Where And When To Get Wave 3 Amiibos: Staggered Release Dates Revealed

The hunt is on this month for the 11 figures that make up the third wave of amiibos, but staggered release dates that vary depending on the retailer could make acquiring them more challenging. To assist our readers in their quest to complete their amiibo collections, we’ve compiled a handy buyer’s guide detailing where and when you can purchase each Wave 3 amiibo in the USA.

Bowser

Mario’s main nemesis currently has two amiibo options. The Super Smash Bros. edition figure is part of Wave 3 and the Super Mario edition figure will be part of Wave 4. The Smash Bros. Bowser amiibo is now available at most physical and online stores. For those who like to shop online, Amazon.com usually has it in stock and ready for immediate shipping.

Toon Link

The “cartoon” version of Link is now available at Toys R US, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Target stores in the USA. GameStop has an expected release date of February 13. Online availability has been on again, off again, but since its listing is not being removed from most online stores, we suspect this character will resurface similarly to the way Diddy Kong did after the holidays.

Sheik

Released at most retailers in tandem with Toon Link, it is available now but proving somewhat harder to find. GameStop has pushed this amiibo back to February 13, as well. Target.com lists the Sheik amiibo as “not sold in stores,” but some customers have reported finding it at their local brick and mortar. It may be worth a quick stock check using the Store Item Number (DPCI) of 207-00-5024. If you strike out there, you may be able to purchase one via BestBuy.com through their in-store pickup option. Some locations may allow you to buy it now and pick it up in three to five days.

Sonic

The blue blur is expected to hit Toys R US, Wal-Mart and Best Buy store shelves on February 13. GameStop will release the Sonic amiibo on February 20. Sonic is another amiibo noted online as “not sold in stores.” Use Store Item Number 207-00-5023 in your search at this retailer.

Ike

This Fire Emblem amiibo is likely to be a popular one since it can be used in the upcoming Nintendo 3DS title, Code Name S.T.E.A.M., in addition to Super Smash Bros. Unfortunately, Target.com has Ike listed as released on February 1 and “not sold in stores,” but you can verify at your local Target using Store Item Number 207-00-5026. GameStop has this amiibo set to release with the rest of its February 13 bunch. If you miss getting it at GameStop, it’s scheduled to hit Wal-Mart one week later on February 20.

King Dedede

It doesn’t look like the main antagonist of the Kirby series will be sold in Target stores, either. Store Item Number 207-00-2525 is your friend for this one. GameStop has King Dedede down for a Feburary 13 release. Wal-Mart is scheduled to have him in stock beginning Feburary 20.

Mega Man

According to Nintendo Life, Amazon.com pre-orders are reportedly delayed until March 6. It is unlikely customers who did not pre-order will see Mega Man in stock on Amazon prior to this date. However, Wal-Mart and GameStop both state they will be releasing the Mega Man amiibo on February 20.

Rosalina and Luma

This Target exclusive amiibo released on February 1 and is no longer listed on Target.com. According to an internal newsletter verified by Destructoid, there are no plans to restock the Rosalina amiibo, either. However, if you visit your local Target store, you can make an inventory inquiry at the electronics department or customer service counter. The Store Item Number is 207-00-5021.

Lucario

Pokémon trainers can only catch this fighting-type amiibo at Toys R Us. The official launch date was originally February 1, 2015, but some customers who pre-ordered the figures were alerted via email that their order would be ready for pick-up on January 30. Most stores have sold out, and whether or not stock will be replenished is unknown. It’s not looking good since the online listing for the Lucario amiibo has been taken down in the States. As of today, Toys R Us Canada still has an active listing with the option to sign-up for an email when the figure is back in stock.

Shulk

It just makes sense that GameStop would get Shulk as an exclusive amiibo given that Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii was also a GameStop exclusive. Shulk has an expected availability date of February 13. The listing on Gamestop.com indicates the amiibo is currently sold out, but you can use the “check store availability” button to find out which locations near you have some in stock. Be forewarned — their inventory system does not take pre-order holds into account. Calling each location to verify inventory levels is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Meta Knight

Best Buy’s store exclusive amiibo is the only figure from Wave 3 without an expected release date. Instead, BestBuy.com lists a placeholder release date and does not have the amiibo available for online purchase or in-store pickup. You can inquire about pre-ordering the Meta Knight amiibo in stores using the SKU listed on the website, 1375009. From our experience with this retailer, not all locations have a system in place to hold pre-ordered product behind the counter when you make an in-store reservation. For this reason, we recommend being in line before the store opens on launch day to ensure your pre-ordered amiibo is not sold to another customer.

Nintendo’s toys-to-life figures have been flying off the shelves as soon as they are released due to a combination of high demand and limited supply. According to an official statement by Nintendo appearing in Wired, some amiibo intentionally have a one-and-done production schedule.

“We will aim for certain amiibo to always be available. These will be for our most popular characters like Mario and Link. Due to shelf space constraints, other figures likely will not return to the market once they have sold through their initial shipment.”

As the Inquisitr previously reported, amiibo sales were estimated at 2.6 million units by the end of 2014, according to a Nintendo press release. By comparison, that is double the number of physical and digital copies of Super Smash Bros. Wii U sold that same year.

[Image source: Nintendo.com]