It seems like a lifetime ago at this point, but only a few years ago, the gaming landscape was overrun with games like Skylanders and Disney Infinity that used real world figurines to unlock in-game characters and costumes. Amiibo were Nintendo’s answer to this trend.
While the games that made these figures popular have largely gone out of fashion, amiibo still offer a decent variety of in-game rewards in Nintendo’s games. The Splatoon series, for example, offers unique outfits as rewards for scanning Splatoon series amiibo. Due to the cost of amiibo, these can feel like expensive costumes, but if someone is already considering buying an amiibo, some outfits are more worth the price of admission.
16 Power Outfit
Most of the clothes in Splatoon are made to mimic real world clothes. As such, even the baggier, bulkier outfits are still quite form fitting. The power outfit sets itself apart from this by being extremely bulky, almost taking up a 2nd player’s worth of width.
As the name implies, it’s built to make players look high tech and tanky, and it does this job well. However, with how large it is, it ends up clipping into itself a lot and generally looking out of place. This outfit is received from scanning the Splatoon 1 series squid amiibo.
15 Power MK1 Outfit
A big improvement on the power set, the power MK1 set manages to accomplish what its predecessor sought to with much better results. For one, it’s not quite as large, reducing clipping and generally making it look more sleek.
The more toned down design ends up resembling a Judge Dredd-esque power suit, which is a much more desirable look. It also helps that the arrow on the head changes color with the player’s ink. This outfit can be obtained by scanning the Splatoon 2 series squid amiibo.
14 Armor Outfit
This outfit is received by scanning the Marie amiibo, and is a call back to Splatoon 1’s single player mode. As opposed to the typical shooter-style health system Splatoon’s multiplayer uses, the story mode gives players an extra layer of health, and allows them to gain a second by picking up squid armor.
This outfit is the armored outfit players get when they pick up armor in the story mode. In terms of looks it’s quite bland, so it’s not really worth prioritizing over the other amiibo outfits.
13 Steel Outfit
Fashion is a big part of the Splatoon games. They primarily stick to modern street fashion for their cosmetic options, meaning sneakers, hoodies, headphones etc. are commonplace. However, some people like it old school. For anyone looking to sport a throwback to the middle ages, the ‘steel’ set might be right for them.
This set is obtained by scanning the Splatoon 2 series octoling boy amiibo. It’s a nicely engraved suit of armor, and is quite a unique set in this game. The main issue is since there are no pants options in the game, the suit is incomplete and looks a bit awkward.
12 Hero Outfit
While Splatoon’s multiplayer is its main selling point, all 3 games also include fun single player adventures. While the story in these is quite minimal, it is consistent, meaning a player avatar from Splatoon 1 is a canon part of Splatoon 2 and 3’s stories.
Using the Callie amiibo, players can unlock the Splatoon 1 single player ‘hero’ outfit, acting as a throwback to the original game’s story, or even a cosplay of the original avatar. The suit itself isn’t the best looking, but gets points for nostalgia.
11 School Uniform Outfit
This is one of the first amiibo outfits introduced into Splatoon, being obtained by scanning the Splatoon 1 series inkling girl amiibo. As the name implies, it provides a pretty standard school uniform, with a sweater and blazer combo.
Although it’s simple, this outfit has wide appeal, especially the girl version, which even made it into Super Smash Bros as an alternate costume for the inklings. This set also comes with the squid hairclip, which is an extremely general use clothing piece that looks good in any outfit.
10 School Outfit
As the name might indicate, this set is quite similar to the school uniform outfit, but comes from the Splatoon 2 inkling girl instead. Honestly, it’s a bit too similar and is a bit of a dissapointment for anyone who already has the school uniform. However, for people who have neither, this is the better looking set.
For the most part, it only makes the original outfit more casual, swapping out the blazers on the original outfit for some looser cardigans. The change makes the outfit look a bit better, and the girl’s cardigan especially can be used to create some cute custom looks.
9 Sous-Chef Outfit
This is one of the newer outfits introduced in Splatoon 3, and while it’s an improvement on most of Splatoon 2’s amiibo outfits, it’s still the weakest of the new crop. The outfit can be obtained by scanning the Splatoon 3 series octoling boy amiibo.
It is meant to resemble an outfit a lot of sushi chefs are seen wearing, made up of a karate-esque gi, a blue and white headband and some honestly out of place foot wraps. The full outfit isn’t the most stylish, but the separate pieces can contribute well to custom outfits.
8 Squinja Outfit
With the release of Splatoon 3, the ‘zipcaster’ special weapon was introduced, which temporarily turns players into a ninja-like form to zip around the map. This form is actually quite cool looking, and fortunately anyone who wants to don the ninja look permanently can do just that.
Using the Splatoon 2 series inkling boy amiibo, players can access the ‘squinja’ set, which even has 2 different masks; one open and one closed. It’s another welcome change from the usual Splatoon gear, and even comes with some speed based skills.
7 Enchanted Outfit
In a similar vein to the ‘steel’ set, the ‘enchanted’ set offers a more old-timey fashion option for players. This time, by allowing them to dress like a classical witch, pointy toes and curly hat included of course.
This outfit comes courtesy of the Splatoon 2 series octoling girl amiibo. It even comes with 2 variations on the robe, with one being a shorter cut that shows off the pants, while the other is longer. This outfit is very simple on design, but that simplicity helps it look sleek.
6 Chaos Outfit
Due to the results of the final Splatoon 2 splatfest, fans expected Splatoon 3 to be a lot more chaotic aesthetically, and possibly narratively. Things went just as expected, with a lot of new hairstyles and clothes that are a bit more messy and worn down.
However, this is one of the only ways players can go full Mad Max. Not only is this look perfect for Splatoon 3’s theming, but it also provides a bulkier look to anyone looking for that, without getting to the point of clipping like the power outfits do. It can be obtained by scanning the Small Fry amiibo.
5 Marinated Outfit
While the Squid Sisters were quite popular as Splatoon 1’s main music group, Splatoon 2’s Off The Hook blew them out of the water. Especially after Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion, Pearl and Marina have become fan favorites. Luckily then, there is an option for players to dress up as them.
Marina’s Octo Expansion outfit is available via scanning the Marina amiibo. The outfit itself was great on her, sporting a Tupac-esque bandana, sleeveless top (silver chain included), and silver shoes. Although to get the full look, players will have to pick an appropriate pair of pants.
4 Pearlescent Outfit
Just like Marina, Pearl’s amiibo will unlock her design from Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion, granting players the ‘pearlescent’ set. While Pearl and Marina are a pair, this outfit places slightly higher due to just being a better overall look.
The Marina outfit is mostly quite simple, meanwhile the Pearl set offers items that are quite flashy. The pink and yellow hoodie is quite stylish, and has a chain of its own, and the sneakers are practically glistening. Even better though, the outfit comes with 2 crowns, one small and one big, which can contribute to many other possible looks.
3 Samurai Outfit
While some people might like the old-school appeal of the squinja and steel outfits, neither of them go quite as far into their concepts as the ‘samurai’ set. One of the rare bulky outfits in Splatoon 3, this set makes the player appear like a fully geared up samurai, even including a small folding fan.
The set is obtained by scanning the Splatoon 1 series inkling boy amiibo. It’s great as a full set, but the helmet alone is worth swapping unto other outfits as well, since it’s so flashy, and even resembles the helmet worn by DJ Octavio.
2 Fresh Fish Outfit
Every outfit on this list offers something that players usually couldn’t obtain in Splatoon 3 style-wise. What none of them up until now have offered however, is pure comedy. For that, look no further than the ‘fresh fish’ set.
By scanning the Splatoon 2 series inkling amiibo, players can receive this mascot outfit, complete with head, gloves and shoes. While it would look even better with a bottom half, the cartoony aesthetic is just so weird, that it’s hilarious to see in the midst of Spaltoon’s usual streetwear.
1 Schoolyard Boss Outfit
Just as the previous games, Splatoon 3 received its own series of amiibo. This outfit comes with the inkling girl figure in this series, and is a fitting outfit for Splatoon 3’s post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Especially when paired with some of the newly introduced hairstyles.
It includes not only a worn jacket, but also a pair of rope sandals and a fishbone toothpick to complete the look. It’s easily the coolest looking amiibo set in the game, and comes with some general use mobility and defense skills to help keep players alive.