dealscollectingAnimal Crossing

From Splatoon to Sanrio: Collecting Amiibo for the Ultimate New Horizons Catalog

bbestgames

2026-01-31 12:00:00

10 min read

A 2026 buyer’s guide to prioritize Splatoon, Sanrio, and Animal Crossing amiibo by unlock value, rarity, and price—where to buy and how to save.

Hook: Stop wasting time and money on amiibo that don’t move your New Horizons progress — or your collection

If you’re a completionist trying to finish an Animal Crossing: New Horizons catalog (or a collector chasing a themed shelf), amiibo can feel like both a treasure map and a minefield. Which figures actually unlock exclusive items? Which cards are worth hunting? And where can you buy them without paying ridiculous secondary-market tax? This guide — written for 2026 collectors reacting to the New Horizons 3.0 Splatoon rollout and the still-popular Sanrio crossover — gives you a prioritized buying plan, realistic market-price ranges, and proven places to score deals.

The problem in 2026: demand spikes, reprints, and a fragmented market

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw renewed amiibo demand after Animal Crossing’s 3.0 update added Splatoon furniture locked behind amiibo. Combined with ongoing Sanrio-themed items from the 1.9.0 crossover, that demand created three problems:

Retail scarcity for the specific amiibo that unlock meaningful in-game items.
Secondary-market price volatility as speculators flip restock shortages.
Confusion about which amiibo (figures vs cards) actually give the unlocks completionists need.

"Like the Sanrio crossover items that were introduced in the game's 1.9.0 update, the Splatoon items are locked behind Amiibo." — GameSpot, Jan 16, 2026

Quick overview: What amiibo do for New Horizons (and why you should care)

Before you buy, know what you’re buying for. In New Horizons (2026 patch landscape):

Splatoon amiibo unlock Splatoon-themed furniture and apparel for purchase in Nook Shopping once scanned.
Sanrio amiibo/cards previously unlocked Sanrio-themed items and could interact with special Sanrio villagers or themed outfits.
Animal Crossing amiibo cards/figures let you invite specific villagers to the campsite or scan for exclusive photos and sometimes themed items.

That means some amiibo are purely cosmetic catalysts (unlock furniture/outfits), while others are practical (villager invitations and recipes). Prioritize based on what you value: catalog completion, themed sets, or villager hunting.

Priority buying list — who to buy first (for completionists and collectors)

Below is a prioritized list you can use as your short shopping roadmap. Start at the top and work down based on budget.

1. High-priority: Splatoon amiibo (Inkling Boy/Girl/Squid)

Why: In 2026 these are the quickest win for new furniture and apparel tied to the 3.0 update. If your goal is to unlock the Splatoon catalog items for Nook Shopping quickly, these amiibo are essential.

What to buy: Splatoon-series figures (Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, and the Inkling Squid) and any Splatoon 2/3 amiibo cards marketed for character unlocks.

Market reality (Jan 2026 ranges): commonly $20–$60 for loose figures at retail/market, up to $80–$150 sealed when scarce. Expect modest restocks; don’t overpay unless sealed and mint matter to you.

Why: Sanrio items are two things collectors love — visual uniqueness and limited runs. They often unlock themed items that aren’t sold elsewhere.

What to buy: Any Sanrio crossover amiibo that specifically lists Animal Crossing unlocks. Cards are frequently cheaper than figures and just as effective for in-game triggers.

Market reality: Sanrio-branded amiibo can be uncommon. Prices vary from $25 for used cards to $150+ for sealed, rare print runs. If the goal is the in-game Sanrio catalog, favor cards first — they’re usually cheaper and take up less shelf space. For approaches to merch and logo-driven demand that inform resale and display choices, see pop-up printing and lot strategies.

3. Villager copies: Animal Crossing amiibo cards (series 1–5 and promotional cards)

Why: If you’re a completionist focused on population and photos, amiibo cards remain the most practical route to inviting specific villagers to the campsite — often the only legal in-game shorthand for an exact villager without massive RNG.

What to buy: Cards for the villagers you want. Prioritize rare-popularity villagers (a.k.a. high-demand villagers like certain villagers that chart high on Amiibo market trackers) only if you want them specifically — their prices can be inflated.

Market reality: Common cards are $5–$15; rare or promotional cards can be $30–$200 depending on demand and mint condition. Buying in bulk card lots or event lots often reduces per-card cost.

4. Collector showpieces: Limited-edition figures and Smash-series characters

Why: These are aesthetic and speculative buys. They don’t always unlock unique New Horizons content but are valuable to a shelf display and hold resale value.

Market reality: Varies wildly. Popular Smash figures often restock and sit <$50 retail; limited runs spike much higher on secondary markets.

How we weigh cost vs rarity vs unlock value (the decision matrix)

Use this simple three-factor matrix to decide whether to buy an amiibo:

Unlock Value (0–10): Does it unlock unique furniture, villagers, or recipes you can’t otherwise get?
Rarity (0–10): How available is it at retail? Is it discontinued?
Cost (scaled inverted 0–10): Does the price fit your budget and expected utility?

Score each amiibo. Prioritize those with high unlock value, reasonable rarity, and low cost. Example: Splatoon Inkling figures score high on unlock value, moderate rarity and moderate cost — a top early buy.

Where to buy amiibo in 2026: platforms, pros & cons

Here’s a practical list of places to look, with tips for each.

1. Official Nintendo Store & Manufactures — best for restocks

Pros: Authentic, sealed, occasional reprints for high-demand lines.
Cons: Quick sell-outs and limited stock windows.
Tip: Sign up for email restocks and use Nintendo’s mobile alerts. Late 2025 saw targeted reprints for a few Splatoon items; follow official social channels for drops. For broader storefront and restock strategy reading, check storefront optimization guides.

2. Major retailers (GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon)

Pros: Frequent inventory and preorders during waves.
Cons: Marketplace sellers on Amazon/eBay can inflate prices.
Tip: Use warehouse pickup during drops to avoid lost shipping packages and watch for bundle promotions (game + amiibo). Also consider edge-powered landing pages and retailer microsites that sometimes host limited preorders.

3. eBay & completed listings — best price-history signal

Pros: See historical sale prices (useful price-tracking data).
Cons: Risk of counterfeits, auction spikes if underbid.
Tip: Always check "Sold" listings, not just asking prices. Use completed filters to set realistic target bids; pairing that with edge-first verification techniques helps spot fakes.

4. Mercari, Facebook Marketplace & Local classifieds — best for bargains

Pros: Lower prices, negotiation possible, no platform fees sometimes.
Cons: Local scams, condition variance, pickup logistics.
Tip: Pay safely, meet in public when picking up, and bring a small UV lamp to check packaging authenticity for sealed figures. For community-driven bargain tactics and micro-pop strategies, see livestream and local sale guides.

5. International sources (Yahoo! Japan Auctions, Rakuten, Play-Asia)

Pros: Access to region-exclusive amiibo and early restocks.
Cons: Import fees, longer shipping, potential language friction.
Tip: Use proxy services with good reviews and factor customs into total cost. These channels are often the best place to find rare Sanrio runs. Event services and link-driven pop-up tools also help with sourcing and fulfillment for collectors buying overseas.

How to avoid buying traps and fake listings

Verify photos: ask for close-ups of the RFID base and serial numbers on packaging. Sellers laundering bootlegs will avoid detailed shots.
Check seller history: prefer users with multiple successful sales and positive feedback.
Avoid "too good to be true" sealed bundles at rock-bottom prices — they often are.
When possible, buy cards for in-game use — they’re easier to verify than tiny printed figures because their art is standardized and often cheaper.
For verification best practices and trust signals used by local marketplaces, consult edge identity & trust playbooks.

Condition matters: sealed vs loose vs cards — which to pick?

Decide based on intent:

Play/scan-first collectors: Buy loose or used — cheaper and fully functional as long as the NFC tag works.
Completionists who want mint resale value: Buy sealed — but factor in the premium (often 20–100% depending on rarity).
Themed players who just want catalog items: Prefer cards — lower cost, same in-game effect. If you plan to sell or trade at pop-ups, read the PocketPrint pop-up review for practical tips on lot presentation and card lots.

Advanced strategies to save money and finish your catalog

Trade-by-need: Use local Animal Crossing communities to trade duplicates — many collectors will swap a Splatoon card for a Sanrio card. Community swaps mirror micro-pop and micro-bundle strategies.
Set price alerts: Use eBay saved searches, Mercari alerts, and Discord collector servers to get notified immediately on restocks or underpriced listings. For live-feeds and discoverability tips, see notes on Bluesky and live content.
Buy cards in lots: Bulk card lots (20–50) often reduce per-card cost and allow targeted keeps/sells.
Patience on sealed items: If you’re not time-pressured, wait for off-peak periods (post-holiday spring) when speculator demand dips.
Use authenticity guides: Compare barcode format, NFC chip placement, and foil stamping with verified images from collector wikis before buying high-priced items. Practical verification frameworks are discussed in edge-first verification playbooks.

Real-world checklist for unlocking Splatoon & Sanrio items in New Horizons

Follow this step-by-step when you get the amiibo in hand to ensure the unlock goes smoothly:

Update New Horizons to the latest version (3.0+ as of Jan 2026).
From the Nook Stop on your island, use the amiibo portal in the Photopia/Photograph menu to scan the figure or card.
Once scanned, check Nook Shopping and the Able Sisters for newly available clothing or furniture within the next in-game day cycle.
If inviting villagers, use the Campsite or use the NPC that handles amiibo invites to bring the villager to the campsite and convince them to move in.
Document items unlocked and add them to your catalog checklist so you don’t rebuy duplicates.

Sample prioritized shopping list (budgeted tiers)

Use this quick decision guide based on three budget tiers.

Budget (<$50)

Buy: Splatoon card/loose figure if priced < $30.
Buy: Bulk Animal Crossing card packs for $5–$12 each to snag villagers.

Mid-range ($50–$150)

Buy: Sealed Splatoon figure if priced < $80 and you want mint condition.
Buy: Sanrio card(s) for guaranteed themed item unlocks, particularly if retail-priced near $40.

Collector/Investment (>$150)

Buy: Sealed limited Sanrio or rare promotional amiibo if you value shelf-grade condition and resale value.
Buy: Rare villager cards only if you specifically want that villager and other methods have failed.

What to expect from market prices in 2026 (short-term prediction)

Expect continued volatility tied to game updates and retro reprints. When Nintendo announces an in-game tie (like Splatoon 3.0 content), expect immediate price bumps. But historically, restocks and reprints calm prices within 2–6 months. If a specific amiibo unlocks unique content and remains discontinued, it will retain or increase value over time.

Actionable takeaways (your 10-minute plan)

Decide priority: catalog unlocks (Splatoon/Sanrio) or villagers.
Set alerts on eBay and Mercari for the specific amiibo names you want.
Join one local swap group to broaden your trade options.
If your goal is in-game content only, buy cards before figures.
Verify authenticity and check sold prices before clicking buy.

Final notes — balancing heart vs head

Collecting amiibo in 2026 is part nostalgia, part strategy, and part market timing. If you’re chasing catalog completion in New Horizons, prioritize functional cards and select Splatoon/Sanrio figures that unlock unique items. If you’re curating a displayable collection, weigh sealed-condition premiums and consider the long game: rarity tends to rent collection value, but patience rewards practicality.

Call to action

Ready to finish your New Horizons catalog without getting fleeced? Subscribe to our deals feed for real-time amiibo restock alerts, price-tracking spreadsheets, and community trade channels. Join our collector Discord to swap duplicates, verify listings, and get notified the moment a Sanrio or Splatoon lot hits the market. For guides on pop-up events, merchandising strategies and sourcing, see our recommended reads below.

bestgames

Contributor

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.

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