Complete Amiibo Checklist: Unlock Every Zelda & Splatoon Item in Animal Crossing 3.0

Hook: Stop hunting blind — unlock every Zelda & Splatoon Amiibo item in Animal Crossing 3.0

Collectors tell us the worst part of chasing Amiibo rewards in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (3.0+) is not knowing which figure unlocks what — or whether a rare variant behaves the same as the standard sculpt. If you want a clean, printable checklist and a battle-tested walkthrough for scanning, cataloging, and collecting every Zelda and Splatoon reward, this is the one-stop guide for 2026 collectors.

The one-paragraph playbook (most important steps first)

Update your game to the latest 3.0+ patch, gather the Zelda- and Splatoon-line Amiibo you own, and have the right NFC hardware ready (right Joy-Con/Pro Controller or an external NFC reader for Switch Lite). From Resident Services, open the Nook Stop kiosk, choose “Use amiibo” (or the equivalent option), and tap each figure to the NFC area until the game confirms the unlocked item or adds the item to Nook Shopping. Track unlocks in our printable checklist below, then follow our rare-variant and scanning tips to make sure you didn’t miss duplicates or region-specific rewards.

Why this matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw renewed interest in Amiibo collecting — partly because Nintendo's sporadic reprints made some lines easier to find and partly because community discovery of 3.0’s crossovers expanded reward lists. That surge means collectors who act with a clear process will spot the best deals, avoid bad re-sellers, and complete their in-game catalogs faster. This guide gives you the exact checklist, scanning routine, and catalog strategy pros use.

Before you begin: Requirements and prep

• Game version: Animal Crossing: New Horizons updated to 3.0 or later (verify via the Switch home menu software update).
• Hardware: Any Switch with built-in NFC reader (standard, OLED) uses the right Joy‑Con / Pro Controller NFC area. For Switch Lite, use an external NFC reader/writer accessory.
• Amiibo scope: Zelda-series and Splatoon-series Amiibo — this includes official Zelda amiibo (various Link, Zelda, Sheik, and BOTW line figures) and Splatoon amiibo (Inkling Boy/Girl/Squid, Octoling variants, and Splatoon 2/3 releases). We explain variant handling below.
• Notebook or printout: Use the printable checklist below or a spreadsheet to log each scan and item unlocked.

How Amiibo unlocking mechanics work in New Horizons 3.0 (short)

When you scan a compatible Amiibo, New Horizons either: (A) grants an immediate item, (B) makes a themed item available for purchase via Nook Shopping or a special vendor entry, or (C) marks the game to allow purchase later. Some Amiibo unlock multiple items (clothing + furniture), and certain figure variants sometimes unlock the same reward while region-exclusive printings can behave identically or — rarely — differently. The game's confirmation dialogue is your primary evidence — but always double check the Nook Shopping catalog and your storage after a scan.

Step-by-step: Scanning walkthrough (fail-proof)

1. Update everything: Make sure your Switch and Animal Crossing are fully updated to the latest patch. Many unlocking bugs were patched in late 2025.
2. Boot the game and go to Resident Services: The Nook Stop kiosk handles Amiibo scanning for 3.0 items.
3. Select “Use amiibo”: Choose the amiibo/figure option — the phrasing may vary with minor updates, but it’s the option that prompts you to scan.
4. Scan correctly: Tap the Amiibo to the NFC spot on the right Joy‑Con (analog stick area) or Pro Controller. Hold steady until the game beeps and shows on-screen confirmation.
5. Watch the confirmation: The game will either give an item immediately, show a message that an item line is now available in Nook Shopping, or trigger a special interaction. Note the confirmation text verbatim in your log — it’s your proof of what unlocked.
6. Check Nook Shopping and storage: If the game says the item is now purchasable, open Nook Shopping > Special Events / Featured Items and search the catalog. If the item was delivered, it should be in your inventory or mailbox.
7. Repeat and log: Scan every figure you own, then scan any rare variants (regional differences, Smash variants, test anything with a unique sculpt or colorway). Log each entry immediately to avoid duplicate confusion.

Scanning troubleshooting — real fixes that work

• No response: Power cycle the controller (or Switch), remove heavy cases that cover the NFC area, and ensure the Amiibo base is clean and not physically damaged.
• Switch Lite owners: Use a quality external NFC reader (official or third-party), place the Amiibo on the reader per its instructions, and follow the in-game prompt exactly.
• Partial unlocks: If the game confirms an unlock but you don’t see the item, check Nook Shopping the next day — sometimes it appears as a delayed catalog entry.
• Duplicate scans: The game may prevent receiving the same unlock twice in a short span. If you scanned an identical variant and nothing happened, document that it behaved the same as the original.

How to treat Amiibo variants and region prints

Many collectors own multiple versions of a character: a Smash Brothers Link, a Breath of the Wild Link, and a classic Toon Link. In almost every case, variants unlock the same in-game reward — but exceptions exist. Use this approach:

1. Scan your primary variant and log the unlocked items.
2. Scan any alternate variants and watch for different confirmation text or extra items.
3. If a variant unlocks extra content, note the Amiibo ID/UPC and keep that variant in your key display — it becomes a functional rarity, not just aesthetic.

Pro tip: Treat the first scan result on a new island as canonical. If a later variant behaves differently, you’ve found a potential regional/variant-specific reward — document it and share it with the community.

Printable checklist & scanning log (copy/paste to a spreadsheet or print)

Use this form-style checklist while you scan. We keep things simple so you can print on one page and carry it while hunting figures.

Collector’s Amiibo Checklist — Zelda (scan all you own)

• ☐ Link (any edition) — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________________
• ☐ Zelda (any edition) — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________________
• ☐ Toon Link / Wind Waker Link — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________
• ☐ Breath of the Wild line (Link archer / rider) — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: _________
• ☐ Sheik / Ganondorf / other Zelda-series amiibo — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: _______
• ☐ Regional / Smash variants (list model): __________ — Date scanned: _______ — Items: _______

Collector’s Amiibo Checklist — Splatoon (scan all you own)

• ☐ Inkling Girl — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________________
• ☐ Inkling Boy — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________________
• ☐ Inkling Squid — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________________
• ☐ Octoling figures (any) — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: ____________________
• ☐ Splatoon 2/3 additional amiibo — Date scanned: _______ — Items unlocked: _________
• ☐ Regional / special color variants — Date scanned: _______ — Items: __________________

Universal scan log

• Island name: ________________________
• Player name: ________________________
• Console model (OLED/Standard/Lite): ________
• Notes (bugs, delayed catalog entry, duplicate behavior): ________________________

How to confirm you’ve truly unlocked every item

Use a two-track verification: in-game confirmation + catalog cross-check. After the initial scan session:

1. Open Nook Shopping and search for Zelda/Splatoon categories — items unlocked by amiibo typically appear in the Special Items or Seasonal area.
2. Check your storage and wardrobe for any delivered items.
3. Use the Museum/House storage to track acquired furniture pieces — mark them off your printable checklist.
4. For any missing items, rescan the same Amiibo and capture screenshots of confirmation text. Screenshots are your proof when troubleshooting or reporting bugs to Nintendo or community forums.

Buying & authenticity tips for 2026 collectors

Prices and availability fluctuate. Here’s how to buy smart in 2026:

• Track prices: Use dedicated trackers (HobbyDB, eBay saved searches) and set alerts for ‘new listing’ rather than relying on “Buy it now” alone.
• Check packaging & UPC: Genuine Amiibo packaging has consistent print quality, correct UPCs, and Nintendo copyright text. Compare seller images to trusted references.
• Ask for in-hand photos: For higher-value figures or rare variants, request photos of the base label and the figure from multiple angles.
• Prefer graded or sealed when possible: Graded figures mitigate authenticity risk and are easier to resell if you flip collections.
• Buy from reputable sellers: In 2026, specialist stores and verified marketplace sellers often offer returns and authenticity guarantees — prioritize them over unvetted listings.

Storage and display advice (protect your functional Amiibo)

• Store in climate-stable conditions away from direct sunlight to protect paint and packaging.
• Use acid-free sleeves and supportive inserts for long-term storage.
• If you plan to scan frequently, keep one figure unboxed for scanning and keep a sealed backup for display or resale — this preserves value while keeping the game experience convenient.

Advanced strategies: Bulk-scanning sessions, community sharing, and version control

If you own many figures, do bulk scanning sessions to save time. Here’s a pro workflow:

1. Prepare your printable checklist and label each figure with a temporary sticker number.
2. Scan 10–20 figures in a single session and immediately mark confirmations on the checklist.
3. Take photos of confirmation screens for each figure and store them in a dated folder (cloud or local) for future proof.
4. Share variant findings with collecting communities (Discord, Reddit, specialized Amiibo forums) — many 2026 discoveries came from rapid-sharing groups.

What to do if an amiibo unlock is missing or buggy

First, document: screenshot the confirmation, note console model and game version, and record the Amiibo serial/UPC if possible. Then:

1. Rescan the Amiibo the next day (sometimes catalog updates take 24 hours).
2. If still missing, reach out to Nintendo Support with your screenshots and logs — they will escalate reproducible issues.
3. Post a concise bug report in a community thread; other players often have workarounds or confirmations for region-specific behavior.

Community and data: Contributing your checklist findings

In 2026, community-driven databases are the fastest way to confirm rare behaviors. If you discover a figure variant that unlocks unique content, please contribute:

• Upload your confirmation screenshots to a shared folder.
• Post the Amiibo model name, region code (if known), console, game version, and the exact confirmation text into the community thread.
• Label your entry whether the item appeared instantly or in Nook Shopping later — that nuance helps other collectors reproduce results.

Quick checklist recap — before you step away from the console

• ☑ Update New Horizons to 3.0+
• ☑ Have NFC-capable controller or reader ready
• ☑ Scan each Zelda & Splatoon Amiibo and log the confirmation
• ☑ Check Nook Shopping and storage for unlocked items
• ☑ Photograph confirmations and variants
• ☑ Share rare findings with community databases

Final predictions for Amiibo collecting and Animal Crossing crossovers (2026 outlook)

Expect Nintendo to continue sporadic reprints and occasional new waves — the collector market in late 2025 showed appetite for reissues. Crossovers will likely expand beyond Zelda and Splatoon in future seasonal mini-updates, but Amiibo will remain a primary method Nintendo uses to gate premium cosmetic and furniture content. Collectors who keep systematic logs and leverage community databases will complete catalogs faster and spot variant-value opportunities before they spike.

Closing — downloadable action pack and call-to-action

Ready to finish your checklist? Download the printable log (copy the checklist above into a one-page PDF or spreadsheet), schedule a bulk scanning session, and reclaim your in-game catalog. If you want a pro-graded checklist, sign up for our collector alerts to get verified listings, rarity updates, and community-verified variant reports delivered weekly.

Get started now: print the checklist above, gather your Zelda & Splatoon Amiibo, and scan them one island session at a time. Share any variant discoveries with our community and tag us so we can update the master checklist for 2026 collectors.

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