How to Unlock Every Splatoon Amiibo Reward in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Stop hunting blindly — get every Splatoon item in New Horizons, fast

If you’ve been trying to complete the Splatoon set in Animal Crossing: New Horizons since the 3.0 update, you already know the worst part: the items aren’t waiting in your catalog. They’re locked behind Amiibo scanning, and if you don’t know the precise steps (and a few 2026 scanning tips and tricks), you can waste hours tapping cards and figures without getting the full collection. This guide walks you through every step — from which Splatoon Amiibo are compatible to guaranteed catalog unlocks, troubleshooting NFC reads, and the best island displays for a Turf War–ready showroom.

Quick roadmap (what you’ll do)

1. Update New Horizons to the latest 3.0+ patch.
2. Gather compatible Splatoon Amiibo (which ones to buy or borrow).
3. Scan each Amiibo using the in-game amiibo function and your Switch’s NFC reader.
4. Claim the furniture reward and register it to your catalog.
5. Order duplicates via Nook Shopping or craft a display on your island and in Kapp’n’s hotel.

What’s new in 2026 and why it matters

By late 2025 and into 2026, Nintendo doubled down on crossover content for New Horizons — adding more franchise furniture packs and expanding Amiibo hooks. The 3.0 update brought Kapp’n’s hotel and a new wave of crossovers, and Nintendo’s post-2024 strategy has made Amiibo a reliable way to unlock exclusive sets without buying separate DLC. That means collectors and designers who understand Amiibo mechanics are the ones finishing sets and shipping beautiful island showcases first.

Splatoon furniture is unlocked via Amiibo after the 3.0 update — scan the compatible figures and claim the rewards in‑game.

Which Splatoon Amiibo are compatible (short list)

In practice, Nintendo tied the Splatoon-themed New Horizons items to the broad family of Splatoon-series Amiibo released across the Switch era. For collectors, the relevant types are:

• Splatoon 1 & 2-series Amiibo — Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, and Inkling Squid variants.
• Splatoon character Amiibo — the Squid Sisters/Callie & Marie and Pearl & Marina figures where available.
• Splatoon 3 figures — newer Inkling/Octoling designs released for the Splatoon 3 line.

Tip: you don’t necessarily need every rare figure to unlock the set — owning or borrowing the common Inkling trio usually gets you most base items, while character-specific figs (Pearl, Marina, Callie, Marie) may unlock unique character props or recolors.

Step-by-step: scan Amiibo and claim Splatoon items

1. Update everything

Before you start, confirm three things: your Nintendo Switch system firmware is current, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is patched to the latest version (3.0+ and any late 2025/early 2026 hotfixes), and your Amiibo are authentic. Many NFC read issues are caused by outdated software or fake figurines.

2. Where to scan (the reliable process)

1. Launch Animal Crossing and go to Resident Services.
2. Approach the Nook Stop terminal and use the amiibo function. New Horizons exposes an in-game prompt that lets you use Amiibo — select it when visible in the menu. (If you don’t see the option, update the game and restart.)
3. When the game prompts you, place the Amiibo on the Switch’s NFC point: the right Joy‑Con stick area (or the center of a Pro Controller). Hold the figure steady until you feel a vibration and the on-screen confirmation appears.

Note: the exact menu name can vary slightly by minor patch, but the Resident Services / Nook Stop path is the consistent access point introduced in 3.0.

3. Claim the reward

After a successful scan, New Horizons will often give you a Splatoon item immediately — it appears in your hands or shows up as a delivery. Keep the item in your inventory until you register it to your catalog (next section). If the game gives you a photo pose or a special interaction instead, try scanning again or use a different Amiibo variant; character Amiibo can trigger guest NPC interactions too.

4. Register the item to your catalog

Getting the physical item is step one — adding it to your catalog is how you get eternal access. To ensure a catalog entry:

• Place the item in your home or in the open world and then pick it up again — that registers the item to your catalog.
• If the catalog entry doesn’t appear immediately, try placing the item in storage and performing a full game restart. In 2026, most players report catalog unlocks within minutes; occasionally it can take up to 24 hours due to server or save sync quirks.
• Once it’s in your catalog, you can reorder duplicates through Nook Shopping.

Scanning tips & troubleshooting (real-world fixes)

• Protective cases can block reads — take Amiibo out of full-metal cases or thick packaging when scanning.
• Clean the NFC spot — if the Joy‑Con or Pro Controller has gunk, wipe it and retry.
• Try a different controller — the Pro Controller or another Joy‑Con can make a difference on older systems.
• Single-scan limit — some Amiibo grant only one immediate item; scan different figures to unlock the rest.
• Daily invite cap — if you’re using Amiibo to invite NPCs to Photopia or camp, remember there’s a daily limit to invites that can interfere with item grants. Spread scans across days if you hit limits.
• Remote catalog sync — if your catalog doesn’t show the item, try putting it in storage and checking Nook Shopping after a system reboot (categorical delays were a common 2025-26 bug that Nintendo patched but some saves still stumble).

How to get duplicates and full sets

After you register an item to your catalog, duplicates are easy: order them from Nook Shopping. If an item doesn’t show in the catalog after 24 hours, community-tracked lists can tell you whether the piece is a one-off (e.g., a pose or event-only prop) or a catalog item. In 2026, players are sharing verified catalogs in Discord servers and on social platforms — swap with trusted friends for fast completion.

Design ideas: how to display your Splatoon haul

Now for the fun part. Splatoon items are vibrant and distinctive — they demand bolder island design than the usual zen garden. Here are proven setups that work in 2026, with Photopia and the Kapp’n hotel in mind.

1. Turf War arena (best for outdoor displays)

• Use colorful custom designs as 'ink splats' on ground tiles.
• Create raised platforms (use cliff layouts) for spectator stands made from bleachers and street stalls.
• Place Splatoon furniture as weapons racks and barrier props to mimic a real match.

2. Kapp’n hotel Splatoon suite

Kapp’n’s hotel (added in 3.0) is perfect for a curated gallery room. Reserve or rotate a suite as a Splatoon-themed guest room — visitors and online tourists will get a focused showcase.

• Match wall art and rug colors to a palette (magenta, cyan, lime) for a cohesive room.
• Use portrait frames and music players to stage character corners (Pearl/Marina vibes).
• Label the door with a custom sign that mimics Turf War rules and invite players to book the room for photo shoots.

3. Museum annex / merch shop

Build a mini Splatoon merch store on your island’s plaza. Use stalls and cardboard boxes to suggest goods, and put Splatoon furniture behind glass (greenhouse or stall set-up) to simulate display cases.

4. Photopia sets

Use Photopia mode to stage professional shots of your set. Photopia’s lighting and camera controls let you create cinematic posters — perfect for sharing on social with island codes and taglines.

Advanced strategies for completionists

• Track what you’ve scanned: keep a simple spreadsheet (or use community trackers) noting which Amiibo you scanned and the item it unlocked — this prevents duplicate scans wasting daily invites.
• Leverage online communities: join island-exchange Discords dedicated to 2025-26 New Horizons content; players trade cataloged duplicates and help verify one-off props.
• Use Nook Shopping sales windows: Nintendo has occasionally put themed furniture on limited-rate offers — watch for seasonal catalog rotations in 2026 to buy out stock if you need extras.
• Decor synergy: pair Splatoon items with tech/festival furniture; Splatoon’s neon palette works well with modern streetwear motifs for villagers.

Common issues players report (and fixes)

Item didn’t register to catalog

Place the item somewhere, pick it up, store it, and then reboot the game. If still missing after 24 hours, check online player reports — the item might be a one-off that doesn’t go to catalog and must be traded.

Amiibo won’t scan

Try another controller, remove covers, and ensure the Amiibo is genuine. If a scan fails repeatedly, test on a different Switch to isolate whether it’s your NFC hardware.

Only got a pose or NPC interaction

Some character Amiibo trigger photo interactions instead of a furniture drop. Try scanning a different edition of the character (e.g., Splatoon vs Splatoon 2 figure) or ask a friend to trade the item to you after they scan.

Actionable checklist: Get every Splatoon item (printable)

1. Update Switch & New Horizons to the latest patch.
2. Collect or borrow Splatoon-series Amiibo (Inkling trio + character figures).
3. Use the Resident Services / Nook Stop amiibo function and scan with the Switch NFC reader.
4. Accept the reward, place it, pick it up, then check your catalog and Nook Shopping for duplicates.
5. Design a display (Turf War arena, Kapp’n hotel suite, Photopia set) and share island code.

Final tips from a 2026 collector

Crossovers like the Splatoon drop are now frequent — staying ahead means treating Amiibo as both collectibles and content keys. Document your scans, use Photopia for social showpieces, and reserve a Kapp’n hotel room as your rotating gallery. The community remains the fastest way to finish sets, so be ready to trade and verify with trusted players.

Ready to lock down the full Splatoon set?

If you follow the steps above you’ll go from a half-complete Splatoon shelf to a full-on Turf War showcase — with a clean catalog and duplicates on demand. Have questions, need a scan checklist you can print, or want to swap island codes for trades? Drop your island code or Amiibo list below and join our weekly New Horizons trading roundup.

Call to action: Share your island code and photos of your Splatoon display in the comments — and sign up for our weekly newsletter for the latest 2026 crossovers, Amiibo drops, and pro island design templates.

Related Reading

• Is the Citi / AAdvantage Executive Card Worth It for Budget Travelers? A Value-First Breakdown
• Omnichannel Bargain Hunting: Use In‑Store Pickup, Price Matching, and Online Coupons Together
• Lightweight Linux distros for high-density scraper workers: benchmarks and configs
• Home Cocktail Station: Layout, Gear, and Cleaning Routines for a Small Kitchen
• Risk & Reward: Adding Low-Cost E-Bikes to a Rental Fleet — Operational Reality Check