If you tap a Link amiibo to your Nintendo Switch controller, you'll receive free in-game gear, crafting materials, or exclusive cosmetic items depending on the title you're playing. Nintendo's plastic figurines do more than sit on a shelf; they act as physical keys to bonus content across major entries like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Breath of the Wild, and Echoes of Wisdom. Knowing which figure unlocks what specific item saves you from wasting daily scans on random drops.
Different versions of Link—from Super Smash Bros. to Twilight Princess and Link's Awakening—trigger distinct rewards. While some figures grant exclusive paraglider fabrics or iconic armor sets, others provide useful survival supplies to speed up your early-game progression.
How Amiibo Scanning Works on Nintendo Switch
Before hunting for specific drops, you'll need to enable amiibo functionality within your game settings. Most modern Switch titles handle this directly through the in-game menu or Slate/Rune abilities.
- Open your game menu and locate the amiibo settings option.
- Select the option to scan or ready your NFC reader.
- Tap the base of your Link figure against the NFC touchpoint on your controller.
On standard Joy-Con controllers, the NFC reader sits beneath the right analog stick. If you're using a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, tap the figure directly over the Nintendo logo in the top-center faceplate. Most games limit you to one scan per figure every 24 hours, though you can bypass this restriction by adjusting your console's system clock manually if you're chasing a specific rare weapon drop.
Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo Unlocks
Tears of the Kingdom rewards players heavily for maintaining a collection of past Zelda figures. Scanning any variant of Link yields a shower of functional items alongside unique cosmetic prizes.
- Super Smash Bros. Link: Unlocks the Tunic of Twilight set, the Mirror of Twilight paraglider fabric, and a bundle of arrows or meat.
- Twilight Princess Link: Grants pieces of the classic tunic armor alongside functional shields and swords.
- Skyward Sword Link: Yields the Fabric of the Sky alongside a cache of mushrooms and rusted weapons that can be fused into powerful gear.
- Link's Awakening Figurine: Drops the Egg paraglider fabric alongside standard food items.
Using weapons dropped by amiibo requires careful management. Because these items often come with standard modifiers, you'll want to fuse them immediately to durability-boosting materials found across Hyrule. For official hardware specifications and accessories, check out Nintendo.
Breath of the Wild Rewards and Epona
In Breath of the Wild, certain Link figures unlock specific nostalgic content that cannot be acquired anywhere else in the open world.
- Super Smash Bros. Link: This remains the only reliable way to spawn Epona, Link's iconic horse, straight into the game on your first scan. Subsequent scans yield high-tier arrows and fruit.
- Ocarina of Time Link: Unlocks the Tunic of Time armor set alongside a chest filled with meat and broadswords.
- Majoras Mask Link: Grants the Fierce Deity Mask and matching armor tunic, which boosts your overall attack power when fully upgraded.
If Epona doesn't register on your first try due to terrain constraints, move to an open field near a stable. The game won't spawn a horse if the immediate ground is uneven or obstructed by trees.
Echoes of Wisdom and Smaller Titles
Even outside the massive open-world entries, Link figures provide unique stylistic changes. In Echoes of Wisdom, scanning any Link figurine grants Princess Zelda access to the Red Tunic, altering her appearance during exploration.
Older titles like Link's Awakening on Switch use the matching squishy-art-style Link amiibo to unlock Shadow Link as a hazard within custom Chamber Dungeons. This forces you to dodge your own dark Doppelgänger while testing custom rooms. To read more about gaming hardware history and peripherals, visit IGN.
Common Scanning Mistakes to Avoid
Amiibo functionality can occasionally fail if basic hardware steps are overlooked. Keep these pitfalls in mind while building your collection.
- Scanning too early: Many games lock out amiibo rewards until you complete the introductory prologue or tutorial area. If the game gives an error message, advance the main story by an hour.
- Third-party interference: Thick protective controller silicone skins or heavy desk mats can disrupt the NFC signal between the figure and the joystick reader.
- Counterfeit NFC cards: While cheap NFC coin replicas function identically to official figures on the Switch console, poorly written chips often fail region checks or corrupt save states. For community preservation projects and database tracking, consult Nintendo Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use non-Zelda amiibo with these games?
No. Mainline Zelda titles only accept figures belonging to The Legend of Zelda franchise for exclusive item drops. Scanning a Mario or Pokémon figure will either trigger a generic, non-exclusive material bundle or be rejected entirely depending on the software.
Do I need to unbox my amiibo to scan them?
No. The NFC chip inside the packaging sits at the base of the plastic stand. As long as the box doesn't contain a metallic anti-theft security strip blocking the signal, you can scan figures right through the cardboard backing.
Are amiibo drops random every day?
Armor pieces and exclusive paraglider fabrics are typically a guaranteed drop on your first successful scan of that specific figure. Once you own the unique cosmetic piece, subsequent scans default to random daily consumables like arrows, fish, and low-tier weapons.
What happens if my exclusive armor breaks?
If you accidentally sell or break an amiibo-exclusive armor piece, you don't need to rescan the figure daily hoping for another drop. Once unlocked, you can purchase replacement pieces directly from specific in-game merchant shops using standard in-game currency.
