Nintendo Metroid Dread Samus Aran and E.M.M.I. Amiibo Nintendo, 2021
Day #2,361: December 2, 2021
Metroid Samus Aran and E.M.M.I. Two Amiibo Figures for the Price of Two
Metroid Amiibo Wave 2 Amiibo
Item No.: No. NVL E AR2B USZ Manufacturer:Nintendo Includes:n/a Action Feature:Works with Metroid: Dread and a lot of other games Retail:$29.99 Availability:October 8, 2021 Other: Presumably still available
Since in-game functionality and general ease-of-finding Amiibo figures has been a hassle, I have really cut back on these - with exceptions like this one. The Metroid Dread Samus Aran and E.M.M.I. pairing was both something I could not resist and could not find in a store for over a month - eventually I bought mine online, and it seems to randomly go in and out of stock at the usual suspects.
As little statues, they're great. In Metroid Dread Samus unlocks a bonus energy tank (think DLC) as well as daily energy recharges. Meanwhile, sentry mechanoid GLADoS/General Grievous hybrid E.M.M.I. will net you a bonus missile tank and once-daily missile refills. Neither of these are essential to finishing the game, nor do they really add to the experience beyond offering a helping hand. The previous Samus Returns pair activated an in-game Metroid Detector, which is arguably a more useful tool. These just help give you a boost in a rough situation.
As the figures seem to come straight from Nintendo's own 3-D marketing assets, they look like the key package art. Samus Aran is seen in her post-Metroid Fusion suit with blue elements over a silver suit of armor, with red highlights on the head and torso. The base is blue, with her "S" symbol on it. The sculpting is sharp, with metallic red and blue augmented by bright green and yellow patches to indicate glowing energy. There's a clear block to keep her leg upright so she won't sag over time, which is most welcome for future stability. This figure looks like it was designed to be stunning in an eye-level, mirrored collector's shelf or admired in its packaging. If you put it on your desk or a lower shelf, all you get is a good view of the back of Samus' head. While not a goofy pose, angle is everything, and much like Super Smash Bros. Luigi's Amiibo it really does look weird at certain angles. It also gives you a very clean view of the light red on the back of her armor, the fibers on her blue shoulder pads, and some black elements running down her spine. If you want a figure that forces you to really take into account just how much work went in to her redesign, you're going to like this. If you just want something that looks cool after you open it... well, display with care.
The E.M.M.I. (Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifier) robot exists in the game as an automated contraption to hunt down space-government problems - and of course they malfunction and chase you down in the game. This model has a small head with a big red eye, massive hands and feet, and a pose that's a little unsettling. In the game, these robots can contort and squeeze themselves through all sorts of corridors and this figure hints at unusual mobility without spoiling the surprise. It's worth noting that the red eye is a clear piece - really quite stunning in person - while the body looks like something that got spat out by Aperture Science after watching the Star Wars prequels. This isn't a dig - I really like it. It's big, spindly, and muscular all at once. Presumably there won't be more from this game, as Nintendo doesn't tend to milk them very much these days.
The previous two-pack sells for north of $100 right now, but also had the history of the original Game Boy game and a number of unofficial remakes plus nostalgia to drive interest in it. This one probably won't be as popular - after all, it's not a Metroid but a new robot in the package - but fans would probably be smart to snap it up for $30 if the chance comes up. It doesn't articulate, it can't shoot, it's just a statue. It's like the coolest, best Happy Meal toy you never got - and may well be the only figures you see from this game for a long time. Nintendo does infrequently rerun these figures, so I have no idea if what came out is all we'll ever see or if another production run is in the wings for 2022. I just know that beating the game didn't stop me from wanting these goofy figures, and if some day we get that Metroid Fusion remake I'll buy a Samus from that too. These are always pretty nice figures, and Nintendo certainly didn't skip on the shiny paint for Samus.
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