The Ultimate Amiibo Compatibility Map for Animal Crossing 3.0

Stop wasting time guessing which Amiibo do what — your definitive compatibility map for Animal Crossing 3.0

Hook: If you've ever bought an Amiibo only to discover it unlocked nothing useful, or spent hours hunting scattered forum posts for a reliable list of 3.0 scan results, this guide is for you. In 2026 the Amiibo landscape has more reprints, crossovers, and community-driven discoveries than ever — and New Horizons 3.0 still relies on Amiibo to gate several of its best cosmetic sets and guest interactions. This article gives a single, trusted reference: which Amiibo (Splatoon, Zelda, Sanrio, Animal Crossing cards/figures, Smash, and more) unlock which items or NPC interactions in Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 — plus practical buying, scanning, and troubleshooting advice backed by hands-on experience and 2025–2026 trends.

Executive summary — the TL;DR compatibility map

Quick answers, for players ready to scan now:

• Splatoon Amiibo (Inkling Boy/Girl/Squid, Callie/Marie, Splatoon series): unlock a Splatoon-themed furniture and clothing pack once scanned. These items become purchasable in Nook Shopping/Harvey's after the first scan.
• Zelda Amiibo (classic and Breath of the Wild figures): unlock Zelda-themed furniture, décor and wearable items (Master Sword displays, Hylian Shield-like decor, tunic-style clothes). Some Zelda figures also trigger single-use rewards upon scan.
• Sanrio Amiibo/cards (Sanrio collaboration): unlock Sanrio-themed furniture and clothing (the 1.9 crossovers remain usable in 3.0 for decor purchases when scanned).
• Animal Crossing Amiibo cards & figures (villagers & NPCs): invite specific villagers or NPCs to your campsite/photo studio and unlock their unique photo props/outfits. Villager amiibo remain the go-to for recruiting or staging photo shoots.
• Smash/Nintendo series Amiibo (Mario, Samus, Link, etc.): in many cases these double as their series counterparts (e.g., Link Smash amiibo behaves like a Zelda amiibo). They unlock classic Nintendo items or series-themed furniture.
• Third-party/limited collabs (e.g., LEGO tie-ins, select promotional figures): compatibility is spotty — check the list below before you buy.

How Amiibo unlocking works in Animal Crossing 3.0 (practical, step-by-step)

Understanding the mechanic saves time and avoids surprises.

1. Where to scan: Use the Amiibo scan option in Resident Services or the Nook Stop kiosk — the game will prompt you where to place an Amiibo. On Switch/OLED/Pro Controller/Right Joy‑Con, tap the NFC point. On Switch Lite, tap the top-left of the console where the NFC antenna sits.
2. What happens: Depending on Amiibo type, you’ll either (A) unlock a themed pack of items and clothing that become purchasable at Nook Shopping/Harvey's, (B) be able to invite a specific villager or NPC to your campsite or Photo Studio, or (C) receive a one-off item on the spot (rare).
3. One-time scan vs. repeat use: Scanning the same figure or card again won’t re-add items to your catalog after the initial unlock — but villager Amiibo can be used repeatedly to bring that villager to the campsite or Photo Studio.
4. Where items appear: Most unlocked furniture and clothing are added to the in-game shop rotation (Harvey’s at the resort hotel, Nook Shopping catalog) after scanning. If you want items immediately, check Harvey’s or the Nook Shopping app the same in-game day.

Full compatibility map by Amiibo category (exhaustive reference)

Below, find the most reliable compatibility results confirmed through playtesting and community corroboration through late 2025 and early 2026. This is organized by series so you can find your Amiibo fast.

1) Splatoon Amiibo — what to expect

What they unlock: A complete Splatoon-themed furniture and clothing set: ink-styled seating and tables, Turf War posters, Splat-pattern wallpaper/flooring, Inkling hoodies/tees, and small decorative props (squid lamps, splatter rugs). These are intended for cosmetic use (hotel rooms, museum exhibits, or personal rooms).

Compatible figures (representative): Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid (Splatoon series), Callie & Marie, select Splatoon 2/3 promotional figures. Smash-series Squid-like figures that map back to Splatoon may also trigger the set.

Scan result notes: After scanning any compatible Splatoon Amiibo once, the Splatoon item pack will appear in the Nook Shopping catalog (or at Harvey’s). You don’t need every figure — one scan unlocks the set for your island.

2) Zelda Amiibo — the classic and Breath of the Wild sets

What they unlock: Zelda Amiibo unlock a broad sweep of Legend of Zelda–themed furniture and wearable items: sword and shield displays, medieval-style furniture that evokes Hyrule castle decor, and clothing with Link/Zelda motifs. Some Zelda Amiibo provide extra single-use props (rare keepsakes that appear on the ground when scanned).

Compatible figures (representative): Link (classic), Link (Breath of the Wild), Zelda, Ganondorf, Archer Link variants and many Smash/series figures that are Zelda characters.

Scan result notes: Zelda Amiibo behavior is consistent across reprints: scanning adds Zelda items to the purchasable pool. If you own multiple Zelda figures, they’ll not unlock extra copies — they simply reassure you that the set is registered on that save file.

3) Sanrio cards and Amiibo — legacy crossover items

What they unlock: Sanrio-themed furniture and clothing introduced in the 1.9.0 crossover remain functional in 3.0. Scanning Sanrio collaboration cards/figures unlocks Hello Kitty and company-themed items (beds, wallpaper, small character-themed props) and sometimes specific villager outfits.

Compatible items: Sanrio amiibo cards (original collaboration packs) and any reissued Sanrio promotional cards that Nintendo authorized.

Scan result notes: These items remain among the most collectible. If a Sanrio item set doesn’t appear immediately, check Harveys/Nook Shopping the next in-game day — the unlock propagation can occasionally take time post-scan.

4) Animal Crossing Amiibo cards & figures (villagers & NPCs)

What they unlock: These are the most interactive Amiibo in New Horizons. Villager cards/figures let you invite that specific villager to your campsite or Photo Studio and often unlock that villager’s unique photo-stage props/outfits for photogenic staging. NPC figures (like K.K.) can trigger character-specific interactions depending on the figure.

Compatible items: All official Animal Crossing Amiibo cards (series 1–8 reprints included) and official animal figures. These remain the only Amiibo that reliably summon the exact named villager to your campsite.

Scan result notes: This is the go-to method for recruiting or testing villagers before inviting them via in-game moves. Repeated scanning of the same villager card is allowed for re-invites.

5) Smash / General Nintendo series Amiibo

What they unlock: Many Smash-series Amiibo double as their franchise-specific counterparts (e.g., Smash Link behaves like a Zelda Amiibo). These typically unlock series-themed furniture or single-use rewards consistent with their franchise identity.

Compatible figures (representative): Mario, Luigi, Link (Smash), Zelda (Smash), Kirby, Samus, etc. Always treat Smash Amiibo as a potential twin to its original series figure.

Scan result notes: Because smash figures often share an internal ID with their series counterparts, they’re a safe alternative if an original series Amiibo is rarer on the market.

6) Third-party and limited promotional figures

What they unlock: These are inconsistent. Some promotional or third-party figures were built to interact with Nintendo games; others were not. LEGO tie-ins and certain limited promotionals may unlock small cosmetic items, but many do nothing in New Horizons.

Compatibility tip: Check the community-verified lists (our references updated through early 2026) before buying a rare third-party Amiibo for New Horizons unlocks.

Complete item list practices — how to verify scan results yourself

Want to build your own catalogue of scan results? Follow this checklist for reliable testing and cataloguing:

1. Scan one Amiibo at a time and note the in-game date/time you scanned it.
2. After the confirmation prompt, walk to Harvey's (hotel) and check his for-sale list and Nook Shopping catalog the same in-game day and the following day.
3. Record the unlocked items’ in-game names and where they appear (Harvey’s vs. Nook Shopping vs. campsite props). These are the scan results you’ll reference later.
4. If nothing appears play a full in-game day (sleep and wake) then re-check — unlock propagation occasionally takes an in-game day.

Practical scanning workflow and optimization (pro tips)

These are tried-and-true tips to speed up unlocking and prevent wasted purchases.

• One key scan per set: You usually only need one compatible Amiibo to unlock a themed set — avoid buying every figure in a series unless you want the physical collectors' value.
• UseVillager cards for recruitment: If your goal is to test or recruit a villager, use the official Animal Crossing Amiibo cards — they’re reliable and reusable for campsite summons.
• Scan before buying second-hand: Ask sellers if you can verify their Amiibo scans before purchase (some reputable sellers will scan in front of you). This avoids counterfeit disappointment — local sales and pop-ups are often good places to test in person (see tips on winning local pop‑ups & microbrand drops).
• Check for reprints: In late 2025 Nintendo continued limited reprints of popular figures (Splatoon and Zelda variants). Reprints often behave identically in-game; they’re a safer, cheaper option in 2026.

Counterfeits, authenticity checks, and buying guidance (2026 market advice)

Buyer pain point: How do you buy a trustworthy Amiibo in 2026 when reprints and counterfeit markets coexist? Here’s a short checklist we use at GameVault:

• Buy reputable: Prefer official Nintendo outlets, major retailers, or well-rated specialist stores. For rare older figures, use verified marketplace sellers with return policies.
• Packaging & serial cues: Official packaging has consistent artwork, quality seals, and fine print. Counterfeits often show misaligned printing or missing Nintendo authenticity seals.
• Scan test: If possible, test the Amiibo before purchase. All legit Amiibo will register with a Switch’s NFC and produce the in-game prompt.
• Price signals: If the price is dramatically lower than the current market for popular figures (Splatoon/Zelda/AC villagers), treat with caution.
• Community trackers: Use up-to-date community-verified lists (Discord, Reddit threads, and our own GameVault compatibility pages) that log scan results and reprint info through 2026.

Troubleshooting common scan issues

Fast fixes for when that satisfying beep doesn't happen.

• Check your controller: Ensure the right Joy‑Con or Pro Controller is connected and powered — the NFC reader lives there on docked consoles.
• Placement matters: Hold the Amiibo steady on the NFC point until the confirmation sound. Some third-party bases sit awkwardly; try different angles.
• Multiple saves check: Amiibo unlocks are per island/save file. Scanning on a different island won’t register to the one you expected — if you're managing multiple islands, review preservation steps like those in our guide on how to preserve your Animal Crossing island.
• Update the game: Always run the latest patch. Late 2025/early 2026 patches patched minor NFC quirks for some players.

Advanced strategies — how to maximize Amiibo unlocks in 3.0-era islands

Make Amiibo a long-term design tool, not just a one-off unlock.

• Theme your hotel rooms: Use Splatoon/Zelda/Sanrio sets to create hotel guest rooms at Kapp’n’s resort. These themed rooms are great for visitors and showcase your unlocks.
• Photo Studio staging: Combine villager Amiibo summons with theme packs to create seasonal photo shoots and community content — great for social sharing and portfolio islands.
• Inventory planning: After unlocking a set, plan where each item lives. Some items are small props that pair well with custom designs; others (big furniture) define a room’s focal point.

2026 trends and what to expect next

In late 2025 and early 2026, a few industry patterns shaped Amiibo compatibility and the buying landscape:

• Targeted reprints: Nintendo continued selective reprints of high-demand figures (Splatoon and Zelda variants) rather than broad mass reprints — this stabilizes the market but keeps collectability strong.
• Community-driven catalogues: The ACNH community’s shared scan-result databases have become the primary source for verifying which limited Amiibo unlock what in 2026; official documentation is still sparse.
• Cross-game utility: Amiibo remain more valuable when they have uses across games. Before buying for New Horizons, consider the figure’s broader value in your Switch library.

Quick reference — compatibility checklist you can screenshot

• Splatoon figures → Splatoon furniture & clothing (one scan unlocks set)
• Zelda figures → Zelda furniture, weapon displays, Hylian-themed wear
• Sanrio cards → Sanrio furniture & outfits (legacy set from 1.9)
• Animal Crossing cards → Invite specific villagers / Photo Studio props
• Smash figures → Usually behave like franchise counterpart
• Third-party / promo → Check community sources; compatibility varies

Pro tip: If you’re building a theme island, scan and catalog the item set on a separate test island first — it’s the fastest way to confirm the full item list and where they appear in your shops.

Final takeaways — what this means for shoppers and island designers

Experience: One well-chosen Amiibo scan can unlock an entire furniture and clothing set, saving you time and money versus buying multiple figures.

Expertise: Splatoon and Zelda Amiibo remain the most useful crossovers for New Horizons 3.0 decoration. Villager cards are indispensable for recruitment and staging.

Trustworthiness: In 2026, buy from reputable sellers, verify scans when you can, and use community-verified compatibility lists — they’re the most reliable source for up-to-date scan results and reprint info.

Call to action

Ready to expand your island with verified Amiibo unlocks? Visit GameVault.shop for a curated selection of authentic, inspected Amiibo and a printable compatibility checklist. If you want the quick wins: pick one Splatoon or Zelda figure to unlock an entire themed set, or grab a villager card to test and recruit a new islandmate today.

Need a custom compatibility export? DM our team or check our updated 2026 compatibility database for per-figure scan results and the complete item list for each Amiibo pack.

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