Supermallet

I think he meant why announce it so far out from the actual release of the content. However, a lot of companies offer season passes and don't even tell you what you might be getting, so I have no problem with this. I'll do the combo pack when it's closer to the release of the first DLC. I don't need the new character colors anytime soon.

Also, I wish the new characters were all unique, not reiterations of existing characters already in the game. They already do it for Smash Bros, makes sense to open it up here too. Give me Samus in MK8, damn it!

milo bloom

I don't play a lot of games that require constant DLC so I'm unaware of any precedents. It just seems odd to announce something so far out.

Gizmo

Few game requires constant DLC (and this is far from constant). It's additional characters/tracks/vehicles etc. Plenty of games offer Season passes which may or may not alert you of what is actually coming out besides generic titles.

Nintendo has offered DLC maybe a dozen times (if even that, I can only think of a few titles). The price is incredibly fair considering what everyone else charges for DLC. Mario Kart is an evergreen seller for Nintendo and this will keep people playing for a long time.

I'd say get used to it. I imagine they will do this with Smash Brothers and other games going forward. Even Hyrule Warriors (out in Japan) just got a DLC update, but that one was free.

ultimaton

I don't think it's really that out of the ordinary, is it? Just off the top of my head, Destiny, a game that isn't even out yet, has already announced two DLC packs, the first of which isn't coming out until December. BioShock Infinite had a release day season pass, the final part of that pass didn't even drop until literally one day shy of the game's one year anniversary.

XavierMike

Yeah. I think the timespan is reasonable. And it is a lot of content for a great price. I'll buy this weekend. I am excited for info on the tracks. I will also buy DLC for Smash especially if the value is similar.

Supermallet

I do hope Nintendo begins offering more DLC for their titles.

Goldberg74

Well, I ran the update and got the Mercedes Benz cars (sweet!) and went ahead and preordered the packs.

So we spent the evening testing out the cars with the different Yoshis and Shyguys.

mattysemo247

I think they need to kiss and make up with Amazon. When the worlds largest online retailer doesn't sell your hardware, that's a problem.

fujishig

As long as they sell the software, does it matter much at this point in the console's life as long as there's a plentiful supply at other retailers?

Adam Tyner

I'll definitely be buying at least a couple, but if I buy them for looks or actual functionality will depend on what you can actually do with 'em. Nintendo really hasn't said much about that yet.

XavierMike

That's a fair price. I eventually want them all. I'll start with Samus, Link, and Mario.

Gizmo

Some are pretty lame (Wii trainer anyone?), but at least they won't release 30 of them at once like Skylanders. The collector bug in me will be ok with a dozen....

This is also coming from the guy who bought the Pokemon Rumble figurines for the Wii U...and has all of them, including the shines (the whole set is actually pretty valuable now) and GameStop exclusives.

But yeah, I keep thinking we will get more info on what they do but so far nothing.

I have a feeling some will be retailer-based exclusive. And who would pre-order a figure like this? Does that make any sense?

XavierMike

I could see retailer specific Amiibos. I wonder if the more popular characters will be harder to find? Also, I wonder how much shelf space retailers will give them given WiiU sales numbers?

Gizmo

Wii U sales have picked up this year, and with Smash Brothers and such I'm sure they will give room for these figurines.

No way will Mario and Zelda be in short supply. Maybe Marth and the other lesser characters will be short-packed.

mattysemo247

I think it does. I don't think they sell any Nintendo hardware right now, so why would anything change when the next replacements for the 3DS and the Wii U come out?

Supermallet

Until I know what those figures do, I'm not getting any of them. But as long as they do something useful, I'd get Samus, Link, Peach, and maybe Star Fox to start.

Adam Tyner

Amiibos are up at Best Buy. They work with the whole Unlocked deal, coming to $10.39 a pop.

Supermallet

Great, now tell us what the fuck they do Nintendo!

XavierMike

And a release date!

edytwinky

Very tempted to buy a Wii U. Better to get one now or wait until the holidays?

Adam Tyner

The two bundles for September are both $300 and include 2 games. If you're more interested in Super Smash Bros. than what's being offered in these bundles, you might want to wait -- a SSB bundle has to be on the way -- but I wouldn't bank on a price drop before the end of the year. (Anything's possible, of course.)

Nintendo has refurb Wii U deluxes (with a game) for $200, so that might be worth considering too.

kstublen

At the very least I'll get Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox, Samus, Pikachu, and Kirby. But really, at that rate I might as well get all of them

I like the idea of leveling up the character and being able to take it and its settings to a friend's console to play, not that I know anyone who has a Wii U. I also think it will make for more evenly matched single player brawls if you can indeed compete against characters you have leveled up yourself.

I've been holding off on buying a Wii U, but Mario Kart 8 almost got me to bite the bullet. I was really holding out for Smash Bros. though and I'm hoping there will be a bundle with the Wii U, Smash Bros. and some Amiibos. That has to be in the pipeline, right?

Adam Tyner

Don't forget! Bayonetta-centric Nintendo Direct in an hour and a half. (3 PM Pacific; 6 PM Eastern)

I'm not going to watch so there'll be some surpriiiiises waiting for me when I have the game in my grubby, little hands in October.

Adam Tyner

Awww...Europe gets this, and we don't. It's not some overpriced special edition either...just something special for the first run.

Michael Corvin

Zero interest in the game but that's some sweet packaging.