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Amiibo Shopping Guide: Which Splatoon Figures to Buy for the Best ACNH Rewards

aallgames

2026-02-05

9 min read

Prioritize which Splatoon amiibo to buy for the rarest, most aesthetic ACNH rewards — price tracking, resale risks, and a split-budget plan.

Stop buying every amiibo — get the Splatoon figures that actually give you the rarest, most aesthetic ACNH rewards

If you play Animal Crossing: New Horizons and you love Splatoon style, the 3.0+ updates unlocked a whole suite of Splatoon furniture, clothing and décor — but most of those items are only available after you scan the right amiibo. With limited reprints, a hot secondary market, and a handful of figures that unlock the best, rarest or most decorative drops, it’s easy to overpay for the wrong figure.

This guide cuts through the noise with a buyer-priority list, step-by-step unlock tips, 2026 market trends, price-tracking tools, counterfeit warnings, and a practical split-budget strategy so you buy exactly what you need (and avoid resale traps).

Fast answers — which Splatoon amiibo should you buy right now?

Top pick (best balance of rare items + aesthetic): Octoling amiibo — limited runs, unlocks unique Octoling gear and visually striking furniture pieces that show up as high-value island decor.
Best for iconic wardrobe & stage props: Callie & Marie / Pearl & Marina amiibo — unlock idol-style outfits, posters, and stage bits that look great in screenshots and on display islands.
Budget aesthetic pick: Classic Inkling Boy / Inkling Girl / Inkling Squid — these unlock the core Splatoon set and are usually cheaper when reprints exist.
Collector / trophy: Limited-run variants and regional exclusives — great if you want display-only pieces; avoid if you only care about in-game items.

Why this matters in 2026: marketplace trends and why you should act now

Two trends in late 2025 — early 2026 should shape your buying strategy:

Secondary marketplaces matured. After some reprints in 2024–25 softened prices for common amiibo, the market bifurcated: common figures stabilized, while limited-run Splatoon variants and Octoling figures kept climbing in price.
Secondary marketplaces matured. eBay completed-sales data, Mercari filters, and dedicated collectors’ tools (Amiibo trackers and Discord price channels) make it easier to spot bargains — but scalpers have also learned how to hold stock and drip-feed listings to create FOMO.

Bottom line: if you want the rarest Splatoon items for ACNH and also care about display value, prioritize Octoling and idol/duo figures now. If you want maximum in-game breadth for minimum cost, go for the classic Inkling trio and use smart price tracking to buy them on dips.

How amiibo unlock Splatoon content in ACNH — practical steps

Instead of guessing whether an amiibo works, use this quick checklist to scan and unlock Splatoon items safely.

Confirm compatibility: Any official Splatoon amiibo is compatible with Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ Splatoon bundles. Amiibo are region-free — the packaging region won’t change in-game functionality.
Scan correctly: On your Switch, open the NookPhone’s Amiibo app (or the Resident Services Nook Stop amiibo scanner) and tap the figure to your console’s NFC area. If it reads, the prompt to unlock or purchase will appear instantly.
Claiming items: After scanning, check Nook Shopping and the Nook’s catalog — some items appear right away while others unlock as purchasable sets over the next in-game day. Keep a note of which amiibo unlocked which pieces by taking screenshots.
Test before you buy used: If you buy locally or from a private seller, ask to scan the amiibo in-person before handing over cash. That ensures the NFC is intact and the figure is authentic.

Which in-game Splatoon items are the rarest or most aesthetic — and which figures unlock them?

ACNH’s Splatoon addition focuses on weapon props, ink-splattered furniture, idol/arcade kits, posters, and clothing. From a display and rarity standpoint, prioritize figures that unlock the following categories:

Octoling-exclusive props and outfits — Octoling figures tend to unlock darker, edgier gear and sculptural props that are uncommon on islands and fetch high collector interest.
Idol stage and performance set pieces — Callie & Marie and Pearl & Marina-style figures usually grant posters, stage lights and idol outfits that look excellent in screenshots and themed hotel/club builds.
Weapon and décor props — Splat weapon replicas, ink-splattered furniture and weapon-themed chairs/lamps often come from classic Inkling amiibo and make the core Splatoon aesthetic.
Character busts and statues — limited figures sometimes gate statue-style pieces that are rare in player marketplaces.

Rather than chasing every single item, aim for figures that unlock a mix of clothing + one or two showpiece props — that provides maximum visual payoff for minimum cost.

Price tracking: tools and workflows that actually work in 2026

To buy smart, use a combination of automated alerts and manual market checks. Here’s a workflow recommended for 2026.

Set eBay saved searches and alerts: use keywords like “Splatoon amiibo Octoling sold” and monitor completed listings for median sale price. Check both Sold and Completed filters to see real-world price movement.
Use Mercari & Facebook Marketplace filters: prioritize local pickup to avoid shipping markups; set alerts for under-market listings and turn on notifications for new matches.
Track Amazon & GameStop with CamelCamelCamel or PriceBlink: they’ll show historic price trends for restocks and list price swings.
Follow amiibo community trackers: community sites and Discord servers maintain reprint calendars and aggregated price dashboards. Bookmark 1–2 reputable channels and set quiet push notifications only for the figures you need.
Use an internal spreadsheet: track first-seen price, target buy price, seller fees, shipping, and final landed cost. Your target buy price should include fees and condition adjustments (loose vs. box).

Counterfeits and condition: red flags to avoid

Counterfeits are a real risk when buying on secondary markets. Here’s a quick checklist to vet amiibo sellers and listings.

Packaging anomalies: blurry print, mismatched fonts, or incorrect back-card artwork are instant red flags.
Price too-good-to-be-true: if an “octoling in box” is listed at 30–40% below the current sold median, treat it with suspicion.
Loose vs. boxed: loose figures can still be authentic but are lower value. If buying loose, request a live scan/test or a clear photo of the NFC area.
Seller history: prefer sellers with positive ratings and clear return policies. For high-value figures, prioritize marketplace authentication programs or mediated escrow.
Ask for a scan: legitimate sellers can demonstrate the amiibo scans on a phone/Switch. If they refuse, walk away.

Pro tip: always calculate the final landed cost (price + shipping + platform fees) before you click buy. That’s your true comparison metric.

Resale risks and ethical considerations

Buying to resell? Know the risks. The amiibo market is volatile — reprints and Nintendo announcements can tank prices overnight.

Reprint risk: Nintendo occasionally reissues high-demand amiibo. If you buy at peak scalper prices, a reprint will reduce resale margins quickly.
Market saturation: if too many sellers list the same figure at once, the floor price drops. Time your listings for weekends/holidays.
Legal/ethical: scalping deprives other players from access. If you plan to buy multiple copies, consider listing one at a fair price to support community access.

Split-budget buying strategy — get the best returns per dollar

Use a simple split-budget approach depending on how much you plan to spend. The idea is to allocate for guaranteed in-game unlocks, visual payoff, and a speculative pickup.

$50 budget

50% — buy a classic Inkling (core items)
30% — pick the most aesthetic loose figure available (often Inkling Girl/Boy)
20% — save for a short-term deal alert

$150 budget

50% — Octoling (or other limited run) — primary target
30% — Callie/Marie or Pearl/Marina for idol stage set
20% — tracked bargain(s) or local pickups

$300+ collector budget

40% — one top-tier limited figure (Octoling/limited variant)
30% — one or two idol figures (Callie & Marie / Pearl & Marina)
20% — backup classic Inkling trio or display-only variant
10% — shipping/returns contingency

Where to buy (ranked by safety and ROI)

Official retail / Nintendo Store: best for MSRP and zero counterfeit risk; set alerts for restocks.
GameStop / Best Buy / Target listings: good for reprints and bundles; watch for promotions.
eBay (completed listings): best for market price research; use long-term sold-history to choose buying moments.
Mercari and Facebook Marketplace: great local deals; prefer cash pickups with a scan test before purchase.
Specialist resellers & StockX: higher fees but authentication programs reduce counterfeit risk; use for premium figures.

Actionable checklist: buy the right Splatoon amiibo in 7 steps

Decide your primary goal: in-game unlocks, display value, or resale.
Choose your top 2 figures from the prioritized list (Octoling + idol figure is a strong combo).
Set saved searches on eBay and Mercari with alerts for your target price.
If buying used, demand a live scan before payment or pick up locally to test NFC on your Switch.
Inspect packaging photos for print and font anomalies; ask for seller history if unsure.
Buy when the sold-price median hits your target buy price including fees and shipping.
After scanning in ACNH, take screenshots, note which items unlocked, and post them in your island’s guide so other players can confirm which figure gave which item.

Final verdict: how to prioritize your purchases today

If you want the best island screenshots and the rarest Splatoon showpieces in 2026, target Octoling and one idol duo figure (Callie & Marie or Pearl & Marina) first. If your goal is large breadth of outfits and core weapon props for a low budget, the classic Inkling trio gives the most consistent payoff.

Always use price tracking, insist on a scan when buying used, and split your budget so one purchase secures the rare items while the rest fills out the aesthetic sets. With the right combo, your island will feel—and photograph—like a Splatoon crossover showcase without wasting cash on low-impact variants.

Call to action

Ready to curate your Splatoon island without overpaying? Save this guide, set your price alerts, and start with the Octoling or idol duo today. Want a printable buy-sheet and live price tracker for the top 10 Splatoon amiibo? Subscribe to our tracker alerts and get real-time updates on restocks, sold-price trends, and verified listings.

allgames

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.