Accessory guide · NexWave Games
Can you use Skylanders figures on different consoles?
You have found a box of Skylanders, but your console is different from the previous owner’s. Can you still use the figures? With many ordinary Skylanders, you can. The main question is not which console a figure was originally bought for, but whether your Skylanders game supports it. A few checks help you avoid a collection that looks good on a shelf but cannot join your adventure.
The game decides which figures can join
A Skylander belongs to a particular generation and sometimes to a special group, such as Giants, Swap Force or Trap Masters. A figure that first appeared in a later game will not automatically work in an older adventure. An older ordinary character can often be used in later main games. Check the exact name and version against the compatibility information for the game you want to play.
Watch for different versions of the same character, too. A different pose, base or special edition may belong to another series. When buying used, a clear photograph of the whole figure is more useful than just a name in a listing. If you are unsure, ask for a test in your game. This also checks whether the figure is recognised, rather than simply looking tidy on the outside.
Changing consoles works, with exceptions
Many ordinary Skylanders figures are not tied to one console brand. A supported figure can, for example, move between PlayStation and Xbox versions, provided you have the required game version and a compatible portal. That makes individual figures useful when changing systems or swapping with someone. Assess figure compatibility and portal compatibility separately, though: one does not prove the other.
The Nintendo characters Donkey Kong and Bowser are an important exception. Their Skylanders figures and associated vehicles are intended for supported Nintendo versions. Do not expect them to work on PlayStation or Xbox. Traps, vehicles and expansions also have their own game requirements. A box containing lots of parts is therefore not automatically a complete starter set. First write down your game and console, then find the matching pieces.
How to buy a collection you can use
Start with the game name on the box or disc. Then check which ordinary figures, special figures and accessories that game accepts. For a portal, confirm its model and intended console. Xbox portals in particular need extra attention. A seller saying everything is universal does not give you enough information. Ask instead for photographs of the underside, USB connection and the parts actually included.
A small set proven to work with your game is an easier starting point than a large bundle of unidentified figures. Check arms, weapons and bases for damage, and ask to see recognition on a working portal. If you expand later, keep a list of what you already own. That way, you can buy new gameplay possibilities deliberately and avoid duplicate characters that add nothing you were looking for.