Complete Guide: All Splatoon Amiibo Rewards in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (How to Unlock Them)

Collecting Splatoon furniture in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (3.0) — your complete unlock & buy guide

Hook: If you’ve been hunting the Splatoon set since New Horizons' 3.0 update dropped, you’re not alone — the items are intentionally hidden behind Amiibo scanning and a few catalog mechanics that confuse even seasoned collectors. This guide walks you, step-by-step, through identifying compatible Amiibo, scanning them reliably on every Switch model, unlocking every purchasable Splatoon-themed item, and the smartest buying and secondhand-shopping strategies for collectors in 2026.

Why this matters in 2026 (trends & context)

Late 2025 through early 2026 saw a renewed appetite for retro and crossover content in ACNH communities. Splatoon remains one of Nintendo’s biggest live-service franchises (Splatfests, esports activity, and merch drops kept demand high), and the 3.0 update’s Splatoon drop created a mini-scramble for Amiibo-backed rewards. Community marketplaces have responded — you’ll see periodic Amiibo restocks and seller price swings — which makes timing and knowledge crucial for collectors and event shoppers. For a broader look at how urban retail and micro-events are changing the collector economy, see The Evolution of Urban Micro‑Retail in 2026.

At-a-glance: What this guide covers

• Which Amiibo work and how scanning unlocks items
• Step-by-step scanning walkthrough (every Switch model)
• How to buy unlocked Splatoon furniture and where it appears
• Complete checklist of Splatoon-themed items you can buy after unlocking
• Collector & shopping tips: where to buy amiibo, how to verify authenticity, and how to avoid catalog gaps

Which Amiibo unlock Splatoon items in ACNH 3.0

The Splatoon furniture and wearable gear in ACNH 3.0 are unlocked via compatible Splatoon-series Amiibo. That includes the original Splatoon Amiibo and later Splatoon-series figures released for sequels. In practical terms, that means common compatible Amiibo are:

• Splatoon: Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid (original wave)
• Splatoon 2 / Splatoon 3 Amiibo releases and Splatfest-pack Amiibo (callable in-game when recognized)
• Special characters tied to Splatoon (Callie & Marie, Octolings) — these can unlock additional wearable variants in some cases

Pro tip: You only need to scan one compatible Splatoon Amiibo to begin unlocking Splatoon items, but scanning additional related Amiibo can unlock variant clothing or extra character-themed pieces. If you’re unsure whether an Amiibo will work, check the item list on Nookipedia or the Nintendo support page before purchase.

Step-by-step: How to scan Amiibo for ACNH (3.0) and unlock Splatoon items

1. Update and confirm 3.0 is installed

Make sure your copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is updated to the 3.0 (or higher) game version. The Splatoon furniture additions are part of that update; earlier versions will not show the Amiibo unlock paths.

2. Go to Resident Services — Amiibo support

1. Enter Resident Services and use the Nook Stop terminal (inside the building) or talk to Sable/Isabelle depending on your Resident Services layout.
2. Choose the Amiibo (Invite) option. Animal Crossing uses the standard Amiibo interface to read figures.

3. Scan the Amiibo — where to place it (by Switch model)

Different Switch hardware has different NFC points. If scanning isn’t working, try the alternate touch points below:

• Switch (original) & OLED: Tap the Amiibo to the right Joy-Con’s analog stick area (or the NFC touchpoint indicated in the manual).
• Switch Lite: Tap the middle right-side of the console. If you have trouble, try using a paired Pro Controller or a Joy-Con with NFC.
• Docked with Pro Controller: Hold the Pro Controller’s right-side analog stick area against the Amiibo.

Troubleshooting: If the console doesn’t recognize the Amiibo, reboot the game (close then re-open), remove and reattach Joy-Cons, or try a different NFC touchpoint. Third-party Amiibo clones and damaged chips often fail to read — see the collector section for authentication tips.

4. Accept the unlock and wait for the catalog update

Once the Amiibo is recognized, ACNH will confirm the unlock. The Splatoon furniture is not always delivered instantly — it is typically added to your Nook Shopping catalog and may take one or two in-game days to appear as purchasable items. Keep an eye on your Nook Shopping menu under the furniture and clothing tabs.

Where to buy the unlocked Splatoon furniture

After unlocking, Splatoon items become available through the standard in-game purchase channels:

• Nook Shopping (Nook’s Cranny online shop): Most Splatoon furniture and apparel appear here for Redd- and NookMiles purchase or Nook Shopping orders.
• Resident Services / Kapp’n Hotel special vendors: The 3.0 update introduced the Kapp’n hotel and related island facilities — occasionally, limited-run or promotional items tied to island events use in-person vendors. For community event best practices and on-the-ground vendor setups, see this field review of compact pop-up kits & portable checkout solutions.
• Blathers’ or special character shops: Rarely, some decorative items or flooring/wallpaper variants show up in special island displays or Nook Shopping rotation.

Complete checklist: Splatoon-themed items you can unlock and buy (as of Jan 2026)

Below is a consolidated checklist of the Splatoon-themed items that the community and official references confirm are unlockable in ACNH 3.0. Use this as a shopping checklist — tick them off as they appear in your Nook Shopping or catalog.

Note: Item availability may vary slightly depending on which specific Splatoon Amiibo you scanned first. Scanning multiple Splatoon-series Amiibo may reveal additional clothing colorways or minor variants.

Furniture & decorative pieces

• Splatoon-themed Ink Tank (decorative tank / tank top display)
• Splattershot (weapon display)
• Heavy Splatling or alternate weapon prop
• Splat Roller (decor prop)
• Squid Lamp (lamp shaped like a squid)
• Inkopolis Poster / Splatfest posters
• Spawn Point Rug / ink-themed floor mat
• Inkopolis Wall wallpaper (urban turf aesthetic)
• Splatoon-themed flooring (ink-splattered flooring)

Wearables and accessories

• Inkling / Octoling headgear (Caps, Masks)
• Inkling / Octoling tops (t-shirts and jackets)
• Splatoon shoes and legwear
• Splatfest T-shirt variants and festival gear
• Ink-themed umbrellas and handheld props

Patterns & custom designs

• Splatoon-themed custom patterns (weapon art, logos)
• Stickers and small decals usable on walls and floors

How to confirm: For a definitive, sortable list with exact in-game names and catalog numbers, cross-check your unlocked list with Nookipedia’s Splatoon set page or the ACNH official support list. Community-curated spreadsheets (search “ACNH Splatoon Amiibo list 2026”) are also kept up-to-date and track which Amiibo unlock which variants.

Collector tips: buying Amiibo and avoiding scams (2026 market advice)

With restocks and reprints fluctuating through 2025–2026, here’s how to collect without overpaying or getting a dud:

• Watch restock windows: Community Discords and Twitter/X feeds for Amiibo trackers often spot official Nintendo restocks within hours. Follow a few credible tracker accounts to get alerts—and pair that with deal-hunting workflows like the ones in this tools roundup.
• Buy from reputable sellers: Prefer official retailers, highly-rated Mercari or eBay sellers with return policies, or Facebook Marketplace sellers with local pickup and immediate inspection. For selling and pop-up setups where authenticity checks matter, field reviews of pop-up hardware can be useful—see this curated weekend pop‑ups playbook.
• Authenticate the chip: Real Amiibo respond to your console instantly; third-party knockoffs commonly fail to register or have partial functionality. If buying used, ask the seller to show the Amiibo working on a console before purchase.
• Compare serials and packaging: Genuine Amiibo packaging has consistent branding, serial numbers, and Nintendo trademarks. If a deal looks too good, it might be a fake.
• Price benchmarks (early 2026): Popular Splatoon Amiibo often range from MSRP for reprints (~$12–$15) up to $30–60 on the secondary market when rare. Set price alerts and wait for a fair window unless you need a piece immediately.

Event shoppers: how to plan for Kapp’n hotel promotions & island gift windows

Kapp’n’s hotel and related island events introduced in 3.0 sometimes host limited runs or giveaways tied to seasonal Splatoon events. For event shoppers:

• Monitor in-game notices: Kapp’n, Isabelle, and the Island Notice Board often announce upcoming hotel events and vendors.
• Time-limited items: If a Splatoon item is tied to an event or collaboration, assume it’s limited — plan your play session and set reminders. If you run small community events to swap items or trade duplicates, compact on-site gear such as compact Bluetooth speakers or portable receipt/printing hardware like the PocketPrint kits can make meetups run more smoothly.
• Coordinate with friends: Island hopping with friends can help you access variant items or hotel vendor windows you might miss solo.

Advanced strategies: catalog-sharing, alt islands & amiibo farms

If you’re building a full Splatoon room or running a collector’s inventory, these advanced tactics help complete sets faster:

• Catalog sharing via co-op: Friends who’ve unlocked Splatoon items can order and sell you pieces locally (or give them) to speed collection. If you’re thinking about small-scale selling or trading events, the Hybrid Merchant Playbook has practical ideas for organizing short-run stalls and inventory rotations.
• Alt-island scanning: If you manage multiple islands, scan Amiibo on a secondary island to trigger separate unlock windows; however, purchases tie to the island that made the order, so plan accordingly.
• Use trade groups carefully: Specialized Discord or Reddit trading hubs can get rare variants, but always use middlemen or reputable escrow for expensive trades. The dynamics of micro-popups and flipping are covered in this micro-popups & inventory‑shift guide, which is useful if you plan to resell duplicates.

Common problems & fixes

Item didn’t appear after scanning

1. Confirm game version (3.0+).
2. Wait one full in-game day — some catalog entries spawn with a delay.
3. Re-scan the Amiibo — sometimes the unlock flag needs a second read.

Console won’t read the Amiibo

• Try a different controller or console NFC point.
• Check the Amiibo for physical damage.
• Test the Amiibo on a friend’s Switch if possible to verify the chip’s integrity.

Final checklist — before you buy or scan

• Update ACNH to 3.0 or higher.
• Decide which Splatoon Amiibo you’ll target first (Inkling Girl/Boy/Squid are common starters).
• Confirm your Switch’s NFC method for scanning.
• Have a shopping plan: Nook Shopping, Kapp’n hotel events, or community trades. For organizing pop-up swaps or local meetups check out this curated pop-ups playbook.
• Set price alerts and verify Amiibo authenticity before purchase.

Key takeaways

• One scan unlocks a lot: Scanning a Splatoon Amiibo is the fastest way to add the Splatoon furniture and apparel to your catalog; multiple scans can reveal variants.
• Patience pays: Items usually show up in Nook Shopping within a day—don’t worry if purchases aren’t immediate.
• Market timing matters: Watch for restocks and community sell-windows in 2026 to avoid overpaying for Amiibo. If you plan to bring items to a local collector swap, consider small-event gear and set-ups covered in field reviews of pop-up hardware like portable checkout solutions and compact speaker options.

Resources & next steps

• Check Nookipedia’s Splatoon entry and the ACNH Amiibo page for exact in-game names and catalog numbers.
• Join ACNH communities on Discord and Twitter/X to catch restock alerts and event windows. If you’re thinking about the social side of online communities versus in-person meetups, this opinion piece on community building is worth a read: Why Digital First Friendmaking Won't Replace In Person Bonds.
• Keep an eye on Nintendo’s official announcements — occasional reprints and collabs in late 2025 changed the market; 2026 may bring more.

Ready to complete your Splatoon room?

Start by scanning one Splatoon Amiibo tonight, then check Nook Shopping tomorrow. If you’re shopping for Amiibo, set an alert and verify the chip before buying — a small bit of preparation saves you time and money. Share this guide with your island friends and coordinate a catalog-sharing session to speed up collection. If you want inspiration for room layout or retro-themed decorating retreats, see Where Retro Ideas Start, or pack efficiently for meetups with this creator carry kit.

Call to action: Got a rare Splatoon variant or a tip for snagging Amiibo restocks in 2026? Drop your finds in the comments or join our ACNH collectors thread — we’ll compile community-verified unlock data and update this guide with confirmed new items and variant drops.

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