Amiibos made their debut in the winter of 2014. The idea of Amiibos was to have a toy and video game character in one. However, they had a considerable collectability market for reasons like factory errors and region exclusivity.
Also, because many fandoms that support Amiibo already have huge collectors (I’m looking at you, my closet full of Pokémon cards.) While I sold off most of my Amiibos in 2020, I remember them as so fun to collect and bringing a fun aspect to the games they support.
In this article, we will discuss some of the rarest Amiibos of all time and how to obtain them, tips and tricks for tracking down rare Amiibos, and if what they bring to gameplay is worth committing the biggest collector sin: opening the packaging.
The Lowdown Up Front
Many of the rarest Amiibos are one of two things; extremely limited and given out as gaming competition prices or contain factory errors.
Excluding these, the rest of the rarest Amiibos are no longer on the market or exclusive to a specific region. Because of this, I broke the rare lists into digestible chunks that separate the factory error rares from the unicorn rares from the game exclusives that became fan favorites!
Types of Amiibos
There are two different forms of Amiibos. The figures are easily recognizable as these cool tiny statues of our favorite video game characters. The figures are what you more than likely think of when someone mentions collecting Amiibos.
However, in 2015 Amiibo released a Shadow Mewtwo card bundled with the Pokkén Tournament for Wii U. This Amiibo only works with this game and will likely never have compatibility with another game.
Shadow Mewtwo is the only Amiibo card not to be a part of the Animal Crossing universe. Initially, the cards brought rare villagers to your 3DS Happy Home Designer game, and now the sequel Switch game, Happy Home Paradise. The Amiibos also bring villagers to your New Horizons campsite.
However, a handful of the Amiibos will only work for Paradise because the villager is not a part of the New Horizons game and cannot spawn on your island.
None of the Amiibo cards are included on this list because there isn’t a way to track their rarity. The expensive cards are whatever villager is popular at the moment and drop drastically in value once the fandom begins to obsess over a new villager.
Best Places to Buy Rare Amiibos
If the rare Amiibo is still being produced, check stores like Best Buy, Game Stop, and Walmart because you will get the figure for the best price. In stores, Amiibos sells for around $15, but some have to resell values in the thousands. Just remember that if the Amiibo is rare and has a high resell value but is a part of the wave of figures on the current market, they will be super hard to find.
Most rare Amiibos are out of production, meaning Nintendo no longer sends new figures to stores. When this happens, your best bet is to check for resellers.
This can be a gamble as you’re still determining if the product is in good condition or even a legit Amiibo until it has shipped to you. The best resellers are eBay, Mercari, and Amazon storefronts. Look at yard sales and thrift shops. Sometimes parents donate rare Amiibos when their kids grow up or toss them in with old toys at yard sales.
Tips For Buying a Resell Amiibo
- Be sure to read seller reviews before making a purchase. I will not buy from someone with reviews below 98% or 4.5 stars, and even then, I still read through a handful of reviews to ensure the seller has a history of good condition and legit collectibles.
- Contact the seller for more pictures and information if you need more clarification on an item’s condition. Most sellers understand that you are committing hundreds to thousands of dollars to a collector’s item and want to ensure you get a product worth the money. Because of this, they will almost always be happy to send more pictures and info. If they refuse, that is usually a red flag as to if the product is legit.
- Be aware of Amiibo dupes. There is a market of fake Amiibos sold by resellers who label them genuine. These figures are cheap in quality and often won’t connect to any games.
- Know the condition of the figure you’re buying. Usually, the seller will clarify the item’s details if it is in mint/near mint condition or out of its packaging. This is mainly for Amiibo collectors because unpackaged Amiibos and Amiibos with a quality rating below near mint have a low value. If you buy Amiibos for gameplay, things like packaging condition and unboxing matter less.
- Know the current value of your ISO Amiibos. Amiibo Hunt is a site that allows you to track your Amiibo collection and show you the average market value of figures you’re searching for. This helps to avoid paying scalper-level prices for your DISO Amiibos.
Systems That Support Amiibos
Amiibo’s compatibility began with Super Smash Bros for the Wii U in 2014. By 2015 the compatibility had expanded to dozens of popular Nintendo games, and new models of the 3DS and 2DS began to support Amiibos. However, older models of the DS needed a Reader/Writer to work.
These go for around $100 today on Amazon, so if you’re looking to play an old game on your 3DS but have an older model, you can still get the device to do this! Amiibos also work on a handful of Nintendo Switch games like Splatoon, Smash Bros, and Animal Crossing.
The coolest thing about Amiibos is that they work across all the devices that support them as long as a game on the system has that character available. For example, the infamous Wii Fit trainer debuted for the 2014 Wii U Super Smash Bros game but also works on the newest Nintendo Switch Smash Bros game!
Search Criteria
- I omitted first-edition Amiibos from this list because all first editions Amiibos are extremely rare. Only a few are sent to market at the launch of a new wave of Amiibos, and even the most common figures become expensive and rare if they’re marked first edition. With that same logic, the first edition of any figure on this list would be the super unicorn of rare Amiibos!
- Factory errors usually happen during the early production stages of an Amiibo and are fixed when a new bundle of figures is made and sent out. They are very similar to first editions in that they are only in stores as long as that specific box of shipment is, by the shipment, the error is usually fixed. With this in mind, I will not be including error figures because all error figures are rare.
- I don’t consider an Amiibo rare because it has a high resell value. High resell values are often because of what the figure does for the game, not the rarity itself. Once the game has a more powerful character or becomes less popular, the figures almost always drop in value.I based the rares on this list on how many were produced and how hard it is to get your hands on today. Due to extremely limited production, many Amiibos have no value because they have never entered the resell market. These are much rarer than a multi-hundred dollar Animal Crossing character that will drop in price in a few months when another villager is romanticized.
- I took a few of Nintendo’s fan-favorite games and picked the rarest Amiibo for that game. This is because most of the top rarest Amiibos are for Super Smash Bros, and I wanted to include a wider variety for those who do not play Smash Bros. However, I did not include popular games like Pokémon or Kirby because they have very limited Amiibos that aren’t that hard to find in retail stores.
Popular Games That Use Amiibos
While this is far from a complete list of Nintendo’s big games, these are the few known for their collectible Amiibos. Games like Pokémon are not on this list because Pokémon Amiibos are for the Super Smash Bros games and are not that rare.
Animal Crossing isn’t included because the cards constantly vary in rarity based on which villager is a fan favorite at the moment. However, the games included are gems in Nintendo’s line and some of the rarest Amiibos on the market!
The Rarest The Legend of Zelda Amiibos
The Legend of Zelda franchise launched its first game in 1986 as one of thirty games on the NES Classic Edition system. In 2016 Nintendo launched the first wave of Zelda Amiibos for the Wii U version of Twilight Princess. Compatible games today are Hyrule Warriors, Hyrule Warriors Legends, Link’s Awakening, and Breath of the Wild.
Toon Link and Zelda
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2016
- Current Value: $160-$200, depending on the marketplace seller.
- Games Used For: While the Amiibo brings the Toon Link and Zelda characters to the Super Smash series games, it brings things like weapons and costumes to other compatible games.
- Wii U – Super Smash Bros, Hyrule Warriors, Mario Kart 8, Yoshio’s Woolly World, Super Mario Maker, Twilight Princess
- 3DS – One Piece: Super Grand Battle X, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy, Picross 3D Round 2, Chibi Robol Zip Lash, Kirby: Planet Robobot, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Miitopioa, Style Savvy: Styling Star
- Nintendo Switch – Mario Kart 8, Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
About Toon Link and Zelda
Amazon marketplace sellers price the two-pack at $160. It was released for the 30th anniversary of the first Zelda game but marketed as a Wii U The Wind Walker game.
When looking for this double-pack, remember that it has little value if out of its packaging. You can buy the Toon Link and Zelda figures separately for the original market value. The rarity is in the anniversary double pack. Because of this, I suggest this to collectors who intend to avoid playing with their figures.
The Champions of Breath of the Wild
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2017
- Current Value: $100+ depending on the seller.
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- 3DS – Style Savvy: Styling Star, WarioWare Gold
- Nintendo Switch – Super Smash Bros Ultimate, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Conga Master Party!
About The Champions Amiibos
The Breath of the Wild Champions Amiibos comprises the four Zelda characters who piloted the Divine Beats in the original Breath of the Wild. Each individual champion alone isn’t rare and typically sells for $30. The rarity of this Amiibo set lays in its packaging, as the four-pack is extremely hard to find and rarely under $100.
Wolf Link Bundle
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2016
- Current Value: $150+, $50 without the game bundle
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – Breath of the Wild, Twilight Princess, Super Mario Maker, Hyrul
- 3DS – WarioWare Gold, Poochy and. Yoshi’s Woolly World, Hyrule Warriors Legends, Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- Switch – Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Breath of the Wild, Tears of Kingdom, Age of Calamity, Definitive Edition, Skyrim
About Wolf Link
While Wolf Link is a rare find on its own, collectors tend to aim for the sealed product as it used to come with the Wii U Twilight Princess game! In compatible Zelda games, he unlocks secret dungeons, and in other games unlocks clothing and fun items like weapons!
The Rarest Super Mario Games Amiibos
The first Mario game, Super Mario Bros, debuted in 1985 for the Family Computer in Japan and then in ’86 for the NES system. The first non-Smash Bros game to allow Amiibo connectivity is the 3DS game Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Since this game, nearly every Mario game.
Mega Yarn Yoshi
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2015
- Current Value: The Mega Yarn Yoshi sells on Amazon Marketplace for $250-$500, depending on the storefront.
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – Mario Kart 8, Super Mario Maker, Yoshi’s Woolly World
- 3DS – WarioWare Gold, Poochy & Yoshi’s Wooly World
- Nintendo Switch – Mario Kart 8, Yoshi’s Crafted World
About Mega Yarn Yoshi
While the yarn collection, in general, isn’t super rare, the Mega Yarn Yoshi, which stands 2.5 times taller than the average Amiibo, is one of the most sought-after Mario Amiibos. This Amiibo doubles as a plushie because it is made of soft yarn material, but it still works as an Amiibo, thanks to the chip in its foot.
The yarn collection was a Toys R Us exclusive, and the mega Yoshi has yet to be restocked since the toy store closed.
Golden Mario Amiibo
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2015
- Current Value: $100+
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, Super Mario Maker, Mario Party 10
- 3DS – Hey! Pikmin, Mario Party: Star Rush, Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Luigi’s Mansion, WarioWare Gold, Mario Party: The Top 100, Style Savvy: Styling Star
- Switch – Super Mario Odyssey, Miitopia, Super Mario 3D World, Yoshi’s Crafted World, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Super Mario Party
About Golden Mario
Gold Mario is the rarer of his release partner, Silver Mario. Both were exclusive to Walmart and sold out within days. For a while, this was considered one of the rarest Amiibos ever!
Disappointingly, this Mario will only appear as golden in Mario Party 10’s Amiibo Party when used in compatible games. In every other game, he appears as a regular Mario Amiibo. This is something to keep in mind if you collect Amiibos for gameplay. However, this is a rare staple for any major collector!
Wario Amiibo
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2016
- Current Value: $100+
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash, Super Mario Maker, Mario Party 10, Yoshi’s Woolly World, Mario Kart 8
- 3DS – Hey! Pikmin, WarioWare Gold, Mario Party: The Top 100, Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World, Mario Party Star Rush
- Switch – Super Mario Party, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario 3D World, Conga Master Party!
About Wario
Wario debuted during the second wave of Super Mario Amiibos in 2016. Another Wario exists and is also relatively rare. These two are likely rare because they are no longer being produced and feature a fan-favorite character. In most Mario games, you can use this Amiibo to play as Wario, and in others, it simply unlocks a Wario-themed outfit.
The Rarest Super Smash Bros Amiibo
The Wii U Super Smash Bros game started Amiibos in 2014 and quickly became a must-have for collectors and gamers alike. Most of the Amiibos on the market are supported by all the Super Smash Bros games.
Corrin Player 2
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2017
- Current Value: Corrin Player Two is between $230-$300 on reseller sites. However, beware of deals that sound too good to be true, as tons of fake Corrins Player Twos are on the market.
- Games Used For: Only a handful of the games outside the Super Smash Bros Ultimate game does Player Two appear as a female. Most games, including Wii U’s Smash Bros, depict Player Two as male Corrin.
- Wii U – Super Smash Bros
- 3DS – Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, Fire Emblem Warriors, Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World, Super Smash Bros
- Nintendo Switch – Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, Fire Emblem Engage, Fire Emblem: Three houses, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Fire Emblem Warriors
About Corrin Player 2
Corrin Player 2 is one of the most well-known rare Amiibos. This is because Corrin’s Amiibo production was announced two years before it came out.
Then, they released Corrin to stores and Corrin Player Two as an online exclusive. Player Two depicted Corrin as a woman and is one of three Fire Emblem Amiibos incompatible with its title game out during the figures release. This Amiibo has been out of stock for a long time, leading it to skyrocket in value.
Joker Super Smash Bros Amiibo
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2020
- Current Value: $150+
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – None
- 3DS – None
- Switch – Super Smash Bros Ultimate
About Joker
Joker became available for preorder during the pandemic for Smash Bros Ultimate. The preorder sold out instantly due to the Joker’s extremely high detail and the fact he is a fan-favorite character. He never restocked, so he is assumed to have been a limited release.
He only works for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and usually, Smash Bros Amiibos, limited to one game, are special editions! Joker is considered one of the best Amiibos so far because of his design and being powerful in the game!
The Mii Fighters Amiibo Pack
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2015
- Current Value: $200+
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – Super Smash Bros, Yoshi’s Woolly World
- 3DS – Super Smash Bros, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, Kirby: Planet Robobot, Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World
- Switch – Super Smash Bros Ultimate
About The Mii Fighters
If you live in the United States, the only way to get the Mii Fighters was the Toys R Us exclusive three-pack. Now that Toys R Us has closed, the three packs are out of production. While finding the individual Mii Fighters is less expensive, the three-pack is an iconic staple to have sealed in a collection.
Ironically, before the store closing was announced, Toys R Us struggled with an overstock of these Amiibos. They even sent hundreds of boxes to Five Below for sale at a discount. Now they’re assumed discontinued, and you’re lucky to find them for under $200.
The Rarest of the Rare Amiibo Figures – One Offs
Monster Hunter Stories Gold and Silver Riders
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2017
- Current Value: This has never appeared for sale. It was 1st and 2nd place at Japan’s 2017 Monster Hunter Championship. First place received the golden Amiibo, and second place received the silver. It has never appeared for resell.
- Number Produced: One of each.
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – None
- 3DS – Monster Hunter Stories 1
- Switch – None
About Monster Hunter Stories Gold and Silver Riders
During the annual Monster Hunter tournament in 2017, the grand prize was a golden rider, and second place was a silver rider. They are much more intricate than the average Amiibo and were crafted specifically for the competition theme.
Golden Mega Man 11
The Quick Facts
- Year Manufactured: 2018
- Current Value: These Amiibos were created to celebrate Mega Man’s 30th anniversary. It has never appeared for resell.
- Number Produced: 10
- Games Used For:
- Wii U – None
- 3DS – None
- Nintendo Switch – Mega Man 11
About Golden Mega Man
So, another extremely rare Golden Mega Man is a collectors edition on Amazon for $219. This specific Mega Man has Mega Man squatting – ready for attack instead of jumping like the regular rare Mega Man. This Mega Man was awarded to ten people in Japan via raffle at the release of the newest game and is made of real gold!
FAQs
Question: What is the Oldest Amiibo?
Answer: The wave 1 Super Smash Bros line from 2014 is the oldest Amiibos.
Question: Are Amiibo Figures Worth Money?
Answer: It depends on if the extra gameplay or the bragging rights of having a special figure is worth the $25-$25,000 to you.
Question: How Many Amiibos Exist?
Answer: As of early 2023, there are 225 Amiibo figures and 614 Amiibo cards.
Conclusion
Whether you collect rare Amiibos because you want unique characters in your games or keep them in packaging on display, my last advice is to keep subscribed to Nintendo news.
This will let you know when a new wave of Amiibos launch, giving you a chance at a new round of first editions and errors. In the meantime, remember to check your local yard sales and have fun hunting your DISO figures!
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