Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons drops you onto a deserted island with little more than a tent and a dream. Developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch, this life simulation game is the fifth mainline entry in the beloved series, following 2012's Animal Crossing: New Leaf. You play as a character who buys a getaway package from Tom Nook, the raccoon entrepreneur, and starts from scratch. The core loop involves gathering resources, crafting tools and furniture, and gradually transforming the barren landscape into a bustling community of anthropomorphic animal villagers. The game gives you unprecedented freedom: you can shape cliffs, redirect rivers, place buildings anywhere, and decorate every inch of your island. There's no set goal, just a gentle rhythm of daily tasks, seasonal events, and social interactions that unfold in real time.

Development began in 2012 under director Aya Kyogoku. The team aimed to retain the charm of previous games while simplifying mechanics to welcome newcomers. They focused on what they called a trigger of play to keep actions intuitive and an imagination gap in the art style, letting players fill in details with their own creativity. Announced in a September 2018 Nintendo Direct, the game was delayed for polish and finally released worldwide on March 20, 2020. Critics praised its relaxing gameplay and deep customization, though some later updates received mixed reactions. Commercially, it was a juggernaut: over 47 million copies sold, making it the best-selling Animal Crossing title, the second best-selling Switch game, and the best-selling game ever in Japan. Its release during COVID-19 lockdowns turned it into a virtual social hub for weddings, graduations, and even political protests. An enhanced port for the Nintendo Switch 2 arrived on January 15, 2026, bundled with the 3.0 update, adding new features and content.[edit]

You start on a deserted island with only a tent and basic supplies, guided by Tom Nook and his nephews Timmy and Tommy. The day-to-day involves gathering wood, stone, fruit, and fish to craft tools, furniture, and other items. Crafting is new to the series, replacing the previous shop-based model. You can terraform the island by shaping cliffs, redirecting rivers, and laying down paths once you unlock the Island Designer app after K.K. Slider's first concert. Buildings like villager homes, shops, and the museum can be placed anywhere, not just designated spots. The game runs in real time, with seasons matching your hemisphere. Events like the Bunny Day egg hunt, Halloween, and the summer fireworks show happen on specific dates. Multiplayer lets up to eight players visit each other's islands via local wireless or online through Nintendo Switch Online. On the same console, up to four players can share one island, but only the leader can move buildings or terraform. The Happy Home Paradise DLC, released November 5, 2021, adds a separate archipelago where you design vacation homes for villagers, with new furniture and design techniques.[edit]

There is no traditional narrative with a villain or conflict. After buying the Deserted Island Getaway Package, you arrive on a small island with Tom Nook, his nephews Timmy and Tommy, and two random villagers. Your task is to help Nook Inc. build a thriving community. Milestones include upgrading your tent to a house, attracting more villagers by placing furniture and fencing, and expanding the museum with donations of fish, bugs, fossils, and art. Once you reach a five-star island rating, K.K. Slider performs a concert, unlocking terraforming. After that, you set your own goals: completing the museum, collecting all recipes, or perfecting your island's design. Seasonal events like the Cherry Blossom season in April and the Mushroom season in November add short-term objectives, but the story is really what you make of it.[edit]