Amiibo restocks: The latest amiibo stock updates & how to find them

Every few months, Nintendo announces a brand new amiibo to go with the latest Switch game. The most notable ones right now are definitely the Zelda & Loftwing amiibo and the Metroid Dread amiibo. However, Nintendo fans abound so they run out of stock quickly. You'll have far more luck purchasing online than you will going to stores in person. Here's where you can purchase the latest, hottest amiibo.

When do retailers release new amiibo stock?

Typically, when an amiibo is created for a specific game, it will launch on the same day as the game it was made for. More popular characters tend to have longer preorder windows while less popular one might only be purchaseable on release day. After that, shipments come in waves and you'll need to catch an opportunity when there's plenty of inventory.

Keep your wallet handy and your credit card ready to use as many of the most popular amiibo will sell out when they're first made available.

Where to buy the latest amiibo in the U.S.

Typically, Best Buy is one of the first places to put up an amiibo preorder page after they've just been announced. As such, it's a good idea to check there first. Sometimes Nintendo makes deals so that specific amiibo are sold exclusively at one store. For instance, the three upcoming Monster Hunter Stories 2 amiibo are GameStop exclusives.

When it comes to amiibo that have been out for awhile, it's possible that stores will not receive any more restock. Your best bet in these instances is to check Amazon or eBay for used amiibo. Just beware of scammers.

During the E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, we learned that Metroid Dread was coming to the Nintendo Switch on October 8th and that it's own amiibo would be releasing at the same time. This amiibo pack has already proven to be very popular, so you'll want to jump on it when you can.

The Zelda & Loftwing amiibo is a new figurine that released on the same day as Skyward Sword HD. In addition to looking absolutely perfect, Skyward Sword HD players can use it to make Link warp between the sky and the ground whenever they like.

Instead of being available plentifully, the special six-pack of Sanrio Animal Crossing amiibo Cards sold exclusively at Target in the U.S. Unfortunately, there weren't nearly enough to go around when they first released. It's possible they'll come back in stock at Target one day, but for now the company has removed the product from its site.

For now it's more likely you'll only be able to purchase them from eBay or an Amazon third-party seller at an inflated price. There are lots of knock-offs out there, so be careful when looking for authentic cards so you don't get scammed.

There are three Monster Hunter Stories 2 amiibo: Ena, Razewing Ratha, and Tsukino. These amiibo are being sold exclusively through GameStop in the U.S. They release on July 9, 2021. Check back frequently to see if there's been an amiibo restock.

Whether you're a fan of the N64 games or love playing as Banjo & Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, this amiibo is a must-have collector's item. Here are some places to check for it.

What are amiibo and how do they work?

amiibo can either be small figurines or cards that depict characters from Nintendo games. What makes them special is the inclusion of NFC chips in their bases or within the cards. When playing select Nintendo Switch games, players can use their Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers to scan these figures to unlock in-game rewards and goodies.

How to scan amiibo

Each game handles amiibo a little differently. Some allow you to scan amiibo at any time while others require you to be in a specific menu. Here's the basic idea behind each scan:

1. Make sure that the Switch game is ready to scan.
2. Pick up the amiibo.
3. If you're playing with Joy-Cons, hold the amiibo over the right joystick. If you're playing with a Pro Controller, hold it over the Nintendo symbol in the center.
4. Any available functions will show up on screen when the amiibo have scanned successfully.

An amiibo's value

Some amiibo are valued by collectors far more than others, and often the longer its been out the more valuable it becomes. In fact, some of the rarest and most expensive amiibo sell for hundreds of dollars. Sometimes this is due to the rarity of the figure; other times it might be popular due to the function the NFC chip can provide while playing certain games.

To maintain the value of your amiibo, it's best to never open the box. You see, the packaging isn't meant to be opened and closed again. So, once an amiibo comes out of the box it loses value. The same can be said if the packaging gets bent or dented. However, you won't be able to scan an amiibo if you keep it in the box. You'll just have to determine if it's worth removing them or you could always purchase two of the amiibo you like most and keep one as a display only.

If you find an amiibo with a defect, DO NOT OPEN IT. Some collectors will pay a fortune for it.

Which amiibo should you buy?

Nintendo's amiibo figurines are very detailed, allowing them to serve as gaming accessories and displayable collectibles. If you really love a certain character, you should look to see if they have an amiibo for you to collect. Remember that some amiibo restock more than others, so you might have to be patient when finding the one you want.

Some amiibo provide better in-game perks than others. For instance, the Link Wolf amiibo allows you to summon Wolf Link into The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild so he can fight enemies by your side. However scanning this amiibo in another game won't make the same thing happen.

It's good to note that some amiibo don't really do much other than make random in-game items appear that may or may not be useful. Some of these can only be purchased by third-party sellers. Of course, "usefulness" is based on what games you play and how you like to use them. These are the amiibo our team finds the most useful: