same functionality as figures, but in card form.
- Power-Up Bands: Used in theme parks and other Nintendo-related experiences.
- Other Collectibles: Such as cereal with NFC chips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zelda Amiibo
Here are some commonly asked questions to help you further navigate the world of Zelda amiibo:
- How many total amiibo are there in the world? There are currently 843 total released amiibo, between the figures, cards, power-up bands, and cereal.
- How many amiibo have been announced but not released? There are currently 8 amiibo that have been announced and not released. These include: Splatoon Shiver, Splatoon Frye, Splatoon Big Man, Xenoblade Noah, Xenoblade Mio, TotK Zelda, TotK Ganondorf.
- How many amiibo are there for Tears of the Kingdom? There are 26 Amiibo that work with Tears of the Kingdom, organized by Amiibo collection.
- What does the Mipha amiibo give you in Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom? Mipha grants you the Van Ruta Divine Helm (with Swim Speed Up Lv1). When any of the Divine Helms are equipped with the Ancient Cuirass and Ancient Greaves, you trigger a set bonus, Ancient Proficiency, which increases the attack power of Ancient or Guardian series weapons.
- Why are amiibo often so limited in production? Some of the collectible figurines suffer from a demand that outpaces supply, creating a grey market of hard-to-find Amiibos and causing retailers to stores put a purchase limit on certain figures. Concerns about Amiibo rarity were first raised after the first wave when certain figures were discontinued.
- Are amiibo still being produced? Nintendo has told WIRED that the company does not plan to ship any more of several of its interactive Amiibo figures.
- How often can I use an amiibo in a game? You can use each amiibo figure once per day (per Nintendo Account).
- What was the first amiibo line? The first series of amiibo be released, based upon Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and released alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U on November 21, 2014. The 3DS version received amiibo support on February 10th, 2015, with support for the NFC reader being added on June 14, 2015.
- Do amiibo require batteries? No, amiibo don’t require batteries.
- Are amiibo legal to copy? Amiibo are copyrighted works and probably fall into the category of commercial software, which probably makes their distribution illegal, although U.S. law in this area is very, very young (because Nintendo probably doesn`t want others to distribute amiibo files).
- Can an amiibo learn and adapt in games like Super Smash Bros.? Yes, one major change at Level 50 is that your amiibo will now learn more from being defeated than it did from Levels 1-49. Need some ideas to make your amiibo better? There are many strategies you can implement to enhance their performance.
- Do amiibo lose value over time? Some are dirt cheap, though, and lost all their value. There are a lot of Amiibo that didn’t have a lot of copies made. That due to their rarity upon launch has caused to still be quite expensive online. If you didn’t jump to get a pre-order for the Amiibo, it’s likely that they’re way past your price range now.
- Do Amiibos work more than once? 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.
- What are the rarest items in Totk? Rare ores include opals (30 rupees), topazes (80), sapphires (110), rubies (150), and diamonds (500). Just about every guide on the best items to sell in TOTK suggests collecting the rare ores found in golden ore deposits across Hyrule.
- Are Amiibos being discontinued? Nintendo has told WIRED that the company does not plan to ship any more of several of its interactive Amiibo figures.
Final Thoughts
Collecting Zelda amiibo is a journey in itself, one that combines the love of gaming with the thrill of collecting. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, understanding the nuances of the amiibo ecosystem will enhance your experience and ensure you’re well-equipped for the adventures ahead. Remember to stay informed about new releases, re-stocks, and the overall market to make the most of your Zelda amiibo collection.