Wondering how to get Zelda items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Unlock the Master Sword, Tulin, & furniture with our 3.0 update guide. Includes prices, Amiibo steps, and no-scan methods.
If you’ve been waiting years to turn your island into Hyrule, the wait is finally over. After a long gap following the 2.0 update, the 3.0 update (January 2026) for Animal Crossing: New Horizons officially introduced Legend of Zelda crossover content—and it’s everything fans hoped for. While the update included major additions like the new Resort Hotel, the Zelda crossover is the undisputed highlight, introducing a full Zelda-themed catalog complete with iconic furniture, wearable outfits, and two fully interactive villagers: Tulin and Mineru.
At the same time, Nintendo designed this crossover with intention. The items don’t appear randomly, and villagers won’t show up through normal island progression. As a result, you need to follow a specific unlock method. Fortunately, once you understand that method, unlocking Zelda content becomes straightforward and repeatable — whether you’re a returning player or new to the island since 2020.
This guide walks you step by step through how to get Zelda stuff in Animal Crossing, using official mechanics, smart alternatives, and proven community methods.
How to Unlock Zelda Items in Animal Crossing (Amiibo Method)
The Amiibo method remains the official and most reliable way to unlock Zelda items in ACNH. Unlike event-based furniture or seasonal drops, Zelda items sit behind a catalog unlock trigger, which Amiibo scanning provides. You only need to scan one compatible Zelda-series Amiibo to unlock the entire set of Zelda crossover items.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Head to Resident Services: Walk into the main building on your plaza.
- Access the Terminal: Interact with the Nook Stop Terminal in the corner.
- Select the Right Option: Choose “Invite Amiibo Camper” from the menu.
- Scan Your Amiibo: Place any Zelda-series Amiibo (Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, Guardian, etc.) over the NFC touchpoint on your controller.
- Confirm the Scan: Listen for the confirmation jingle and wait for the game to save.
Here’s the key detail many players miss:
You do not need to invite the villager to live on your island. One successful scan instantly unlocks the entire Zelda furniture and clothing catalog in Nook Shopping > Special Goods > Promotion Tab.
Once unlocked, the items appear alongside other promotional content (like the Mario and Pocket Camp items), making them easy to access at any time.
Ordering Rules You Should Know
Because Nintendo treats Zelda items as promotional content, a few limitations apply that you need to plan around:
- Daily Order Limit: You can order only 5 items per in-game day.
- Delivery Time: Items arrive the following day via your mailbox.
- Availability: Items never appear in Nook’s Cranny or the rotating shop stock; they are exclusive to Nook Shopping.
For example, if you want the Master Sword, Triforce, and Champion Outfit on the same day, you’ll need to plan your orders carefully or use multiple residents to bypass the limit. This mechanics encourages steady progression rather than instant completion.
Full List of Zelda Items & Prices (3.0 Update)
Once unlocked, Zelda items remain permanently available in your catalog. That permanence makes Amiibo scanning a one-time investment with long-term value, especially if you plan themed areas like Hyrule shrines or Korok Forest-style builds.
Zelda Furniture & Decorations
These items define the Hyrule aesthetic and work especially well in outdoor builds or shrine-themed rooms.
| Item Name | Price (Bells) | Description |
| Master Sword | 5,000 | Interact to hear the iconic “Schwing” sound. |
| Triforce | 3,333 | Rotates slowly and glows in the dark. |
| Goddess Statue | 2,500 | A large stone centerpiece perfect for shrines. |
| Decayed Guardian | 3,000 | The eye pulses with a faint pink light at night. |
| Zonai Authentication Crest | 3,000 | A glowing green crest wall decoration. |
| Heart Container | 2,000 | Classic red heart design. |
| Rupee | 350 | Customizable colors: Green, Blue, Red, Silver. |
| Silent Princess | 700 | A delicate flower item (cannot be watered). |
| Fairy Bottle | 1,000 | A glowing pink fairy trapped in a glass bottle. |
Tools & Instruments
Beyond decor, Nintendo also included functional nostalgia pieces that you can hold and use.
- Tri Rod (Wand) – 13,330 Bells: Based on Echoes of Wisdom, this functions as a standard wardrobe change wand.
- Ocarina of Time – 2,500 Bells: A fully playable instrument that plays random notes from the N64 classic when you press ‘A’.
Clothing & Wearables
If you want your character to look the part, the clothing catalog delivers high-fidelity cosplay items.
- Champion Outfit: 2,300 Bells (Breath of the Wild style)
- Link Outfit: 2,300 Bells (Classic Green Tunic)
- Majora’s Mask: 2,500 Bells
- Link’s Hat: 2,000 Bells
- Tri Headband: 1,500 Bells
- Ancient Princess Wig: 2,000 Bells
- Hylian Trousers: 1,800 Bells
- Hylian Boots: 1,600 Bells
Walls & Flooring
To complete the atmosphere of your rooms:
Korok Forest Wall – 3,000 Bells
Korok Forest Flooring – 3,000 Bells
How to Get Zelda Villagers: Tulin & Mineru
While items unlock universally, villagers work differently. Nintendo restricted Zelda villagers to specific Amiibo scans, preventing random encounters or campsite luck. Both villagers debuted after their major roles in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
How to Get Tulin in ACNH
Personality: Jock | Species: Bird | Birthday: March 3rd (Pisces)
Tulin brings his energetic “Sage of Wind” persona to your island. His catchphrase is “gust” and he has the Nature hobby, meaning he often inspects flowers and chases bugs.
Compatible Amiibo to Unlock Tulin:
- Revali (Breath of the Wild)
- Tulin (Tears of the Kingdom)
- Toon Link (Wind Waker / Smash Bros.)
- Archer Link (Breath of the Wild)
How to Get Mineru in ACNH
Personality: Snooty | Species: Deer (Zonai-Style) | Birthday: May 12th (Taurus)
Mineru is a unique addition; her model features the distinct third eye (closed) and Zonai jewelry. Her catchphrase is “construct” and she has the Education hobby, often found reading near the museum.
Compatible Amiibo to Unlock Mineru:
- Zelda (Tears of the Kingdom)
- Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom or Smash Bros.)
- Guardian (Breath of the Wild)
- Urbosa or Sidon
Campsite Move-In Process
After scanning the correct Amiibo, the process to move them in is identical to other Amiibo villagers:
- Visit the Campsite: The villager appears immediately after scanning.
- Fulfill Requests: Speak with them and they will ask you to craft a souvenir (often a furniture item).
- Repeat for 3 Days: You must invite them and craft an item on three separate days.
- Issue the Invitation: On the third day, after crafting, ask them to move in.
Important clarification: Zelda villagers from New Leaf — such as Wolf Link, Medli, Epona, and Ganon — cannot be obtained in New Horizons. Even if you scan those specific Amiibo, the game will substitute them with either Tulin or Mineru.
No Amiibo? How to Get Zelda Items Without Scanning
If you don’t own Amiibo, you still have realistic alternatives for items, though not for the villagers themselves.
Trade With Other Players
Zelda items are fully tradeable across the Animal Crossing community. Since they are standard catalog items once unlocked, players who have the Amiibo can buy them and drop them for you.
- Where to look: Nookazon, Discord trading servers, or Reddit communities like r/ACTrade.
- Cost: Expect to pay a markup in Bells or Nook Miles Tickets (NMT) if you are buying from strangers.
Treasure Islands
Treasure islands, often hosted via livestreams on Twitch or YouTube, allow instant item pickup. These hacked islands let players fill their pockets with furniture, clothing, and tools quickly.
- Safety Tip: Always save your game before flying to a Treasure Island. High traffic on these islands can sometimes cause connection errors, and saving beforehand ensures you don’t lose your current inventory progress if the session crashes.
- Limitation: You cannot reliably obtain Tulin or Mineru this way. Like the Sanrio villagers, they are “shiny locked” to Amiibo scanning and cannot be adopted when they are in boxes on another island.
Legacy Method: Best Zelda Custom Design Codes
Even with official items, custom designs still matter to fill the gaps Nintendo didn’t address. The community has created incredible assets that blend perfectly with the official 3.0 items.
Popular Zelda Custom Designs
- Hyrule Castle Brick Paths: Essential for creating grand entrances to your museum or house.
- Sheikah Slate Flooring: Ideal for creating “Shrine” interiors or tech-themed labs.
- Zelda Cosplay Dresses: Look for the Echoes of Wisdom hooded cloak or Twilight Princess gowns.
- Midna-Inspired Robes: Perfect for fans of the darker aesthetic.
How to Use Them
- Open the Custom Designs Portal on your NookPhone or at the Tailor’s shop.
- Search by “Zelda”, “Hyrule”, or specific terms like “Sheikah”.
- Save the design to a slot and apply it to the ground or wear it.
FAQ: Zelda in Animal Crossing New Horizons
Is Zelda officially in Animal Crossing New Horizons?
Yes. The 3.0 update (Jan 2026) added official Zelda items and villagers.
Do you need Nintendo Switch 2 for the Zelda update?
No. The update applies to the original Nintendo Switch as well as the new hardware.
Can Zelda items appear in Nook’s Cranny?
No. They only appear in Nook Shopping → Promotion tab. You cannot find them on the shelf at Nook’s Cranny.
Which Amiibo unlocks the Master Sword?
Any Zelda-series Amiibo unlocks the entire furniture and clothing catalog, including the Master Sword.
How many Zelda items can you order per day?
You are limited to five items per in-game day, just like other catalog orders.
Conclusion: Build Your Own Hyrule Island
The 3.0 update has revitalized Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Zelda fans in a meaningful way. By combining Amiibo scanning, smart item planning, and optional community trading, you can fully transform your island into a Hyrule-inspired world.
We recommend unlocking the catalog first, prioritizing daily orders for the big-ticket items like the Master Sword and Decayed Guardian, and then deciding whether Tulin or Mineru fit your long-term island vision.
Now tell us — which item are you buying first?
Drop a comment and share your Dream Address if you’ve built your own version of Hyrule.
Official Nintendo Resources
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Official Game Page: Overview of the game, core mechanics, and supported updates.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Version 3.0 Update Overview: Official details on major features introduced in update 3.0, including crossover content.
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