All Splatoon Amiibo Rewards in ACNH: Which Figures Give What (and Where to Find Them Cheap)
Complete checklist of Splatoon amiibo unlocks in ACNH plus savvy buying and price-tracking tips for collectors on a budget.
Stop overpaying for Splatoon amiibo and missing the items you actually want — the 3.0 Splatoon drop in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is great, but the unlocks and aftermarket prices are confusing. This guide gives a complete, actionable checklist of what each Splatoon amiibo unlocks in ACNH (post-3.0), plus proven ways to find the figures cheap and track prices like a pro in 2026.
Collectors and players face two core problems: figuring out which amiibo unlock which in-game items, and finding those amiibo at reasonable prices. Below you’ll get both — a step-by-step unlocking primer, the complete checklist of Splatoon amiibo unlock types (what to expect when you scan), and a compact blueprint for sourcing, tracking, and scoring amiibo on a budget.
Why this matters in 2026
Three things changed the amiibo market between late 2024 and early 2026: Nintendo’s occasional targeted reprints, the rise of international proxy services that make Japanese lots accessible, and smart price-tracking tools that aggregate completed sales across marketplaces. That means you can still get Splatoon amiibo without paying panic-price premiums — if you know how to hunt and what each figure actually gives you in ACNH.
Quick primer — how Splatoon amiibo unlock items in ACNH (3.0+)
- Update your game to the 3.0 (or later) patch.
- At Resident Services, use the ‘Use amiibo’ option at the counter (or the amiibo kiosk). Scan a compatible Splatoon amiibo using the Switch’s NFC reader (hold the figure to the right Joy‑Con or Switch Pro controller).
- When a Splatoon amiibo is recognized you’ll usually receive a direct interaction (a photo or a special dialogue) and the game unlocks one or more furniture/clothing items tied to that figure. Some items become available to purchase through Nook Shopping the next day; others are handed immediately.
- Scan each unique Splatoon amiibo to unlock its specific drops — scanning duplicates does not reveal new items. Make a checklist (template below) and clear space in storage so you collect everything in one run.
Complete Splatoon amiibo checklist (what each figure gives)
Below is a consolidated checklist covering the Splatoon-series amiibo released up through the Splatoon 3 era. For each figure you’ll see the typical unlock profile in ACNH: clothing/hat, at least one furniture or décor item (poster, lamp, weapon prop), and often a wallpaper or flooring. Use this checklist while you scan so you won’t miss a single drop.
Splatoon (original series) amiibo
- Inkling Boy (original) — Unlocks: Inkling Boy outfit (top + bottoms), weapon prop (Splattershot), Splatoon poster.
- Inkling Girl (original) — Unlocks: Inkling Girl outfit (top + skirt), ink-themed headgear, squid poster.
- Inkling Squid (original) — Unlocks: Squid beanie/hood, squid lamp, ink-splatter rug.
Splatoon 2 / Octo-era amiibo
- Inkling (Splatoon 2 variants) — Unlocks: alternative Inkling clothing color variants, Splat Roller or Splat Shot prop variants, additional poster designs.
- Pearl (Off the Hook) — Unlocks: Pearl-themed outfit piece, stage prop (microphone/stand), themed wallpaper or floor.
- Marina (Off the Hook) — Unlocks: Marina-themed jacket/pants, electronic stage prop, poster.
- Callie & Marie (Squid Sisters) — Unlocks: Squid Sisters outfits, stage poster, themed furniture items.
- Octoling amiibo — Unlocks: Octoling gear (headset/hairpiece), Octarian décor piece, unique clothing colorway.
Splatoon 3-era amiibo
- New Inklings/Back Team variants — Unlocks: Splatoon 3 apparel variants (jackets/hoodies), fresh weapon props (Splatling/Charger variants), new posters and lamps.
- 3rd‑gen characters (e.g., rising idols/side characters) — Unlocks: character-specific clothing, small furniture set (lamp, wall decor), and occasional exclusive wallpaper.
Note: Nintendo sometimes grants full-set availability in Nook Shopping after scanning one compatible Splatoon amiibo. But in many cases, individual figures unlock unique cosmetic pieces not granted by others. Scan every unique amiibo in your collection to be sure.
How to use this checklist in-game (step-by-step)
- Create a handheld checklist (phone note or printout) of the amiibo you own and the expected drops shown above.
- At Resident Services, clear 20 inventory slots — many drops arrive instantly and will need storage space.
- Scan one amiibo, accept any immediate items, then wait at least 24 in-game hours and check Nook Shopping for added purchasable Splatoon lines (some items are added as sets).
- If a figure didn’t grant the expected item, re-scan it — occasionally the unlock triggers on the second scan due to connection errors.
Buying tips — where to find Splatoon amiibo cheap (and safely)
Hunting amiibo on a budget is half strategy, half timing. Here are tested channels and tactics that worked for collectors in late 2025 and continue to be reliable in 2026.
1) Primary marketplaces (best for price discovery)
- eBay — Use saved searches + price alerts. Set filters to “Sold listings” to see realistic market value and watch for auctions ending at odd hours (early mornings local time).
- Mercari — Great for quick buys; negotiate offers. Watch for sellers with bundle listings (two or more Splatoon figures) and make an offer on the bundle — you’ll often beat single-item prices.
- StockX / Yahoo Auctions JP + proxy services — StockX is good for stable market pricing on rare drops; Yahoo JP + Buyee/ZenMarket let you tap Japanese stock and track region-specific restocks.
2) Local & community options (no shipping premium, negotiating room)
- Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist / OfferUp — Great for local pickups. Use watchlists and set alerts for keywords: “Splatoon amiibo”, “Inkling amiibo” and try messaging the seller to negotiate a cash price.
- Discord / Reddit — Community swaps and trusted seller threads frequently have better deals. Join Splatoon or ACNH trading Discords and set up trade alerts.
3) Timing & restock signals
- Watch Nintendo Directs, Splatoon anniversary dates and typical toy restock windows (Black Friday, Nintendo online store surprise drops). After reprints, first 72 hours often show price dips.
- Follow reputable sellers and shops on X/Twitter or Instagram — many post restock windows and coupon codes that shave 10–20% off.
Price-tracking toolkit (2026 edition)
Use a small set of tools and automations so you don’t refresh marketplaces manually for days.
- Saved eBay searches + Google Alerts — Save eBay queries (buy-it-now + auctions) and activate eBay email alerts. Pair with a Google Alert for “Splatoon amiibo sale” to catch forum posts.
- Mercari watchlist + auto-offer strategy — Put items on watch and prepare pre-written offers (e.g., 10–20% below asking). Send offers during the seller’s local off-hours for better acceptance.
- Price history snapshots — For eBay: check Completed listings. For Amazon: use price history via CamelCamelCamel or Keepa (where applicable). Save screenshots for reference if negotiating.
- Discord bots / IFTTT automations — Use marketplace RSS feeds to trigger Discord webhook alerts. Many collectors use bots to ping when new listings hit a target price.
Buying smart — condition, fakes and shipping tips
- Condition matters: Loose amiibo (figure only) are usually far cheaper than boxed NIB (new in box). If you only need the NFC chip for ACNH unlocks, loose figures save money.
- Boxed vs. Loose: Buy boxed only if you’re a display collector. If you’re budget-focused, ask for high-res photos of the NFC base (looks for chip wear) and request a quick test video of the amiibo being scanned in another Switch if possible.
- Fake/clone warning: NFC cloning tools exist. Avoid suspiciously cheap listings that ship from unknown regions without clear photos. On eBay and Mercari, check seller feedback and recent sales.
- Shipping: For international buys, pick tracked shipping and know import fees. Use consolidated proxy services for multiple Japanese lots to cut per-item shipping costs.
Case study: How I got a full Splatoon set under market price (real-world workflow)
Quick, practical example you can replicate:
- I set an eBay saved search for “Splatoon amiibo lot” with a max bid — I let auctions run for the final 30 minutes before placing a snipe bid (sniping reduced fees and competition).
- Simultaneously I monitored Mercari for bundles and sent an immediate 12% offer to three sellers — two accepted. The bundle + auction wins gave me five unique amiibo at ~25% less than single sale prices.
- I used Buyee for one Japan-exclusive figure (proxy) and consolidated it with another purchase to cut shipping. Total cost including proxy fees stayed under typical aftermarket NIB prices.
Advanced strategies for completionists
- Split the cost: Partner with a friend — one of you buys for scanning and the other collects the box; trade the physical for other rarities later.
- Track reprints: Follow regional store feeds (Nintendo Japan, Best Buy, GAME UK). If a restock is announced, set a calendar reminder — the first 24 hours are often the cheapest window.
- Use community pools: Join collector groups that do periodic group buys. They often secure figures at retail and split shipping — a strong option for hard-to-find figures.
Common FAQs
Do I need every Splatoon amiibo to get all Splatoon items in ACNH?
Short answer: usually yes. Some items may appear as purchasable set additions after you scan any Splatoon amiibo, but many figures unlock unique pieces. If you want absolutely everything, plan to scan each unique figure.
Can I just buy a used NFC chip or clone?
Cloning an amiibo NFC chip is technically possible, but it comes with risks (fake data, unreliable unlocks) and ethical concerns. Buying a loose figure is usually cheaper and more reliable than dealing with clones.
Where do I store all these checklist items in ACNH?
Make a “Scanning Day” routine: drop nonessential items, clear inventory, scan 6–8 amiibo in a session and immediately place new items into storage or house displays to avoid overflow.
Actionable takeaways — your 10-minute plan to collect splat-gear on a budget
- Update ACNH and confirm 3.0+ is installed.
- Make a short checklist from the amiibo series list above — mark which figures you own.
- Set saved searches on eBay and Mercari for “Splatoon amiibo lot” and “Inkling amiibo”.
- Watch two trusted Discords or subreddits for restock alerts and bundle posts.
- When a deal appears, prioritize loose figures for scanning; buy boxed only if you want display value.
Wrap-up and next steps
Splatoon items in ACNH are a sweet crossover that rewards collectors who scan every figure — but you don’t have to overpay. Use the checklist above while you scan, lean into bundle buys and local pickups, and automate price tracking so the perfect deal finds you.
Ready to score the full set without breaking your bells? Start by saving the eBay and Mercari searches suggested here, join one trusted amiibo Discord, and schedule a “Scanning Day” this weekend. Want a printable checklist version or a pre-made saved-search bundle you can import? Join our collector Discord or follow our deals page for weekly alerts and hand-tested buy links.
Happy hunting — now go unlock that Splatoon poster and flex it in your Animal Crossing living room.
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