Nintendo has released hundreds of amiibo figures since the line launched in 2014, spanning everything from Super Smash Bros. and Zelda to crossover lines like Splatoon, Animal Crossing, and Resident Evil. For a new collector, that scale can be genuinely intimidating, especially once you start noticing how wildly secondary market prices swing between figures. Here's a practical starting point.
Before buying anything, it's worth deciding whether you're collecting amiibo for their in-game functionality, for display as figures in their own right, or both. Some collectors buy exclusively for gameplay unlocks and don't care about packaging condition; others treat amiibo purely as a figure line and care enormously about mint, unopened packaging. This distinction changes almost everything about how you should shop, since functionality-focused buyers can often find loose, played-with amiibo for a fraction of the cost of sealed collector-grade figures of the same character.
Nintendo re-releases many amiibo repeatedly across different waves, meaning a huge portion of the catalog stays affordable and easy to find at retail or through resellers even years after original release. The figures that command real premiums tend to be limited-production waves tied to a specific game or event window, like early Splatoon or Animal Crossing series figures that Nintendo didn't restock at the same volume as evergreen characters like Mario or Link. New collectors are generally better served starting with the widely-available, evergreen figures before chasing rarer waves, both to build confidence in the hobby and to avoid overpaying early while still learning realistic secondary market pricing.
Secondary market amiibo pricing can be volatile and is frequently inflated on general marketplace listings relative to what dedicated collector communities and price-tracking resources show as realistic sold prices. Before paying above MSRP for any amiibo, it's worth checking recent sold listings rather than relying on active "asking price" listings, which tend to run high. Newly-announced amiibo tied to major game releases (recent examples include figures tied to Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4) are also worth pre-ordering directly when possible, since day-one pre-orders are almost always cheaper than buying after a figure sells out and hits the secondary market.
Many collectors find it easier to build an amiibo collection around specific games or franchises they actively play rather than trying to collect the entire catalog at once, since functional relevance (unlocking in-game content, gear, or characters) adds a second layer of value beyond pure display appeal. This approach also naturally paces spending, since new amiibo tied to a specific game release arrive on a predictable schedule rather than requiring a collector to track dozens of unrelated waves simultaneously. Once a game-focused starting collection feels complete, branching out into broader franchise or aesthetic-based collecting (all Zelda amiibo, or all Splatoon-themed figures, for instance) is a natural next step that keeps the hobby manageable rather than overwhelming.
The most common mistake is buying loose amiibo without checking for scan chip functionality issues, since a small percentage of loose figures in the secondary market have had their internal NFC chip removed or damaged, particularly on characters that were popular for chip-swapping into other figures during the line's early years. The second mistake is displaying figures unprotected on an open shelf, where dust accumulation and accidental knocks are the two most common causes of amiibo losing paint detail or getting chipped over time.
Once you start building a display, sizing your protection to the figure matters. The EVORETRO Amiibo Standard Case Protector fits the majority of standard-sized amiibo packaging for collectors keeping figures sealed. For smaller-format amiibo, the EVORETRO Small Amiibo Protector is sized specifically for that category. If you're displaying loose amiibo out of packaging, the EVORETRO Acrylic Modular Case offers configurable sizing to build out a growing shelf display.
Do amiibo lose functionality over time? The NFC chip inside an amiibo doesn't degrade with normal use, but figures that have been chip-swapped or damaged can lose scan functionality, which is why checking before buying loose secondary market figures matters.
Are sealed amiibo worth more than loose ones? Generally yes for collector-focused buyers, though the premium varies significantly by character rarity; evergreen, widely-available figures often see minimal price difference between sealed and loose condition.
Which amiibo should a total beginner buy first? Evergreen, widely-restocked characters from core franchises like Super Smash Bros. or Zelda are the safest starting point, both for affordability and because they're the easiest to find without overpaying.
Amiibo collecting rewards patience more than most collectible categories, since Nintendo's restock patterns mean most of the catalog stays reasonably accessible if you're not chasing the rarest waves. Start with figures you'll actually enjoy displaying or using, learn realistic secondary market pricing before chasing rarer pieces, and protect your figures from day one to keep them in good condition long-term. Once you've got a handful of figures on your shelf, you'll likely find the hobby naturally expands in whatever direction interests you most, whether that's chasing every character from a favorite game or building a broader, more eclectic Nintendo-wide display. Because amiibo figures double as both collectibles and functional game accessories, deciding upfront whether you plan to actually scan a figure regularly or keep it sealed for display can meaningfully change which storage and handling approach makes sense for your collection.
For more on specific amiibo releases, see our coverage of the Kirby Air Riders amiibo lineup, the Metroid Prime 4 amiibo, and the Amiibo Display Case Guide.
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