Daily Debate: Is It Time to Move Past Amiibo for Zelda Games?

I do not believe that amiibo have lived up to their full potential. Since their launch in 2014, Nintendo has released over 180 figurines and three lines of cards. With rare exception, each launch has lead to shortages, price gouging, counterfeits and consumer frustration. While they are beautiful to behold—and I have my own healthy collection of them—they have never much repeated in-game use. Just a quick scan for your reward, then back in the toy chest, never to be used again. Well, unless you’re a Super Smash Bros. player.

By and large, amiibo are used in-game to grant items or cosmetics. In Skyrim, tapping Zelda amiibo gave players a chance at Link’s Breath of the Wild Champion’s Tunic, Hylian Shield, and the Master Sword. Other applications resulted in direct changes to gameplay and content. Skyward Sword‘s Loftwing and Zelda amiibo allowed players to travel between the Sky and Surface from anywhere on the map. Twilight Princess HD‘s Wolf Link amiibo granted access to a secret dungeon with rewards (assuming you had the heart to open the packaging).

While these perks are fun and, at times innovative, rarely do they add enough to the game experience to justify the price of entry. Don’t get me wrong, rare cosmetics and bonus dungeons are fantastic additions to any game, especially a remake. But, there are other ways for developers to add in these treats without asking consumers to plunk down another $16 – $30 USD to access them.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Should future Zelda titles still include amiibo compatibility and add new figures to the line up? Is it time to move on? Or, in your opinion, were they never worth the price? Let us know what you think in the comments!