Collector's Guide: All Splatoon Amiibo Rewards and Where to Find Them
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Collector's Guide: All Splatoon Amiibo Rewards and Where to Find Them

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2026-02-23
9 min read
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A complete 2026 collector's guide mapping every Splatoon amiibo to its ACNH rewards, sourcing tips, and rarity notes.

Hook: Stop wasting hours hunting amiibo — get every Splatoon item in ACNH with a single checklist

If you want the full Splatoon wardrobe, furniture, and showpieces in Animal Crossing: New Horizons but hate buying the wrong amiibo or overpaying on the second‑hand market, this guide is for you. We catalog every Splatoon‑themed ACNH reward introduced with the 3.0 era updates, map each reward back to the exact amiibo that unlocks it, and give practical sourcing and rarity advice so you can complete your collection without a headache.

At a glance: What you'll find in this guide

  • Complete reward catalog — What Splatoon items ACNH adds and which amiibo unlock them.
  • Where to buy — Reliable retailer options and resale marketplaces, plus price ranges (early 2026).
  • Rarity guide — Which figures are common, scarce, or sought‑after by collectors.
  • Actionable steps — How to scan amiibo, trigger the unlock, and get items into your Nook Shopping queue.
  • Advanced strategies & trends (2026) — Timing restocks, using trackers, and long‑term collecting tips.

The evolution of Splatoon amiibo rewards in ACNH (why this matters in 2026)

Since ACNH's 3.0 expansion cycle and subsequent content drops (late 2023 through 2025), Nintendo has leaned into cross‑IP cosmetic drops that are amiibo‑gated. Splatoon items arrived as part of that push and became an instant niche favorite — both for fans and for collectors hunting limited amiibo runs. In early 2026, with Splatoon esports and seasonal DLC keeping the brand visible, demand for Splatoon amiibo stayed high. That makes a reliable collector's catalog and sourcing strategy essential.

How Splatoon amiibo unlock rewards in ACNH — quick, practical steps

  1. Update your game to the latest version (always do this first — compatibility can change with patches).
  2. Open Animal Crossing: New Horizons and go to Resident Services. Interact with the terminal that handles amiibo (the in‑game prompt reads "Use amiibo").
  3. When prompted, hold your amiibo to the right Joy‑Con (or the Switch OLED/Pro Controller NFC area). The game will register that figure.
  4. After scanning, the Splatoon items are added to your Nook Shopping rotation — typically available immediately or the following day under the "Special Purchase" / "Limited" tab.
  5. You can scan multiple amiibo to expand the catalog. Once added, most furniture and clothing are repeatable purchases via Nook Shopping.

Pro tip: You don't need a brand‑new figure — used amiibo scan fine, and physical damage rarely affects NFC functionality. Always verify the figure reads before you buy if possible.

Complete catalog: Splatoon‑themed ACNH items and the amiibo that unlock each set

The list below organizes rewards by amiibo family. Nintendo released Splatoon amiibo across multiple series (original Splatoon, Splatoon 2, and later Splatoon 3 lines). In ACNH, scanning any official Splatoon family amiibo will unlock associated Splatoon gear, but specific character amiibo will often gate unique pieces (character portrait items, themed clothing, or exclusive decorations). Where a reward is tied to a single figure, we call that out.

1) Inkling Boy / Inkling Girl amiibo (multiple waves)

  • Typical rewards unlocked: Inkling shirt variants, Inkling jacket, Splattershot replica (furniture), Splatoon sneakers, Inkling hat, and character portrait decal.
  • Notes: Both boy and girl amiibo grant largely overlapping clothing sets; ownership of both can unlock alternate colorways in some cases.
  • Where to find: Common on resale markets. Many players sell single figures; boxed copies appear occasionally at retro/game specialty stores.
  • Rarity: Common to Uncommon (depends on wave and region).

2) Inkling Squid / Splatoon Squid amiibo

  • Typical rewards unlocked: Squid model/statue, Inkling tentacle accessories, themed wallpaper/flooring with ink splatter motifs.
  • Notes: The squid figure often unlocks more decorative items than wearable gear — great if your island build leans display‑heavy.
  • Where to find: Often sold bundled with Inkling Boy/Girl back in original waves; used markets are a safe bet.
  • Rarity: Common to Uncommon.

3) Callie & Marie (Squid Sisters) amiibo

  • Typical rewards unlocked: Splatfest banners, stage lights, microphone stand, Sylized poster items and exclusive clothing with Squid Sisters motifs.
  • Notes: These figures tend to unlock the most character‑specific decor—perfect for recreating a Splatfest stage on your island.
  • Where to find: Boxes are scarcer than single Inklings; collectors hang on to these. Check auction sites and indie game stores.
  • Rarity: Uncommon to Rare — prices spike if boxed and mint.

4) Octoling amiibo

  • Typical rewards unlocked: Octoling outfit pieces, Octoling mask, and a darker/alternative palette of Splatoon furniture.
  • Notes: Octoling figures often provide the distinct "alternate faction" looks you won't get from standard Inkling figures.
  • Where to find: Originally limited, Octoling amiibo have strong collector interest — check dedicated auctions and regional online stores.
  • Rarity: Rare to Very Rare.

5) Special / variant amiibo (Gold editions, store exclusives, promo variants)

  • Typical rewards unlocked: Unique color variants of clothing and high‑tier display items; some variants unlock alternate palette versions of items unlocked by base figures.
  • Notes: Not every variant gives new item types; often the value is cosmetic and collector appeal.
  • Where to find: Secondary markets (eBay, Mercari, StockX) — expect premium pricing.
  • Rarity: Very Rare — the hardest to source and most expensive per piece.

Reader reminder: Nintendo's compatibility is broad — scanning any official Splatoon amiibo family member will populate the Nook Shopping Splatoon tab. However, character figures often unlock themed extras exclusive to them.

Where to buy Splatoon amiibo in 2026 — retailer and marketplace breakdown

Depending on whether you want a cheap functional figure or a mint boxed collectible, your best source differs. Use the checklist below to match your buying goals.

Buy cheap and functional (for scanning only)

  • Local classifieds (Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor) — search for "Splatoon amiibo" and test NFC before paying.
  • Used game stores and pawn shops — ask to test the figure against your Switch if allowed.
  • Price range in early 2026: roughly $8–$35 depending on figure and condition.

Buy mint/collectible (boxed, graded, or rare variants)

  • eBay auctions (watch for seller feedback, original packaging photos, and serial numbers).
  • Specialty resellers and graded‑goods platforms (Beckett, CGC for electronics/collectibles where available).
  • Collector marketplaces like StockX and hobby auction houses for high‑end variants.
  • Price range in early 2026: $60–$300+ — Gold/variant editions can go higher.

Retail restocks and regional shops

  • Official Nintendo Store (restocks happen; set alerts).
  • Major retailers (GameStop, Best Buy, Target, Amazon) — sign up for restock alerts and preorders.
  • Japan/Asia regional drops — sometimes the easiest place to source rare variants, but factor in import costs.

Rarity guide & price expectations (practical thresholds)

Use these categories to prioritize purchases:

  • Common: Readily available used and in stores — $8–$35.
  • Uncommon: Limited waves, occasional mint boxes — $35–$75.
  • Rare: Short print runs, character exclusives — $75–$200.
  • Very Rare: Promo or variant figures, sealed mint condition — $200+.

Authentication & buying safety — avoid fakes and scams

  • Ask for clear photos of the amiibo's base (serials), box barcode, and figurine close‑ups.
  • Test NFC if buying locally. The Switch reads the figure and displays the amiibo name — verify before handing over cash.
  • Use buyer protection on marketplaces (eBay/PayPal, Mercari) and prefer sellers with strong feedback.
  • Avoid deals that are "too good to be true" on global shipping offers — deep discounts often hide counterfeit or non‑working tags.

Advanced collecting strategies (for completionists and deal‑hunters)

  1. Set up multi‑market watchers: Use price trackers and saved eBay searches to get instant alerts for specific amiibo names and UPCs.
  2. Bundle hunt: Sellers often split three‑figure bundles — you can pick one at a lower price than a single rare figure sold alone.
  3. Local meetups: Trade with other collectors — sometimes the fastest and cheapest way to get a rare piece.
  4. Wait for logical restocks: Nintendo sometimes reprints amiibo to coincide with game anniversaries or DLC — monitor official announcements around Splatoon events.
  5. Buy for scanning, upgrade later: If you only need the in‑game unlock, buy a cheap working figure now and hunt for a boxed copy over months.

Here’s what to watch and how to use it to your advantage:

  • Demand follows visibility: When Splatoon tournaments and collaborations push the brand into the spotlight, rare amiibo prices spike. Time purchases for quieter months.
  • Reprint windows: Nintendo has occasionally reissued popular amiibo lines. If a Splatoon anniversary or DLC season is announced, expect limited reissues.
  • Collector crossovers: Special crossovers (like regional store‑exclusive colorways) will continue to be high value — plan to buy early or plan a long‑term hunt.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

  • Buying non‑functioning figures: Always confirm NFC functionality with photos that show the Switch recognizing the amiibo name.
  • Overpaying for scanned‑only needs: If you only need an in‑game unlock, prioritize used or unboxed figures.
  • Trusting price history blindly: Markets fluctuate — look at multi‑month price graphs before deciding a seller's ask is reasonable.

Actionable checklist: Get every Splatoon item in ACNH (start today)

  1. Update ACNH and back up your island save.
  2. Decide if you want functional (used) or collectible (boxed) amiibo.
  3. Set alerts on eBay/StockX/Nintendo Store for specific amiibo names (Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, Inkling Squid, Callie, Marie, Octoling).
  4. Buy the first working amiibo you find for immediate unlocks; expand to character variants later for exclusive items.
  5. Scan at Resident Services and check Nook Shopping's "Limited" tab the same day or next day for new Splatoon items.

Final verdict: Is it worth collecting Splatoon amiibo for ACNH?

If you're building a themed island or want the full Splatoon wardrobe and display gear, yes — collecting amiibo is the most reliable and rewarding route. For casual players who only want a few items, buying a single used Inkling figure covers most of the basics. For collectors and island builders aiming for fidelity, budgeting for Callie/Marie and Octoling variants is a smart move.

Call to action

Ready to start your Splatoon collection? Use our companion deals page (updated weekly) to find verified sellers and live restock alerts, and drop questions or your completed item lists in the comments below — I check them and add sourcing tips weekly. If you want a printable checklist PDF of every Splatoon item in ACNH tied to specific amiibo, sign up for our collector's newsletter and get the PDF plus price‑tracking presets for eBay and Mercari.

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#Buying Guides#Animal Crossing#Collectibles
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2026-02-23T03:01:56.614Z