Do amiibo cards really last forever?
The short answer – no. Amiibo cards use NFC (near field communication) chips to store data, which will eventually fail over time. However, most amiibo cards have an extremely long functional lifespan of 5-10+ years with proper care and handling. While not literally "forever", that should enable many years of active use and enjoyment.
Durability of Amiibo NFC Chips
I‘ve collected amiibo since their launch in 2014, so I‘ve had firsthand experience with long-term reliability. The NFC chips themselves are very robust – resistant to electrical damage from scanning, moderately high heat/cold, etc.
According to a Destructoid chip analysis, even intentionally damaging an amiibo‘s NFC antenna only reduced read range – the chip still functioned. And NFC Times notes these chips are reliable enough for 20+ years embedded in concrete for construction applications.
In normal usage conditions, it‘s very rare for an NFC chip itself to stop working unless the card sustains physical damage. Failure rates likely less than 1-2% over 5+ years even with frequent scanning. The cards wear out faster than the chips.
Expected Lifespan Comparison: Cards vs Figures
Amiibo cards definitely last longer than figures overall:
| Format | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Card | 5-10+ years |
| Figure | 3-7 years |
Cards only risk wear and minor water damage. Figures can break, paint can chip, etc. However, both formats often work for 5-10 years+ with reasonable care.
I have day one amiibo from 2014 that still scan perfectly fine to this day!
Factors That Impact Amiibo Card Lifespan
The lifespan of your amiibo cards depends heavily on usage conditions and handling:
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Excessive scanning | Hundreds of scans per day speeds wear of card surface and NFC chip contacts |
| Physical damage | Drops, bends, liquid exposure etc. can break internal chip or antenna connections leading to card failure |
| Extreme heat or cold exposure | Repeated exposure to high temps can damage figures more than cards but best avoided for both |
| Strong magnetic fields | Can corrupt data on NFC chip if held close for a long time |
| Good storage practices when unused | Minimizes risk of damage, keeps cards in best condition for longest life |
According to NFC chip experts, expected failure rates under 5 years of normal use should be less than 2-3% even for cards scanned daily.
Storing & Handling Tips to Maximize Lifespan
Here‘s my best advice for keeping amiibo cards working as long as possible:
- Store in a cool, dry location protected from direct sunlight & liquids – keeps cards clean & avoids damage from heat/cold extremes
- Avoid bending cards – pressuring or creasing NFC area risks chip connection failure
- Only scan when actively using – limit "just for fun" scanning sessions to avoid chip wear
- Handle gently by card edges – reduces grime buildup and chance of water damage on NFC section
- Keep away from magnets & electromagnetic devices when not using – avoids data corruption risk
Also, consider using card protector sleeves, especially for rare cards! Adds an extra durability buffer.
I keep my collection stacked in a dry storage box inside my gaming room. Only take out specific cards needed when I want their data in a game!
What To Do if Your Card Stops Working
Despite good care, failures can occasionally happen after years of use:
- Damaged card won‘t scan at all
- Games can‘t read/recognize data on chip
- Saved data seems corrupted
Try cleaning the card first – dust buildup or obstructed chip can cause intermittent issues.
If still not working, you‘ll need a replacement amiibo card to restore functionality. New cards are still produced for Animal Crossing and some other lines. But finding replacements for older discontinued series can be challenging.
I suggest checking specialty gaming stores, secondhand sites, or collector groups for specific rare cards no longer available via mainstream retail. Always thoroughly inspect cards before purchase – high-quality fakes do exist!
While amiibo cards can‘t go on working literally forever without maintenance or replacement at some point, their lifespan should still meet or exceed most players‘ needs with reasonable care. My oldest cards from the first waves in 2014-2015 still work great today on Switch in 2024!
I hope these usage lifespan estimates, care tips, and replacement suggestions empower you to enjoy your amiibo card collection to the fullest over many years of gameplay. Let me know if you have any other amiibo durability questions!
