Amiibo sales may be struggling after US tariffs raise the price of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories

After some anxiety in April, Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 price would not increase due to US tariffs on China. However, accessories did see MSRPs rise, including the amiibo figures. The Donkey Kong Bananza Direct brought these functional collectibles back into the spotlight with a new amiibo announced. With prices of up to $40, some Nintendo fans have noticed that the accessories are no longer as popular with buyers.

A post on the Switch 2 subreddit has sparked discussion about amiibo costs. One store used to frequently sell out of some models, but now they remain untouched on shelves. Other gamers chimed in, noting similar scenes at various retailers.

An amiibo depicts popular characters from Nintendo franchises, like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. They also have NFC tags that owners can scan using compatible controllers. Gamers will benefit from unlocked in-game content, but the advantages of the Switch 2 accessories no longer seem as tempting.

The new Donkey Kong and Pauline figure is up for pre-order and could fare better than some competition. While $29.99 is still too expensive for some fans, other amiibos have seen $10 price hikes. For example, some Street Fighter 6 collectibles now cost as much as $39.99. That has led buyers to look for creative solutions. Cheaper amiibo cards have a limited selection but also contain NFC tags that allow access to bonuses in games. Another alternative is an NFC emulator or rewriter that can create custom amiibos.

On more expensive items, the effects of US tariffs may not be as obvious. On the other hand, any increases are noticeable on lower-end Switch 2 accessories. Like many toys, amiibos are predominantly plastic products made in China. For now, buyers are prioritizing the console and games despite their cuteness.