Best uses for Amiibo in the franchise

It's hard to believe but Amiibo is now a decade old. They launched alongside Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U in 2014. Among the first wave of figures, Link was in adult form when he appeared in the game. Other characters include Mario, Kirby and Pikachu.

Many Amiibo waves would continue after this support Super Smash Bros. for Wii U but other games were supported as well. Of the many Nintendo series, The Legend of Zelda probably has the most numbers. What do the best do? Let's dive into the story of Zelda Amiibo to find out.

7 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Switch fans are still waiting for Wii U exclusives The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD to get to the system. It was more than a remaster for many as it contained a lot of extra mechanics and content. For example, with Wolf Link, Amiibo players can unlock an additional dungeon called the Cave of Shadows. It was mostly a combat based dungeon that focused solely on Link's wolf form but there was something new and players could get an amazing item by filling it in via the Colossal Wallet.

6 The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Find Epona and Wolf Link to help you

• Amiibo: Wolf Link and Super Smash Bros. version of Link

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a surprise to everyone because of how open it was. It was also a difficult game because that freedom could lead players into territories with enormously strong enemies that could destroy Link in a single hit.

Those with the Super Smash Bros. version of Link could summon Epona to get through the open areas faster with this trusty steed from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While that's great, it's not as cool as getting Wolf Link as an AI-powered co-op by using the corresponding Wolf Link Amiibo from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

5 Hyrule Warriors

To get a unique weapon

• Amiibo: Link or Toon Link from Super Smash Bros.

Hyrule Warriors is an offshoot of Dynasty Warriors franchise and fans of these games know that they have tons of characters that are equipped with a varied amount of weapons. The same goes for the Zelda characters in this spinoff. For example, Link has a sword while Linkle, his female counterpart, wields two crossbows. Characters can also gain sub-weapons such as bombs. A subweapon like Super Smash Bros. Amiibo for Link or Toon Link can unlock is the Spinner from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. This allows players to slide along the battlefield and destroy enemies.

4 Super Mario Maker

Reimagine Link as a 2D platform hero

• Amiibo: 8-Bit Link and Toon Link, Zelda, Sheik and Ganondorf from Super Smash Bros.

Super Mario Maker was one of the best games on the Wii U because it used the gamepad well. Players could create levels with ease thanks to the stylus. Amiibo support was also great if players liked costumes. Almost all Amiibo released up to that point could be used to give Mario a skin that corresponds to classic Nintendo characters. For example, Zelda-based Amiibo like 8-bit Link, Toon Link, Zelda, Sheik and Ganondorf can be used to play through levels as these iconic characters but in 8-bit form. It was a cheap way to spread smiles between fans from many generations past.

3 Bayonetta

This witch loves her Nintendo games

• Amiibo: Link or Toon Link from Super Smash Bros.

Bayonetta began as a multi-platform series from PlatinumGames. Although it was well reviewed, sales were not as great and many believed it would never receive a sequel. Then Nintendo stepped in to help fund the sequel and with it the Wii U got an enhanced port of the original game. With the Amiibo, Bayonetta was able to unlock costumes for Princess Peach, Samus and Link who is the odd outlier as he is the only male hero there. Swapping the normal Link or Toon Link Amiibo, Bayonetta's tunic-based costume also changed one of her weapons, the Shuraba, to look like the fabled Master Sword.

2 Animal Crossing: New Leaf

A new way to interact with Zelda characters

• Amiibo: Wolf Link, Toon Link, Ganondorf and Sheik from Super Smash Bros.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was the 3DS entry for the series. It gave players more ways to interact with their homes and friends online. In addition to a plethora of Zelda-themed items from furniture to decorations, players could recruit four exclusive NPCs with Amiibo. Wolf Link could get players W. Link who looked like a werewolf.

Toon Link could bring in Medli based on the same bird character from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. A Ganondorf Amiibo would bring in Ganon as a classic blue pigman, the original villain of the series. Finally, the Sheik Amiibo could give players a personification of Epona Animal Crossing: New Leaf.

Giving the Dragonborn a gift from the Hero of Time

• Amiibo: All Amiibo from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild owe much The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim which helped set a new standard for open-world RPGs. It seemed fitting that the Switch port on The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim should get some exclusive stuff then. Most Zelda Amiibo work in-game, esp The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ones. With Zelda-linked Amiibo, players can unlock the Champion's Tunic, Hylian Trousers, Hylian Shield and Master Sword to equip their Dragonborn. Just using the Master Sword is cool enough to check out this Amiibo support.