If you’ve ever tried to unlock every costume in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate , breeze through The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with daily bonuses, or get rare items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons , you’ve probably heard the term “Amiibo BIN files.”
Let’s break it down. An Amiibo BIN file (also called a “dump” or “backup”) is a raw data extract taken directly from an official Nintendo Amiibo figure or card. The file contains the unique identifier and encrypted data that your Nintendo Switch or 3DS reads when you tap the figure to the NFC touchpoint. amiibo bin
In simple terms:
If you love Nintendo and want to support the developers, buy the figures you can. But if you’re a tinkerer backing up your own collection, the technology itself is a brilliant piece of reverse-engineering. If you’ve ever tried to unlock every costume