Difference between revisions of "Animal Crossing: New Horizons"

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|title          = [[File:AnimalCrossingNewHorizonsLogo.png|200px|English game logo]]
 
|title          = [[File:AnimalCrossingNewHorizonsLogo.png|200px|English game logo]]
 
|image          = [[File:New Horizons NA boxart.png|200px|North American game cover]]
 
|image          = [[File:New Horizons NA boxart.png|200px|North American game cover]]
|caption        =  
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|caption        = North American game cover
 
|theme          = [[File:Main Theme NH.flac|Main theme]]
 
|theme          = [[File:Main Theme NH.flac|Main theme]]
 
|developer      = {{wp|Nintendo EPD}}
 
|developer      = {{wp|Nintendo EPD}}
 
|publisher      = [[Nintendo]]
 
|publisher      = [[Nintendo]]
|distributor    =  
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|director      = [[Aya Kyogoku]]
|designer       =  
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|producer      = Hisashi Nogami
 +
|programmer    = Yoshitaka Takeshita<br>Hiromichi Miyake
 +
|artist        = Koji Takahashi
 +
|writer        = Makoto Wada
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|composer       = Yasuaki Iwata<br>Yumi Takahashi<br>Shinobu Nagata<br>Sayako Doi<br>Masato Ohashi
 
|series        = ''[[Animal Crossing (series)|Animal Crossing]]''
 
|series        = ''[[Animal Crossing (series)|Animal Crossing]]''
|picture_format = 1920x1080 <small>(TV mode)</small> <br> 1280x720 <small>(handheld mode)</small>
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|released      = {{Flag|WLD}} March 20, 2020<ref name= "eShop description">{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch/|title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details}}</ref>
|released      = {{Flag|WLD}} March 20, 2020<ref name= "eShop description">[https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/animal-crossing-new-horizons-switch/ Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Nintendo Game Details], Nintendo</ref>
 
 
|genre          = Simulation
 
|genre          = Simulation
|modes          = Single player <br> Multiplayer <small>(1-4 player co-op; 1-8 player local wireless/online)</small>
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|modes          = Single-player <br> Multiplayer <small>(1-4 player co-op; 1-8 player local wireless/online)</small>
 
|ratings        = {{Rating|ESRB=E|PEGI=3|CERO=A|USK=0|ACB=G|ClassInd=L|RARS=0+|GRAC=All|GSRR=P(6+)|FPB=PG|GCAM=3|NMC=3}}
 
|ratings        = {{Rating|ESRB=E|PEGI=3|CERO=A|USK=0|ACB=G|ClassInd=L|RARS=0+|GRAC=All|GSRR=P(6+)|FPB=PG|GCAM=3|NMC=3}}
|platforms       = [[Nintendo Switch]]
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|platforms     = [[Nintendo Switch]]
 
|media          = Nintendo Switch Game Card <br> Nintendo eShop digital download
 
|media          = Nintendo Switch Game Card <br> Nintendo eShop digital download
 
|requirements  = 6.2 GB<ref name= "eShop description"/> <small>(digital download only)</small>
 
|requirements  = 6.2 GB<ref name= "eShop description"/> <small>(digital download only)</small>
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|strategywiki  = Animal Crossing: New Horizons
 
|strategywiki  = Animal Crossing: New Horizons
 
}}
 
}}
'''''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'''''{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|あつまれ どうぶつの森|Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori|Animal Forest: Gather}}}} is a simulation game for the [[Nintendo Switch]] released on March 20, 2020. It is the fifth main installment in the {{SER}} outside of Japan, and it is the first new installment in the main {{SER}} since {{NL}} in 2012 as well as the first for a home console since {{CF}} in 2008.
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'''''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'''''{{Note|{{Nihongo foot|あつまれ どうぶつの森|Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori|Animal Forest: Gather}}}} is a simulation game for the [[Nintendo Switch]] released on March 20, 2020. It is the fifth main installment in the {{SER}} outside of Japan.
  
In a departure from previous titles in the series, the player lives on a deserted island rather than in a [[town]] (referred to as the "Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package").<ref>{{Cite web|author=Chris Plante|url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2019/6/11/18661310/nintendo-direct-e3-2019-animal-crossing-new-horizons-trailer-release-date Animal Crossing: New Horizons looks magical, but is delayed to March 2020|site=Polygon.}}</ref> [[Crafting]] from {{PC}} has also returned in this installment, in the form of the [[DIY]] system.
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In a departure from previous titles in the series, the player lives on a deserted island rather than in a [[town]] (referred to as the "Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package"), which can develop into a town-like community as players progress through the game. [[Crafting]] from {{PC}} has also returned in this installment in the form of the [[DIY]] system, along with expanded customization of furniture and the player characters.
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{{NH|nolink}} is a critical and commercial success, having received positive reviews from critics and selling over 22 million copies as of June 2020, making it the best-selling game in the {{SER|nolink}} and the second best-selling Nintendo Switch game.
  
 
==Development and unveiling==
 
==Development and unveiling==
Development on the game began shortly after the Japanese release of {{NL}} prior to the development team being aware of the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref name= "philosophy">{{cite web|author=Elise Favis|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/03/23/nintendo-explains-philosophy-behind-animal-crossings-big-changes-like-gender-expression-terraforming/|title=Nintendo explains philosophy behind Animal Crossing’s big changes, such as gender expression and terraforming|site=Washington Post.}}</ref> As with the previous title, [[Aya Kyogoku]] was chosen as the director of the game, with [[Hisashi Nogami]] in charge as producer.  
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Development on the game began shortly after the Japanese release of {{NL}} prior to the development team being aware of the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref name= "philosophy">{{cite web|author=Elise Favis|date=March 23, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/03/23/nintendo-explains-philosophy-behind-animal-crossings-big-changes-like-gender-expression-terraforming/|title=Nintendo explains philosophy behind Animal Crossing’s big changes, such as gender expression and terraforming|site=Washington Post}}</ref> As with the previous title, [[Aya Kyogoku]] was chosen as the director of the game, with [[Hisashi Nogami]] in charge as producer.  
  
Kyogoku notes in an interview that the team chose to be ambitious even despite not knowing anything about the hardware that they would eventually release the game on. The team intended for the game to be welcoming for veteran players and accessible for new players by keeping much of the core gameplay from previous titles while still adding in many new elements.<ref name= "philosophy"/> The theme of developing a town on a deserted island was chosen because the developers believed that breaking away from the tradition of players moving into a village would be a fresh and interesting concept for old players. Kyogoku noted that some players of previous entries would have difficulty finding goals or objectives. As a response to this feedback, a sense of purpose was purposely developed by having players develop the village from scratch. The developers felt that as players constructed their village from the ground up, they would grow a more personal relationship with their town.<ref name= "crazy">{{Cite web|author=Scott Stein|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/youre-not-crazy-tom-nook-is-nicer-in-animal-crossing-new-horizons/|title=You're not crazy: Tom Nook is nicer in Animal Crossing: New Horizons|site=CNET.}}</ref>
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Kyogoku notes in an interview that the team chose to be ambitious even despite not knowing anything about the hardware that they would eventually release the game on. The team intended for the game to be welcoming for veteran players and accessible for new players by keeping much of the core gameplay from previous titles while still adding in many new elements.<ref name= "philosophy"/> The theme of developing a town on a deserted island was chosen because the developers believed that breaking away from the tradition of players moving into a village would be a fresh and interesting concept for old players. Kyogoku noted that some players of previous entries would have difficulty finding goals or objectives. As a response to this feedback, a sense of purpose was purposely developed by having players develop the village from scratch. The developers felt that as players constructed their village from the ground up, they would grow a more personal relationship with their town.<ref name= "crazy">{{Cite web|author=Scott Stein|date=March 21, 2020|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/youre-not-crazy-tom-nook-is-nicer-in-animal-crossing-new-horizons/|title=You're not crazy: Tom Nook is nicer in Animal Crossing: New Horizons|site=CNET}}</ref>
  
As a result of choosing a deserted island theme, [[DIY|crafting]] was added into the game. This was done so that players would have a higher level of interactivity with the deserted island. This would give players a different perspective of the environment that used to be just a visual aspect.<ref name= "crazy"/> Crafting was also developed with the intention of keeping players from running out of things to do during the hours that their shops are closed.<ref name= "philosophy"/> Another of these new features, terraforming, was added in response to unexpected behavior from players in previous games such as resetting towns in order to receive a desirable town layout. With the introduction of crafting and terraforming, players are able to be more in control of their island.<ref name= "philosophy"/> This flexibility in design extends further onto player design. Unlike previous games which involved players having to answer a series of questions to determine their appearance, players are now able to freely change their appearance whenever they'd like to through the use of mirrors or vanities. In addition to this, several new hair and facial features were added that were not present in previous entries. A gender option is still present, but does not impact the game or the player's appearance in any way other than certain dialog differences. Kyogoku states in an interview that this level of player customization is not just about gender, but rather more about individuality, which the development team believed was a growing belief within society. Players aren't forced into thinking too much about gender, but the option is still there should they decide to.<ref name= "philosophy"/>  
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As a result of choosing a deserted island theme, [[DIY|crafting]] was added into the game. This was done so that players would have a higher level of interactivity with the deserted island. This would give players a different perspective of the environment that used to be just a visual aspect.<ref name= "crazy"/> Crafting was also developed with the intention of keeping players from running out of things to do during the hours that their shops are closed.<ref name= "philosophy"/> Another of these new features, terraforming, was added in response to unexpected behavior from players in previous games such as resetting towns in order to receive a desirable town layout. With the introduction of crafting and terraforming, players are able to be more in control of their island.<ref name= "philosophy"/> This flexibility in design extends further onto player design. Unlike previous games which involved players having to answer a series of questions to determine their appearance, players are now able to freely change their appearance whenever they'd like to through the use of mirrors or vanities. In addition to this, several new hair and facial features were added that were not present in previous entries. A gender option, referred to as "style" in English versions, is still present, but does not impact the game or the player's appearance in any way other than certain dialog differences. Kyogoku states in an interview that this level of player customization is not just about gender, but rather more about individuality, which the development team believed was a growing belief within society. Players aren't forced into thinking too much about gender, but the option is still there should they decide to.<ref name= "philosophy"/>  
  
 
The addition of the [[NookPhone]] was inspired by the belief that phones are essential tools in everyday life. Kyogoku has stated that the NookPhone serves as a source of familiarity between the real world and the game.<ref name= "crazy"/>
 
The addition of the [[NookPhone]] was inspired by the belief that phones are essential tools in everyday life. Kyogoku has stated that the NookPhone serves as a source of familiarity between the real world and the game.<ref name= "crazy"/>
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===Unveiling and release===
 
===Unveiling and release===
The game was teased during a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2018, and was originally slated to be released in 2019.<ref>Nintendo, [https://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/09-13-2018/ Nintendo Direct 09-13-2018], YouTube.</ref>  
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The game was teased during a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2018, and was originally slated to be released in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|date=September 13, 2018|url=https://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/09-13-2018/|title=Nintendo Direct 9.13.2018}}</ref>  
  
During E3 2019 on June 11, 2019, the gameplay (from trailer and Treehouse interview) and title were shown. It was revealed that the game had been delayed to March 20, 2020; it was stated that "to ensure the game is the best it can be, we must ask that you wait a little longer than we thought."<ref>Nintendo, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9eAtwcYlo Nintendo Direct for E3 2019], YouTube.</ref> Later, President of Nintendo of America, [[Doug Bowser]], said the following: "The crunch point is an interesting one, for us, one of our key tenets is that we bring smiles to people's faces, and we talk about that all the time. It's our vision. Or our mission, I should say. For us, that applies to our own employees. We need to make sure that our employees have good work-life balance. One of those examples is, we will not bring a game to market before it's ready. We just talked about one example. It's really important that we have that balance in our world. It's actually something we're proud of."<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/11/nintendo-comments-on-crunch-and-game-delays-a-e3-2019 Nintendo Comments on Crunch and Game Delays], IGN.</ref>
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During E3 2019 on June 11, 2019, the gameplay (from trailer and Treehouse interview) and title were shown. It was revealed that the game had been delayed to March 20, 2020; it was stated that "to ensure the game is the best it can be, we must ask that you wait a little longer than we thought."<ref>{{Cite web|author=Nintendo|date=June 11, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9eAtwcYlo|title=Nintendo Direct for E3 2019|site=YouTube}}</ref> Later, President of Nintendo of America, [[Doug Bowser]], said the following: "The crunch point is an interesting one, for us, one of our key tenets is that we bring smiles to people's faces, and we talk about that all the time. It's our vision. Or our mission, I should say. For us, that applies to our own employees. We need to make sure that our employees have good work-life balance. One of those examples is, we will not bring a game to market before it's ready. We just talked about one example. It's really important that we have that balance in our world. It's actually something we're proud of."<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/11/nintendo-comments-on-crunch-and-game-delays-a-e3-2019 Nintendo Comments on Crunch and Game Delays], IGN.</ref>
  
 
An Animal Crossing Nintendo Direct took place on February 20, 2020, announcing the final release date of March 20th, 2020. <ref>Nintendo, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie4WZCLbtVs Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct 2.20.2020], YouTube.</ref>  It showcased multiple new features of the game, such as terrain editing, additional house customization, and more.
 
An Animal Crossing Nintendo Direct took place on February 20, 2020, announcing the final release date of March 20th, 2020. <ref>Nintendo, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie4WZCLbtVs Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct 2.20.2020], YouTube.</ref>  It showcased multiple new features of the game, such as terrain editing, additional house customization, and more.
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[[File:Pascal NH Character Icon.png|20px]] '''Free Summer Update (Wave 1)'''<br>  
 
[[File:Pascal NH Character Icon.png|20px]] '''Free Summer Update (Wave 1)'''<br>  
:The third major update to {{NH|short|nolink}} is released as a first wave. This update added swimming, [[diving]], and [[sea creatures]] to the game, along with [[Pascal]] and [[Gulliver#Gullivarrr|Gullivarrr]].
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:The third major update to {{NH|short|nolink}} was released as a first wave. This update added swimming, [[diving]], and [[sea creatures]] to the game, along with [[Pascal]] and [[Gulliver#Gullivarrr|Gullivarrr]].
  
[[File:LunaAMFIcon.png|20px]] '''Summer Update (Wave 2)'''<br>
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[[File:Luna NH Character Icon.png|20px]] '''Summer Update (Wave 2)'''<br>
:The fourth major update to {{NH|short|nolink}} is set to be released as a second wave. This update is set to add [[Fireworks Show]]s, the ability to visit dream islands, and the Island Backup Restoration Service, which allows players to restore save data from the cloud if their Nintendo Switch is lost or damaged.
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:The fourth major update to {{NH|short|nolink}} was released as a second wave. This update added [[Fireworks Show]]s, the ability to visit [[dream]] islands, and the Island Backup Restoration Service, which allows players to restore save data from the cloud if their Nintendo Switch is lost or damaged.
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
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[[Tom Nook]] and [[Isabelle]] are the main special characters in {{NH|nolink}}, with the former being responsible for moving the player and villagers to the deserted island, and the latter hosting the morning announcements and running the Civic Consultation Center at [[Resident Services]]. Many other special characters return in {{NH|short|nolink}}, reprising their roles in previous games, such as [[Timmy and Tommy]], [[Mabel]] and [[Sable]], and [[Blathers]] running the [[Nook's Cranny|shop]], [[Able Sisters|tailor]], and [[museum]] respectively. However, several characters who appeared in previous games, such as [[Joan]] and [[Harriet]], were removed from {{NH|short|nolink}} due to their function being either no longer needed or relegated to another character or the player.
 
[[Tom Nook]] and [[Isabelle]] are the main special characters in {{NH|nolink}}, with the former being responsible for moving the player and villagers to the deserted island, and the latter hosting the morning announcements and running the Civic Consultation Center at [[Resident Services]]. Many other special characters return in {{NH|short|nolink}}, reprising their roles in previous games, such as [[Timmy and Tommy]], [[Mabel]] and [[Sable]], and [[Blathers]] running the [[Nook's Cranny|shop]], [[Able Sisters|tailor]], and [[museum]] respectively. However, several characters who appeared in previous games, such as [[Joan]] and [[Harriet]], were removed from {{NH|short|nolink}} due to their function being either no longer needed or relegated to another character or the player.
  
{{NH|nolink|short}} includes 29 special characters, 5 of which are new to the series. The new special characters include:
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{{NH|nolink|short}} includes 29 special characters, 6 of which are new to the series. The new special characters include:
 
* [[File:C.J. NH Character Icon.png|32px|C.J.]] [[C.J.]], a fishing enthusiast who hosts the [[Fishing Tourney]] (replacing the role of [[Chip]]) and can purchase [[fish]] from the player for 1.5x their normal selling price
 
* [[File:C.J. NH Character Icon.png|32px|C.J.]] [[C.J.]], a fishing enthusiast who hosts the [[Fishing Tourney]] (replacing the role of [[Chip]]) and can purchase [[fish]] from the player for 1.5x their normal selling price
 
* [[File:Daisy Mae PC icon.png|32px|Daisy Mae]] [[Daisy Mae]], who sells [[turnips]] on Sunday mornings (replacing the role of her grandmother, [[Joan]])
 
* [[File:Daisy Mae PC icon.png|32px|Daisy Mae]] [[Daisy Mae]], who sells [[turnips]] on Sunday mornings (replacing the role of her grandmother, [[Joan]])
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* [[File:Orville NH Character Icon.png|32px|Orville]] [[Orville]], the ground control for Dodo Airlines who works at the [[Airport]]
 
* [[File:Orville NH Character Icon.png|32px|Orville]] [[Orville]], the ground control for Dodo Airlines who works at the [[Airport]]
 
* [[File:Wilbur NH Character Icon.png|32px|Wilbur]] [[Wilbur]], the pilot for Dodo Airlines who takes the [[player]] on [[Mystery Island Tour]]s
 
* [[File:Wilbur NH Character Icon.png|32px|Wilbur]] [[Wilbur]], the pilot for Dodo Airlines who takes the [[player]] on [[Mystery Island Tour]]s
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* [[File:Gullivarrr NH Screenshot.png|32px|Gullivarrr]] [[Gullivarrr]], a pirate captain and [[Gulliver]] lookalike who gives the player [[Pirate Series]] furniture in exchange for recovering his communicator from the ocean, similarly to Gulliver (added in 1.3.0 [[Animal Crossing: New Horizons/Update History|Free Summer Update]] Wave 1)
  
 
This game has 391 villagers, 8 of which are new to the series (one for each personality). The new villagers include:
 
This game has 391 villagers, 8 of which are new to the series (one for each personality). The new villagers include:
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==Connectivity==
 
==Connectivity==
Players that have {{NH|nolink}} and {{PC}} linked on the same My Nintendo account can redeem rewards via the My Nintendo screen in the mobile app. The rewards are 50 [[Leaf Ticket|Leaf Tickets]] to use in {{PC|short}} and a 16-digit download code for Nintendo eShop used to access special furniture and clothing items orders in {{NH|short|nolink}}.
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{{Main|NookLink}}
 
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{{Image|section}}
==Differences from previous ''Animal Crossing'' games==
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{{NH|nolink}} supports connectivity with the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app, where players can type out messages, use voice chat, view island statistics, and import custom designs from QR codes created by {{NL}} or {{HHD}}.
'''''Please note:''' this list is a work in progress. It only reflects the current version of the game and things may change as updates are released.''
 
 
 
*Daily activities now reset at 5 AM instead of 6 AM.
 
 
 
*Twelve new bugs have been added: the [[Atlas Moth]], [[Blue Weevil Beetle]], [[Common Bluebottle]], [[Damselfly]], [[Earth-Boring Dung Beetle]], [[Giant Water Bug]], [[Giraffe Stag]], [[Madagascan Sunset Moth]], [[Man-Faced Stink Bug]], [[Paper Kite Butterfly]], [[Rosalia Batesi Beetle]] and [[Wasp]] made their series debut in this game. The Wasp and Atlas Moth replace the [[Bee]] and [[Oak Silk Moth]] from previous games and serve the same respective roles.
 
 
 
:*In addition to the Bee and Oak Silk Moth, the [[Fruit Beetle]], [[House Centipede]], [[Lantern Fly]], and [[Petaltail Dragonfly]] are absent from {{NH|short|nolink}}, despite appearing in {{NL|short|nolink}}.
 
 
 
:*The [[Drone Beetle]] and Purple Butterfly have been re-introduced in {{NH|short|nolink}} after being absent from the series since their last appearances in {{DnMe+}}; the latter is renamed to [[Great Purple Emperor]].
 
 
 
::*Three other bugs have been renamed; the Birdwing Butterfly is now the [[Queen Alexandra's Birdwing]], the Raja Brooke Butterfly is now the [[Rajah Brooke's Birdwing]], and the Longhorn Beetle is now the [[Citrus Long-Horned Beetle]].
 
 
 
:* The properties of the [[Wharf Roach]] are changed: instead of scurrying around on the beach, it now congregates in one-square swarms on the beach's rock platforms. Catching one Wharf Roach will cause the rest of the swarm to dissipate, similarly to the [[wasp]] and [[ant]].
 
 
 
*Eleven new fish have also been added: the [[Anchovy (fish)|Anchovy]], [[Barreleye]], [[Betta]], [[Golden Trout]], [[Mahi-Mahi]], [[Rainbowfish]], [[Ranchu Goldfish]], [[Snapping Turtle]], [[Sturgeon]], [[Suckerfish]], and [[Tilapia]] debut in this game.
 
 
 
:*The [[Barbel Steed]], [[Eel]], and [[Rainbow Trout]] are absent despite appearing in all of the previous games.
 
 
 
:*[[Blue Marlin]], [[Tuna]] and [[Giant Trevally]] have their locations changed from {{NL|short|nolink}}, previously found at [[Tortimer Island]], now can be found exclusively at the [[pier]].
 
 
 
:*The Shark is renamed to the [[Great White Shark]].
 
 
 
*Eleven new sea creatures have been added: the [[Sea Pig]], [[Slate Pencil Urchin]], [[Moon Jellyfish]], [[Mussel]], [[Gigas Giant Clam]], [[Umbrella Octopus]], [[Vampire Squid]], [[Firefly Squid]], [[Dungeness Crab]], [[Sea Pineapple]] and [[Venus Flower Basket]] have made their debut as of Version 1.3.0.
 
 
 
:*The [[Ear Shell]], [[Clam]], and [[Horsehair Crab]] are absent in this game despite appearing in {{NL|short}}.
 
 
 
:*Sea creatures are now placed in the same tanks as fish in the museum.
 
 
 
*The camera angle when the player dives underwater to catch sea creatures now faces flat to see where the shadow of a sea creature is.
 
 
 
:*Jellyfish no longer appear in water as obstacles while the player swims.
 
 
 
*The player can now check their inventory while in water without getting out.
 
:*Additionally, they can hold the A button to swim automatically without having to manually press A, but slightly slower.
 
 
 
*[[Pascal]] now rewards the player with a DIY recipe for an item in the [[Mermaid Series]] or a [[Pearl]] when given a [[Scallop]].
 
:*Pascal's role in {{NL|short|nolink}}, rewarding the player with items from the [[Pirate Series]], is now fulfilled by [[Gullivarrr]].
 
 
 
*Some fish, bugs and sea creatures have their seasonal and time appearances changed. Most notably, the [[Tarantula]] and [[Scorpion]], previously only available during summer, have their months changed to each be active during a different half of the year depending on the hemisphere.
 
 
 
*Player's swollen left eye from Wasp stings now stays after saving and quitting. In previous titles, saving and quitting and reloading the game cures them without the need for [[Medicine]].
 
 
 
:*Additionally, getting stung by Wasps again now causes the player to faint and be awoken back to their house similar to getting attacked by Tarantula or Scorpion.
 
 
 
*[[Bridge]]s (along with [[incline]]s) have increased the maximum limit from three to eight.
 
 
 
*The [[glowing spot]] from {{PG}} returns and is another way to grow money trees (the other being the Golden [[Shovel]]).
 
 
 
*[[Flower|Violets]], which were introduced in {{NL|short|nolink}} and also appeared in {{HHD|short|nolink}}, are absent from this game.
 
 
 
*The [[Message Bottle]] returns, allowing players to learn new DIY recipes from random villagers that do not live on their island.
 
 
 
*As in when Crafting was introduced in ''[[Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp|Pocket Camp]]'', [[Tools]] are now required to be crafted. With the exceptions of the [[vaulting pole]], [[ladder]] and [[wand]], all tools (including golden ones) will break after a certain amount of uses.
 
 
 
:*Consequently, this is the first game in which the golden [[axe]] has limited durability.
 
 
 
:*The golden [[slingshot]] now shoots one pellet instead of three.
 
 
 
*The methods for obtaining golden tools have changed:
 
:*Golden [[Shovel]]: Help [[Gulliver]] 30 times.
 
:*Golden [[Axe]]: Break a flimsy, stone or regular axe 100 times.
 
:*Gold [[Watering Can]]: Get a 5 star rating after talking to Isabelle.
 
:*The Golden [[Fishing Rod]], [[Net]], and [[Slingshot]] have the same requirements from previous games, for fishing rod and net, players no longer need to ask the Fishing Tourney or Bug-Off host to get a golden tool.
 
 
 
*Stone, clay, iron nuggets and (rarely) gold nuggets can now be randomly extracted daily from each of the island's material rocks.
 
 
 
:*While Bell rocks remain, gemstones have been removed from rocks.
 
 
 
*Players can now hop over holes and over bodies of water within a 1 or 2-tile space. Including cliffs but only 1-tile space.
 
 
 
*Eating fruit now fills up a portion of the player's stomach, and upon filling it they will no longer be able to eat. Sitting on a [[toilet]] furniture item allows the player to empty their stomach, presumably through defecation.
 
 
 
:*Players can now break large rocks and move entire Trees and [[Bamboo]] in their growing stage of 4 and 5 after eating fruit. Trees and Bamboo that are in stage 1 to 3 doesn't require fruit to be moved.
 
 
 
:*Lemons, Mangos, Lychees, Bananas, Durians, Persimmons, and perfect fruit are absent in this game despite appearing in {{NL|short|nolink}}.
 
 
 
*Items like fruit, shells, and medicine now stack up to 10.
 
 
 
:*Most stacking now occurs immediately upon the player picking up stackable items.
 
 
 
:*Most Bells picked up from the ground are now immediately added to the player's wallet rather than their inventory.
 
 
 
*Holes that been made by the player will now automatically cover up upon reloading the game.
 
 
 
*[[Pitfall Seed]]s no longer appear daily as buried items, instead they can be made by learning a DIY recipe from Villagers, Message Bottles, Balloon gifts, or digging up a Pitfall Seed from the ground if buried.
 
 
 
*Flowers can only be uprooted by using a [[Shovel]]. With the exception of [[Lily of the Valley]], attempting to pick up flowers without a shovel will remove its petals.
 
 
 
:*Additionally; running over flowers will no longer disappear as the petals will fall off.
 
 
 
*Blathers once again gives lectures on donated [[fish]], [[bugs]], and [[fossils]], a feature previously dropped in {{NL}}, though unlike previous instances, players have the option to opt out of them per donation. Consequently, the informative blurbs found on museum plaques in {{NL|short|nolink}} are no longer present, returning to the pre-{{NL|short|nolink}} standard of simply listing the item and donor. The {{NL|short|nolink}} standard is retained solely for [[art]].
 
 
 
*[[Redd]] now commandeers a black market ship rather than a tent or alleyway store, and allows customers to examine [[art|artwork]] up close to determine its legitimacy.
 
 
 
:*As was the case prior to {{NL|short|nolink}}, Redd sells [[furniture]] in addition to artwork; this time however, he is able to sell furniture in variations not purchasable from the [[Nook's Cranny]] on the player's own island.
 
 
 
*Multiple new paintings and sculptures are added to the game, each with distinctive differences between legitimate pieces and forgeries; paintings that had previously appeared in {{NL|short}} feature newly designed forgeries.
 
 
 
*Players and villagers can no longer sit on rocks, but the latter can sit on any solid ground.
 
 
 
*Players now start with twenty pocket slots, compared to previous games' fifteen and sixteen in {{NL|short}}. There are also two upgrades for the pockets, each increasing the holding capacity by ten and ultimately doubling the player's available pocket space after the second upgrade. These upgrades can be purchased with Nook Miles and are unlocked at the Resident Services terminal over time.
 
 
 
:*Tools no longer free up space when held by the player.
 
 
 
*If a player has not played for a while or has time traveled, their character's hair will appear with bed hair. Unlike previous installments, they will quickly fix the hairstyle back to how it was when last played, and bed hair will be unlocked as an optional hairstyle upon the first instance.
 
 
 
*Villagers can now get sick again, a feature that was previously in {{NL|short|nolink}} but was removed in the {{NLa|short}} update due to a bug.
 
 
 
:*Unlike in previous titles, Villagers who receive [[Medicine]] from players will recover instantly.
 
 
 
*[[Lost item]]s can now be identified by a villager who it belongs to and the player can also investigate the lost item.
 
 
 
:*Additionally, sometimes villagers can be in a thinking pose and ask the player for help to find their lost item.
 
 
 
*When villagers ask the player if they want to move away and they agree, they will now move out within two days instead of ten days in {{NLa|short|nolink}}. They also no longer move out without the player's permission.
 
:*While in previous titles, players have the option to convince them to stay days before moving out, the player will now have to make another character and ask the villager the day they plan to move out to stay on their island before the next day when they pack up their belongings.
 
 
 
*House Loans can now be paid by the players' savings in the [[ABD]]; in previous titles all loan payments had to come from the player's pockets.
 
 
 
*Players houses can have a maximum of 7 upgrades in their house rather than 17. While the main room remains the same, the left, right, and back rooms are small, second floor and basement rooms are twice as wide as a normal room.
 
:*This is possibly due to being able to place furniture items outside like in {{HHD|short|nolink}} and {{PC|short|nolink}}.
 
:*Despite this change, all the rooms are large in the Photopia studio on [[Harv's Island]]
 
 
 
*Closets are now used to change the players clothes instead of using it as storage from previous titles.
 
:*Clothes still count as storage as they are not separate.
 
 
 
*[[Gyroid]]s (as furniture) are not currently present in the game, but are referenced within the game's files.
 
 
 
*[[Lloid]] will now ask the player again of the amount of bells they will receive when they donate on a new bridge or incline.
 
:*Previously in {{NL|nolink|short}}, Lloid will instantly take the bells after the player enters the amount they want to donate, this is most likely done to avoid making high payments.
 
 
 
*[[Balloon (floating)#In New Horizons|Balloon]] presents now yield random furniture from the start rather than initially offering only [[Balloon Series]] furniture. They can also contain Bells, DIY recipes, or crafting materials.
 
 
 
*[[Saharah]] now sells [[rug]]s in addition to [[wallpaper]] and [[flooring]].
 
  
:*After a carpet purchase, players now receive [[Exchange Ticket]]s to redeem for a free wallpaper or flooring. This can also bypass the limit they get if wanting more of the same wallpaper or flooring.
+
Players that have {{NH|nolink}} and {{PC}} linked on the same My Nintendo account can redeem rewards via the My Nintendo screen in the mobile app. The rewards are 50 [[Leaf Ticket]]s to use in {{PC|short}} and a 16-digit download code for Nintendo eShop used to access special furniture and clothing items orders in {{NH|short|nolink}}.
 
 
:*She also no longer asks players to take her to their house in order to place wallpaper and flooring.
 
 
 
:*As of Version 1.3.0, players can now keep on making multiple payments rather than having to keep on asking Saharah after finishing making a payment.
 
 
 
*The [[catalog]] is now accessible from the [[ABD]] and later as an app on the player's [[NookPhone]]; in previous games, it was only available by speaking to [[Tom Nook]] (pre-{{NL}}) or [[Timmy and Tommy]].
 
 
 
:*However, in previous titles, players can order as many items as they want whereas in {{NH|nolink|short}}, they can only order up to 5 times a day.
 
 
 
*Players can now send items by mail to their friends rather than traveling to their island to use mail. It only limits to residents who lives on their island. This also applies to the Catalog.
 
 
 
*Players can now see the chat history via Chat Log, whereas in previous titles, chat messages last a few seconds. A report button has also been added.
 
 
 
*[[Nook's Cranny]] can only be upgraded once; prior games allowed it to be upgraded up to three times.
 
 
 
*The [[Fishing Tourney]] and [[Bug-Off]] rules are heavily changed. The player is now tasked with catching as many fish or bugs as they can within three minutes. Previously, the objective was to catch the largest fish or highest-scoring bug.
 
 
 
:*[[C.J.]] and [[Flick]] are the new hosts of the Fishing Tourney and the Bug-Off respectively, replacing [[Chip]] and [[Nat]].
 
 
 
:*The Fishing Tourney now only occurs four times per year (on the 2nd Saturday of January, April, July, and October). In {{WW|short}}, {{CF|short}}, and {{NL|short}}, it was held every month from October to May.
 
 
 
*As shown in the trailer, [[Luna]] no longer has a building for the player to visit the [[Dream Suite]], it is instead used by sleeping on any bed to visit Luna and view dreams.
 
  
 
==Reception==
 
==Reception==
Line 304: Line 154:
 
* [[Wikipedia:Pocket Gamer|Pocket Gamer UK]]: 100%
 
* [[Wikipedia:Pocket Gamer|Pocket Gamer UK]]: 100%
  
In Japan, the game sold over 2.60 million physical copies in the first ten days of the release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202004/07196168.html|title=2020年3月ゲームソフト・ハード売上ランキング速報『あつまれ どうぶつの森』が10日間で260万本を販売。スイッチが国内累計1300万台を突破|site=Famitsu}}</ref>
+
===Sales===
 +
In the first six weeks after the game's release, it sold over 13.41 million copies worldwide.<ref name="FY 03.2020"/> As of June 30, 2020, the game has sold 22.40 million units worldwide, surpassing all other {{SER}} titles and becoming the second-best selling Nintendo Switch first-party title, only behind ''[[mariowiki:Mario Kart 8 Deluxe|Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' which has sold 26.74 million units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title=IR Information : Sales Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units|site=Nintendo}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
In Japan as of June 30, 2020, this game has sold 7.15 million units, which become the second-best selling game in this country of all time, only behind [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue Versions]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GameDataLibrary/status/1291513640693227521/|title=Animal Crossing: New Horizons becomes the 3rd all time best selling game in Japan, only behind the first 2 Pokémon games.|author=Game Data Library|site=Twitter}}</ref><ref name="FY 03.2020">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2020/200507_3e.pdf|title=Fiscal Year Ended March 2020: Financial Results Explanatory Material|site=Nintendo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2020/200806_2e.pdf|title=1st Quarter Results for Fiscal Year Ending March 2021: Financial Results Explanatory Material|site=Nintendo}}</ref>
  
 
In the United States, the game became the best-selling in March 2020 and second best-selling in 2020 overall. It was achieved the third highest month physical dollar and unit sales of any Nintendo game and exceeded the lifetime sales of all games in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MatPiscatella/status/1252582932369117185|title=MAR 2020 US NPD THREAD - Nintendo Switch sets a new March hardware sales record, while Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of Nintendo's fastest selling games in history. Here are all the U.S. Video Game market highlights from The NPD Group!|author=Mat Piscatella|site=Twitter}}</ref>
 
In the United States, the game became the best-selling in March 2020 and second best-selling in 2020 overall. It was achieved the third highest month physical dollar and unit sales of any Nintendo game and exceeded the lifetime sales of all games in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MatPiscatella/status/1252582932369117185|title=MAR 2020 US NPD THREAD - Nintendo Switch sets a new March hardware sales record, while Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of Nintendo's fastest selling games in history. Here are all the U.S. Video Game market highlights from The NPD Group!|author=Mat Piscatella|site=Twitter}}</ref>
 
This game has sold 13.41 million units in the first 6 weeks and surpasses all other {{SER}} titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2020/200507_3e.pdf|title=Financial Results Explanatory Material|site=Nintendo}}</ref>
 
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
Line 346: Line 197:
 
*{{NH|nolink}} marks the longest time between the release of two main {{SER}} games, at 7 years, 4 months, and 12 days from {{NL}}'s release in Japan on November 8, 2012.
 
*{{NH|nolink}} marks the longest time between the release of two main {{SER}} games, at 7 years, 4 months, and 12 days from {{NL}}'s release in Japan on November 8, 2012.
 
*{{NH|nolink}} is the second mainline game in the {{SER|nolink}} not to feature [[K.K. Slider]] on its boxart, the first being the international release of {{PG}}.
 
*{{NH|nolink}} is the second mainline game in the {{SER|nolink}} not to feature [[K.K. Slider]] on its boxart, the first being the international release of {{PG}}.
 +
*Likely to tie into {{NH|nolink}}'s de-emphasis of gender, villagers with "gendered" catchphrases had their catchphrases changed in this game to use more gender-neutral language. [[Cole]], [[Cube]] and [[Stu]], who all formerly included "dude" in their catchphrases, now say "cooooool," "brainfreeze," and "mrooooo," respectively. [[Shep]], who formerly said "baaa man" as his catchphrase, now says "baa baa baa". [[Fuchsia]], whose catchphrase was formerly "girlfriend", now says "precious".
  
 
==Names in other languages==
 
==Names in other languages==
Line 362: Line 214:
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
*[http://www.animal-crossing.com/new-horizons/ Official page]
+
*[https://www.animal-crossing.com/new-horizons/ Official page]
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
Line 371: Line 223:
 
<br clear=all>
 
<br clear=all>
  
 +
{{To-do|Expand reception section, including the game's cultural impact and information on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on its success (see [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/arts/animal-crossing-covid-coronavirus-popularity-millennials.html here]).}}
 
{{Animal Crossing}}
 
{{Animal Crossing}}
[[Category:Video Games]]
+
[[Category:Video games]]
 
[[Category:Animal Crossing series]]
 
[[Category:Animal Crossing series]]

Revision as of 18:17, September 17, 2020


English game logo
North American game cover
North American game cover
Main theme
Developer(s) Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Aya Kyogoku
Platform(s) Nintendo Switch
Release date(s) Worldwide March 20, 2020[1]
Genre(s) Simulation
Modes Single-player
Multiplayer (1-4 player co-op; 1-8 player local wireless/online)
Ratings ACB:  G
CERO:  A
ClassInd:  L
ESRB:  E
FPB:  PG
GCAM:  3
GRAC:  All
GSRR: P(6+) P(6+)
NMC:  3
PEGI:  3
RARS:  0+
USK:  0
Media Nintendo Switch Game Card
Nintendo eShop digital download
File size 6.2 GB[1] (digital download only)
Input
methods
Joy-Con
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
USB keyboard (typing only)

Guide at StrategyWiki

Animal Crossing: New Horizons[nb 1] is a simulation game for the Nintendo Switch released on March 20, 2020. It is the fifth main installment in the Animal Crossing series outside of Japan.

In a departure from previous titles in the series, the player lives on a deserted island rather than in a town (referred to as the "Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package"), which can develop into a town-like community as players progress through the game. Crafting from Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp has also returned in this installment in the form of the DIY system, along with expanded customization of furniture and the player characters.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a critical and commercial success, having received positive reviews from critics and selling over 22 million copies as of June 2020, making it the best-selling game in the Animal Crossing series and the second best-selling Nintendo Switch game.

Development and unveiling

Development on the game began shortly after the Japanese release of Animal Crossing: New Leaf prior to the development team being aware of the Nintendo Switch.[2] As with the previous title, Aya Kyogoku was chosen as the director of the game, with Hisashi Nogami in charge as producer.

Kyogoku notes in an interview that the team chose to be ambitious even despite not knowing anything about the hardware that they would eventually release the game on. The team intended for the game to be welcoming for veteran players and accessible for new players by keeping much of the core gameplay from previous titles while still adding in many new elements.[2] The theme of developing a town on a deserted island was chosen because the developers believed that breaking away from the tradition of players moving into a village would be a fresh and interesting concept for old players. Kyogoku noted that some players of previous entries would have difficulty finding goals or objectives. As a response to this feedback, a sense of purpose was purposely developed by having players develop the village from scratch. The developers felt that as players constructed their village from the ground up, they would grow a more personal relationship with their town.[3]

As a result of choosing a deserted island theme, crafting was added into the game. This was done so that players would have a higher level of interactivity with the deserted island. This would give players a different perspective of the environment that used to be just a visual aspect.[3] Crafting was also developed with the intention of keeping players from running out of things to do during the hours that their shops are closed.[2] Another of these new features, terraforming, was added in response to unexpected behavior from players in previous games such as resetting towns in order to receive a desirable town layout. With the introduction of crafting and terraforming, players are able to be more in control of their island.[2] This flexibility in design extends further onto player design. Unlike previous games which involved players having to answer a series of questions to determine their appearance, players are now able to freely change their appearance whenever they'd like to through the use of mirrors or vanities. In addition to this, several new hair and facial features were added that were not present in previous entries. A gender option, referred to as "style" in English versions, is still present, but does not impact the game or the player's appearance in any way other than certain dialog differences. Kyogoku states in an interview that this level of player customization is not just about gender, but rather more about individuality, which the development team believed was a growing belief within society. Players aren't forced into thinking too much about gender, but the option is still there should they decide to.[2]

The addition of the NookPhone was inspired by the belief that phones are essential tools in everyday life. Kyogoku has stated that the NookPhone serves as a source of familiarity between the real world and the game.[3]

In another shift, the effects of time traveling were made less impactful. This is in part due to the fact that seasonal events and holidays are not coded into the game from launch and are instead going to be added through future updates. Kyogoku notes that this method of adding events was not intended to shun time traveling, but rather as a form of creating unity amongst players. Nevertheless, time traveling is still discouraged, though Kyogoku and Nogami do not consider it to be a form of cheating.[2]

Development for future updates is still going steady, though shifts may have to be made due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3] The development team hopes that updates will continue even two or three years after launch.[3]

Unveiling and release

The game was teased during a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2018, and was originally slated to be released in 2019.[4]

During E3 2019 on June 11, 2019, the gameplay (from trailer and Treehouse interview) and title were shown. It was revealed that the game had been delayed to March 20, 2020; it was stated that "to ensure the game is the best it can be, we must ask that you wait a little longer than we thought."[5] Later, President of Nintendo of America, Doug Bowser, said the following: "The crunch point is an interesting one, for us, one of our key tenets is that we bring smiles to people's faces, and we talk about that all the time. It's our vision. Or our mission, I should say. For us, that applies to our own employees. We need to make sure that our employees have good work-life balance. One of those examples is, we will not bring a game to market before it's ready. We just talked about one example. It's really important that we have that balance in our world. It's actually something we're proud of."[6]

An Animal Crossing Nintendo Direct took place on February 20, 2020, announcing the final release date of March 20th, 2020. [7] It showcased multiple new features of the game, such as terrain editing, additional house customization, and more.

This title supports more languages than all previous entries in the series, being the first to support the Chinese language since Doubutsu no Mori,[8] which was ported to the iQue Player with simplified Chinese support exclusively for mainland China in 2006. This is also the first main series title since Animal Crossing: City Folk to have two separate localizations for Spanish and French; one for Europe and the other for the Americas, although it has been erroneously reported to be the first title, in general, to do so in the case of Spanish[9][10]. It is the first title to include all localizations collectively regardless of regional release, and the first main series title to ever include Dutch and Russian languages.

New Horizons is also the first title in the series to launch worldwide on the same date.

Update history

For detailed changelogs see Animal Crossing: New Horizons/Update History
Pete NH Character Icon.png
This article or section contains information about game updates.
The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current or accurate information about the game.
Pete NH Character Icon.png
This article or section contains information about game updates.
The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current or accurate information about the game.
Current version:
2.0.6 (released November 14, 2022)

From its release in March 2020 to November 2021, Animal Crossing: New Horizons received twelve free content updates and one paid DLC expansion. The free updates included content such as new events, gameplay elements, characters, and items. Each update was released at 10 AM JST (1 AM UTC), causing them to be released the night before their scheduled release date in some regions, such as the Americas. The Happy Home Paradise expansion, however, was unlocked at 12 AM local time in all regions.

Online multiplayer can only be participated in if the most recent update is installed. The version number is displayed on the title screen and when talking to Orville about multiplayer functions.

Below is a timeline of updates. For more information, refer to the respective articles on each major update.

Major updates

Zipper NH Character Icon.png Release Day Update

The first major update for the game, released simultaneously with the game, added multiple items as part of a cross-promotion with Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. It also added Zipper T. Bunny, the Bunny Day event, and a matching series of furniture and clothing.

Leif NH Character Icon.png April Free Update

The game's second major update added Leif, Redd, Rover, Cyrus and Reese to the game, as well as an art gallery expansion for the Museum and four new events: Nature Day, May Day, International Museum Day, and Wedding Season.

Pascal NH Character Icon.png Free Summer Update (Wave 1)

The third major update to New Horizons was released as a first wave. This update added swimming, diving, and sea creatures to the game, along with Pascal and Gullivarrr.

Luna NH Character Icon.png Summer Update (Wave 2)

The fourth major update to New Horizons was released as a second wave. This update added Fireworks Shows, the ability to visit dream islands, and the Island Backup Restoration Service, which allows players to restore save data from the cloud if their Nintendo Switch is lost or damaged.

Gameplay

Tom Nook has a new business venture: selling the Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package, which is sold to the player. The game begins on a nearly deserted island where the player can explore, collect resources, and craft various items (including tools and furniture). The only starting buildings on the island are the player's tent, two villager tents (after the player places them), and the Resident Services tent. The Plaza in front of Resident Services will feature events and visitors. These visitors will have items and services to offer to the player.

Donating 5 unique fish and insects to Tom Nook will unlock the ability to place Blathers’ tent. Once Blathers’ tent is unlocked, he will give the player a Vaulting Pole to find more creatures and a Shovel to excavate Fossils. Donating 15 more unique creatures and appraised fossils to Blathers will unlock the ability to place his museum, at which the player can donate and assess multiple things at a time. To unlock more tools, the player will need to pay off their tent, help Tom Nook build Nook's Cranny, build one bridge, and start three additional housing plots for animal villagers.

Once the Resident Services tent is upgraded into a building, Isabelle returns as Nook's assistant and the player is tasked with improving the island's popularity to draw the attention of K.K. Slider. Nook instructs the player to pick a location for a Campsite, then to furnish additional housing plots and increase the island's population, and finally to develop the island to a three-star rating.

In addition to earning Bells, the player can also earn Nook Miles, which is a new form of currency that can be exchanged for furniture, Nook-branded apparel, plane tickets to mystery islands, upgrades, and recipes.

As in Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, the game features the ability to place furniture outside. A new Vaulting Pole tool can be created, giving the ability to vault over rivers, as well as a Ladder, allowing the player to climb up cliffs.

The player can earn the Island Designer app if K.K. performs a song on their island. Once the proper terraforming tools are unlocked with Nook Miles, it allows them to pave roads (instead of having to place patterns on the ground), as well as modify or add rivers and cliffs.

Up to eight players can live on a single island, but only one island can be made per Nintendo Switch.[11] The first player is named the "Resident Representative", which occupies a similar role to the mayor in Animal Crossing: New Leaf; this player controls the pace of the storyline, and is the only player that can initiate placement of villager housing plots and infrastructure such as stores, bridges, and inclines (though all players will have access to the Island Designer app once K.K. performs). Additionally, there is a maximum of 10 animal villagers on the island.

Resources

Resources can be collected through various methods, such as chopping at trees with an axe for several types of wood (including wood, softwood and hardwood), or hitting rocks with a shovel for clay, stone, and ores. Several different types of weeds appear, which can also be used as materials once plucked. Crafting is done through either Tom Nook's workbench, or a bench crafted by the player. With these mechanics, the player is able to build and develop the island over time. Players are also able to dig up clams in the sand, which can then be used as fishing bait or as crafting materials. Additionally, trees and flowers can be shoveled up to be stored in the pocket, flowers can be used as crafting material, and picking them will also leave the stems in the ground.

Player

Players can fully customize their characters at the beginning and during the game without having to answer questions, similar to Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and Pocket Camp. This includes skin tones, gender-neutral hairstyles, and nose shapes.[12] The player characters' overall design is slightly more detailed than in previous titles, featuring a more subdued color scheme and clear hair physics and shaders. The players also appear more expressive, showing a thoughtful expression when selecting items in their pocket, and moving their eyes around to look at nearby villagers and bugs.

The player also possesses a new item called the NookPhone, which features multiple different applications that the player can use such as Nook Miles, Rescue Service, Local Play, and more.

The player can purchase a variety of clothes from the Able Sisters shop and presumably other shops that will appear after doing certain tasks. The Able sisters will set up their shop after to buy a fair amount in Bells from them. Able Sisters now includes a fitting room, allowing the player to try on clothes before purchasing.

Multiplayer

Main article: Multiplayer#In Animal Crossing: New Horizons

An island can support up to eight players. For the first time in the series, four players can play at the same time on a single system, and up to eight can play together through online multiplayer or local wireless.[13] Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

In local multiplayer, the screen boundaries will follow player 1; however, they may transfer their "leadership" to another player at any time. The lead player is the only player able to see notifications after catching bugs or fish. In online play, all players have equal abilities, as in previous games.

This marks the first game where a player's friend cannot modify the island with their shovel or axe unless they are marked as a best friend.

Nintendo eShop description

Escape to Your Personal Island Paradise

Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.
Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online or with others beside you, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.[1]

Characters

Main article: Animal Crossing: New Horizons/Characters

Tom Nook and Isabelle are the main special characters in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with the former being responsible for moving the player and villagers to the deserted island, and the latter hosting the morning announcements and running the Civic Consultation Center at Resident Services. Many other special characters return in New Horizons, reprising their roles in previous games, such as Timmy and Tommy, Mabel and Sable, and Blathers running the shop, tailor, and museum respectively. However, several characters who appeared in previous games, such as Joan and Harriet, were removed from New Horizons due to their function being either no longer needed or relegated to another character or the player.

New Horizons includes 29 special characters, 6 of which are new to the series. The new special characters include:

This game has 391 villagers, 8 of which are new to the series (one for each personality). The new villagers include:

Connectivity

Main article: NookLink
Redd NH Character Icon.png
This section could be improved with the addition of images.
You can help by uploading one or more images and including them on this page.
Redd NH Character Icon.png
This section could be improved with the addition of images.
You can help by uploading one or more images and including them on this page.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons supports connectivity with the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app, where players can type out messages, use voice chat, view island statistics, and import custom designs from QR codes created by Animal Crossing: New Leaf or Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer.

Players that have Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp linked on the same My Nintendo account can redeem rewards via the My Nintendo screen in the mobile app. The rewards are 50 Leaf Tickets to use in Pocket Camp and a 16-digit download code for Nintendo eShop used to access special furniture and clothing items orders in New Horizons.

Reception

New Horizons received positive reviews from critics, with many praising the new entry for retaining the soul of other titles in the series while also providing enhanced visuals and new mechanics.

Ratings include:

Sales

In the first six weeks after the game's release, it sold over 13.41 million copies worldwide.[16] As of June 30, 2020, the game has sold 22.40 million units worldwide, surpassing all other Animal Crossing series titles and becoming the second-best selling Nintendo Switch first-party title, only behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe which has sold 26.74 million units.[17]

In Japan as of June 30, 2020, this game has sold 7.15 million units, which become the second-best selling game in this country of all time, only behind Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue Versions[18][16][19]

In the United States, the game became the best-selling in March 2020 and second best-selling in 2020 overall. It was achieved the third highest month physical dollar and unit sales of any Nintendo game and exceeded the lifetime sales of all games in the series.[20]

Gallery

Videos

Trailers

Teaser from Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2018
E3 Nintendo Direct 2019
Nintendo Direct (September 05, 2019)
Nintendo Direct (February 20, 2020)
Bunny Day Event presentation (Nintendo Direct Mini, March 2020)
April 2020 Free Update
July 2020 Free Update (Wave 1)
July 2020 Free Update (Wave 2)

Gameplay

E3 Nintendo Treehouse gameplay featuring Aya Kyogoku and Hisashi Nogami

Commercials

Deserted Island Getaway Package Primer
Nintendo Switch My Way commercial
Your Island Escape, Your Way
Island Life Awaits!
Island Decorating
Your Personal Island Paradise
Your style, your way!
Create your own paradise!
Your island, your life!
So many new friends!
Accolades

Trivia

  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons marks the longest time between the release of two main Animal Crossing series games, at 7 years, 4 months, and 12 days from Animal Crossing: New Leaf's release in Japan on November 8, 2012.
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the second mainline game in the Animal Crossing series not to feature K.K. Slider on its boxart, the first being the international release of Animal Crossing.
  • Likely to tie into Animal Crossing: New Horizons's de-emphasis of gender, villagers with "gendered" catchphrases had their catchphrases changed in this game to use more gender-neutral language. Cole, Cube and Stu, who all formerly included "dude" in their catchphrases, now say "cooooool," "brainfreeze," and "mrooooo," respectively. Shep, who formerly said "baaa man" as his catchphrase, now says "baa baa baa". Fuchsia, whose catchphrase was formerly "girlfriend", now says "precious".

Names in other languages

Japanese あつまれ どうぶつの森
Atsumare Dōbutsu no Mori
Animal Forest: Gather

Korean 모여봐요 동물의 숲
Moyeobwayo Dongmul-Ui Sup
Animal Forest: Gather Together

Simplified Chinese 集合啦!动物森友会
Jíhé la! Dòngwù sēnyǒu huì
Let's gather! Animal Forest Friend Hub

Traditional Chinese 集合啦!動物森友會
Unknown

External links

Notes

  1. Japanese: あつまれ どうぶつの森 Hepburn: Atsumare Dōbutsu no MoriAnimal Forest: Gather

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nintendo. "Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details".
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Elise Favis (March 23, 2020). "Nintendo explains philosophy behind Animal Crossing’s big changes, such as gender expression and terraforming". Washington Post.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Scott Stein (March 21, 2020). "You're not crazy: Tom Nook is nicer in Animal Crossing: New Horizons". CNET.
  4. Nintendo (September 13, 2018). "Nintendo Direct 9.13.2018".
  5. Nintendo (June 11, 2019). "Nintendo Direct for E3 2019". YouTube.
  6. Nintendo Comments on Crunch and Game Delays, IGN.
  7. Nintendo, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct 2.20.2020, YouTube.
  8. Luigi’s Mansion 3, Animal Crossing, And New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Playable In Chinese, NintendoSoup.
  9. Animal Crossing: City Folk - Comparing Spanish localizations (LATAM & EU), YouTube.
  10. Animal Crossing: New Horizons vendrá localizado al español latinoamericano, 3DJuegos (in Spanish)
  11. Nintendo Confirms New Details About Multiplayer in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, IGN.
  12. Animal Crossing: New Horizons will have skin tone customization, gender-neutral hairstyles for Villagers, Polygon.
  13. Animal Crossing: New Horizons E3 2019 Factsheet
  14. Samuel Claiborn, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review, IGN
  15. ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS, Metacritic
  16. 16.0 16.1 "Fiscal Year Ended March 2020: Financial Results Explanatory Material". Nintendo.
  17. "IR Information : Sales Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units". Nintendo.
  18. Game Data Library. "Animal Crossing: New Horizons becomes the 3rd all time best selling game in Japan, only behind the first 2 Pokémon games.". Twitter.
  19. "1st Quarter Results for Fiscal Year Ending March 2021: Financial Results Explanatory Material". Nintendo.
  20. Mat Piscatella. "MAR 2020 US NPD THREAD - Nintendo Switch sets a new March hardware sales record, while Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of Nintendo's fastest selling games in history. Here are all the U.S. Video Game market highlights from The NPD Group!". Twitter.



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To-do list: This page could do with some improvements!
Edit this page and add a little something to make it just right.
  • Expand reception section, including the game's cultural impact and information on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on its success (see here).