The notion of living Nintendo figurines hearkens back to the opening of the original Smash Bros. where its characters started as lifeless toys in a child's bedroom that are then brought to life for battle. The Amiibos will also work with Mario Kart 8 in the future, among other games yet to be announced. Currently the Amiibos only work with the Wii U GamePad, but next year they will release a peripheral that lets them engage with the 3DS as well.