Smash Bros 3DS gets amiibo support this week

You'll be able to take your plastic fighting team on the go starting this week, thanks to a Super Smash Bros. for 3DS software update. Nintendo announced that it will add amiibo functionality to the handheld brawler on Tuesday - of course, you'll need to have an NFC-compatible system to benefit from the update.

New 3DS and New 3DS XL both natively support amiibo's NFC technology, letting users simply plop their figures on the lower screen to load their data into the game. Nintendo also plans to release a standalone NFC reader for older 3DS models some time this year.

Amiibo with existing Figure Player data from the Wii U version of the game will retain all their same attributes and 'experience' across both versions - now you can't get away from your Lvl. 50 Fox just because you're going out for the weekend. Well, I guess you could always just leave him on the coffee table, but where's the thrill in that?

Upcoming 3DS games like Code Name STEAM and Xenoblade Chronicles 3D will also let players use the figurines to bring in new characters or unlock bonuses. Speaking of the little plastic figurines, make sure you check out GR+'s amiibo list to see which are available and how they'll interact with your games.

Connor Sheridan

I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and now I'm a staff writer here at GamesRadar.