Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer

 3DS
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 136 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 136
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 136
  3. Negative: 22 out of 136
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  1. Prismacat
    Nov 11, 2015
    8
    While it's nothing groundbreaking, it does what it aims to do extremely well. It may not entertain typical Animal Crossing fans who actually play the games for their specific content such as bug catching or fishing, but for those of us who absolutely love decorating it is a gorgeous expansive game to decorate to our heart's content.

    I suppose my biggest gripe with the game is that you    While it's nothing groundbreaking, it does what it aims to do extremely well. It may not entertain typical Animal Crossing fans who actually play the games for their specific content such as bug catching or fishing, but for those of us who absolutely love decorating it is a gorgeous expansive game to decorate to our heart's content.

    I suppose my biggest gripe with the game is that you can design a room however you want and the villager will still like it, I feel like there should be at least some sort of grading scale or something to it. But as far as it aims to be a home decorating game? It aces it. This game is definitely great for kids; especially little girls who want to play house with their favorite Animal Crossing characters.

    PS: In regards to what someone said in one of the more 'helpful' rated reviews, you CAN change your clothes. You just can't change your shirt. You can change your accessory, your hat, your pants/skirt, socks, and shoes, but you have to wear the HHD shirt because well, you're at work and people have to be able to recognize you! c:    … Expand
  2. oathkeepings
    Oct 22, 2015
    9
    Let me first say, this game was NEVER intended to be the franchise's next step as their next major Animal Crossing game. Anyone with common sense would be able to read the title and understand it's a spin-off, and should gather that it's mostly just going to be about designing interiors. Just saying.

    Anywho, I'm a pretty big fan of Animal Crossing. I've loved interior decorating shows &    Let me first say, this game was NEVER intended to be the franchise's next step as their next major Animal Crossing game. Anyone with common sense would be able to read the title and understand it's a spin-off, and should gather that it's mostly just going to be about designing interiors. Just saying.

    Anywho, I'm a pretty big fan of Animal Crossing. I've loved interior decorating shows & computer games since I was really young. So when I heard about this concept, I got extremely excited. I always loved decorating my house in Animal Crossing, so I was extremely hyped when I heard the news they were releasing this. I also loved the idea of the NFC reader and Amiibo cards. I own all 100, and I think they're extremely charming, and a great idea. Just my personal opinion.

    As for the game itself, I think it's adorable. People are complaining about the limited possibilities, but the game's title clearly states it's a home designing game. Not sure why people expected more than that. But with that being said, I'm totally content with that. There are tons of villagers to design for, so unless you're playing obsessively, it'll take a long time to design homes for all of them. My only real complaint is the animals always seem happy with your designs as long as their signature items are involved somehow. I wish there was a little more challenge involved, but, with that being said, I find this game a great go-to when I need to calm down or relieve some stress. It's a great creative outlet that can really put a mind at ease, especially if you love the cuteness of Animal Crossing villagers, and the concept of decorating exteriors and interiors for them.

    It really doesn't follow any kind of story line, but then again, no Animal Crossing game really does. If you want something cute, creative, and mindless, this is the game for you. But if you're looking for traditional Animal Crossing, this probably won't even come close to fulfilling you. You've gotta be open minded for this one, I believe.

    Also, if I've heard correctly, all the Amiibo cards are going to be compatible with the Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival game, so at least the cards will be used for more than just one purpose... For anyone wondering if they should invest.    … Expand
  3. SonicCam91
    Nov 22, 2015
    10
    I love This game!
    It is a real good change in the animal crossing series.
    instead of the regular game this time you are designing houses and places for your village. this is so cool. you start off with lots of items and then you can unlock more items. they say you need the amiibo cards to play the game but i discovered you don't really need them as characters just show up in front of    I love This game!
    It is a real good change in the animal crossing series.
    instead of the regular game this time you are designing houses and places for your village.
    this is so cool. you start off with lots of items and then you can unlock more items. they say you need the amiibo cards to play the game but i discovered you don't really need them as characters just show up in front of your door every time you play. you can also change seasons, and build buildings and objects for your town.
    I think this is a really good idea and every time I am playing this I am on it for at least an hour every time i am building a house. As you go you unlock more content,villagers, designs, etc......I'd recommend it if you are a hardcore animal crossing fan! -)    … Expand
  4. Alder613
    Jan 10, 2016
    9
    Without a doubt, this is my favorite 1st-party 3DS game of the year. While it's not my favorite 3DS game of 2015 (That honor goes to Shovel Knight), it's still a fun game.
  5. themostunclean
    Oct 12, 2015
    9
    Mushroom128- did you play this game for more than 10 minutes? Of course you can change clothes- go upstairs in the real estate office or drag your character icon from the lower design grid screen and a clothes rack will appear- drop the icon into that and you'll be able to wear anything from that room theme or any clothing you've used in other home designs.

    And to the other dolt who    Mushroom128- did you play this game for more than 10 minutes? Of course you can change clothes- go upstairs in the real estate office or drag your character icon from the lower design grid screen and a clothes rack will appear- drop the icon into that and you'll be able to wear anything from that room theme or any clothing you've used in other home designs.

    And to the other dolt who thinks you can only save at the end of the day- Did you ever try pushing the "start" button or, I don't know, reading the friggin' manual?!!?! You can save literally ANY TIME YOU WANT TO.

    I really wish you could post comments to reviews here- I hate it when idiots barely play a game and then rush on here to post bad reviews. Or don't bother even putting a little effort into finding solutions to the problems they have with a game. There's a ton more to this game than just the first 3 houses. And there is a rating system- it's done by actual real people using the game's online functions.

    I've never been a huge Animal Crossing fan but I got this game with a bundle (I'm in the US and really wanted the regular sized N3DS) and I'm having a lot of fun with it. A little more cutesy than I generally like but I give Nintendo a bit a leeway with that stud because their gameplay is usually so awesome.    … Expand
  6. bobbyman46
    Sep 29, 2015
    8
    If designing your home in Animal Crossing New Leaf was not your favorite part of the game, I would HIGHLY recommend NOT getting this game, because it's just that. Designing homes. It's for a small niche of Animal Crossing players who love designing, like me for example. I liked designing the interior of my house but hated dragging everything around, so this game was perfect for me with allIf designing your home in Animal Crossing New Leaf was not your favorite part of the game, I would HIGHLY recommend NOT getting this game, because it's just that. Designing homes. It's for a small niche of Animal Crossing players who love designing, like me for example. I liked designing the interior of my house but hated dragging everything around, so this game was perfect for me with all of it's decorating options, all of the animals to design houses for, and the bottom screen for much much easier designing. This game isn't for everyone, so I would seriously think your decision over before you decide to drop the money on it. For some, it wasn't worth it. But for me, it's money well spent.… Expand
  7. Nico85
    Oct 2, 2015
    8
    This is definitely not a game for everyone! I must say though that i am quite enjoying it, the designing aspect is really a lot of fun and i wish it were that simple and user friendly to design houses in new leaf. Actually, i must say that the ability to see your inventory all at once and try different options with such ease has made me want to re-design some of my houses in ACNL based onThis is definitely not a game for everyone! I must say though that i am quite enjoying it, the designing aspect is really a lot of fun and i wish it were that simple and user friendly to design houses in new leaf. Actually, i must say that the ability to see your inventory all at once and try different options with such ease has made me want to re-design some of my houses in ACNL based on what i accomplished in ACHHD. The game has no real goals and this will probably turn off many players, but i would suggest animal crossing fans to give it a go!… Expand
  8. GAMERGUY25
    Sep 25, 2015
    8
    Animal crossing, one of the most charming and immersive games ever. The first spin off game in the series, happy home designer sticks with the great formula and makes this one in the series another great one. Lots of little things have been changed in happy home designer, first you can actually fine tune your player unlike answering questions to make your character you can changeAnimal crossing, one of the most charming and immersive games ever. The first spin off game in the series, happy home designer sticks with the great formula and makes this one in the series another great one. Lots of little things have been changed in happy home designer, first you can actually fine tune your player unlike answering questions to make your character you can change everything from the start. You work for the happy home academy a place where people like you make dreams come true by building houses and other buildings to better the lives of the animals. Each animal has a theme to build around and you have to build it so they like it. This game stays pretty much true to the animal crossing formula in building but almost all of the items are available from the start, this takes away the times where you walk in the store and that one item you wanted is still not there. The game isn't perfect however, since all you do is build things it can get boring, to me it was always fun to tackle a new house or business but I can see how it can be boring. But after all of this happy home designer is still a fine game in the series not a necessity but a great one nonetheless.… Expand
  9. RadRoxxena
    Sep 30, 2015
    10
    I'm easily entertained. I'm loving this game and can't put it down! Already purchased 7 6-packs of Amiibo Cards... addicted. I LOVE IT and get lost in it every time I pick up and after can't put it down.
  10. friedchicken
    Oct 4, 2015
    8
    This game is more of a creative outlet like Art Academy rather than an actual game. Think of Happy Home Designer as more of an expansion to New Leaf.
    There's no story, no incentive other than unlocking everything and no replayability and frankly, that's fine.
    The game was made for the fans that enjoyed the house design aspect of the previous Animal Crossing games and it adds a lot more    This game is more of a creative outlet like Art Academy rather than an actual game. Think of Happy Home Designer as more of an expansion to New Leaf.
    There's no story, no incentive other than unlocking everything and no replayability and frankly, that's fine.

    The game was made for the fans that enjoyed the house design aspect of the previous Animal Crossing games and it adds a lot more furniture interactions, unique furniture for facilities and customization options that weren't available in past games and, while you don't get interaction on the same level as New Leaf, is still a lot of fun in my opinion.
    I would have loved if there was the option to have my own little house and a money system to buy furniture/accessories from your catalog. It sounds kind of pointless but it would have given me a little more incentive to play more.
    If you're on the fence about this game, maybe wait until it goes down in price a little.
    The amiibo cards are a cute addition, but not necessary to the game. They're high quality cards that I wouldn't mind collecting.    … Expand
  11. commoonist
    Oct 18, 2015
    9
    HHD is a pretty good game, imo. It has a much improved building system over New Leaf, and has a large variety of different home themes to create, and types of buildings to make (like shops, cafes, hospitals, etc). The unlocking system for furniture and skills works well, and starts you off with enough to be able to make nice designs straight from the get-go. The game also features aHHD is a pretty good game, imo. It has a much improved building system over New Leaf, and has a large variety of different home themes to create, and types of buildings to make (like shops, cafes, hospitals, etc). The unlocking system for furniture and skills works well, and starts you off with enough to be able to make nice designs straight from the get-go. The game also features a character creation system, which is something that was missing in the past games, and allows you to customize your character's skin tone, eyes and hair. You can also change your clothes, which is a plus (although not your shirt, which is a little weird, but I guess the idea is that you work for a company and have a uniform or something). The game has some problems, namely a lack of features outside creating homes, which I personally don't have an issue with, but if you aren't into the idea of designing homes and shops and things like that for villagers, then you may not be all that into this. The game also has an online feature which allows you to go on the internet and check out and explore as well as rate other peoples designs (which is something I do a lot because it's a good source for inspiration. The game advertises itself as being built around designing homes, and it does that really well.… Expand
  12. midipon
    Dec 26, 2015
    9
    I spent hours and hours on this game. There's so many ways to do things, it's not a matter of easy or hard, it's a matter of designing rooms to the best of your ability and keeping it fresh by changing how you think. I always loved doing my house in Animal Crossing and Happy Home Designer is everything I loved about doing that and more.
  13. MrTacoBob
    Sep 6, 2017
    9
    Different from the other Animal Crossing games but is still fun. You can make houses for your favorite Animal Crossing villagers! That's fun! But it gets a little boring but Animal Crossing IS a life simulator...
  14. SaltyNoodles
    Apr 4, 2016
    9
    It's a fun creative outlet, and I love how you can interact with more characters than you would ever be allowed to have in a single village in a main series game, and there are a lot of features that make it good for taking Miiverse photos if you are into that sorta thing. Overall, it's a fun game, but it does lack a lot of the features that the main series of Animal Crossing games have,It's a fun creative outlet, and I love how you can interact with more characters than you would ever be allowed to have in a single village in a main series game, and there are a lot of features that make it good for taking Miiverse photos if you are into that sorta thing. Overall, it's a fun game, but it does lack a lot of the features that the main series of Animal Crossing games have, because it's not supposed to be a main AC game. If that's gonna bother you, this may not be recommended, but if you go in for interior design and cute animals, you shouldn't be disappointed.… Expand
  15. Aozz101x
    Sep 11, 2018
    8
    The Animal Crossing Series has always been the best games on any consoles from Nintendo.
    after years we finally got a spin off. before you decided to play the game, it is different then any past AC titles.
    the Design aspect is what make this game so different then any Animal Crossing Games, see in New Leaf and Past Animal Crossing titles you had abilty to have you're Own House, and this    The Animal Crossing Series has always been the best games on any consoles from Nintendo.
    after years we finally got a spin off. before you decided to play the game, it is different then any past AC titles.
    the Design aspect is what make this game so different then any Animal Crossing Games, see in New Leaf and Past Animal Crossing titles you had abilty to have you're Own House, and this one you don't, there no fishing, catching bugs or using a shovel, not mention you can design the villager's House, and Facility's and orther stuff in the game you can pretty much give a Villager you're own customize shirt, you can change your Character skin color,
    at the End this is pretty good spin-off, the game may not be you're thing.    … Expand
  16. GamecubeLover
    Jul 3, 2016
    8
    This game is very creative with it's new story. And designing homes for villagers is fun. Sure it can get boring and repetitive at a lot of points but if your me I love this game almost every second of this game. The graphics are like new leaf so they are good but it doesn't seem to have that animal crossing charm that much. I wouldn't really skip this game. I guess if your an animalThis game is very creative with it's new story. And designing homes for villagers is fun. Sure it can get boring and repetitive at a lot of points but if your me I love this game almost every second of this game. The graphics are like new leaf so they are good but it doesn't seem to have that animal crossing charm that much. I wouldn't really skip this game. I guess if your an animal crossing fan you should play this game.… Expand
  17. MonkiReviews
    May 10, 2017
    8
    This is actually very fun! The game is easy and fast. I like making houses and buildings, it is actually easy and worth it. It comes with a amiibo card also.
  18. omniface
    Mar 11, 2021
    9
    fourth and likely final review for new horizons
    converted from a wrongful 0 rating

    pros
    amazing graphics
    amazing music
    amazing pumpkin farming
    good custom design
    decent roof color choices

    cons
    savings progress is too slow

    in conclusion an amazing game for specifically this world

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best 3DS Game of 2015
9
#9 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2015
13
#13 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 60 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 60
  3. Negative: 1 out of 60
  1. CD-Action
    Dec 16, 2015
    65
    Despite vast content and high level of polish I actually can’t find any convincing reasons to play it. [12/2015, p.72]
  2. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Nov 17, 2015
    50
    Overall, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer proves to be a substantial disappointment for the franchise. Yes, the game does make large strides in the designing element of Animal Crossing, but it fails to create any sort of experience that is even remotely engaging or captivating.
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  3. games(TM)
    Nov 7, 2015
    50
    Ultimately, Happy Home Designer feels more like a mini-game from a main Animal Crossing title, albeit one that controls like a dream. As a cheaper eShop release designed to spark interest in collecting the cards it would have been fine, but as a full price game its one-trick-pony style is far too repetitive for some.
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