Nintendo Sanrio Amiibo 6 Card Pack Review: Worth It?
Fans of Nintendo Animal Crossing: New Leaf Welcome Pack Sanrio Amiibo 6 Card often call it “two favorite worlds in one,” pairing the cozy charm of Animal Crossing with the playful designs of Sanrio. Across hundreds of reviews, enthusiasm runs high—one Trustpilot reviewer cheered, “They work perfect, I got all my special items and this is the best price you’ll find.” With widespread user praise but occasional gripes over availability and inflated resale prices, the pack earns a solid 8.6/10.
Quick Verdict: Yes, especially for collectors and customization-focused players.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete set of 6 Sanrio-themed amiibo cards | Can be overpriced in resale markets |
| Unlocks exclusive villagers, items, and posters | Not essential for core gameplay |
| Durable card quality and protective packaging | Limited daily campsite invites |
| Compatible across multiple Animal Crossing titles | Genuine packs harder to find than fakes |
| Enhances customization and design options | Some prefer trading over buying |
| Easy to use with Switch and 3DS (with NFC reader) | Collecting entire series can be tedious |
Claims vs Reality
Nintendo markets the pack as containing “six amiibo cards for anyone who loves Hello Kitty and her friends,” with compatibility spanning Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Official descriptions promise special villagers, furniture, and posters simply by scanning.
Digging deeper, these claims hold up in functionality—players do indeed get Sanrio-themed furniture, clothing, and unique characters. A Reddit player shared: “Picked up the Sanrio ones because they add special clothes and furniture to the game… amiibo isn’t essential but I’m glad I picked up this set.” However, the “essential” nature is indeed overstated—multiple users highlight that all items can be obtained via trading with others, reducing the need to own the cards directly.
Nintendo also touts “durable materials” for longevity, and on this point, buyers agree. Trustpilot feedback consistently reported pristine arrivals: “They come very protected, no damage to cards or packaging,” and “All 6 Sanrio characters were in the pack, came as pictured and they scan properly.”
Yet, while advertised at budget-friendly retail prices, reality often conflicts. eBay listings show inflated resale—some climbing over $200—contradicting the “good reasonable price” early buyers enjoyed.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised:
Across Best Buy, Trustpilot, and Reddit, the ability to summon specific villagers without the grind of “mystery island” hunting is cherished. A Reddit user explained: “No stress for finding them… I can now rotate my dream villagers.” This appeals most to customization-focused fans who tailor their islands or towns to specific aesthetic themes. On Best Buy, one customer celebrated the extended replayability, noting the pack “adds some great characters and items… had a lot of fun using these.”
Collectors also revel in the artwork. “Cute and collectable Animal Crossing cards that add more content to the game,” wrote one Best Buy reviewer, while another noted they were “better artwork than the original 4 series.” The combination of Sanrio’s style with Animal Crossing’s charm resonates strongly with both casual decorators and long-term fans.
Common Complaints:
The most frequent frustration is either overpricing or availability at fair value. “Three times more expensive than the original price,” admitted a Trustpilot reviewer, echoing resale data from eBay showing steep markups. Another sticking point is the limitation that only one character can be invited to the campsite per day, slowing content unlocking. Some seasoned players also felt the cards “offered more to collect” than to actually change gameplay depth, with one Best Buy user wishing “they offered more to the game than they do.”
Compatibility limitations also trip up newcomers—using the cards with New Leaf requires a New Nintendo 3DS/XL or a separate NFC reader, an extra expense not clearly obvious at purchase.
Divisive Features:
Trading versus ownership splits the community. While owning the cards affords immediate control over themed content, some Reddit voices argue trading is equally viable: “You can get these items by trading… amiibo isn’t essential.” For pure collectors or players in isolated markets, ownership is worth it; for those in active trading communities, the value proposition is less compelling.
Trust & Reliability
Counterfeit concerns surface often in amiibo discourse, but multiple Trustpilot reviews affirm authenticity here: “It’s a good deal and it is not a pirate product.” Genuine sets are described as scanning flawlessly, with protective packaging preventing scratches or bends.
Long-term, players report no degradation in performance—cards remain functional months and years later. A persistent issue is opportunistic reselling where prices spike well beyond MSRP, making official or reputable retailers the safer route. In fringe cases, players opt for unofficial imports or fakes, with one Reddit user noting their Aliexpress versions “work perfectly,” though this sacrifices collectible authenticity.
Alternatives
While many amiibo cards exist for Animal Crossing, the Sanrio pack’s niche is its exclusive crossover content. Alternatives mentioned in user discussions include general Animal Crossing amiibo series for popular villagers, but these lack the themed furniture and clothing appeal. There’s also mention of Happy Home Designer amiibo cards, valued for unique items but without the Sanrio branding—choice depends on whether character aesthetics or sheer variety is the goal.
Price & Value
Retail pricing hovers around £9.99–$12.99 when in stock, but resale spikes drastically, often breaching $30–$40, and in rare listings, exceeding $200. CaveGamers calls it “a must-have… perfect for all ages,” but resale trends make buying at release critical. Trustpilot users advise watching prices daily, as “just need to keep an eye out… the price will lower,” underscoring the volatility.
For collectors, long-term value also lies in cross-game compatibility—being usable in multiple Animal Crossing installments boosts lifespan. Resale values for complete genuine packs are notably higher than loose or individual cards, making intact packaging a collectible asset.
FAQ
Q: Do these cards work with both New Leaf and New Horizons?
A: Yes, they are fully compatible with both, unlocking villagers, posters, and themed items. In New Leaf, NFC-capable hardware or an accessory is required.
Q: How many cards are in the Sanrio pack?
A: Six, all featuring different Animal Crossing villagers inspired by Sanrio characters.
Q: Can I get the same items without owning the cards?
A: Yes, through player trading, but cards provide direct access without relying on others.
Q: Are counterfeit cards common?
A: While fakes exist, genuine cards from trusted retailers come well-packaged and scan properly.
Q: How often can I invite characters using amiibo?
A: One per day to the campsite, but unlimited invites for photo shoots at Photopia.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a collector, a Sanrio enthusiast, or an Animal Crossing player focused on aesthetic town customization. Avoid if you’re price-sensitive without retailer access, as resale inflation can be steep. Pro tip from Reddit: monitor official store restocks and grab them at launch to avoid paying triple.
