At one point, Amiibos were some of the most must-have gaming accessories around. The extremely collectible figures based mostly on popular Nintendo characters became the best compliments to games on both the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. Midway through the Switch's life-cycle, however, the hype has died down. But there are still some titles that will utilize Amiibos from time to time.
Right now, though, it's hard to pinpoint which games will or won't use them. That's because there have been a lot of random titles to support Amiibos, while other surefire titles ignore the possibility altogether. Here are five games you forgot had Amiibo support (and five that should).
10 Forgot: Picross 3D Round 2
Developed by HAL Laboratories for the 3DS, Picross 3D Round 2 is the sequel to the popular DS puzzler. The game works by allowing players to examine rows of numbered blocks. The numbers determine how many specific types of blocks are in any given row and how many there are in succession.
It's an interesting time killer that may not be for everyone, but it carries a passionate fanbase nonetheless. With that said, the game itself doesn't sound like it would lend itself to Amiibo support, but Nintendo went above and beyond for this game. In fact, Picross 3D Round 2 works with 37 different Amiibos, each of which unlocks new puzzles.
9 Should: Luigi's Mansion 3
Luigi's Mansion 3 is the only game in the series to not feature Amiibo support. Sure, the original Gamecube title didn't utilize them on account of it releasing a decade prior, but the remake on the 3DS did. So did the sequel. For the most part, those games used Amiibos to boost health, but we think Luigi's Mansion 3 could offer cool content if it utilized the technology.
Considering the game does offer multiplayer functionality, a few Amiibos could work as alternative characters to play as. Or perhaps they could be interesting upgrades to the Poltergust G-00. But that's just wishful thinking, and the game we got was fantastic without it.
8 Forgot: Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+
If you were to make a list of games with Amiibo Support, you'd be forgiven for leaving Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy off. Not that it's a bad game, however. In fact, upon its release in 2011, it received pretty solid reviews. Beloved for its fast and fun action, the only real knock players had for it was the short campaign and no multiplayer, leaving players little in the way of replayable content.
That criticism was curbed slightly years after its release. In 2015, the game was re-released as Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+Â and with it came some pretty smart Amiibo integration. While not game altering by any means, the Amiibos it does utilize unlock different cosmetics for the planes, making this entry in the series unique to the Nintendo platform.
7 Should: Mario Tennis Aces
Mario Tennis Aces does not offer Amiibo support while its predecessor does. Now, according to Nintendo, that's because the developers took the time to create an expansive single-player mode while offering a robust online option for players, so something had to be cut. In Mario Tennis Ultra Smash for the Wii U, Amiibos allowed players to get special perks, gain a partner for doubles matches and train to win "Knockout Challenges". It's simple, but this did offer quite a bit of incentive for players to return to a title that was criticized for being rather bare in terms of content.
6 Forgot: Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
While many gamers remember Xenoblade Chronicles as the RPG Nintendo blessed Wii users with after fans petitioned the company for what felt like ages during one of the biggest content droughts the console ever experience, but for others, it was one of the only games released exclusively on the New 3DS. Launched in 2015, just when Amiibos were getting hot, it was no surprise that Nintendo ensured a nice shiny figure would be featured prominently as well.
What fans got was a stylish Shulk Amiibo that allows players to receive coins to spend on music and character models. Yet, this particular figure wasn't exclusive to just this game. In fact, it is also used in Super Smash Bros. U/3DS/Ultimate, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, Hyrule Warriors, Amiibo Tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits, and Mario Party 10, so we don't blame you in forgetting it was originally made for Xenoblade Chronicles 3D.
5 Should: Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat 11Â on the Nintendo Switch may not be the best version of the game available, but the ability to take it on the go makes it worthwhile. The over-the-top fighter is loved for its intense violence, hard-hitting action, and easy to pick up gameplay, but the Switch version was criticized for lack of online offerings.
We think players and critics would be a little more lenient on that second part if Amiibo capabilities were implemented. Whether it was used sort of like Mario Tenis Ultra Smash or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or as a way to unlock special fatalities or costumes, this could have been a fantastic title to take advantage of Amiibos.
4 Forgot: Dark Souls Remaster
When Dark Souls Remaster was announced for the Nintendo Switch, it felt like a big deal for fans who stuck by the console-maker over the years. For those who never owned another console, it was the chance for them to experience one of the most iconic games of the decade, and while the original version of the game was several years old by the time it released on the Switch in 2018, the fact that it was playable at all was special.
To add to this, Bandai Namco ensured fans got some kind of Amiibo support to separate this version from the rest. In fact, the game got its own figure just for the occasion. While it doesn't do much, players can scan the Solaire of Astora to unlock the "Praise the Sun" gesture that's synonymous with the series.
3 Should: Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
With a 60 hour campaign that should be enough, but Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition takes it a step further by allowing ridable monsters, a 16-bit visual mode and more. Considering it's also considered one of —if not the — best JRPGs in the last decade, fans have little to complain about when it comes to the game that's almost universally considered the best title in the storied series.
Yet, if we had to nitpick, the lack of Amiibo support is a little disappointing. For a game so full of content, we're not upset, but the chance to give someone in our party a Link or Mario costume by tapping an Amiibo would have been a nice addition.
2 Forgot: Diablo III
Diablo III's Switch port was one of Blizzard's worst-kept secrets. The popular return of the franchise has been ported to multiple different platforms, but most agree it's best to play on its native PC. On the Switch, however, fans were given the opportunity to take the game anywhere they want. Not only that, but there was a special Nintendo spin on the game, allowing players to choose Ganon as a playable character. Adding to that, the game got its own "Treasure Goblin" Amiibo, which allows gamers to summon their own Treasure Goblins to rough up and get more loot.
1 Should: Fortnite
Considering Epic's love for skins in Fortnite, we're surprised the idea of Nintendo exclusive content in the way of Amiibos was never an option when the game made its way to the Switch. The insanely popular battle-royale shooter is bright, colorful, and has a thriving community who love to customize their avatars. Yet, while it's been successful on Nintendo's hybrid console, the system's poorer online capabilities mixed with its strange approach to voice chat make it less than ideal compared to other platforms.
Amiibo support could have separated the free-to-play title from the pack. It's kind of hard to not be frustrated when thinking of the endless opportunity that could have been presented whether it came in the form of playable characters, skins, clothing items, weapons, music, or exclusive playground content.