Animal Crossing Amiibo Hunting: Best Places, Prices, and Which Figures Unlock What

Hunting Amiibo for Animal Crossing in 2026: Where to Buy, What They Unlock, and What You'll Pay

Frustrated by endless resellers and confusing compatibility charts? If you only want the Splatoon or Zelda crossover items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (3.0+), this guide tells you exactly which amiibo to target, where to buy them in 2026, how much to expect to pay, and the collector strategies that actually work.

Quick takeaway

Scan one compatible amiibo once to unlock an entire furniture/clothing line for purchase in Nook Shopping. If you care about collector value, buy sealed — but if you only want in-game unlocks, a used or borrowed figure will do. Secondary-market prices vary wildly in 2026 after the 3.0 update surge: expect common Splatoon amiibo to trade $20–$60 and rare Zelda or limited Splatoon runs to go $80–$300+.

Why this matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 accelerated amiibo demand. Nintendo’s Animal Crossing 3.0 update reintroduced major crossover drops (Zelda, Splatoon, Sanrio elements), and collectors responded by snapping up figures and cards — many of which have not been reprinted. That created two trends you should know:

• Resale volatility: Amiibo that unlock desirable ACNH sets spiked in value after new content drops. Prices fluctuate around announcements and reprints.
• Borrow-to-scan culture: More players borrow amiibo or use local communities to scan once and unlock catalogs, reducing the need to buy sealed units if your goal is gameplay, not collecting.

How amiibo unlockables work in ACNH (practical)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (3.0+) requires you to scan a compatible amiibo figure or card once per island to unlock a themed set of furniture/clothing in the Nook Shopping terminal. Key points:

• Scanning does not consume the amiibo — you can scan borrowed figures / cards.
• Once unlocked on your island, the full set typically becomes available to buy in Nook Shopping or through in-game vendors (Kapp'n events depending on the crossover).
• Different amiibo from the same franchise (e.g., Splatoon) can unlock overlapping or unique items — scanning multiple related amiibo may unlock extra designs or variants.

Which amiibo unlock Splatoon items — and what they give you

Splatoon crossover items were added in the 3.0 cycle and are tied to the Splatoon series amiibo across generations. In 2026 the practical rule of thumb is: if the figure is a Splatoon or Octoling character and is listed as compatible by Nintendo, scanning it will unlock Splatoon furniture and clothing for your island.

Common Splatoon amiibo to target (and typical unlocks)

• Inkling Girl / Inkling Boy (original Splatoon) — Unlocks core Splatoon furniture and apparel: Splat-pattern jackets, Splattershot decor, squid-themed rugs and plushes.
• Inkling Squid (original) — Often unlocks additional decor pieces (plush and tentacle-themed furniture).
• Splatoon 2 / Splatoon 3 inkling/octoling variants — These can unlock seasonal or alternate-color variants of the Squid/Inkling set; scanning more than one may add colorway variants to the Nook catalog.

Tip: You don’t need every Splatoon figure to get the full Splatoon furniture line — one compatible Splatoon amiibo will usually unlock the base set. Multiple scans may unlock extra costume colors or posters.

Which Zelda amiibo unlock Zelda items — and what they give you

Zelda amiibo are among the most sought-after for both collectors and players because they unlock iconic items. In ACNH these amiibo typically unlock a suite of Zelda-themed furniture, decorations, and sometimes wearable items.

Key Zelda amiibo to prioritize

• Link amiibo (various versions) — Scanning a Link figure generally unlocks hero-themed furniture and display pieces (swords, shields, themed rugs). In many cases, the Link amiibo unlocks the Master Sword display and Hylian Shield decorative item or variants.
• Zelda / Zelda series amiibo — Unlocks feminine/royal items and Hyrule-themed décor (thrones, tapestries, Triforce-pattern items).
• Other series (Ganondorf, Zelda Breath of the Wild figures) — May add unique enemy or guardian statues and recipe variants for themed crafting.

Because Nintendo sometimes maps specific items to specific amiibo models, if there’s a single must-have item (e.g., a Master Sword display with a specific pose), research which model unlocks that version before buying.

Other crossover amiibo (Sanrio, LEGO and beyond)

2025–2026 saw an expansion of third-party and collaboration drops. The Sanrio series and LEGO tie-ins were made available via different unlock mechanisms — Sanrio items required scanning specific Sanrio amiibo/cards, while LEGO items were added to the Nook Stop without amiibo in some instances. Always check Nintendo’s compatibility list for the current update.

Price expectations & resale ranges (early 2026 snapshot)

Expect wide variability. These are ballpark ranges reflecting secondary-market activity across eBay, Mercari, and dedicated collector forums in early 2026:

• Common Splatoon amiibo (sealed, post-3.0 demand): $20–$60
• Common Splatoon (used/scanned): $8–$30
• Zelda series (common modern prints sealed): $25–$80
• Zelda rare/first-run sealed (older or limited editions): $100–$350+
• Limited-run or region-exclusive amiibo (any franchise): $150–$600+ depending on scarcity

Why such gaps? Supply, scarcity, and whether reprints happened after the 3.0 content dropped. For items that directly unlock desirable ACNH content, resale spikes have been most prominent right after major announcements.

Best places to buy in 2026 — strategy by intent

Your buying path should depend on whether you want the in-game unlocks, the collectible value, or both.

If you only want in-game unlocks (cheapest path)

• Ask local friends or community groups to borrow an amiibo and scan it once (no purchase needed).
• Use local buy/sell/trade groups to find used, tested figures for the lowest price. Meet in person and verify NFC functionality on your Switch before paying.
• Check library or community game nights — some towns have amiibo-lending programs and creator hubs post-2024 community initiatives.

If you want a playable figure but not a sealed collector copy

• Buy used from reputable sellers on eBay or Mercari — ask for a live scan or video to confirm the figure reads. For marketplace tactics and seller strategies, see the creator marketplace playbook.
• Prefer sellers with returns and Paypal/Shopify protections.

If you want a sealed collector item

• Buy from trusted retailers (Nintendo Store, Best Buy, GameStop) if stock is available — this is the safest route for authenticity.
• For sold-out items, use eBay/StockX/collector retailers and insist on graded photos, original packaging, and a clear returns policy. Also read guides on marketplace listing optimization if you plan to resell later.

How to spot fakes and avoid scams

Counterfeits exist. Use these checks:

• Base and logo: Authentic amiibo have a Nintendo amiibo logo on the base and consistent weight and plastic quality.
• Seam lines and paint jobs: Sloppy paint, uneven seams, or off colors are red flags.
• NFC test: Ask the seller for a live demonstration of the figure being read by a Switch or an NFC-capable phone.
• Packaging details: Compare packaging photos to verified boxes from Nintendo’s site or trusted unboxing videos.
• Seller history and receipts: Prefer sellers with feedback and, for expensive units, original receipts or evidence of purchase.

Buying tactics that save money

Don’t overpay if your goal is only the ACNH items. Use these proven tactics:

1. Borrow and scan first — many players unlock the set then sell the figure if they don’t want it.
2. Use “make offer” on marketplaces and bundle multiple amiibo purchases to lower shipping fees.
3. Set alerts on eBay sold listings, Mercari saved searches, and Google Shopping; price dips often occur weeks after major updates.
4. Watch for retailer restocks and flash drops on Nintendo’s site — restocks do happen and can undercut the secondary market.

Collector tips: think like an investor (but with caution)

If you collect amiibo as investments, remember volatility increased post-2025. Treat them like collectibles, not guaranteed returns.

• Prioritize limited runs and Nintendo Direct–announced exclusives for appreciation potential — read up on limited-drop mechanics for collectors.
• Keep items sealed, store in a cool/dry place, and avoid fluorescent light — packaging discolors over time.
• Document provenance: photograph receipts, original packaging, and box codes — collectors pay premiums for documented provenance.

Which to buy first: a simple prioritization

If your budget is limited, prioritize based on your goal:

• Gameplay first (unlockables only): Borrow any compatible Splatoon or Zelda amiibo. You only need one per set in most cases.
• Play + display (affordable choice): Buy a used figure verified to scan — cheaper than sealed and functional for both uses.
• Pure collector (value & aesthetics): Buy sealed first-run prints or limited editions from trusted sellers.

Practical scanning workflow

Follow these steps when scanning an amiibo to minimize friction and avoid wasted purchases:

1. Update your Switch to the latest firmware and confirm ACNH is the 3.0+ build.
2. Open the amiibo scanning menu inside ACNH (Photopia/Nook Stop depending on the object unlock flow).
3. Place the amiibo on the NFC spot; look for the unlock confirmation. If the figure fails to read, test on a smartphone NFC app or another Switch before finalizing a purchase.
4. Record the item unlocking confirmation (screenshot/video) if you borrowed the figure — it avoids repeated scans or disputes later.

2026 trends and what to expect next

As of early 2026 expect more crossover drops tied to anniversaries and live-service updates. Two trends to watch:

• More digital-first crossovers: Nintendo has shifted some tie-ins to in-game purchases or Nook Stop events to reduce pressure on physical stock.
• Higher-profile reprints for fan-favorite characters after community demand — but reprints are still smaller runs than original launches, keeping certain first-run figures valuable.

Actionable checklist before you buy an amiibo for ACNH

• Confirm compatibility: Check Nintendo’s official support for ACNH amiibo compatibility (as of your game version).
• Decide your goal: unlocks only vs collector value.
• Verify NFC functionality with a live scan or seller video.
• Compare final price to recent sold prices (not asking prices) on eBay/Mercari.
• Secure payment protections (PayPal Goods & Services, credit card) and track shipping.

Final verdict — quick recommendations

If you want ACNH Splatoon/Zelda items and not the collectible premium: borrow or buy a used, tested figure. If you want to collect and potentially profit, focus on sealed, first-run Zelda amiibo or limited Splatoon editions — expect to pay a premium in 2026. Always verify NFC reads before completing a purchase and track price history before making high-value buys.

Bottom line: The fastest, cheapest path to in-game unlockables is a one-time scan (borrow or buy used). The best route for long-term collector value is sealed, authenticated purchases from trusted sellers — but expect volatility and do your homework.

Tell us what you’re hunting

Have a specific amiibo or ACNH item in your sights? Drop the model and your budget in the comments below or sign up for our price-alert list for amiibo deals and sold-list tracking — we monitor restocks and major resale shifts so you don’t overpay.

Call to action: Join our wishlist alerts and weekly deal roundup to get notified when Splatoon, Zelda, or other crossover amiibo restock or hit buyer-friendly resale prices.

Related Reading

• Limited Drop Mechanics for Toy Collectors in 2026: Pricing, Anti‑Fraud and Hybrid Launch Tactics
• Collector Behavior: Credentialized Ownership and Gamified Rarity (2026)
• Advanced Deal Timing for 2026: Edge Alerts & Micro‑Fulfillment
• Preparing Platform Ops for Hyper‑Local Pop‑Ups and Flash Drops (2026)
• Scaling an Artisan Jewelry Line: Operations Lessons from a Beverage Startup
• Dry January, Year-Round: How Reducing Alcohol Slows Skin Aging
• How to Spot a Fake or Unauthorized GoFundMe: Tips After the Mickey Rourke Story
• Elevated Body Care: The Products Changing How We Pamper Skin in 2026
• Commodities Charts to Watch: Metals, Energy and Inflation Signals for 2026