The Yoshi’s Woolly World release date later this year is going to bring us the cutest Amiibo yet in the form of the yarn Yoshi Amiibo. And you’ll want one, and you’ll actually be able to get one. There’s just one issue: You’ll also kind of need one. Yoshi’s Woolly World pushes Amiibo into a new direction, and one that should make you a little uncomfortable.
Yoshi’s Woolly World Amiibo Will Be Required For Multiplayer
Yoshi’s Woolly World is launching with three Amiibo figures, three Yoshis made out of yarn in different colors. They’re just the gosh-darned cutest things ever, y’know! And the green one will be somewhat readily available, since it will come packaged with some versions of the game (same deal as the Mario Amiibo for Mario Party 10). You’ll also be able to use other Amiibos from the Mario Party 10 set, according to Nintendolife; those that aren’t Yoshi will simply unlock new designs.
But the actual Yoshi Amiibos, yarn or otherwise, have a much more problematic purpose: It seems like they’re the only way to unlock multiplayer. Yup, that’s right: You need an Amiibo to unlock co-op mode. It even says it on Nintendo’s site: “Additional accessories required for multiplayer mode; sold separately.” In short, you’ve got to shell out $13 for an Amiibo if you want to play multiplayer at all.
Assuming this is accurate, and the ‘additional accessory’ doesn’t simply mean a controller—and we’ve heard rumors before that the game would require Amiibo for multiplayer—this will be the first time that Nintendo has locked a significant portion of a game’s gameplay down unless players have an Amiibo. Sure, one version of the game comes with an Amiibo, but does that really make anything better?
Nintendo has always handled DLC the right way, but now, starting with the Yoshi’s Woolly World release date, that’s changing: They’re locking key gameplay, that’s already on the disc, unless you essentially purchase it. Sure, you get a toy too. But that’s not the point: Nintendo is on the edge of the dark side. Let’s hope they pull back. Or am I reading this whole thing all wrong? I sure hope so.
