One of the quirkiest uses of amiibo to date is amiibo Tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits, a free download on the Wii U eShop that'll allow you to play quick-fire demos of Virtual Console games by tapping one of the figures on the GamePad.
It's out today in Japan and Nintendo has released a new video that shows it off. As you can see, regardless of the amiibo figure being used it'll load a random demo, and they don't appear to be themed based on the character you scan; Mario won't just unlock Mario games, for example. There are 30 demos included, so that's a lot of retro gaming samples.
This app is due to arrive in the West soon, and is no doubt part of a continued push to promote the amiibo range. Will you be tapping in when it arrives?
Comments 24
Still not worth buying an amiibo...
I was hoping it would be N3DS, too. Then I'd have a fun break at work today. And I'd have to lug amiibo around.
@chewytapeworm The big thing about amiibo is that they work with multiple games. Think of this as like an added bonus for people who buy amiibo
@NintyMan I think the best thing Nintendo could do for amiibo is sort out the stock issues so there's enough to go around..
Is this app even worth having? I mean... I guess if you're 5-10 years old and have not ever played these games it might be fun for like... 3 minutes. Hopefully the short demos isn't all it can do.
@TheAceofMystery I appreciate amiibo and their collectability status, but so far, for me, none of the unlockable bonuses are worth shelling out cash for, perhaps with the exception of the Captain Toad Treasure Tracker sub game. They would quite look nice in my display cabinet though!
@chewytapeworm Yeah it is a bit lackluster, but I do like the Smash Bros, Captain Toad, and Mario Party 10, and Code Name STEAM, well I havent been able to try out because you know why
@NintyMan I think that's what Nintendo wanted to avoid with amiibo
When this comes out to the West I'll definitely try it out. It's still not good incentive for someone who's uninterested in amiibos, but as someone who's actively collecting them, this is a fun bonus!
I was thinking about why they were random games until I realized that by being random, you weren't locked out of a certain game if you didn't have the corresponding amiibo and it also tries to get people to try out games they probably never would have considered
@hybridseed
But that's the other 2 game features, it's called amiibo hunting and amiibo scalping.
It's nice that for each title an amiibo can randomly unlock, the series of scenarios you get to play each act like an objective, clear the stage in the time limit, beat the boss in the time limit, etc.
In doing so it provides actual challenge and goals, so you can "complete" a demo. Much better than the time limits with no focused goals in Smash Bros Wii U's demos.
This isn't as great as it sounds, its just clever marketing by Nintendo.
Some people keep going on about how there's not enough content to make amiibo worth it yet but the reality is that the figures alone are basically enough of a reason for most people and in addition to that there is actually quite a lot you can do with some of those figures at this point, which is only increasing.
Should Nintendo actually decide to create some amiibo specific game however, along the lines of Skylanders, Disney Infinity and Lego Dimensions, then I think it could end up with the best value for money "toys to life" figures out there. Although, it maybe depends on how far Lego is planning on going with it's own figures because if you can actually use some of them like real lego and build stuff in the real world with them too then that could just take those to a whole other level.
Either way, at this point I'm pretty onboard with the entire amiibo thang.
I cant wait for my 8 year old to try this out
@Deanster101 Cleary but it's still just another cool little thing you can do with your amiibos for a few mins of fun.
Amiibo Remix I guess. I would get it.
I totally forgot all about amino tap. Hm, while it's cool and all I honestly think they should of least dropped one full game in there. THEN I would get more amiibo maybe.
EDIT; I know it would probably be a bit more complicated to give everyone a free Mario game. I understand why they're going doing the "Special Demo" Route, and I don't mind, but I would rather something like the full game or a whole big selection of randomised Mario themes? Hm.
Oooh! @Icedude545 Good idea! Say if you got a Mario amiibo, you could get a huge discount on 3 optional randomised Mario games! And you could get a randomised aril themed background! Such a good Idea Icedude545!
@ThomasBW84 -
"a free download"
"It's out today"
"This app is due"
Hey TW, just wondering if you naturally wrote this piece w/o ever calling it a game or did you make a conscious decision not to do so? (That's a sincere question, not sarcasm.) I noticed the lack of "Game" in the title, which got me thinking. Myself, I think this is a "demo database", an "amiibo demo database" if you will, but it took me a few seconds to think that up.
They should have added a slot machine front end like eShop has on Wii U, or Pokemon Rumble World has on 3DS for location selection, and then it would have been a "game of chance".
Maybe a 30 slot roulette wheel and the ball is themed like the amiibo you tap? Oh well, it's free.
Seems kind of pointless...
I'd call this "Virtual Console Tease" just like NES Remix.
I wish Amiibos had "more". They already offer a lot of bonuses, but that's all they are used for. I want an actual game that revolves around Amiibos. I've never actually played Disney Infinity, but by watching online videos, I can assume the game has different areas that can be unlocked by tapping in the figurines. What if Nintendo did a Nintendo Land-ish game (similar to Disney Infinity) that could unlock characters, mini games, new areas and more just by using Amiibos? That would be such an amazing game, and would probably sell a lot of games (and Amiibos). The game could be free, or a really low price since you have to pay for each individual Amiibo. Or it could come as a free built-in game that comes with each Nintendo console. I currently don't own any Amiibos, since I fail to see the point of buying one. But if a game like this came out, you can almost guarantee I'd buy them.
Cool! can't wait till this travels west!
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