Slingshot

The Slingshot is a tool introduced in and appearing in all subsequent games. It is primarily used to knock presents down from balloons, as well as other objects moving through the sky.

Usage
Using a slingshot will fire a pellet directly above the player. The pellet will pop any balloons floating overhead, knock Pete the postman out of the sky, and cause Gulliver's UFO to crash land in town. In, it's possible to pop the balloons carrying presents using another tool as they ascend or descend over the cliff on the edge of town. In, the slingshot has a more noticeably forward-tilted shooting angle, so the player does not need to be directly underneath the balloon. Additionally, unlike in previous games, the Slingshot in will break after a number of uses, though one can be crafted with five pieces of hardwood.

More advanced variations of the slingshot can also be obtained. The Silver Slingshot and Golden Slingshot can shoot more pellets at once, increasing the chance of knocking objects out of the sky. In New Leaf it's possible to obtain the Golden Slingshot before the Silver Slingshot as both items have the same prerequisites to appear in town. Silver Slingshots can also continue to appear as floating presents an infinite number of times.

In
Slingshots in New Horizons will break after a specific amount of uses. Popping balloons will reduce a slingshot's durability. A slingshot's durability is not reduced when shooting the slingshot and failing to hit any balloons.