Nintendo characters come to life with amiibo figures. They are interactive figures that have the ability to communicate with games specifically designed for amiibo, simply by touching them to the Wii U GamePad. Amiibo figures can interact with amiibo-compatible games by reading data in the games and storing data on the figure.

In Super Smash Bros for Wii U, players can battle with or against the amiibo they own while upgrading them in the process. They can also transfer them to another Wii U console and showcase how they have trained and customized them.

Different amiibo-compatible games will use them in various ways. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be the first game to utilize amiibo. Games like Mario Party 10, Mario Kart 8, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Yoshi's Woolly World are also expected to support amiibo.