Satoru Iwata Collector's Amiibo Auctioned for Charity on eBay

By Dondi Tiples, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, October 08, 2015

A custom-made Satoru Iwata amiibo is currently being auctioned off on eBay for charity in memory of the late Nintendo CEO.

Amiibo maker GandaKris has crafted a custom memorial amiibo of Nintendo's late president and CEO, Satoru Iwata, which is now available via online auction site, eBay, with the proceeds going to the children's hospital charity, Child's Play.

The amiibo figure features a replica of Satoru Iwata on a standard Mii Fighter amiibo base from "Super Smash Bros.," with the figurine painstakingly painted with a recreation of Iwata's features. The amiibo holds a Master Sword aloft and by the figurine's feet rest a "Pokeman" Pokeball, a Super Star Rod from "Kirby," a "Mario Bros." 1UP mushroom, a "Zelda" Hylian Shield, and a Diddy Kong Nintendo cap from "Donkey Kong."

The custom amiibo, created in honor of the gaming visionary considered to be Nintendo's savior, will be compatible with Wii U and 3DS.

Titled the "Satoru Iwata Memorial Custom amiibo," bids for the one-of-a-kind figurine have reached a current total of $1,850 in the auction which is set to end by Friday, October 9. Part of the item description announced that "in Iwata-san's memory," 100 percent of the amiibo sale will go to Child's Play, a charity which donates toys, games, and other educational materials to children's hospitals all over the world.

Satoru Iwata joined Nintendo in 2000 as the company's corporate planning division head. He is widely regarded as having largely contributed to broadening the appeal of Nintendo's video games, and widening the scope of its audience with increasingly novel and entertaining titles like "EarthBound" and "Kirby." He was also instrumental in the development of the "Super Smash Bros." series and "Pokemon," as well as the Nintendo DS and Wii consoles.

Iwata passed away in July this year from complications of a bile duct tumor discovered a year prior. Until the end, he maintained a strong relationship with Nintendo fans via social media, Nintendo Direct, and Iwata Asks.