Why Won’t My Amiibo Character Move to My Island in Animal Crossing? The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve got your shiny new (or lovingly used) Amiibo figure, scanned it into your Animal Crossing: New Horizons game, and patiently waited… only to be met with the crushing disappointment that the adorable villager of your dreams still hasn’t packed their bags and moved to your island paradise. What gives? Fear not, fellow island representative! This guide will unravel the mystery and get your desired villager moving in ASAP.

The short answer is: inviting an Amiibo villager to your island is a multi-step process that requires patience and persistence. You must invite the Amiibo character to your campsite three separate times, fulfill a crafting request each time, and only then, if you have an open plot of land or are willing to kick someone out, will they agree to move in. There’s no instant gratification here, but with a little effort, you’ll have your favorite character living the island life alongside you. Let’s break down each component of this procedure.

Understanding the Amiibo Invitation Process

The core reason your Amiibo character isn’t immediately moving in lies in the game’s mechanics. Nintendo designed the Amiibo invitation system with multiple layers to prevent players from instantly filling their island with dream villagers. This mechanic is likely implemented to encourage player interaction with the current residents and foster a sense of community before rapidly changing the island’s population. This structured process also provides an engaging gameplay loop, contributing to the game’s overall appeal.

Step 1: Inviting to the Campsite (Three Times!)

This is the most crucial aspect. You must invite the Amiibo villager to your campsite three separate days in a row (or at least on three separate days, even if not consecutive). Simply scanning the Amiibo once won’t do the trick. Each day, go to the Resident Services terminal (the Nook Stop), select “Invite Amiibo Camper,” and scan your desired figure. The villager will then appear in your campsite. Talk to them!

Step 2: The Crafting Request

Each time you invite an Amiibo villager to your campsite, they’ll have a crafting request for you. They will ask you to make them a specific item. This is where your crafting skills come into play! Gather the necessary resources, head to a workbench, and craft the item they desire. This could be anything from a simple wooden chair to a more complex piece of furniture. Fulfilling this request is mandatory for the villager to consider moving in permanently. Importantly, you must successfully craft the item they request each of the three times they visit your campsite.

Step 3: Securing a Spot on Your Island

After inviting the Amiibo character to your campsite three times and completing their crafting requests on each occasion, you’ll finally get the option to invite them to live on your island. However, there’s a catch. You must have an open plot of land available, or you must be willing to convince one of your current residents to move out.

• Open Plot: If you have an empty plot (indicated by a “SOLD” sign with no name), the Amiibo villager will happily agree to move in.

• Convincing a Resident to Move Out: If your island is full (ten villagers), the Amiibo villager will randomly suggest replacing one of your current residents. You can either accept this suggestion or decline. If you decline, you’ll have to try again the next time you talk to the Amiibo character at your campsite to get them to randomly suggest to replace another villager. Important: You cannot choose which villager moves out the first time. However, after closing the dialogue, you can talk to the Amiibo character at your campsite again, to try and trigger the move-out replacement again (They’ll pick another random villager). This can be a bit tedious, but it’s the only way to get your dream villager while retaining as many of your current favorites as possible.

Understanding Move-in Limitations

It is also important to understand a few of the limitations.

Special Characters are Excluded

Not every Amiibo character can move into your island. Special characters like Isabelle, Tom Nook, and K.K. Slider will not move to your island. Instead, scanning their Amiibo figures grants you their posters and unlocks unique in-game content related to them, such as their likeness appearing on items you can purchase. They are essential to the core gameplay of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so they are unable to move to your island.

Limited Move-ins per Day

You are limited to inviting only one Amiibo character to your campsite per day. If you have multiple Amiibo figures you want to invite, you will need to scan them on subsequent days. You can only move one villager per day to your island. Keep this in mind when planning your villager recruitment strategy.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even when following the steps correctly, you might encounter a few snags. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

• “I’ve already invited someone today.” This is because you can only invite one Amiibo villager to your campsite per day. Wait until the next day to scan another Amiibo.

• “This Amiibo isn’t supported.” Double-check that the Amiibo figure is compatible with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Some older Amiibo figures from previous Animal Crossing games may not work, or require updating your Nintendo Switch System to the latest software version.

• “My game isn’t recognizing the Amiibo.” Ensure that your Joy-Con or Pro Controller is properly connected and has sufficient battery. Also, make sure you’re holding the Amiibo figure close enough to the NFC touchpoint on your controller.

• “I accidentally declined the villager moving in!” If you accidentally declined the invitation, you’ll need to continue inviting the villager to your campsite again. Scan the Amiibo on the next day, and then talk to them three times.

Enhancing Your Gameplay Experience

Beyond just getting your desired villagers, Amiibo figures can enrich your Animal Crossing: New Horizons experience in other ways.

Poster Collection

Even if a special character cannot move into your island, scanning their Amiibo figure unlocks their poster, which can be purchased from the Nook Shopping catalog. Collecting all the character posters adds a fun dimension to the game and allows you to decorate your home with your favorite characters’ images.

Photopia Integration

Scanning Amiibo figures allows you to invite those characters to Photopia, Harv’s Island’s photography studio. You can then create custom photoshoots with your favorite villagers, posing them and dressing them up in different outfits. This feature adds another layer of creativity and customization to the game.

Further Resources for Gamers

For those interested in understanding the broader context of gaming and learning, the Games Learning Society offers valuable insights and resources. Explore their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

FAQs: Your Burning Amiibo Questions Answered!

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the Amiibo invitation process and address any lingering concerns:

1. Can I invite the same Amiibo character multiple times on the same day?

No, you can only invite one Amiibo character to your campsite once per day.

2. Do I have to invite the Amiibo villager on consecutive days?

No, the days do not need to be consecutive. You can invite them to the campsite on three separate days, even if they are spread out over a week or more.

3. What happens if I don’t have the materials to craft the item the Amiibo villager requests?

You’ll need to gather the required materials before you can craft the item. You can use the time until the next invitation to get it, as the request persists until completed.

4. Can I choose which villager to kick out when my island is full?

The first time, no, the choice is random. After you decline the villager’s random choice, you can try again in the campsite by talking to them until they choose the resident you want to move out.

5. Can I use the same Amiibo figure on multiple islands?

Yes, you can use the same Amiibo figure on multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, and also on multiple islands.

6. Can I use an Amiibo card instead of an Amiibo figure?

Yes, Amiibo cards work exactly the same way as Amiibo figures for inviting villagers to your campsite.

7. What happens if I accidentally skip a day of inviting the Amiibo villager?

The invitation process is not reset. You simply continue the process the next time you scan them.

8. Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to use Amiibo figures?

No, Nintendo Switch Online is not required to use Amiibo figures in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

9. Can I invite villagers I already have on my island using Amiibo?

Inviting a villager with an Amiibo will allow you to invite them to the campsite if you already have them on your island. You cannot move them out and move them back in using the amiibo if they are currently on your island.

10. What is the maximum number of villagers I can have on my island?

The maximum number of villagers you can have on your island is ten.

11. Can I invite a villager to live on my island if they already live on a friend’s island?

Yes, you can invite a villager to live on your island even if they already live on someone else’s island. Each island is a separate instance.

12. What happens if I invite an Amiibo villager and then find a villager on a Mystery Island tour?

The villager on the Mystery Island tour will be the one to move in. The Amiibo villager will need to be re-invited after a plot becomes open again or after you convinced a villager to move out.

13. Do Amiibo villagers have any special abilities or traits compared to regular villagers?

No, Amiibo villagers behave exactly the same as villagers who move in through other methods.

14. Can I use an Amiibo to move a villager out that I don’t want?

You cannot directly choose a villager to move out using an Amiibo, the choice will still be random the first time. You can also use the method of ignoring the villager until the option appears that the villager wants to leave.

15. Where can I find a list of all the Animal Crossing Amiibo figures and cards?

Nintendo’s official website and various online retailers offer comprehensive lists of Animal Crossing Amiibo figures and cards. Online communities and fan sites are also great resources for finding information.

With this comprehensive guide and these helpful FAQs, you should be well on your way to welcoming your favorite Amiibo villagers to your island paradise. Happy gaming!