So Nintendo is trying to make right what once went wrong, and fix its Amiibo problem. The serious Amiibo shortage looks like it’s about to come to an end, thanks to Nintendo’s public apology—and its production of new units. Question is, will the reproduction of Amiibo figures actually end speculation? Or just change it?
How Will Amiibo Speculators Respond To The Amiibo Restock?
Nintendo has finally fessed up to bungling the Amiibo launch, something all the rest of us have known for quite some time. Kotaku has the full statement, but here’s the most important bit: “We remain committed to keeping amiibo affordable and easy to access as a platform.”
Oh, and also this: “We are constantly looking for the opportunity to reissue amiibo and are already making plans to bring back some currently out-of-stock amiibo figures.” That’s the biggest news: Out-of-stock Amiibos are going to be coming back. Nintendo has also promised to be better about communicating when these things will pop up in stores.
But will it be enough? There’s some cause for concern, because it doesn’t sound like all figures are going to be coming back. From the statement: “As our library of amiibo continues to grow, some figures will be easier to find than others.” It practically goes without saying, but that one line could be the fuel for further Amiibo speculation (worth stating that all Amiibo speculators are assholes, and also morons). Some figures will remain rare. And, without us knowing which ones those will be, speculators may just keep sweeping up everything before normal people get a chance to do so. If that happens, the state we’re currently in—where all Amiibos are pretty rare, except maybe wave 1—will continue unchanged.
Or, on the other hand, Amiibo speculators could take heed. Nintendo is committed to getting Amiibo out there and unbungle its bungle, even if it takes a long time. It’s reintroducing old Amiibo—which should substantially decrease the value of what speculators have snapped up, since new supply will be entering the market. And Nintendo can keep on doing that, whenever it wants, to deliberately sabotage the value of speculators’ “investments.” After all, the demand is there. And Nintendo’s ability to do just that may be enough to drive speculators out of the Amiibo market, except for extra-rare things like the gold Mario Amiibo and silver Mario Amiibo.
Let’s hope that’s what happens. Remember, this whole mess isn’t because of ill will on Nintendo’s part, just the sort of bumbling old fashionedness they’ve become known for: They just didn’t think Amiibos would be this popular and didn’t make enough. Well, now they’re making enough. Amiibo for everyone!