Are Animal Crossing Amiibo Cards Discontinued?

Are Animal Crossing amiibo Cards Discontinued?

Animal Crossing amiibo cards have been hugely popular among fans ever since they first launched alongside Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer in 2015. However, after series 1-4, Nintendo stopped producing new cards for several years, leading many to wonder – are Animal Crossing amiibo cards discontinued?

A Brief History of Animal Crossing amiibo Cards

Let’s first take a quick look back at the history of these collectible cards:

  1. Series 1-4: Between 2015-2016, Nintendo released the first 4 series of Animal Crossing amiibo cards. Each series introduced over 100 new villager cards along with various special character cards.
  2. Hiatus: After the initial 4 card series, Nintendo stopped producing new Animal Crossing amiibo cards for over 3 years.
  3. Sanrio Collaboration: In March 2021, Nintendo partnered with Sanrio to release a special set of 6 Animal Crossing x Sanrio collaboration amiibo cards.
  4. Series 5: In November 2021, Nintendo surprised fans by announcing Series 5 – a new set of over 40 new Animal Crossing amiibo cards.

Why Fans Thought Cards Were Discontinued

When Nintendo suddenly stopped making new Animal Crossing amiibo cards after the first 4 series, many fans assumed production and support had ended. The years-long hiatus seemed to confirm that Nintendo had moved on to other priorities.

There were rumors about possĂ­vel manufacturing or licensing issues with the original card designs. Additionally, with no new mainline Animal Crossing games between New Leaf and New Horizons, some speculated that Nintendo didn’t see value in continuing the cards.

The surprise Sanrio collaboration and Series 5 announcement proved these rumors false, but it’s understandable why some fans thought the cards were discontinued during the long content drought.

Proof Cards Aren’t Discontinued

Despite the multi-year hiatus after Series 4, recent developments confirm that Animal Crossing amiibo cards are here to stay:

  1. Sanrio Collaboration: This special card series marked the first new Animal Crossing amiibo cards since 2016. The partnership with Sanrio brought lots of hype and attention back to the cards.
  2. Series 5 Announcement: The announcement of Series 5, over 5 years after the last main series, showed Nintendo’s commitment to continuing the cards long-term.
  3. New Horizons Support: The cards remain compatible with Animal Crossing: New Horizons for unique furniture items, proving their ongoing utility.
  4. Sales Numbers: Animal Crossing amiibo cards have sold over 30 million packs worldwide as of 2021. Their strong sales numbers demonstrate continued fan demand.

The Future of Animal Crossing amiibo Cards

While another years-long content gap is unlikely, fans can expect Nintendo to continue supporting Animal Crossing amiibo cards for the foreseeable future. Here is what we can likely expect next:

  1. Series 5 Launch: The new Series 5 card set will launch worldwide in November 2021, introducing over 40 new villager characters.
  2. Restocks: Nintendo will produce reprints of older Animal Crossing amiibo card series to help new fans complete their collections.
  3. Future Game Compatibility: Upcoming Switch games like the newly announced Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2.0 update will almost certainly retain amiibo card support.
  4. Potential Series 6: Assuming Series 5 sells well, Nintendo could announce an all-new Series 6 set as early as 2023.

Answering User Intentions

Based on the above article, here are clear answers to the likely intentions behind user searches:

  1. Are Animal Crossing cards discontinued? No, Animal Crossing amiibo cards are not discontinued. The Sanrio collaboration and newly announced Series 5 confirm Nintendo’s commitment to continuing production.
  2. Why did Nintendo stop making cards? Nintendo likely halted card production between 2017-2021 to shift resources to New Horizons development. Manufacturing issues may have also played a role during the hiatus.
  3. Will Animal Crossing cards work on Nintendo Switch? Yes, existing Animal Crossing amiibo cards fully support New Horizons on Nintendo Switch. Players can scan them to unlock special furniture items in-game.
  4. Can I still collect older Animal Crossing cards? Nintendo regularly reprints older Animal Crossing card series. While out-of-stock cards can get rare or expensive, full collections remain possible.
  5. Will Nintendo make more Animal Crossing cards? Nintendo will continue producing new Animal Crossing amiibo card series for the foreseeable future. We can expect reprints, new launches like Series 5, and potential future sets down the line.

The Bottom Line

While the multi-year production gap had some fans worried, Animal Crossing amiibo cards are certainly not discontinued. Between active Switch support, the Sanrio collaboration, and the upcoming Series 5, Animal Crossing cards remain a lucrative collector’s item for Nintendo.

We can expect Nintendo to build hype with special partnerships and new card launches for years to come. For Animal Crossing fans, the future looks brighter than ever when it comes to these beloved collectibles.

Animal Crossing Amiibo Card Availability
Series Number of Cards Release Year Currently Available?
Series 1 100 2015 No
Series 2 100 2016 No
Series 3 100 2016 No
Series 4 100 2017 No
Series 5 100 2018 No

FAQ

  1. Are Animal Crossing amiibo cards discontinued?

    No, Animal Crossing amiibo cards have not been discontinued. However, certain series like Series 1-4 are no longer being actively printed. Nintendo does sometimes reprint popular cards in special packs.

  2. Why are some Animal Crossing cards hard to find?

    Some cards are rare variants or only printed in limited quantities. Popular villagers like Raymond and Judy have rare amiibo cards that fans want. Scalpers also buy up supplies making certain cards limited.

  3. Will Nintendo make more Animal Crossing amiibo cards?

    Yes, Nintendo continues releasing new series of Animal Crossing amiibo cards. Series 5 launched in 2021 with 48 new villagers. We can likely expect more series in the future.

  4. Should I buy Animal Crossing amiibo card packs or singles?

    It depends. Packs can be fun if you enjoy the excitement of random cards. However, buying single cards ensures you get specific villagers you want. Check market prices to help decide.

  5. Are Animal Crossing amiibo cards worth collecting?

    For fans, they can be! You can use cards to invite favorite villagers and decorate in-game. Some rare cards also have value to collectors. But not everyone needs to collect cards to enjoy Animal Crossing games.

  6. Can I use Animal Crossing amiibo cards in New Horizons?

    Yes! You can scan cards to invite villagers, access Photopia, and unlock special furniture themed to that villager in New Horizons. There are also amiibo bin files you can use.

  7. Where is the best place to buy Animal Crossing cards?

    Major retailers, eBay, Etsy shops, or collecting discords can have Animal Crossing cards. Compare prices and reviews to find good deals on specific cards you want! Local game stores may also have small selections.

  8. What should I do if I don’t want my Animal Crossing cards anymore?

    Consider selling or trading your spare cards so another collector can enjoy them. You can also use them as cute DIY craft decorations. As a last resort, responsibly recycle cards you no longer want.