Splatoon x New Horizons: Best Amiibo Combos and How to Unlock Every Reward

Hook: Stop hunting—unlock every Splatoon item and build the island of your dreams

If you've been frustrated by fragmented storefronts, confusing unlocks, and half-baked island themes since Animal Crossing's big 3.0 update, this guide is for you. In early 2026 the Splatoon crossover finally landed in New Horizons — but the new furniture, clothing, and décor are tucked behind Amiibo scanning. That leaves a lot of players wondering: which Amiibo unlock the best items, how do you scan them correctly, and what are the best island design combos using the new pieces? This guide gives a step-by-step method to unlock every Splatoon reward, prioritizes which Amiibo to get first, and offers professional island-design combos (with templates and practical placement tips) so you can finish your Splat-themed island fast.

TL;DR — Fast path to every Splatoon reward

• Update New Horizons to version 3.0+ (early 2026 release).
• Use the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services to scan Splatoon-compatible Amiibo.
• Each distinct Amiibo unlocks a set of Splatoon items in Nook Shopping — scan all Splatoon/Octoling/related figures to reveal the full catalog.
• Prioritize Inkling Boy/Girl/Squid trio first; add Octoling and Squid Sisters for character pieces and posters.
• Use the new items to create high-contrast “Turf War” plazas, neon arcades, or hotel suites inside Kapp'n's Hotel for photo-ready rooms.

Why this matters in 2026

Since late 2025 and the January 2026 rollout, the community has moved from discovery to curation — livestreamers, island tour creators, and makers on TikTok/YouTube Shorts are using Splatoon pieces to produce flashy island content. The best-performing islands combine quick unlocks with smart design: short purchase routes (unlock early), bold palette choices (neon vs. earthy), and photo-first staging inside Kapp'n's Hotel. This article gives you those fast wins so you can capitalize on the current trend and drive visits, trades, and monetized content.

How to unlock Splatoon furniture — step-by-step (all platforms)

1) Update and confirm version

Make sure your Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is updated to version 3.0 or later. You can confirm the version number on the game's title screen (lower-right corner) — the Splatoon items were added in the 3.0 rollouts in late 2025/early 2026 (see community roundup and coverage from Jan 16, 2026).

2) Open Resident Services and use the Nook Stop

Enter Resident Services and approach the Nook Stop terminal. Use the terminal's menu to select the option for scanning Amiibo — in-game prompts will guide you. The menu wording may vary slightly by regional UI, but it's the terminal scan function where you scan figures and cards.

3) Scan your Amiibo (correct NFC spot)

Hold the Amiibo figure or card to the NFC touchpoint on your controller or console. On a paired controller, the NFC reader is usually on the right Joy‑Con analog stick or on the Pro Controller's top area. A prompt will confirm the scan. If you play handheld, tap at the console's indicated spot. When the scan succeeds, you’ll get a notification that item(s) have been unlocked for purchase.

4) Check Nook Shopping / Nook Stop Wares

After scanning, the Splatoon items will appear in the Nook Shopping catalog under special items (or in the Nook Stop wares) — you don't get them instantly as gifts. You must purchase them with Bells like regular items. Each unique Amiibo unlocks a different subset of the Splatoon line, so scanning multiple different Amiibo reveals the full set.

5) Repeat for each compatible Amiibo

Scan all of your Splatoon-compatible Amiibo (examples in the next section). The unlocks are per distinct Amiibo — scanning the same figure again won't reveal new items.

“Like the Sanrio crossover in 1.9.0, Splatoon items are locked behind Amiibo — simple to unlock at the Nook Stop but requiring each figure to reveal the full catalog.” — community coverage, Jan 16, 2026

Which Splatoon Amiibo to prioritize (and why)

Not all players have every figure, and amiibo prices vary. Prioritize based on the fastest unlocks for decor, clothing, and character pieces:

1. Inkling Boy / Inkling Girl / Inkling Squid trio — These three are the priority. Scanning them typically unlocks core Splatoon furniture and weapon replicas that form the backbone of Turf War and Inkopolis aesthetics.
2. Octoling Amiibo — If you want Octarian motifs, darker palettes, and character figures for a “rival gang” wing of your island, add Octoling amiibo next.
3. Squid Sisters / Callie & Marie — For posters, music-themed decor, and stage pieces. Ideal for a concert-stage or fan-room build.
4. Special or alternate Splatoon variants (Series 2, Splatoon 2/3 variants) — These often unlock alternate color palettes or rarer decorative items; prioritize only if you're after specific colors.

If budget is tight, start with the Inkling trio and build your set through trading, secondhand markets, or community swaps. Many players list specific figures for trade in island communities, letting you borrow scans at Resident Services to unlock items — yes, scanned unlocks are tied to your island's catalog, not to the Amiibo permanently.

Practical scanning and troubleshooting tips

• No NFC reader response? Try re-pairing controllers or switch to handheld mode — controller drift or battery issues can disrupt scans.
• Same item not unlocking? Ensure you scanned a different Amiibo; each unlock is tied to a unique Amiibo signature. Also confirm your game is fully patched to 3.0+.
• Used Amiibo risks — Buying a used figure is fine. The unlock is local to your island once scanned. Avoid any tool or mod that emulates Amiibo data (it violates Nintendo TOS and can corrupt saves).
• Scanner etiquette — If borrowing an Amiibo from a friend, ask for a short meet and scan at Resident Services — you don't need to hold the figure for long.

Complete reward categories you can expect

Scanning the Splatoon Amiibo unlocks items across multiple categories. Expect furniture sets, clothing, headgear, weapon replicas, posters, rugs, wallpapers, and small decorative props that reference Turf War and Inkopolis architecture. The items fall into these practical groups:

• Large furniture / focal pieces — sofas, stage platforms, and arcade-style cabinets.
• Weapon replicas — decorative Splatters, shooters, chargers and rollers that look great in a museum or shop build.
• Posters & music gear — Squid Sisters posters, festival banners, and stage lights.
• Rugs and wallpaper — ink-splatter styles and neon panels that set tone.
• Clothing & headgear — Splat-branded tees, masks and boots for villager photoshoots or Kapp'n hotel wardrobes.

Design combos: 9 island ideas using Splatoon items (with practical placement tips)

Below are focused island concepts — each gives you a shopping/scan priority, layout basics, and quick tips for powering up the look in minutes.

1) Turf War Plaza (Best starter showcase)

• Priority: Inkling trio to unlock turf rugs, banners and weapon props.
• Layout: Central square with contrasting ink-splatter rugs (use two complementary colors), surround with bench and vendor stalls.
• Tip: Terraform low rock ledges to create stadium seating; use dynamic lighting (streetlamps + stage lights) to simulate match-night vibes.

2) Inkopolis Arcade & Café

• Priority: Inkling + any variant that unlocks arcade cabinets and posters.
• Layout: Indoor arcade attached to Resident Services or Kapp'n's Hotel ground floor. Place machines in tight rows and add café tables with branded umbrellas.
• Tip: Use custom QR paths as neon tiled flooring and hang posters at eye level for guided photo composition.

3) Octarian Spa (Dark & earthy palette)

• Priority: Octoling Amiibo for darker themed furniture and decor.
• Layout: Natural hot-spring with driftwood beds, muted Splatoon wall panels, and weapon replicas as “artifacts.”
• Tip: Use reed fences and bamboo to blend Octarian tech into a nature spa look.

4) Kapp'n's Splatsuite — Hotel Showroom

• Priority: Mix of Inkling trio + Squid Sisters for posters and stage props.
• Layout: Book a suite inside Kapp'n's Hotel as a dedicated photo room. Stage a bed, stage lights, and a lounge with weapon displays.
• Tip: Use the hotel's lighting options and wallpaper rotation to produce multiple mood shots for social posts.

5) Splatfest Fan Zone (High color impact)

• Priority: Any variant that unlocks flags and merch-style items.
• Layout: Marketplace stalls selling merch, fan-signed poster wall, and an amphitheater for shows.
• Tip: Have villager NPCs in matching colors for immersive photos; change villager outfits via wardrobes to match team colors.

6) Weapon Museum (Collector's wing)

• Priority: All weapon-replica unlocking Amiibo.
• Layout: Long, narrow gallery with podiums for each weapon and spotlights above.
• Tip: Add descriptive custom design plaques beside each item for museum realism.

7) Neon Cyber-Splatter District

• Priority: Series variants and neon palette items.
• Layout: Nighttime-only area using dark wallpaper, neon decals, and plasma-like water features.
• Tip: Use rows of streetlights and neon signs made with custom art to amp up the cyberpunk vibe.

8) Splat-Workshop / Maker's Alley

• Priority: Any accessories/clothing pieces + tool props.
• Layout: Open-air workshops with tool tables, dye stations, and custom-design kiosks selling decorations.
• Tip: Use the Lego items (3.0 additions) to create modular stalls and shelving for a maker-craft feel.

9) Fan Shrine & Concert Hall

• Priority: Squid Sisters / stage equipment items.
• Layout: Large stage with tiered audience seating, posters behind the stage, and merch racks at the sides.
• Tip: Use Kapp'n Hotel's rooms for VIP suites and charge a faux “ticket” (player-made DIY system) to run themed island tours — many creators are turning those into monetized micro-events; see tips on tokenized drops & micro‑events.

Actionable styling rules for pro-tier islands

1. Limit your palette: Pick two dominant colors and one accent. Splatoon pieces look best when matched to a strong contrast (neon vs. matte).
2. Layer props: Place small items in front of larger focal pieces to create depth — weapon replicas on pedestals, posters slightly behind a lamp.
3. Use custom paths: Create “splats” and ink trails with custom designs to guide player flow and camera framing.
4. Lighting & time-of-day: Some areas read better at night. Use streetlamps and stage lights to make neon elements pop for screenshots. If you stream, plan your rig using field-tested workflows from a field rig guide.
5. Photo staging: When showing off collections, place a villager or a mannequin (a character in outfit) in frame to humanize scale.

Advanced strategies — collectors, trading, and content monetization

If you're collecting Amiibo to unlock everything, consider these pro tips:

• Borrow to unlock: Community groups often arrange short meet-and-scan sessions — you get the unlock; the owner keeps their figure. See how other local game nights monetized meetups in micro-popups & community streams.
• Document catalog progress: Keep a checklist of which scans unlocked which items. That speeds future trading and price checks.
• Design bundles for tours: Create 3–5 themed rooms and package them as a paid island tour on streamer platforms (follow Nintendo community guidelines). For creator commerce playbooks, see creator‑led commerce tips.
• Stay legal & safe: Avoid NFC cloning or emulation tools. They risk save data corruption and violate terms.

2026 trends & predictions — how Splatoon x ACNH will evolve

Near-term (2026) community trends are already visible: hybrid islands (part Splatoon, part Zelda, part Lego) are dominating shares. Expect Nintendo and third-party creators to push more crossovers and cosmetic drops tied to Amiibo over the next 12–18 months. Design trends to watch:

• Micro-experiences: Short, photogenic rooms optimized for Shorts and TikTok under 30 seconds — treat these like a fast micro-event launch with clear goals.
• AR-style staging: Players using in-game theatre rooms and Kapp'n Hotel suites for augmented reality-like overlays in videos — creative teams are leaning on collaborative visual tools to plan shots.
• Merch & marketplace swaps: In-game traders and community-run marketplaces will expand for temporary item trades and design blueprints; microbrands are already testing pricing approaches for limited-run game merch (see microbrands pricing).

Quick checklist to unlock everything (printable)

• Update ACNH to v3.0+
• Scan Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, Inkling Squid (priority)
• Scan Octoling & Squid Sisters next
• Confirm items show up in Nook Shopping → Special Items
• Design one Kapp'n Hotel suite and one outdoor plaza within 24 hours of unlocking for max content

Final tips from the island pros

Always stage your best shot: center the focal piece, use a villager or friend as a model, and take both wide and close-up screenshots. For livestreams, walk viewers through the scanning process so they learn the unlock path. And when trading Amiibo access, prioritize safety — meet in shared, public community channels and confirm time and details before trading scans. If you're building a serious channel or tour product, the practical streaming and rig guides above will save time and headaches.

Takeaways — what to do next

1. Update your game and scan the Inkling trio at Resident Services.
2. Design a quick Turf War Plaza or Kapp'n hotel suite — use the layout templates above.
3. Share your island on Playgo.us or the community Discord and trade scans or design templates with other creators.

Call to action

Want a curated list of which Amiibo unlock exactly which items, plus downloadable custom-design QR templates and island layout blueprints? Head to Playgo.us, drop your island code, and join our Splatoon x New Horizons community hub. Post your best screenshot — we’ll feature the top three islands and send step-by-step shop lists so you can replicate the look in under an hour.

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