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It's fair to say that, although its profile and sales have dipped, the amiibo series is still very much alive. Just recently there were multiple figures accompanying The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, cards with Mario Sports Superstars, and the upcoming Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia will come with two new figures.

It was in the press release for a rather nice limited edition of Echoes that Nintendo gave the briefest of nods to the Corrin amiibo, slated as 'upcoming'; a number of you spotted that and typically posted happy comments. Of course, it's odd that the final DLC figures from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS have taken so long, especially as the poor old Wii U has practically been put out to pasture.

As for Corrin, it'll be interesting to see how that one's introduced; perhaps it'll tie-in with Fire Emblem Warriors later in the year, or it could be a late surprise for the arrival of Echoes in May - we think the former is more likely.

That leaves Bayonetta and Cloud, by our reckoning, so what's the deal there? Nintendo has never cancelled these, so they're still in limbo. One relatively credible rumour that did the rounds from multiple sources last year was that a Super Smash Bros. 4 definitive or director's edition, rather in the same vein as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, could be coming to the Nintendo Switch. One of the later rumours around that prospective port suggested the remaining amiibo could accompany that release.

Nintendo, of course, hasn't announced such a game, so right now those hoping for a Smash Bros. extravaganza in the launch Switch year are left depending on hope. Of course, Nintendo is likely to have surprises in store for 2017, for potential Direct broadcasts and E3, so the optimists among you still have something to hang onto.

We have asked Nintendo for comment on the Cloud and Bayonetta amiibo, and will update this article should we hear back.

Nintendo is still persisting with amiibo, yet it's been slow to wrap up the promised Smash Bros. range - perhaps good things will come to those who wait.