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

In Super Smash Bros Wii U, players can battle with or against their own amiibo figures while upgrading them in the process. They can also transfer them to another Wii U console and show how they have trained and customized them. Different amiibo-compatible games will use the figures in various ways. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be the first game to use amiibo. Games like Mario Party 10, Mario Kart 8, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Yoshi's Woolly World are also expected to support amiibo.