NFC Reader/Writer

Description

The NFC Reader/Writer was a small white peripheral released to add amiibo compatibility to earlier 3DS models that lacked built‑in NFC hardware. Shaped like a compact puck, it connected wirelessly to the handheld via infrared, allowing players to scan amiibo figures and cards to unlock in‑game bonuses.

The unit is relatively low-powered, requiring a couple AA batteries, which are included in the retail package. Functionally, it mirrored the NFC reader built into the New Nintendo 3DS and New 3DS XL, but gave owners of the original 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS access to the same amiibo features. The device was simple to use: place an amiibo on the reader’s top surface, press the sync button, and the data would transfer to the handheld.

Nintendo marketed it alongside Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, which was one of the first 3DS titles to make heavy use of amiibo cards. While its use was limited to amiibo scanning and writing, it was a crucial accessory to provide support to older hardware during the transition period as NFC became standard in all Nintendo consoles.