Who Created Skylanders? (Hint: Not Nintendo)

Nintendo did not create Skylanders. The franchise was developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision (now part of Microsoft).

Origins of the "Toys-to-Life" Concept

Skylanders (2011) popularized the genre, but it built on existing ideas:

• U.B. Funkeys (2007, Mattel/Radica): First major "toy + USB hub + game" product.
• Eye of Judgment (2007, PS3): Used PS Eye camera to scan physical cards into a digital game.
• Pokémon / Yu-Gi-Oh! / Bakugan: Proved kids love collecting physical objects tied to digital identities.

Toys for Bob's Pedigree

Before Skylanders, the studio revived two classic Activision properties:

• Spyro the Dragon (A New Beginning, The Eternal Night, Dawn of the Dragon)
• Crash Bandicoot (did not develop originals, but worked on later entries)

They pitched "Spyro's Kingdom" with physical figures. Activision expanded it into a new IP: Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure.

Nintendo's Later Entry

Nintendo launched amiibo in 2014 (with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U)—three years after Skylanders. Amiibo use NFC (tap-to-read) vs. Skylanders' portal (USB/Bluetooth base).

Summary

• Creator: Toys for Bob
• Publisher: Activision
• Key Innovation: RFID-enabled figures storing progress, usable across consoles.
• Nintendo's Role: None in creation; later competitor with amiibo.