Each Splatoon amiibo Will Unlock 20 Special Challenges

Sounds good to me, I'm in.

This game looks sooo much fun!!!!!!

I really dislike this concept of amiibo locked content. I'm not a figurine collector, but I usually want all the content for a game, so Nintendo is putting me in an awkward position with their new business practice of amiibo. I'm not happy with this.

Smash did amiibo right, but in most of the other games they seem like a physical key for normal DLC content. They should offer the possibility to buy the content without amiibo and I wouldn't have any issues.

I ordered the Amiibo squid that came in the box because the triple was sold out. Will the boy and girl inkling be available as a none exclusive and none limited edition at launch??

@TourianTourist I agree, atleast gives us amiibo cards for like less then a dollar so we can unlock it

Not sure I like having on-disc content unlocked with amiibo. It would be different if the amiibo came after the game, and the challenges they unlocked were released in an update on the day the figures were released, like the Spinner in Hyrule Warriors. This is essentially paying $30 to unlock what's already in the game.

The way I see it, as long as there's still a full game behind the initial purchase, I don't mind if they put extra content behind amiibo. At least it makes the amiibo useful.

To be clear, these are not original levels or anything, they are simply modified versions of the missions already in the game. Generally that will include being restricted to a particular gun or require a specifc tactic.

These hardly qualify as locked content as far as I'm concerned.

@TourianTourist The base of theses missions are all playable without an amiibo. The amiibo challenges are variations of the normal solo levels with specific restrictions. Nothing more.

"We'd say 20 challenge stages isn't too bad an unlock with these new toys."

Oh but it is too bad, if you can't even find the stupid things...

@TourianTourist Either that or they act like a Gameshark, giving you some bonus items, extra lives, etc.

Opinions will probably be pretty split.
For those who buy it, it'll seem like a nice bonus.
Still, I could see it feeling a bit like day one DLC.
Opinions could (probably will) get even more negative if the stock is limited, thus locking players out of the content unless they are willing to pay a premium to scalpers. Either way, I'm stoked for this game, and hoping for the best.

Seems decent enough. The problem I have, like others have stated, is availability. People are quick to hate scalpers but ultimately, nintendo could make more and eliminate the need for any of this. Anyway, yay for splatoon, uber excited for this cant wait

May I ask for some clarity on the clarity ad I wonder if each amiibo unlocks the same 20 missions so we only need to buy 1 amiibo or each amiibo unlocks its own spevific missions so we need to buy all 3 to get 60 missions?

And sd @Rifick said, stock may sway things a lot if these are only available on eBay, which Im guessing is a high probability.

Already pre-ordered my set for the figures themselves so this is a nice added bonus. I do hope though that they offer these up as DLC for those who either don't want the amiibo or are unable to get them.

The costumes I think keep as amiibo only though, as they're superfluous to everything and are a nice little special thing (like the high-vis jacket LBP have to beta testers or the crown you got for creating a featured level, the value of those came from their exclusivity rather than function)

@TourianTourist
Which game exactly? Mario Party's "amiibo" party? That mode's concept is to play with figurines like you're playing a real board game. So it required you an amiibo. It was advertised as is.

Did we complain when Nintendo Land required us to use a Wii remote and nunchuk? When Wii Fit U when it required us to buy a Fit meter or Balance Board? Wii Sports Club when it required us to use a Wiimote? Because without those peripherals, we are "locked" within some or most contents on those games.

Codename STEAM? Marth, Ike, Lucina and Robin aren't part of the game. But because they are Intelligent Systems games and there's Fire Emblem amiibos, they existed as bonus contents in the game.

Nice, I'm ready to pre order those amiibo when they come over here.

And everyone, please read @ACK 's comment before saying this is a bad way to implement these amiibo

I have no problem with the content amiibo unlock in this game.....I DO have a problem with what we get being revealed AFTER the pre orders are pretty much sold out!!! Being asked to rush to buy something, blind to its features , is an unethical practice I strongly disapprove of!

I like it. Not necessary to get them. Sounds like a hard mode for the missions.

@rjejr

Since it says 'each' instead of 'any' my bet is that there should be 60 missions. The bundle also could mean all three are desirable. No other amiibo are sold together as DI does with some themed non starter sets.

@rjejr The EU Direct shows that the inkling girl amiibo comes with 20 missions (15 with 1 extra unlocked by completing each row of 3), there's some mission numbers larger than 20 so this confirms that there's 60 in total.

@FragRed
Only in Europe that you required to buy the disc bundle to get the Squid amiibo which is unfair to us who will buy the game digitally. The boy and the girl amiibo are sold separately.

I was going to get all three amiibo anyway, so, yay.

I still don't see the point of amiibo.

So now it's content on disc you can only unlock by buying 15 euro figurines.
This is even worse than regular DLC.

I don't want to buy amiibo's, i think Nintendo is sadly moving in the wrong way.

More gameplay is always good... but good luck getting the amiibo. Unless they are retailer exclusive I refuse to pay more than retail for these things.

This is worse than if they just made it day 1 digital DLC. At least then everyone who wanted it could buy it.

It sure would be nice if I could actually get a Splatoon amiibo and try out the challenges...

I will probably get the amiibo,but they could put the missions on eshop down the line for people who don't want or can't find the amiibo.

@allav866 I'm going to agree with that assessment. With that being said, I probably won't buy the amiibo unless they just look way too cool for me to pass up.

Still looks like a fun enough game that will keep me busy for a long while. Can't wait to get online and shoot some trolls.

And who knows how rare these things will be, you really think Nintendo will make EVERY Splatoon amiibo hard to find? Not likely. Possible, but not probable.

@Grumblevolcano @sinalefa - Well that's a lot of missions and a lot of money.

But I think I've read the EU isn't getting Squid separate, only as a game bundle, so people buying digital downloads are SOL. And the US is only getting squid in a 3-pack bundle, not separate. So maybe Squid is different, the boy and girl amiibo each have 20 but the squid doesn't?

If Squid has the same functionality as the boy and girl why is it not sold separately? Oh wait, Nintendo logic. The same company that bundle online Mario Kart w/ the non-internet connected Wii Mini.

I'll probably just get the boy Inkling. I wonder if each amiibo has specific missions or if they pick 20 randomly.

Hmmm, Locked content only available by paying for a scarce Amiibo product(s), a fancy way of Capcom's controversial paid on disc content.

The more functionality with amiibo the better. I hope this news increases the chances of a cool Splatoon bundle for the US.

Locking content behind an item that, in many cases, is proving hard to get is ridiculous. It's very un-Nintendo like to shut out fans by having limited numbers available for certain amiibo. They need to get this situation figured out and resolved fast.

As someone who got in quick enough to pre-order the triple Amiibo bundue I'm of course happy to hear that there's so much additional single player content. However, for those not lucky enough, I can see how this could be annoying, especially if the availability of the Amiibo's becomes an issue. I can also understand the feelings of those not interested in buying a load of plastic figurines (some that are nearly impossible to get) in order to unlock certain features / modes.

Great! Now I just need to find the darn things and I'll be set!

Well, this certainly sounds like the DLC-on-Disk issue that I was told "wasn't going to happen" by so many fans. On-disk content that you have paid for--that can only be accessed by paying for a toy that is likely to be impossible to find while resellers and fanboys buy multiple copies to create a fiasco.

Goody gumdrops.

So I guess, in order to access the entire Splatoon game, you have to spend at least $95. And some of you had the nerve to whine about Season Passes from the other guys. At least that stuff downloads additional content. Your aren't just paying to access content that is already in the damn game.

Again, if the Amiibo triggered downloads of additional content, I'd say "go for it." Then it's additional content that you haven't already paid for.

I haven't played the game yet. How would I know?

@Operative

I'm personally fine with day-one DLC that is used as incentive to pre-order a game, because that stuff usually just unlocks a single DLC mode or some costumes or weapons. From a developer standpoint, it makes sense to have that extra incentive during the all-important initial launch window.

Full packs, on the other hand, should be things that come later. I was already getting annoyed with all the season passes offered by so many games (and that MS seems intent to make a standard), but this is far worse. At least those Season Passes are used for additional, downloadable content to come later--not to unlock content already on the bloody game disk.

Well now I'm really pissed at Nintendo. I already can't find Amiibo I want for certain games, I was so looking forward to this but chances are I won't be able to find the Amiibo, locking me out of some content. Nintendo is really losing me because of this Amiibo crap...

I am well prepared for the release of Splatoon.

I have got all of these preordered on GAME.co.uk
Splatoon with Inkling Squid amiibo, Inkling Boy amiibo and Inkling Girl amiibo
Splatoon with Inkling Squid amiibo
Inkling Girl - amiibo - Splatoon Collection
Inkling Boy - amiibo - Splatoon Collection

I'd heard a rumour through my local EB staff that the three Splatoon Amiibos would all function identically so you'd only really need one to get the full benefits out of the game. Looks like that was just speculation.

@electrolite77 that's pretty much the conclusion I've come to. Glorified on-disc DLC.

Nintendo just needs to go and make a game exclusively for amiibo (ie. a Disney Infinity type thing) instead of sandwiching them into every major release.

@Alundra-1998 So you're a scalper then? Why else would you need 2 of everything...

@Grumblevolcano I'm not a scalper. I am a collector.
I am not going to even put my items up on eBay, never mind for a high price...

Yes... good luck getting an amiibo.

@Grumblevolcano Here is another thing, I have looked up the definition of a scalper and here it is...

Scalper
Someone who purchases large quantities of goods (usually tickets) early with the sole intention of re-selling them at a higher price at a later date (closer to the event).

I have not purchased a "large" quantity of items. I have just purchased two of each item and that's it. I am not going to even consider reselling the items either...

So.... can you scan the Splatoom Amiibos multiple times and get the challenges? For example....can I scan my Amiibo, get the challenges, then use my squids to scan at a friends house to get him the challenges? Just wondering if friends trading around Amiibos is a possibility? Maybe we need to start an Amiibo trading site.

Netflix like subscription?

@Grumblevolcano @Alundra-1998 good point man! Awaiting a good answer.......

@ULTRA-64 Yeah, same here, this'll be exciting. XD

It's a shame that only scalpers and only a lucky few will have acces to these new challenges I'd pay cash so I no longer have to hear the word Amiibo

Man, this Amiibo things is getting outta hand. I was always sceptical about it. It's basically a disguised and sugar-coated way of offering DLC. They make it out to be like it's a cool, new way of offering some extra content, and it's working... for now. I couldn't care less for Splatoon, but I'd be angered if Super Mario, Zelda and DK games end up having this sort of DLC in the future. I am so hoping this doesn't happen though.
If anything is a gimmick, then it's gotta be this, and not any of Nintendo's peripherals or motion-controls that people tend to argue and catagorize as a gimmick. All of that was pure innovation and enhances a gameplay experience (GamePad is the best idea since the Wiimote), but the Amiibo concept is ridiculously silly and unnecessary imo.. It goes well with kids, no doubt about that, but honestly, offering just the figurines (for half price) or the 'trophies", if you will, would be enough in my books. I don't mind me some Nintendo merchandise, and the characters actually turned out looking pretty awesome. I'd gladly buy the Mario figure to put on a shelf if it didn't unlock any content. Sounds funny enough, but said content should come out of the box without having to pay extra for to unlock on-disc content.
So far Nintendo have done a good job with their regular DLC. New Super Mario Bros. 2 had some really fun and difficult extra challenges (keyword: "extra") that justify paying more. Don't get me started on Mario Kart 8. With MK8, you get a whole lotta game and then some. Basically, you already have a pretty meaty and content-filled game straight from the disk itself, nothing stripped. Noteworthy is the fact that DLC for these games has come - and is still to come - well after the release of the original games, meaning that the dev teams actually worked on more content to provide after the games' initial releases, and not this keeping a part of the game's day-one content locked up for us to pay extra for.

Unlocking things is part of video games, and I love it, but it should always remain skill-based or progress-based and not money-based. Super Mario games have done this amazingly well in the past. If you get far in a game, then there's always that extra World waiting for you to unlock it and take on its challenges. This is the way it's always been done and this is the way it should always be, because it's simply logical and satisfying. It's a way of proving yourself worthy, and thus, truly "unlocking" more content to put your hard-acquired skill to one final test. Not only putting your overall skills to the test, but the levels are also a reward.

I like the idea, but they should also make the content available on the E-Shop. It's like DLC, but not making the DLC available to everybody as there likely won't be enough Amiibo to go around (again).

Luckily I've got preorders locked in. I would be pretty angry though if I couldn't get the amiibo, and there was no other way of unlocking the content in the game I'd paid full price for.

So... I have to get all 3 amiibo to unlock the 60 challenges?
Geez. Lucky they're optional stuff. So I wouldn't mind much.
But I do think Nintendo's DLC practices are getting out of hand, though...

@Quorthon I agree with you in principal, but at least people are getting a physical product for their money. There'd be a lot less whining and complaining about paying for Season Passes and on disc DLC if you got little collectible game figurines to put on your shelf when you paid for them.

I dont see how nintendo can make the Amiibo "do more" without pissing somebody off. People complain they aren't worth it just for costumes but complain Nintendo is cutting content from the base game.

Sure they could add some games to the figures themselves i.e. Mario unlocks mario 1 but then people would say its cheaper to download and then there's what happens with inkling, do they unlock the splatoon? all thats done is invent second hand digital games.

Physical day 1 DLC that's already on the disc....YAY I'm not interested....

@Quorthon
It doesn't matter if it's on disk or in a server ready to be downloaded. They are the same. You say it should be triggered for download when scanned? That can easily be exploited. Remember the video where Smash characters who are unlocked without the amiibos being released yet? The proper use of amiibos is when you need to tap them whenever you play using them saving your progress.

Anyway as I said earlier, Wii Fit U, Wii Sports Club, Nintendo Land required me to buy a Wiimote, nunchuk, and Fit meter. On-disc DLC then? Nah. It's a game that requires you peripherals like amiibo. You know it before buying the game. You didn't buy it to have all-access to features they said it requires you of amiibo. Nintendo is being upfront about it. It's not the same as what Capcom pulled with SFxTekken.

@Grumblevolcano "@Alundra-1998 So you're a scalper then? Why else would you need 2 of everything..."

I'd imagine to have one to keep in the box for collecting purposes and one to play with. When they first announced amiibo, that's what my plan was, until it proved almost neigh impossible to do so. So now my mission had changed to getting one for myself, and if I can get any extra, then get some for folks that have difficulty procuring them.

@allav866

I completely agree, paying for content that is already on the disc is completely outrageous.

@Alundra-1998 @Grumblevolcano to be honest I was backing grumble when I posted, hadn't seen your reply as my phone hadn't updated and so thought I'd post rather than hide. You answered well my friend so no grief from me

Splatoon was a day-1 purchase for me but this could change that.

The cosmetic un-locks are fine but Amiibo specific weapons? No. Thanks.

An on-line shooter with weapons only accessible to a few (who have paid more) has steer-clear written all over it.

I really don't like this use for Amiibo. It's basically the same as on disk DLC, except it's harder to aquire.

I am really disappointed in Nintendo's implementation of Amiibo so far. I looked at what Skylanders and Disney Infinity did with the toys-to-life genre, and expected something unique from Nintendo. Instead we get this. Mii suit unlocks in Mario Kart. Yay. Special powers in Kirby. Wow. A second playable Yoshi in Wooly World. What? Why? Let's not even get into availability locking these things away from players completely, as that's a wholw seperate issue, but now we have day one locked content behind a paywall?

Remember the days of playing a game and unlocking special missions or items or boards by just meeting certain requirements, like beating the game? This isn't that.

I can't believe how much people are eating this up. Don't get me wrong. The figures are a cool collectors item, and nice quality for the price, but where is the game that really sells the experience? Until that arrives, I am out of the Amiibo game.

As for Splatoon itself, between this and no voice chat, I almost didn't buy it, but my kids are excited for it. I am sure I will have fun with it, too. The little I played at PAX was great, but it would have been nice to chat with my buddies while playing. People on my friend list at least.

Yesterday it said that there would be 15 extra missions plus 5 pieces of gear for each amiibo on the Nintendo website for Germany. They've changed it now so that it just says extra missions without a number. Must have been a mistake. I like the sound of 20 better.

@I-love-tea I don't know for sure but I'd imagine the Amiibo unlocked weapons will just be visually different versions of the standard weapons in game, rather than special new, or more powerful weapons. They need this game to do the best it can, I'd like to think with all their expertise they'd know not to risk unbalancing it. Something to keep an eye on though definitely.

Nintendo just needs to come out with dlc to mediate this issue so that everybody is happy ... 😃

@Captain_Gonru - Wait, would you have me believe somebody actually tried to purchase a Wii Mini? What kind of fool do you take me for?

If even half that story is remotely true you really need to pass it on Nintendo HQ, they could use a dose of reality.

@allav866 I agree you mostly because it's to hard to get the amiibos.but I feel they could just as easy make does missions paid dlc so it's the same thing to me.but instead of just doc you get something to collect so it's kinda better if your a collector.

Worse if your just in not.

On disc extras only unlocked with amibos. BS practise by Nintendo..

@ToxieDogg

The problem is amiibos are impossible to find in NA. So we end up paying for the lock but can't find they keys.

Dear Nintendo, bend over: I've found an all new use for your amiibo....

@Ogbert I hope you're right but it's information I'd like confirmed before I'm going to lay down on the game.

My main issue is that I won't be able to get a hold of them....

I'm still resolved to stay away from amiibo. Not even remotely interested. I imagine the game itself will be enough to entertain me for months!

@MoonKnight7 They're not easy to find here in the UK either. They should at least have Splatoon DLC available on the E-Shop for slightly less so everybody has a fair chance to unlock everything in Splatoon even if you can't find the amiibo.

I don't think it would harm the sales of amiibo either...there's plenty of people who like collecting them (many more people than who actually own a Wii U or any compatible games it seems), many of those will seemingly buy 2 of each (one to open and use, one to keep boxed) and plenty of other people who will buy them just to scalp them. It'd be nice to know that anyone with an internet connection can still get full enjoyment out of the game they've paid for though if they're not into the whole amiibo craze.

@kobashi100 To be fair, that's been a practice in the industry since roughly 2011. Not in any way saying it's right or I'll participate, but it's still fairly standard in the form Nintendo is offering.

So 20 on disk locked content challenges... got it.

@ACK It's the same level using a different weapon, and if they didn't have Amiibos then they wouldn't have made the challenge levels, so I agree, I don't understand the fuss.

@Cherkov PCs do voice chat.

When I first heard about the unlockable missions I thought I'd consider picking up one of the Amiibo's ... but as more information has come out about the content I've become less interested in it. Buying the Link Amiibo to unlock the Spinner in Hyrule Warriors, train-up in Smash, and even costume my Mii in MK8 was a good multi-use feature ... but as someone who has no interest in Nintendo collectibles (except the actual games), I'm not convinced that buying a Splatoon Amiibo offers enough to be a value purchase. I'm currently more likely to put the money towards buying the Spiderman Playset for Disney Infinity 2 instead.

@ikki5 20 per amiibo so 60 in total.

Of course there will be shortages... ughh

@TourianTourist i agree. locking content behind figurines is just another form for DLC. i can accept costumes and skins, but giving gameplay advantages to Amiboo owners feels wrong

@MadAdam81 I understand that there are ways to voice chat outside of the game, but the Wii U is fully capable of supporting it. So why not give players that option?

My point is Nintendo is now alienating a whole playerbase by cutting that option. At a time when they need interest in their system, it just seems like a poor business decision. Look at all of the negative reaction behind it. Splatoon will lose a lot of sales for it when it is such a deserving fresh new IP.

Can we buy the amiibo and then flog them on when content has been unlocked or do we need to keep them? Could chip in with friends then to split the cost, use them on all machines and then get rid if you don't want them as playable characters. Hassle, but perhaps okay if you know someone buying them anyway?

Let me get this straight; the rewards are for single player only? If so I don't get the hype. Seems like the customization has more use in multi player.

@Arthedain The challenges are single player. The actual costume rewards for beating them are for multiplayer.

Where's 'ShadJV' to defend this? Lol, he's buried his head under the sand, I see.

@Grumblevolcano

That's even worse....

Hang on, though. That's a set of toys that probably won't be used for anything else and all they do is unlock some custom missions? That's a letdown. I mean, that's just a boring piece of on-disk dlc. That makes the Mario Party board game mode sound interesting.

@outburst
Thank you. Another good example. I've tried a few and I still don't get how @Quorthon clings to his argument.

He says "Again, if the Amiibo triggered downloads of additional content, I'd say "go for it." "
Why does that matter? The delivery method is that important? You are forcing people to have an internet connection and wait if they have a slower one and that's magically better? It just boggles my mind.

Two serious issues with this that I hope Nintendo can overcome, however:

1. Scarcity of Amiibo is really starting to make extra content just unreachable to many with the current plan. Restocks and/or alternative cards are getting more and more necessary.

2. Those weapon rewards better be restricted to local play, or just a decorative version of another weapon, or really, really well-balanced somehow or otherwise controlled so that there are no nasty advantages in online battles.

@Goginho said, "Noteworthy is the fact that DLC for these games [Mario Kart 8] has come - and is still to come - well after the release of the original games, meaning that the dev teams actually worked on more content to provide after the games' initial releases, and not this keeping a part of the game's day-one content locked up for us to pay extra for."

This doesn't prove anything of the sort and it shouldn't matter. If they hired twice the developers or paid Retro way more to get some additional tracks done at release and offered it all as day one dlc "on the disk" they still worked many more hours on it and paid more to produce it. Why shouldn't they charge for the DLC? Why should they keep it off the disc and make it more inconvenient?

The delay does suggest that it is taking a long time and is worth the money, and in the case of Mario Kart 8, I'd bet that it is taking this long to get it done. Personally, though, I wouldn't mind one bit if it was released 6 months ago and I'd pay the same or more for it, too. Wouldn't you feel the same? Why does it change if it was there on release day?

There are marketing reasons to spread it out this far, too. Mario Kart 8 is a perfect game to bring attention to in a big way every 6 months or so. It feels like the content isn't completed yet, but what do we know about it, really? This could all have been the marketing strategy from the beginning.

Nothing wrong with either approach except for the irrational aversion of DLC "locked on disk" at launch. The actual aversion should be to paying for something and getting less than you expected. I personally think fretting about the delivery method is just barking up the wrong tree.

@aaronsullivan I hear ya on the spreading out the release part, but my point is that, whether the devs have worked on the DLC for MK8 straight up to release or not, they have nonetheless put in extra work time in creating that additional content. That's the kind of DLC that pays imo.. We have reached a standard for Mario Kart, where we get 32 tracks (16 old / 16 new). MK8 provides is with well over that number now. Everything above that is an optional bonus.
Maybe I've worded myself incorrectly, since I don't see a conflicting argument between us here, but MK8 is handling DLC correctly imo.. We get a complete game out of the box. If we want more, then we can purchase more for a pretty reasonable price (personally not too big on the characters, only the tracks are relevant to me). As for waiting for the perfect time to release DLC, like you said with the 6 months, that's fine, even if the content has been completed and ready for distribution much earlier, which I doubt is the case here for the 2nd DLC pack, since there are some changes to that Animal Crossing track that we can see between the screenshot from last year and that recent Direct footage. But like you said, that doesn't even matter.
All I'm concerned about is, that Nintendo is slowly starting to take the road where they'll end up making us buy Amiibo (a potentially disguised and "appealing" way of offering DLC in my books) in order to play extra levels i.e. content that the devs have worked hard on, but might not even be experienced by everybody who initially bought the game at an already full price. I'm optimistically expecting to continue unlocking my Super Mario levels through natural, in-game progression, like I've done for many years now.
We'll have to wait and see what these 20-extra-challenge-amiibos for Splatoon mean in order to fully judge.

@ToxieDogg

Yeah, but collectible toys are not the point of DLC or seasons passes. The point is additional content to add to the game.

@aaronsullivan

I don't "cling to my argument." You simply refuse to accept that this is the reality. Or understand it. One of the two. You're making apologetics for something Nintendo is doing, ultimately, "because Nintendo."

There is content on the disk that is locked away, despite you paying for the disk.
It requires an additional purchase to unlock that on-disk content.
That is the very definition of on-disk DKC.

To get full access of the features already on the disk for Splatoon, you have to spend $95 on the game. I am spending that on Mortal Kombat X, getting the entire game--and a whole host of extra downloadable content.

You can continue to run around with your weasel words, but you are ignoring reality "because Nintendo gets a free pass." Logically, if you think this behavior is okay, then you are fully in support of when Capcom locked content on their disks behind a paywall. Again, the only difference here is that to unlock that content on Splatoon, you have to try to find toys that scalpers, Nintendo, and Nintendo fanboys will ensure are impossible to find.

It's almost hilarious that you think you've somehow "educated me" and that your wrongness is somehow an idea I should adopt. No, you're still wrong, and you're still giving Nintendo a free pass. You have, however, educated me that Nintendo can do whatever the hell they want, and you're still more than willing to pay for it.

Hell, I'm convinced that Nintendo could kill the Wii U next month, release NX the same day, push off Zelda U-NX until 2018, and you'd still be in line to get one. Because Nintendo. You have offered no compelling counter-point. This is DLC on disk, plain and simple. If you buy the disk, you are entitled to all the content therein. Or it should not be on the f**king disk.

@outburst

No, those things are not the same. Not in the least bit. That's like saying a hot dog in my stomach is the same as a hot dog still in the store. No, one of those is something I paid for and consumed, the other is something I have not yet paid for.

If it's on the disk, you paid for it when you bought the disk.

If it's on a server, and not your game system, guess what? You don't have it.

This is not a difficult concept. This isn't rocket science. Hell, this isn't even a 6th grade lesson in geology. This is an incredibly easy concept to understand. At this point, I'm tempted to wonder if those not understanding this are choosing to do so for the "thrill" of trolling. I find it difficult to believe anyone could be so ignorant.

@Quorthon People are suckers for physical rewards and collectibles though. Tell people they've got to pay to download content to add to the game they've already paid for, and many of them will complain. Give them a free toy to go with it though, and they think it's awesome. Many people are even buying these things who don't have a Wii U, or any of the games Amiibo are compatible with....in effect, they're buying DLC for games they don't own. Or even buying 2 of them, one to keep in the box.

As I said, I agree with you in principal, and I do think that the game content should be made available on the E-shop for everybody. But you can't fault the genius behind it. It's bad for customers, great for making Nintendo a pot of cash though.

@Quorthon As I've mentioned before I've had this stance before Nintendo had any real DLC. Maybe you didn't read that, so maybe you aren't calling me a liar. Ignoring all the nonsense that distracts from the core issue here, let's use your words:
"There is content on the disk that is locked away, despite you paying for the disk.
It requires an additional purchase to unlock that on-disk content. "

Because you are actually paying for content right? I mean, you say "despite paying for the disk" but I know you don't mean just the disk (worth a $1 or two). You are paying for the game advertised on the box or online: the content. The disk is the "container". That's all. You didn't think you were buying the extra DLC so even if it was day one DLC, why does it matter if it was on-disk or not? If you did think you were buying the extra content that is an issue of advertising, miscommunication or maybe even bait and switch. Nothing to do with where the content is stored.

In a previous comment on another article someone mentioned that Hyrule Warriors had on disk DLC. I never knew that and was completely satisfied with my purchase. Am I supposed to be retroactively angered by this now because there's content on there I didn't pay for but it was on the disk? I really don't get that.

Also, I'm not arguing that Amiibo aren't locking away DLC or even on-disk DLC. Never have, not sure why you brought it up. Like you I find the scarcity there is a problem but don't care about where they store the content that is locked away. That's a non-issue. A company is offering their content and It's either a rip-off or worth the money. Let's evaluate that.

Can Amiibo make it harder to determine the "real" value for each individual? Yeah, and I'm generally against that, too. The on-disk thing is just a weird distraction people attached to a time they felt ripped off once. Pretty irrational, in my estimation.

@Goginho
No, I don't think we are disagreeing much. I'm just pointing out the issue of dlc and where it is as you were talking about the "on-disk" thing and it's rattling me lately how many people get stuck on that issue.

Great, more content locked out with toys. Nintendo have become a shining example of industry worst practice.

Is one of the challenges finding these in-store?

60 worthless challenges can be yours for 35 dollars if you can find the amiibos lol

Not buying any and it made me re-evaluate my planned purchase of Splatoon. IMO they're adding value synthetically like they are synthetically creating scarcity for Amiboo.

There still is no reason to get any Amiboo at all. Their implementation across their games is barely on a gimmick level and I'm not buying into gimmicks just so one game I actually want is fully unlocked. I'll wait for a sale on Splatoon now I think. Not paying full if I'm not getting full. Knowing Nintendo it will be a ridiculous ripoff price anyway.

@Quorthon @aaronsullivan
"If you buy the disk, you are entitled to all the content therein. Or it should not be on the f**king disk."

And you own and are entitled to the contents on the disc. You just need an amiibo to interact with it. Nintendo is being upfront "hey, you need an amiibo to play the amiibo contents on this game!". That's plain and simple to understand.

This is like buying Nintendo Land and Wii Sports Club game discs that says you need to purchase (if you don't have one) a Wiimote or nunchuk to play the game. Yes you own the contents on the discs. But it's like complaining you have the gamepad controls to swing the golf club or the baseball bat when the very concept of the game is to use the Wiimote for motion control gaming. The same applies to the toys to life concept of amiibos.

@ToxieDogg
Offer the DLC on the eShop to unlock the content? Then you are paying the contents on the game TWICE. It also makes the very concept of amiibo pointless (whether on customers POV and/or Nintendo's). It's like Nintendo is offering a downloadable patch on Wii Sports Club to use the gamepad controls for playing bowling, baseball, boxing, tennis, and golf and making you pay for it as DLC-patch.

"This is not a difficult concept. This isn't rocket science. Hell, this isn't even a 3rd grade lesson in reading comprehension. This is an incredibly easy concept to understand. At this point, I'm tempted to wonder if those not understanding this are choosing to do so because they are so blinded by the hate on Nintendo or hate to buy an amiibo. I find it difficult to believe anyone could be so ignorant."

If the comparison makes sense, PS4 games and XOne games that have multiplayer online contents on the discs have on-disk DLC because you can't access the game contents you "PAID FOR" unless you pay for PS+/Gold? Okay.

Also nice try in the hotdog analogy but no, they are not comparable.

@TourianTourist
Yes, there should be an option to buy them from eShop. Even if there's card versions coming, they won't be reprinting those forever.

@outburst Don't be absurd. Not everybody wants to buy amiibo, and not everybody can get them before they sell out. Obviously the people who are lucky enough to get the amiibo wouldn't have to pay twice for the Splatoon DLC as it would be included with the amiibo, but it would be a nice option for people who can't get hold of them before they sell out, or just want to unlock the missions without having to go out and buy a plastic figure. What about the people who download Splatoon digitally and can't get a Squid amiibo because they're only being sold with physical copies of the game in Europe. Do you think it's fair that they get locked out of content, out of a game they probably paid the same amount for? I just want all the content in any game to be an option for everybody even if they have to pay for it, you're just being antagonistic and arguing with me for the sake of it and going on about Xbox One and PS4 which I didn't even mention.

It's nothing like the situation you mentioned with Wii Sports, nothing at all. Apart from when the Wii very first launched, have you ever heard of nunchucks and Wii remotes completely selling out, so that even if people want to pay for them they can't buy them to play their games with? So what you are saying is, theoretically, if Nintendo released a game that only used Wii Remote controls, but nobody (who didn't already own one) could get hold of a Wii Remote because they'd quickly sold out and Nintendo weren't manufacturing any more (just like what has happened with some of the amiibo), then it would be OK for people for people to buy the game but not have any option of being able to play it properly because Nintendo wouldn't provide an alternative option for the sold out controller? Such as DLC they could pay for to let them use another controller? That's complete nonsense logic..Look at Super Smash Bros for Wii U....they sold it at launch with a limited supply of Gamecube controller adaptors BUT provided plenty of other control options for people who couldn't get hold of one. That's the right way to do it, when you're selling something that will be in limited supply.

And I didn't make the hotdog comparison, that was Quorthorn. Learn to read posts properly, or don't bother replying to me.

@Captain_Gonru - I'll remember to thank you when Super Sluggers U comes out. Probably Nov after the baseball season is over. Of 2017. On Apple Watches.

@ACK

Thanks for clarifying. I still want the Inkling amiibo but its nice to know I won't be missing out on anything special if I get unlucky with my search or choose to keep them NIB.

@aaronsullivan

+100 for everything you said.

@ToxieDogg
I apologoze I wasn't very precise with my post but it was a reply for the 3 of you in a single post with my reply to @aaronsullivan got lost along the way. My reply to you is only the one paragraph after your name. The rest are directed to Mr. Q.

I am one of the first to criticize Nintendo of Europe after the Direct for bundling the squid amiibo exclusively with the game disc since I am already all-digital with my Wii U games. I still criticize them until today and I've done my part to give Nintendo a feedback regarding their eShop customers not able to get the squid amiibo. With that said, I still preordered the bundle for 40€ on Amazon Spain and I'm looking for someone around my area to buy the game disc for 30€ maybe 25€ just so I can still get the squid for 15€ or less.

I still believe Nintendo won't and shouldn't sell amiibo contents as paid DLC for so many reasons it makes the amiibo concept pointless. And from what I've understand in Splatoon amiibo content, it's only challenges from already existing contents you can access without amiibo like a time trial.

@TourianTourist Buy the Amiibo today. Use them to unlock and enjoy the content and then sell the Amiibo. You know there will be shortages and people will be willing to pay for used Splatoon Amiibo