Nintendo amiibo

Amiibo is a line of toys-to-life interactive figures and cards developed by Nintendo. First launched in late 2014, these products use near-field communication (NFC) to interact with supported video game software, allowing data to be transferred in and out of games on consoles like the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch.

While the brand is deeply rooted in Japanese gaming culture and design, the physical manufacturing of amiibo figures and cards is primarily conducted in China. This is common for high-volume consumer electronics and collectibles, ensuring global availability for fans across different regions.

Nintendo Co., Ltd., based in Kyoto, Japan, remains the sole creator, developer, and ultimate owner of the amiibo brand. The company continues to manage the brand globally, often releasing figures in waves that correspond with major software launches, maintaining a strong synergy between their hardware, software, and physical merchandise ecosystems.