News · Wii U · 3DS

Custom Kirby Amiibo Figures Emerge as Fox, Pikachu, Solid Snake, and Yoshi Variants

In late 2014, customizers began selling modified Kirby Amiibo figures on eBay, transforming the character into Fox, Pikachu, Solid Snake, and Yoshi.

Published
Read
2 min
Custom Kirby Amiibo Figures Emerge as Fox, Pikachu, Solid Snake, and Yoshi Variants — News on Game Idealist

Following the launch of Nintendo’s Amiibo platform in late 2014, a vibrant community of artists and fans began creating custom figures. The Kirby Amiibo, in particular, became a popular base for modifications due to the character’s unique in-game abilities. Several of these custom creations appeared on eBay, featuring Kirby transformed into other well-known video game characters like Fox McCloud, Pikachu, Solid Snake, and Yoshi.

The Custom Kirby Variants

These one-of-a-kind figures were listed for sale by different sellers, showcasing impressive attention to detail. The Solid Snake variant, created by eBay user “meenarcas,” depicted Kirby wearing Snake’s iconic bandana and sporting a five-o’clock shadow. Another seller, “edjka3,” crafted a Pikachu version that gave Kirby the Pokémon’s long yellow ears, red cheek pouches, and signature tail. The Fox McCloud and Yoshi customs were made by “eniam_rej,” transforming the pink puffball into the ace pilot from Star Fox and Mario’s green dinosaur companion.

A Blank Canvas for Creativity

The Kirby Amiibo’s simple, spherical design and his signature copy ability made his figure a natural choice for customization. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Kirby can inhale other fighters to absorb their powers and adopt parts of their appearance, usually in the form of a hat or accessory. This gameplay mechanic provided a deep well of inspiration for artists, who sought to create physical versions of Kirby’s many transformations. The Amiibo figures, being physical representations of these characters, provided the perfect medium for this fan expression. The trend took off quickly as the figures-to-life toys became a massive commercial success for Nintendo.

Roster Status in Super Smash Bros.

Most of the characters represented in these customs were active fighters in the then-current Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS. Players could see Kirby transform into Fox and Pikachu in the game, making the custom figures a direct tribute to an existing mechanic. Yoshi was also a long-standing member of the playable roster.

The Solid Snake custom, however, was a nod to a character absent from the new games. Snake had been a popular guest character in the previous title, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and his removal from the Wii U and 3DS roster was a point of discussion among fans. This custom Amiibo served as a tribute to the character and a reflection of the community’s hope for his return. At that time, Nintendo had opened the door to roster additions by announcing Mewtwo as the first DLC fighter, fueling speculation that more characters could follow. The standard Kirby Amiibo was part of the very first wave of figures released in November 2014.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Kirby Amiibo often customized?

The Kirby Amiibo is a popular choice for customization because of the character's in-game copy ability. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Kirby can inhale opponents to copy their abilities and appearance. This inspired fans to create physical versions of these transformations using the official Amiibo figure as a base.

Was Solid Snake a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U?

No, Solid Snake was not a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U or the 3DS version upon their release. He had previously been a third-party guest character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii, but he was cut from the roster for the subsequent games.

Which characters were these custom Kirby Amiibo based on?

In late 2014, several custom Kirby Amiibo figures appeared on eBay. These fan-made creations were designed to look like Kirby had copied other famous characters, including Fox McCloud from Star Fox, Pikachu from Pokémon, Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid, and Yoshi from the Super Mario series.

What was the first DLC character announced for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS?

The first downloadable content (DLC) character announced for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS was Mewtwo. This announcement fueled fan speculation about which other characters, including those cut from previous games, might be added to the roster later on.