Inkling Amiibo

Smash Inkling is the Smash Ultimate playable version of Splatoon's Inkling, and the inclusion was the franchise's most significant cross-IP integration because Splatoon was a then-three-year-old IP being elevated to mainline-Smash-roster status. The Inkling reveal trailer dropped at the March 2018 Nintendo Direct, kicked off the Smash Ultimate marketing cycle, and was the figure-line's most substantial 'we are taking Splatoon seriously as a long-term IP' moment. Most Smash characters by 2018 were established mainline Nintendo characters; Inkling was the first new-generation IP fighter to lead off a Smash roster announcement. The amiibo released December 7, 2018.

Her Smash moveset is the most Splatoon-coded kit on the roster: Splattershot ranged attacks, Splat Roller close-quarters combat, ink-painting mechanics that affect damage-multiplier on previously-painted enemies. The ink-painting damage system adds a meta-game layer most Smash fighters don't have.

She pairs with the Splatoon-line figures (Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Inkling Squid) and the broader Smash Ultimate roster.