Resident Evil Requiem's Amiibo Drop: A Five-Month Standoff for Switch 2 Completionists?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
While *Resident Evil Requiem* is hitting all the right notes, its upcoming Amiibo for Leon and Grace are launching five months later, locking away exclusive Switch 2 weapon skins for completionists and sparking Jeff's curious skepticism about the timing.
Right then, gather 'round, because while we're all still buzzing about *Resident Evil Requiem* being an absolute banger – and fair play to Capcom and Nintendo, apparently it's a stellar ride even on the Switch 2 – there’s a curious little hiccup on the horizon. You know that feeling when you've just crafted the perfect spell, but then realise you left one crucial ingredient back at the shop? That's kinda what's cooking with the new Amiibo for *Requiem*.
So, if you’ve been diving into the desolate remnants of Raccoon City with new protagonist Grace and the ever-dashing Leon S. Kennedy, you’re probably having a grand old time. The word on the digital street is that *Requiem* manages to pull off the tricky balancing act between classic survival horror and the more action-packed later entries, which, let's be honest, is a magic trick many thought was impossible after *RE6*'s bit of a stumble.
But here’s the rub, mate. For the collectors and especially the completionists among us, particularly those rocking the Switch 2, there's a bit of a wait before you can *truly* unlock everything. See, Capcom’s dropping a pair of new Amiibo for the game, featuring our two heroes, Leon and Grace. And they look proper cool, I reckon. The plan is for these physical beauties to hit shelves on July 30, 2026. Yes, that's five months *after* the game itself launched.
Now, for those of us who just enjoy a pretty figurine on the shelf – and let's be honest, most Amiibo purchases fall into this category – this isn't such a big deal. They’re digital trinkets for your physical space. But these aren't just display pieces; they come with in-game functionality, specifically unlocking a pair of exclusive weapon skins on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of *Resident Evil Requiem*.
One of these, a 'Neon' skin for Leon's weapon, has been revealed – a vibrant mix of blue, green, pink, and red, ready to pop in the otherwise grimy, terrifying world of *Requiem*. Grace's equivalent skin hasn't been shown yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be in a similar vein. And therein lies the bit of a head-scratcher. If you're a Switch 2 player and you're keen to 100% the game, including all the cosmetic gubbins, you're going to be looking at a several-month delay before you can grab those two weapon skins.
Bloody hell, five months for a weapon skin? It’s a curious case of physical release logistics bumping up against digital content. You'd think in this day and age, with digital storefronts and instant gratification, that platform-specific bonuses wouldn't be locked behind such a significant time gate. Is it a clever way to keep the game in the news cycle? A tactical delay to push the physical Amiibo? Or just a scheduling snafu worthy of a wizard who accidentally mixed up their time-turner settings?
Price-wise, the Amiibo are listed on Capcom's Japan store for 3,080 yen each, which is roughly $19.75 USD. It's a fairly standard price for these sorts of collectibles, and while Western pricing hasn't been set in stone, we're not expecting them to break the bank. So, it's not the cost, it's the *wait* that's the kicker for some.
Now, let's be clear, this isn't to say players are left wanting for unlockables. *Resident Evil Requiem* is apparently stuffed with content. The deluxe edition packs in five extra costumes (including Leon's classic *RE4* look and a Lady Dimitrescu-inspired outfit for Grace – which, *nice*), four weapon skins, filters, charms, audio packs, and data files. And even if you don't splurge on the deluxe, playing through the game, completing challenges, and racking up Challenge Points will net you more costumes, charms, and perhaps most importantly for the true survival horror experience, *infinite ammo* and *infinite ink ribbons*.
So, it’s not like you're missing out on vital gameplay elements or a wealth of cosmetics. The game sounds like a fantastic package on its own. But for the dedicated collectors, the ones who meticulously tick off every single unlockable, this Amiibo situation could be a bit of a grind. It’s like discovering a secret chest in a dungeon, only to find the key won't manifest until the next lunar cycle.
Ultimately, while the game itself is being lauded as a triumphant return to form for the series, this little Amiibo delay is a fascinating peek into the quirks of game releases, physical collectibles, and digital content distribution. Will it frustrate some? Absolutely. Will it stop the majority from having a blast with *Resident Evil Requiem*? Nah, I reckon not. But it’s definitely one of those things that makes you lean back and wonder, 'what happens if... and why exactly?'
Tags: Resident Evil Requiem, Amiibo, Nintendo Switch 2, Gaming Collectibles, Capcom
Original article: Game Rant