As noted before on this site, Nintendo has created a phenomenon with it’s Amiibo figures. The Japanese gaming giant has faced a higher than expected demand for the peripheral, but has also taken advantage of that popularity by releasing limited edition runs such as the gold Mario Amiibo.
And it seems that things have just got a whole lot worse for some UK Amiibo fans after a lorry carrying a shipment of special edition Splatoon Amiibo destined for retailer GAME was stolen.
The incident was reported on many major gaming news sites and the two companies subsequently confirmed the theft. In an article on Wired, game confirmed the loss of the newly released special edition figures and the fact that affected customers would not be receiving their Splatoon Amiibo as expected.
The game’s retailer was in the process of contacting the affected customers while working with Nintendo to arrange a replacement shipment as quickly as possible.Game has also offered all affected customers a £10 voucher as compensation.
Nintendo has also moved to confirm the incident and reassure customers who are already weary of shortages and delays. The new figures were launched in line with Nintendo’s new title Splatoon and features a squid Inkling Amiibo figure that comes with the special edition version of the game.
This is what the Japenese company had to say: “We can confirm that the lorry transporting the Splatoon stock from Nintendo’s European warehouse to Game UK has been stolen. Included as part of this delivery was Game’s allocation of the Splatoon + Squid Inkling Amiibo and as a result we are unable to honour pre-orders for this item in Game.”
None of the two companies were able to provide more details on the theft of the lorry and it is still unknown whether this was an opportunist or a planned heist. If someone has premeditated taking a truck full of special edition Amiibo, then the shortages and Amiibo’s popularity is unprecedented and worse than anyone thought!
Amiibo King will keep you up to date as the situation progresses so keep checking back. We hope all those affected will get their replacements soon!
