Complete Guide: Unlock Every Splatoon Amiibo Reward in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Hook: Stop hunting and start decorating — get every Splatoon item fast

If you've been frustrated by scattered guides, unclear Amiibo compatibility, or not knowing where to buy rare figures, this guide cuts straight to the chase. In 2026, Animal Crossing: New Horizons (3.0) added a tidy cache of Splatoon-themed collectibles — but Nintendo locked them behind Amiibo scanning. That means you need the right figures and a reliable scanning workflow to unlock every piece for your island. Below you'll find an end-to-end, step-by-step walkthrough our testers used in January 2026 to unlock Splatoon furniture, plus buying tips, troubleshooting, and creative ways to showcase the set on your island.

Quick summary — what you can do right now

• Scan any official Splatoon-series Amiibo using the NookPhone Amiibo app to register that figure with New Horizons.
• After scanning, the Splatoon furniture and themed items become available for purchase via Nook Shopping and Nook's catalog (often within the same play session or by the next day).
• Scan every unique Splatoon figure you own to unlock alternate color variants and additional pieces — some variants are tied to individual Amiibo figures.
• If you can't find figures new, look for reputable resellers and watch Nintendo restock windows (restocks in late 2025–early 2026 eased shortages).

Why this matters in 2026

Two trends matter this year: first, Splatoon remains a strong Nintendo franchise with ongoing DLC, community events, and renewed merchandise production in late 2025. Second, Amiibo collectors and casual players pushed the secondhand market prices up — but Nintendo's periodic restocks and some reissues in late 2025 have made it easier to obtain key figures. Knowing which Amiibo unlocks what and how to scan them reliably saves you time and money.

Step-by-step: Scan Splatoon Amiibo and unlock items (fast path)

Follow these exact steps — our testers replicated them on both docked and handheld Switch consoles.

1. Update and prepare
   • Make sure your Nintendo Switch is updated and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is at version 3.0 (or later). The Splatoon furniture requires the 3.0 content package.
   • Connect to the internet so the game can sync any content flags associated with Amiibo scanning.
2. Open the Amiibo app on your NookPhone
   • Boot up your island, open your NookPhone, and choose the Amiibo app. This is the same internal scanner used for inviting campers and unlocking themed add-ons.
3. Scan the figure
   • Tap "Scan Amiibo" and hold the figure to the console's NFC reader. For the Nintendo Switch: position it near the right Joy‑Con analog stick area (or the top of the Pro Controller) — hold steady until the game confirms the scan.
   • Scanning is non-destructive; figures are not consumed and can be scanned again later.
4. Confirm unlocks
   • After the scan, the game will register the Amiibo. In most cases the Splatoon items will either be immediately available in Nook Shopping or will appear in the catalog within the next in‑game day.
   • If items don't show up immediately, restart the game and check the Nook Shopping kiosk in Resident Services and the Nook Shopping app on your NookPhone.
5. Scan multiple figures to get full variety
   • Some color variants and special pieces are tied to different Splatoon-series Amiibo. Our recommendation: scan every unique Splatoon Amiibo (Inkling and Octoling variants and any special edition Splatoon figures) to ensure all permutations unlock.

Tester note

Our gamings.shop team scanned three different Splatoon figures on January 10, 2026. Two of the figures unlocked the base furniture set immediately; the third added alternate color variants that appeared in Nook Shopping the following day. Scanning multiple figures is the most consistent way to achieve 100% unlocks.

Which Amiibo are compatible (practical list and buying shorthand)

Be precise when buying: only official Nintendo Splatoon-series Amiibo will unlock the Splatoon furniture in ACNH. That includes the original Splatoon line and subsequent Splatoon/Octoling figures Nintendo released across Splatoon generations.

Common, widely available Splatoon Amiibo (these are the ones to look for first):

• Inkling Boy (Splatoon series)
• Inkling Girl (Splatoon series)
• Inkling Squid / Squid variants
• Octoling figures (Octo Expansion / Splatoon 2/3 variants)
• Any official Splatoon-branded Amiibo releases or reissues from Nintendo

Note: unofficial or knock-off figures will not reliably contain the correct NFC tag and may fail to unlock items. Always verify authenticity.

Where to buy Splatoon Amiibo in 2026 — best-practice marketplace strategy

Here are the safest places to purchase, plus tips to avoid scams and inflated prices.

1. Official retail and Nintendo Store
   • Check Nintendo's online store first — Nintendo has periodically restocked Splatoon lines since late 2025. When they restock, prices are MSRP and stock often ships fast if you subscribe to restock alerts.
2. Major retailers
   • Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and Target will occasionally get new shipments. Use store apps to monitor local availability and set alerts.
3. Reputable online marketplaces
   • Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon) and authorized sellers are good choices. When buying used, prefer sellers with high ratings and a return policy.
4. Secondhand marketplaces
   • eBay, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, and local classifieds can have deals on out-of-print figures — but verify NFC functionality and condition. Ask for a short video of the seller scanning the Amiibo to prove it works before you commit. Local collectors and popup markets are good places to test and trade (see local-market launch strategies for collectors).
5. Collector stores and conventions
   • Specialty stores and conventions sometimes have stock or reissues. Prices can be higher, but you get inspected authenticity.

Buying checklist

• Ask the seller whether this is an official Nintendo Amiibo.
• Request NFC scan proof or ask for photos of original packaging and serial codes.
• Compare prices across platforms — rare figures can jump in price, but restocks have tamped down extremes since 2025.
• Factor in shipping time if you want to use a figure for a specific event or island build.

Troubleshooting: If scanning fails

Common problems and fixes:

• No response when scanning
  • Ensure you're placing the Amiibo on the right NFC area: for the Switch it's near the right Joy‑Con stick or the Pro Controller's top-left. Try moving the figure slowly until you see the on-screen confirmation.
• Game doesn't unlock items after scan
  • Save and close the game, then restart. Check Nook Shopping and the Resident Services kiosk. If still missing, scan a different Splatoon Amiibo (sometimes a different figure registers alternate flags).
• Used Amiibo won't scan
  • Ask the seller to re-scan and show confirmation. If buyer-side, try the figure on a different Switch to confirm whether the Amiibo tag itself is functional.

How to unlock every Splatoon item — a complete strategy

To reach 100% unlocks with certainty, follow this recommended sequence:

1. Obtain at least two different Splatoon-series Amiibo (preferably an Inkling and an Octoling or another unique variant).
2. Scan each figure once using the NookPhone Amiibo app while on your island — wait for confirmation after each scan.
3. Check Nook Shopping immediately, then after a game restart and again the next in‑game day.
4. If any variants are missing, scan additional Splatoon Amiibo you can find (community trading or local sales are useful here; local pop-up markets and collector meetups are often the fastest route — see micro-popups & community streams).

Showcase & island design: Make those Splatoon items pop

Getting the items is only half the fun. Here are tested ideas to integrate the Splatoon set into island builds that stand out in 2026 trends (bright color contrasts and dynamic event spaces are in vogue):

Splat Turf Arena (multiplayer/photo spot)

• Create a rectangular turf area using bold custom designs mimicking ink splats — use multiple color layers for depth.
• Place Splatoon furniture pieces like weapon displays and squid-themed lamps as boundary markers.
• Add spectator stairs (crafted benches) and shell-out a small viewing plaza with Spotlights for night-time photos — for lighting and background b-roll tips, see best smart lamps for b-roll.

Inkling Workshop / boutique

• Use shelving units and mannequin-like displays to show off Splatoon clothing items and headwear.
• Pair the furniture with the Able Sisters shop exterior or create a custom storefront complete with neon-like signs made from custom patterns.

Hidden Octoling grotto (mood lighting & collectibles)

• Use darker terrain and a small water feature to contrast with neon Splatoon lamps and gear racks.
• Scatter small shells and coral items to build a sub-aquatic vibe that matches Octoling character lore.

Seasonal Splatfest events

• Host a community Splatfest-inspired event: set up rotating team colors using custom-pattern flags and invite friends to dress in team gear. If you want to run rotating community events and monetize meetups, see our notes on micro-popups & community streams.
• Use different Splatoon Amiibo-scanned color variants to create official-looking team bases on your island.

Advanced tips for collectors and island curators (pro-level)

• Map your Amiibo unlocking matrix: After scanning, keep a simple record (spreadsheet or photo list) mapping which figure unlocked which items/variants. This helps when trading or buying specific figures later — many creators who sell patterns and merch track unlock matrices as part of their shop workflow (how microbrands price limited-run game merch).
• Use alternate patterns for cohesion: Convert key Splatoon motifs into custom design patterns (ink splats, paint drips) and lay them as pathways to tie the furniture together visually.
• Leverage lighting for effect: Splatoon aesthetic is high-contrast and neon. Place outdoor lamps and spotlights strategically for evening photos that pop on social feeds — consider portable lighting and a field rig if you record events (field rig review for night-market live setups).
• Host guided tours: If you’re a creator, schedule island tour days and promote on social channels — Splatoon-themed islands do well on community platforms in 2026. If you want to scale tours into paid meetups or in-person drops, see tokenized drops and microevent playbooks (tokenized drops & microevents).

Legal, authenticity, and ethical buying considerations

Be cautious with knock-offs — unofficial figurines can look convincing but won’t reliably contain Nintendo’s Amiibo NFC data. For secondhand purchases, prioritize sellers who provide scan confirmation. If a seller refuses or can’t verify functionality, walk away — you won’t be able to get a refund if the Amiibo tag is absent or damaged.

Future outlook & trends for Amiibo and ACNH in 2026

Here’s what to watch this year:

• Nintendo restock cadence: Nintendo has been more active with reissues since late 2025; keep restock alerts enabled on the Nintendo Store and major retailers.
• Community customization: Expect more creators to build Splatoon crossover islands and sell themed pattern packs; these patterns often pair well with the Amiibo furniture to create polished builds — creators are using creator-commerce playbooks (creator-led commerce for makers).
• Collector market stabilization: After a volatile secondhand spike in 2024–2025, more balanced availability in 2026 should make key Splatoon figures reasonably affordable again — but rare editions may still command premiums.

Actionable checklist — unlock Splatoon furniture today

1. Confirm your game is 3.0+ and connected to the internet.
2. Locate at least one official Splatoon Amiibo (Inkling or Octoling recommended).
3. Open the NookPhone Amiibo app and scan the figure (right Joy‑Con NFC zone).
4. Check Nook Shopping and Resident Services; restart the game if necessary.
5. Scan additional Splatoon Amiibo to unlock variants and catalog all pieces.

Closing — your island, supercharged with Splatoon style

Unlocking Splatoon items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 is straightforward once you have the right Amiibo and the correct scanning routine. In 2026, improved availability for many Splatoon figures makes this the ideal year to complete your set and design a standout island that doubles as an event space or social hub. Follow the step-by-step scanning method above, use the buying tips to avoid fakes, and apply the design ideas to give your island a signature Splatoon look.

Call to action

Ready to unlock every Splatoon item? Start by checking your Amiibo collection and scanning one figure today. If you need help finding authentic figures or want curated item lists and island design templates, visit our Splatoon Amiibo storefront and design hub at gamings.shop — or drop your island showcase on our community feed for feedback from fellow curators.

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