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10 Nintendo amiibo we’re still hoping for
The legendary gaming characters we want to see get the toy treatment.
These are the characters we're still waiting for
© Flickr/niXerKG
Not so long ago, we ran a list of the ten amiibo we're still waiting for. Nintendo may have ignored our calls, but that hasn't stopped us crossing our fingers and toes — and we're back with a wishlist of another 10 desirables. Granted, some of these have only the slightest connection to Nintendo, but since the release of the Shovel Knight and Mega Man amiibo, you could say that the net has potentially been cast a bit wider and anything is possible. Nintendo isn't merely content to use its own IP to create sought-after plastic trinkets - and that means your favourite gaming personalities all have a good chance of being transformed into toys.
Professor E. Gadd
Founder of Gadd Science Incorporated and dedicated to the research of the paranormal, Professor E. Gadd made his debut in the GameCube launch title Luigi's Mansion, where he supplied Luigi with the ghost-busting Poltergust 3000, before following it up with a few cameos in Mario & Luigi and Mario Party games over the years. With his unique appearance and unquenchable desire for knowledge, we think Gadd would make for the perfect amiibo — perhaps its release could accompany a third Luigi's Mansion outing, which most fans will agree is long overdue after a stellar 3DS sequel.
Geno
Introduced in the SNES role-playing title Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Geno is perhaps less famous than many Nintendo characters due to the fact that the game was never launched in Europe. Taking the form of a wooden doll, Geno possesses incredible power, yet manages to combine this brute strength with a sage-like wisdom which comes in handy more than once during the 16-bit quest – think of him as a wise Pinocchio who can pack a punch, not just tell fibs. Recently added to the Super Smash Bros. roster via a special Mii costume, Geno is ripe for rediscovery in amiibo form — this is a character that needs more exposure.
Psyduck
When you're creating a new character, a bipedal platypus probably seems as good an idea as any, and that's pretty much what Pokémon star Psyduck is. Despite generally appearing vacant, dopey and dimwitted, and sometimes unaware of who's team he's actually on, when Psyduck manages to shrug off his severe headaches he actually possesses some pretty cool powers. We'd just rather have the version of Psyduck that's ready for battle instead of the one stricken immobile and holding his head.
Banjo & Kazooie
Yes, we're well aware that this is a long shot, but seeing as Nintendo is open to the idea of licensing amiibo to third-parties, it's still possible. Banjo & Kazooie may come under the Microsoft banner these days (thanks to the fact that it owns Rare, the company which made the classic N64 games), but we can't think of any other duo which would be better suited to being immortalised in plastic. When quizzed about a version of Rare Replay for the Wii U, Microsoft cheekily stated that it is open to the idea of working with Nintendo in the future, so this might not be as ridiculous as it sounds – especially when you consider the two rivals worked together to release the excellent Diddy Kong Racing for the Nintendo DS not so long ago.
Cloud Strife
Recently added to the Smash Bros. cast via a timely piece of DLC, the famous protagonist of Final Fantasy VII is one of the most recognisable faces in all of gaming, and would make for a brilliant entry in the amiibo pantheon. Just as Street Fighter's Ryu has already been embraced in plastic form, we'd imagine that this sword-toting freedom fighter would be just as beloved — we could see his figure becoming something of a collector's item for Final Fantasy fans who don't even own a Nintendo system.
Jill from Drill Dozer
One of the Game Boy Advance's most underrated releases, Drill Dozer is the work of Pokémon studio Game Freak, and it shows. Bursting with colourful characters and deliciously inventive gameplay, it's a gem in the handheld's library that certainly deserves more chance to shine, and what better way could there be that making its feisty heroine an amiibo? Riding atop a drill and with a manic grin fixed upon her face, Jill would look amazing as a toy, and it would be the ideal way to promote a sequel (hint hint).
Ryo from Shenmue
When you think about it, Project X Zone is the amiibo fan's dream series. Featuring characters from Sega, Namco and Capcom titles, this 3DS crossover RPG has more famous faces than an Oscar after party, and all of them could potentially be turned into best-selling amiibo. While we'd give several vital organs for a Strider Hiryu or Arthur from Ghouls 'n' Ghosts, our ultimate choice would have to be the forklift-driving, kitten-petting, dart throwing, lucky-hit-peddling, arcade game-playing hero of Shenmue, Ryo Hazuki. With Shenmue 3 now in development, albeit for PC and PS4 rather than Nintendo platforms, the timing arguably couldn't be better.
Lucha Libre Pikachu
Pokkén Tournament is a curious mixture of Pokémon and Tekken, placing the famous Pocket Monsters in a one-on-one fighting environment packed with special moves and massive, intricate combos. It has already been confirmed that this Wii U title will make use of existing amiibo, but what we really want is a brand-new Pikachu dressed in the Lucha Libre outfit which has been so prominent in the promotion for this title. Pikachu has never been the most intimidating of Pokémon, but in this garb, you can tell he means business.
Phoenix Wright
Sure, a lawyer may not be first on your wishlist when it comes to superheroes, and it's probably about as far from our favourite Italian plumber as it's possible to get, but at least the Ace Attorney wouldn't simply blend in with your other Amiibo figures. With his striking hair and his suave suits, he’d earn a place front and centre in your collection. It’s actually surprising we don’t have an amiibo already; he's been around the block, first popping up on the Game Boy Advance back in 2001 and helping to fight for justice on Ninty platforms ever since. At least if your other Amiibo characters get into trouble you'll know who to call.
Agnès Oblige
One of the main characters in 3DS RPG Bravely Default and its sequel Bravely Second, Agnès is already a firm favourite with Nintendo fans and would slip effortlessly into the amiibo line-up. She's also got the perfect chibi figure for a plastic replication — dumpy and large-headed — and the existing games could be retrofitted with amiibo support to make the venture even more appealing.
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