Nintendo mega-busts out another batch of Amiibos [update]
Update: As our post went live, Nintendo of America unveiled a trailer pinning the 11 new Amiibo figures for February 2015. In the video, which you'll find below the break, Nintendo notes "some of our retail partners will be releasing a certain number of these as exclusive figures, so stay tuned for details."
As for Europe, Nintendo listed Rosalina & Luma, Bowser, Lucario, Toon Link, Sheik and Ike for January 23, 2015. Meta Knight, Sonic, King Dedede, Shulk and Sonic follow on February 20.
Original Story: Two more waves of Amiibo figures hit Japan early next year, Nintendo revealed this week. On January 22, 2015, eight of the Smash-compatible figurines roll onto Japanese retail shelves, followed by three more in February. The January octet is Lucario, Rosalina & Luma, Bowser, Toon Link, Sheik, Ike, Meta Knight and King Dedede, while the February triforce is Shulk, Sonic and the blue bomber Mega Man.
As Eurogamer notes, Nintendo lists Toon Link as compatible with Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors, while Sheik is supported by Hyrule Warriors, too.
Meanwhile, Nintendo of America announced a new Loot Crate Amiibo subscription service this week. Details such as prices and dates are scant for now, but according to Nintendo, "subscribers will receive 10 pre-selected Amiibo (including Mario, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Fox, and Yoshi) separated into three special Loot Crate shipments throughout the holiday season without ever having to leave their homes."
Nintendo also released a new 5.3.0 system update for Wii U today (which we've successfully downloaded and installed), and it introduces some timely Amiibo settings to the console. The settings allow you to register the owner of an Amiibo along with a nickname, delete a figure's written data or reset it completely.
The figures, which use NFC tech to communicate with the Wii U, roll out in a first wave of 12 on November 21, alongside Super Smash Bros. At launch, all figures will be compatible with Wii U brawlers Smash and Hyrule Warriors, while Mario Kart 8 will offer support for a select number of characters (click the links to see how.)
Future games to feature Amiibo compatibility in 2015 include Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse, Yoshi's Woolly World and Mario Party 10. And then there's the matter of possible third-party support...
[Image: Nintendo]
