From the adult single player perspective, this is the most involved version of Animal Crossing to date. Customization is virtually limitless and it introduces the option of terraforming the land itself. The ways you can build up your island stretch beyond the imagination. New Horizons introduces crafting, seasonal items and recipes, download-based events that last longer than one day so they really feel like holidays, and advanced character customization right from the beginning. I'll break down the pros and cons at the end of my review.
I think there is some confusion, especially for people new to the series, regarding how multiplayer works.
Animal Crossing has always been a ONE town/island game, with the option for up to 3 more players to share that land, since the idea is that you'd be building your oasis together. Unfortunately the co-op in this version is lackluster, especially since the Switch is marketed as a more social console than others Nintendo has released in the past. The multiplayer in a single town is, plain and simple, not worth it. Like others have said, you can really only play follow the leader and collect things together. It kinda defeats the purpose of true multiplayer mode, which is much more comprehensive in the console-to-console visiting (as it has been in the past as well). The true fun in multiplayer for ACNH is in visiting other islands entirely, seeing how they have built and organized their land, and exchanging exclusive fruits and rare items with each other (not to mention hitting each other endlessly with nets). If you have multiple consoles in your house or have friends with their own Switch and copy of the game, you'll find LOTS of enjoyment in the multiplayer.
PROS:
- Character customization is great. Skin tone is finally a choice, alongside many hairstyles and colors which become unlockable over time. Many basics are included right from the beginning and can be changed whenever you'd like.
- Able Sisters is a true boutique. Every day they have a large stock of clothing, including many color variants. You can also layer multiple facial accessories.
- Designing is a joy. The designer feature seems to "read" what shapes and colors you use and will round out sharp edges. This means any user-designed paths, stones, and clothing will blend in seamlessly with the soft graphics of the game. You can choose from different styles of clothing while you design, such as sweaters, robes, bowler hats, and beanies. Additionally, there is now an option for transparent patterns. No more having 4 different stepping stone designs for every season so the grass around your rocks will blend in with the natural grass. There is also a "face paint" option, which is very useful for equipping your character with eyebrows, freckles, etc.
- Nook Miles ticket islands are worthwhile to work for, and allow you access to more crafting resources that you may have exhausted out of your own island for the day. They also have a chance to spawn rare creatures, Bell rocks, foreign fruits, and hybrid flowers.
- The graphics have received a huge update. Everything in the game, including returning items, has a new model and looks better than ever. Wind rustles trees, flowers, and even items that have hanging bits, such as the clothing racks.
- Your storage system is automatically built into your home, and home design is streamlined into a drag and drop menu for easy decorating.
- Being able to put any item outdoors and build pathways has transformed the possibilities in this game. You can make so many things: trading booths, actual gardens, shop stands, playgrounds, cafes, spas, raffles, relay races, you name it. I've seen an incredible amount of creativity in the first week of release.
- You can choose where your new villagers will move, and move any building at any time, save for the plaza and Resident Services within it. There is a cost involved but it's well worth it if you hate where something is placed.
- So far I have not yet reached the cap on constructing inclines and bridges. You can make a bunch.
CONS:
- Terraforming takes a bit to unlock and can be finicky to navigate. You may think you're standing on the correct tile to place a path or build a cliff, but you'll be pushed to another tile, have to erase, and try again. Understanding where you are in space is just a little more difficult because the layout of your island looks a lot less geometric than it did in the past, but overall that is still a positive. Just makes terraforming a bit harder.
- In the 3DS New Leaf: Welcome Amiibo version, scanning an Amiibo card would allow you to replace any resident villager with the one on your card, and they would move in the next day. In this version, scanning a card will put the villager in your campsite, but you must invite them to move in THREE times before they will agree. It just seems like a bit of work, since any random villager you find on a Nook Miles Island will move in the very next day after you ask them.
- This is my big one: Blathers' museum, while changed drastically to be incredibly beautiful, no longer displays facts for donated creatures. Reading a sign will just give you the name of the creature and donor. To learn about a creature, you need to have it in your inventory and give it to Blathers under the request to learn more. This feels like a huge hit to the museum which is already lacking features. It seemed like they removed the one main reason to visit.
- No sign of my favorite NPCs, Katrina (fortune teller) and Brewster (cafe owner). Hopefully, though, there are plans to implement them at a later date, as the game receives regular updates.
Overall, this is a staple in any casual gamer's collection, a great intro for anyone new to the series, and something pleasant to pick up whenever and wherever, regardless of whether you have countless hours or just a few minutes. Give it a try!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Switch
4.8 | 74,671 ratings
Price: 53.49
Last update: 01-10-2025
About this item
Build your community from scratch on a deserted island brimming with possibility; Create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself
Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
Show off your paradise – Play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
Show off your paradise – Play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
Product information
| Max Number of Supported Devices | 1 |
|---|---|
| Computer Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00045496596439 |
| UPC | 045496511272 |
| ASIN | B07SL6ZXBL |
| Release date | March 20, 2020 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars
74,281 ratings
4.8 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #204 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games) #48 in Nintendo Switch Consoles, Games & Accessories |
| Product Dimensions | 0.43 x 6.66 x 4.24 inches; 2.56 ounces |
| Type of item | Video Game |
| Rated | Everyone |
| Item model number | TBD |
| Item Weight | 2.56 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Date First Available | December 31, 2018 |
Top reviews from the United States
ARDER
Beautiful, relaxing single player and console-to-console multiplayer game
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2020Josiah Garcia
Excellent game to play!
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024Vincent
More Accessible Animal Crossing: List of Features
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2020
Vincent
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2020
--What is Animal Crossing?
For those who haven't played Animal crossing; it's a very relaxing game where you play the way you want and able to express yourself through gameplay as everyone's interactions are not the same.
Most of the time you do mundane tasks, have random events, collect items, do tasks to advance.
There are unknown, surprise unlocks/expansions
You play your own way (no pressure/stress to complete anything)
There is so much you can do in one day especially when some expansion starts or you have a goal in mind
The more time you invest the more you get. You set your own goal, can be ambitious or casual in your advancement
It's pretty much a life sim/sandbox with random animal creatures where everyone has unique experience
--List of features
1. There's 1 island per switch. 8 houses or accounts
2. 4 player simultaneous play. Follow a leader (range you can travel/screen space centered around the leader)
With party play, items collected are put into a recycle box to obtain later
3. Able to backup save file one time. Nintendo going to give more details on this later
4. If you have a Animal Crossing amiibo- you can invite scanned amiibo to island
5. With a construction permit you are able to create own path, change terrain (cliffs, roads, rivers, bridges, slopes)
6. Nook miles. achievement system. pay off getaway package, rewards. Earn by completing tasks around the town
With Nook miles you can purchase 'Nook miles tickets' where you can go to a mystery islands with new resident and tons of items to collect. Good way to farm items
7. Nook link. Switch Online Phone App. video/voice chat. transfer designs from Animal crossing new leaf via QR code
8. Resident service center: add shop and museum
9. Random merchants- sell items not found in area
10. There are fish tournaments. Bug offs. Seasonal events via free DLC
11. New ways to traverse with Volting poll and ladders
12. At the start you can choose island 1 of 4 island layout (able to edit later with construction permit). Able to choose between northern and southern hemisphere to start off at a different season
13. There are new resident animations. Resident don't just stand there doing nothing. Actual idle animation and they interact with their surroundings.They also have more clothing options
14. 2 main facilities:
Resident services: buy items , get advice, crafting
Airport: invite residents, travel other locations, send messages/items
13. Nook phone. In-game phone where you can access camera, map, call islanders, look up DIY recipes, collect Nook Miles, take photos, and other apps. island wide broadcast, resident services
14. Eating food such as apples, you gain energy, which gives you the ability to uproot whole Trees and place them somewhere else on island
15. You can make bait and use medicine cure bug bites
16. You choose how your characters looks. No quizzes to take. Change characters' hairstyles, facial features, skin tone, nose, mouth at any time by looking at a mirror.
Clothing options includes sweatshirts around the waist, backpacks, and phone cases
17. Updated graphics. Not pixelated, a lot of detail
18 Music is very good. Cheerful elevator type music. Changes every hour
19. Extensive crafting system where you craft items, tools and furniture based on resources you collect. Can view DIY recipes via Nook Phone. Use the workbench to craft furniture from materials/resources gathered on the island. There is tool durability which you have to keep track of and re-craft
20. Able to place furniture items both indoors and outdoors
Overall very fun and addicting game where you can express yourself through gameplay. A lot of quality of life improvement compared to past games in the franchise. BEST game in the franchise in my opinion (Wished it had NES games though). If any features I left out, please leave it in the comments
Images in this review
Gabriella Paparella
Most Importantly - It works!
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024Kevin
Bestest game ever!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024