Rumor: Shulk Amiibo Rarity To Be Forced By GameStop

Come February, GameStop will be the exclusive retailer of the Shulk amiibo. Modeled after the Xenoblade Chronicles hero, the Shulk amiibo is expected to be one of the most popular among the “Wave 3” lineup.

But Nintendo News has received an inside tip suggesting GameStop is planning to capitalize on that popularity by driving up demand, jacking up prices and selling new shipments as “used” figures.

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The supposed leak comes from the same GameStop manager who told Nintendo News in July to expect a November 21 release date for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Here is his latest email regarding GameStop’s plan:

Hello. You may remember me as the GameStop manager who first tipped you off about the November 21 release date for Smash Bros. I may have another insider story that I feel people should know about. As you likely know, GameStop will be exclusively selling the Shulk amiibo next year. From what I’ve heard, we will only be getting enough amiibo to exactly match the number of pre-orders—no more, no less. The idea is to keep the figure rare, increasing its market value and driving up demand. Then, several months later, we will receive a second shipment to sell as “used” for a marked-up price.

Please remove my name from the report—I could get fired for leaking this.

Cheers,

[Name withheld]

The GameStop manager was correct about the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U release date, which certainly adds to his credibility. However, in his first email he erroneously claimed that each copy of the game would come with a free amiibo figure. He also never offered proof of his employment at GameStop when we asked for it, so keep in mind that this is very much a rumor at the present.

If true, however, it seems the best way to get a Shulk amiibo is to simply pre-order. GameStop isn’t a stranger to unpopular business tactics; many fans were upset by thatKarissa the Destroyer promotion, for example. This could be more of the same.