Animal Crossing: New Horizons

 Switch
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6617 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,370 out of 6617
  2. Mixed: 571 out of 6617
  3. Negative: 2,676 out of 6617
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  1. Draconequis
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    My sister and I share a single switch. We bought it together because we live together and we have enjoyed our games so far. Enjoying separate save files for all of the games so far on one system. We shared breath of the wild (which has a much larger map and more detailed graphics).  And now when we went to play we learn there is only one island per console.  Which means if you want to playMy sister and I share a single switch. We bought it together because we live together and we have enjoyed our games so far. Enjoying separate save files for all of the games so far on one system. We shared breath of the wild (which has a much larger map and more detailed graphics).  And now when we went to play we learn there is only one island per console.  Which means if you want to play animal crossing your own way you have to buy an entire switch. This problem cant even be fixed with switching  sd cards because the game saves directly to the switch. Does this mean that if I did buy a new switch I wouldnt be able to transfer my game save file over as well? I was planning to get a v2 eventually for the extended battery life.

    Now I was willing to maybe overlook that, however this game was clearly built for one player. The first player who boots up the system gets to be the island representative. This means that all of the tool advancements, craftable recipes, and any building locations are all decided by player one. This basically makes player two a glorified npc. Not only this but I learned that you cant send fish or bugs to a friend. Which is so dumb because I purposefully chose the opposite region so I could give my friends cool things they dont have yet.

    I had also hoped to have a great white shark in my room but the display for a shark is now a tiny pool with high walls and you can scarcely see the creature inside. I dont know why they decided to change the model to something that looks so awful.

    I am severely disappointed in nintendo for what they've done.

    Dont get me wrong the game is fun, but dont expect to play it with anyone.    … Expand
  2. ZeldaWars
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    I really have been enjoying the game so far, but the reason for such a low score is one simple reason. The baffling decision to make it so there’s only 1 island per Switch console, because of this incompetence, my girlfriend can’t make any progress in the game and now has to wait to see if Nintendo will decide to fix this (which shouldn’t have been an issue in the first place)
  3. Diegocosta124
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    One island per switch
    seriusly nintendo? In 2020? Update the game and make more islands per console!!
  4. Monster527
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Game limits second person so much, playing game as second account is like being a visitor. Fix your game Nintendo.
  5. I-Who-I
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    How did anyone think it was a good idea to limit, what is essentially a kid's game, to one player per console!! This is besides the annoying terrible controls for placing items in the world. The camera angle is also really terrible for a game where you need to position structures in the world and is especially annoying when trees and structures don't go translucent when the player isHow did anyone think it was a good idea to limit, what is essentially a kid's game, to one player per console!! This is besides the annoying terrible controls for placing items in the world. The camera angle is also really terrible for a game where you need to position structures in the world and is especially annoying when trees and structures don't go translucent when the player is behind. They use same generic leaf icon to represent multiple different items in the inventory so you have to select each one to read the text for it. Its' shocking that a game like this was released by Nintendo in 2020 when a significantly better game like Stardew Valley exists and was developed by 1 person.… Expand
  6. DavidHurt
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Once Nintendo solves the huge one-island-per-console disaster, we’ll come back to get update the scores, for sure. Huge mistake.
  7. WesWack
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    I was going to buy this game until I realized it is only one island per console, literally the most greedy atrocious thing I’ve seen since the stuff EA has pulled in the past few years, I will not be purchasing this thing until they fix multiplayer and fix this piece of crap 1 island per switch rule.
  8. jumbo1205
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    The multiplayer design decisions are completely insane. How do you put such little thought into the fact that the Switch is a home console with multiple users. This would be such a nice game to enjoy with family / significant others, but the gameplay is utterly broken for local multiplayer.

    Allow multiple islands per switch. Allow secondary players to make progress on their own. Figure    The multiplayer design decisions are completely insane. How do you put such little thought into the fact that the Switch is a home console with multiple users. This would be such a nice game to enjoy with family / significant others, but the gameplay is utterly broken for local multiplayer.

    Allow multiple islands per switch. Allow secondary players to make progress on their own. Figure out a way to re-balance island resources for multiple players. This is absolutely infuriating.

    Nintendo literally brands the Switch as a family home console. All of their ads show multiple users on one console. HOW DO YOU MISS THIS!    … Expand
  9. djmreezy
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Absolutely livid with this game. I'm a more serious gamer that is focused on goals and development while my partner is more of a casual gamer that likes to collect bugs and go fishing. Unfortunately they are the primary resident and I am the secondary so I am just **** out of luck. We have both put in days of work on this game so it's too late to restart and make me the primary. Just haveAbsolutely livid with this game. I'm a more serious gamer that is focused on goals and development while my partner is more of a casual gamer that likes to collect bugs and go fishing. Unfortunately they are the primary resident and I am the secondary so I am just **** out of luck. We have both put in days of work on this game so it's too late to restart and make me the primary. Just have to wait until they are completely done with the game before I can play, loved how nintendo demands I buy a second switch at hundreds of dollars if both people in my house want to play this game during the same month. If I could I would send a bag of flaming **** to every developer that helped this happen. Desperately hoping for a patch to this issue but I would bet 100 bucks nothing will happen because why would they fix a problem that means consumers have to buy more products?… Expand
  10. kielbasaell
    Mar 28, 2020
    1
    there needs to be multiple islands available per player. most of the game experience is completely ruined for a second player as fundamental gameplay is only available to the starting player.
  11. bungsten
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    The decent but short story and many of the game's new features are locked behind Nintendo's absurd one safe file per switch rule. If you want to play this game with your family, friends, or anybody who plays on the same console as you, do NOT buy this game. If you are not the first person to play the game on a console, you become a glorified NPC that can't do anything to progress theThe decent but short story and many of the game's new features are locked behind Nintendo's absurd one safe file per switch rule. If you want to play this game with your family, friends, or anybody who plays on the same console as you, do NOT buy this game. If you are not the first person to play the game on a console, you become a glorified NPC that can't do anything to progress the story. Nintendo is being aggressively greedy at the expense of their players, it is absolutely ridiculous that Nintendo, a company with some of the most skilled, talented, and smart people in the video game industry made such a horrible design decision for no reason other than corporate greed.

    Though if you plan to play this game alone, it is a very good animal crossing game reminiscent of the original gamecube game with many new features and an amazing story centered around building a deserted island with nothing but a few tents into a thriving, developed community. My only complaint about the story is that I think it should be (and can be) longer. The postgame, like all animal crossing games, has tons to offer as I expected, but there are a few omissions from the other games that make the postgame feel like it's missing something. There is no coffee shop, no fortune teller, no theater no barbershop, and only two shops. While the new island customization options and some other smaller features do provide some new postgame content, I don't think they add quite enough to make up for the omissions and I can't see myself playing this game for years like I did in city folk and new leaf.

    Even with the decent gameplay and story, I can't justify giving this game any points at all because of its glaring design flaw in the one save per switch rule.    … Expand
  12. THChris
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Fantastic game, really fun, HUGE PROBLEM THOUGH, at first sharing an island didn’t seem so bad but the person who didn’t create the island is so restricted to do anything ! You both get seperate DIY recipes the other can’t use, co-op is a mess, so disappointed because I was really enjoying this game until finding this out.
  13. griffy14
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Was going to he a fun game for me and my partner to play. Gated progress for just his account, no progress rewards for second profile, can't have our own islands on the same console. Not even interested anymore. Too bad he already bought it. I guess only he can enjoy it.
  14. McKat
    Mar 28, 2020
    1
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons- Don’t buy it

    My husband got me this game bcs he was trying to introduce me to the world of video gaming. I have to say- if all games are like this, count me out. Way to go Nintendo on destroying an otherwise great game! How did they ruin it? 1- If you’re a multiplayer household, you can only create 1 island total & whoever has the misfortune of starting    Animal Crossing: New Horizons- Don’t buy it

    My husband got me this game bcs he was trying to introduce me to the world of video gaming. I have to say- if all games are like this, count me out. Way to go Nintendo on destroying an otherwise great game!

    How did they ruin it?

    1- If you’re a multiplayer household, you can only create 1 island total & whoever has the misfortune of starting the game 2nd becomes a 2nd rate citizen on the 1st player’s island. That means they can’t do any quests, can’t make any decisions, don’t get the same kinds of rewards or as many... And you’re limited in the progress you can make on the island to what the 1st player does So short-sighted!

    Heck, 1/2 the time the “hot item” you’re supposed to sell is something the 2nd player doesn’t even have the recipe for. To fix this? You have to buy a whole other Switch game console. Not just a second copy of the game, which would be ridiculous enough in 2020. A whole 2nd console.

    So painfully and obviously GREEDY!!!

    Don’t buy it! 2- They purposefully didn’t warn anybody abt any of this anywhere on the game description, instead lauding it as the ultimate social experience. Fun for families, friends, couples... Bullcrap!!

    Bcs when you’re playing with someone else, the 2nd player can’t collect anything. It all goes into the collection box. And if the 1st player looks at their storage kit or takes their tool ring out, it knocks out whatever action the 2nd player is trying to do.

    3- Talk to them in the only way that will actually speak to them. Clearly the only way that actually matters to them.

    Until Nintendo decides that they actually give a crap about their consumers (I’m not even asking that they care more about their consumers than their bottom line bcs at this point it’s clear that’s not going to happen), do not support them by giving them the money they’re clearly after with this disgusting decision they’ve made.

    However, I am giving it 1 star bcs other than how limited the game feels, it is an enjoyable game and an enjoyable world. Even so, I probably won’t be playing it for too much longer if Nintendo doesn’t fix this. I just can’t see myself enjoying these kinds of limitations for very long. And I’ll continue telling people to not buy it- even when they’re not asking me.    … Expand
  15. VivaLaPanda
    Mar 28, 2020
    4
    A theoretically great game, held back by Nintendo's frankly astounding inability to design multiplayer functionality given its. 2020. Setting aside how completely useless shared-console multiplayer is, the online multiplayer feels more like it's teasing you about how good the game *could* have been if Nintendo had competent network engineers. To join someone's island, you must be friendsA theoretically great game, held back by Nintendo's frankly astounding inability to design multiplayer functionality given its. 2020. Setting aside how completely useless shared-console multiplayer is, the online multiplayer feels more like it's teasing you about how good the game *could* have been if Nintendo had competent network engineers. To join someone's island, you must be friends on Switch, a process which for some reason still uses friend codes instead of usernames like literally any other platform on the internet. Then, you must click through around 30 seconds of dialogue to visit a player. You have to go through this pointless dialogue *every time*. But wait! To visit someone they have to "open their gates", which means going to an ingame location, and clicking through another 30 seconds of pointless dialogue. If you sleep, the gates will close and you have to do it all over again. Because of this, visiting another player effectively *always* requires communication through a 3rd party platform to coordinate your visit (no direct messages via your Switch account, sorry.)
    Once you manage to exchange texts, ensure the other person has opened their gate, and go to join them, you are met with an almost minute long unskippable cutscene. This plays *EVERY TIME* you visit a friend. It locks you, and all players on the island you're joining. Once you get there, the island's owner will discover that they are now unable to place/move any of their furniture. Why? Because Nintendo has spent a solid 2 decades pretending that the internet doesn't exist, and so has no engineers on staff that can make online functionality.

    The single player experience is great, but it's not worth $60. It's a fun game, but just go play Stardew Valley, it has more polish and plays much smoother than this half assed game. It's totally unjustifiable to have a game with multiplayer this bad in 2020.    … Expand
  16. ninya
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Can't do anything with shared island... Very limited for the second player.
  17. Trixta101
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    Made an account on metacritic to join in on the zeroes in hopes for change since I can't even play my own game since my wife started an island before me and played too far into it to want to start over. So now I have to buy another switch to play my game? Gtfo. There was no warning for this
  18. alranican
    Mar 29, 2020
    4
    I love this game so much. Been a long time fan of the series, but unfortunately my brother made the island so I'm not allowed to enjoy over half the game's content, and even more until he progresses. Even with this restriction, I can still find enjoyment in it, but it's so hard to justify the decisions to not allow secondary players to progress the island or make their own.
    The co-op is a    I love this game so much. Been a long time fan of the series, but unfortunately my brother made the island so I'm not allowed to enjoy over half the game's content, and even more until he progresses. Even with this restriction, I can still find enjoyment in it, but it's so hard to justify the decisions to not allow secondary players to progress the island or make their own.
    The co-op is a perfect way to visualize how terrible this system is. The first player, the leader, is the only person allowed to interact with anything in the game. The secondary players don't even have access to their inventory. The fact that multiplayer is such an obvious afterthought on a home console Animal Crossing is ridiculous.

    This needs to be changed.    … Expand
  19. Devastor90
    Mar 29, 2020
    3
    I cant understand why Nintendo decided to go this way of implementing two players on one console.

    The thing is that the second player is so strictly restricted what he can achieve . Me as island represantive i can donate fishes and stuff to nook my wife which came second cant do this. Now comes the funny part since my wife had so much fun in the game she played much more than me    I cant understand why Nintendo decided to go this way of implementing two players on one console.

    The thing is that the second player is so strictly restricted what he can achieve .

    Me as island represantive i can donate fishes and stuff to nook my wife which came second cant do this.
    Now comes the funny part since my wife had so much fun in the game she played much more than me untill we noticed that only the represantive can do the main things so long story short we had to delete the savegame and start over with my wife as represantive since she plays more than me.    … Expand
  20. Jlab1974
    Mar 29, 2020
    1
    Selling this game for $60 and limiting to 1 island per console is outright robbery! How can you claim this game as a social experience when only one person has the full power? Who designed this game, a Dictator? My family has owned our Switch since launch and it’s become a major part of our family time. This game has ruined that. My kids have resorted to undermining each other. They sneakSelling this game for $60 and limiting to 1 island per console is outright robbery! How can you claim this game as a social experience when only one person has the full power? Who designed this game, a Dictator? My family has owned our Switch since launch and it’s become a major part of our family time. This game has ruined that. My kids have resorted to undermining each other. They sneak off with the switch and hoard all the resources. This results in screaming, crying, and fighting. How dare you restrict this game in this way! I have never seen such blatant greed. If there are any lawyers out there interested in taking up a class action lawsuit please do! Or maybe just maybe the developers can just update the game to allow creating one island per profile so everyone can experience in full what the game has to offer.… Expand
  21. vestafan88
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    I want to preface this by saying that I have few issues with the game itself. There are some unnecessarily repetitive mechanics that I think should be addressed, but nothing hugely out of character with the AC universe.

    But, the inability to have more than one island per save OR to back up your save to the cloud is baffling. This is an immediate issue for households playing together,    I want to preface this by saying that I have few issues with the game itself. There are some unnecessarily repetitive mechanics that I think should be addressed, but nothing hugely out of character with the AC universe.

    But, the inability to have more than one island per save OR to back up your save to the cloud is baffling. This is an immediate issue for households playing together, and a huge issue going forward knowing how fragile Switch systems are. I purchased a new Switch Lite specifically for this game! A week in, and my joycons are broken, despite absolutely babying the console. If I purchase another console, I've lost 40+ hours of gameplay. Repairs are a no-go at this moment. I am sure there are so many others in this situation, and it's ridiculous. I don't have an unlimited budget to throw at Nintendo.

    I feel like the negative reviews are necessary for Nintendo to actually take notice and respond.    … Expand
  22. frafgogg
    Mar 29, 2020
    4
    Look alright, I really hope someone at Nintendo is reading these and taking notes because one island per console isn't what destroys the experience of the game for me, no, it's the fact that player two is shackled down to player one's progress. As soon as started playing the game I realized this was a huge problem. I heard on Reddit that the second player's progress was only limited to theLook alright, I really hope someone at Nintendo is reading these and taking notes because one island per console isn't what destroys the experience of the game for me, no, it's the fact that player two is shackled down to player one's progress. As soon as started playing the game I realized this was a huge problem. I heard on Reddit that the second player's progress was only limited to the FIRST WEEK of gameplay and low and behold its been 8 days and I'm disappointed I still can't build bridges or inclines or, y'know, progress the story in any way shape or form. This is absolutely disgusting from a 60 dollar triple A title. I'm either forced to sit and wait for my sister to progress and make big decisions without my input, or log on to her account and progress the game and make big decisions without her input. I'm really sad about it to be honest and I hope this whole situation gets fixed somewhere although it probably won't.… Expand
  23. Regillix
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    Issues with additional players on the switch being restricted from much of the progression in the game really spoils the experience in this game. I sure hope they add patches to fix this. Until than, this game is definitely a pass.
  24. fraser5267373
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    Bridge building mechanic is complete trash and unusable until terraforming is unlocked. Please fix this nintendo, I’m shocked that you released a game so broken. There are about 2 spots on my entire island that I can put a bridge and they aren’t where I want them. Still have to use the cumbersome annoying vaulting pole to get anywhere. Fix this Nintendo. Make the bridges less finicky soBridge building mechanic is complete trash and unusable until terraforming is unlocked. Please fix this nintendo, I’m shocked that you released a game so broken. There are about 2 spots on my entire island that I can put a bridge and they aren’t where I want them. Still have to use the cumbersome annoying vaulting pole to get anywhere. Fix this Nintendo. Make the bridges less finicky so that they’re actually usable.… Expand
  25. JohnWick269
    Mar 29, 2020
    1
    Great game with one crippling flaw that makes it near unplayable. One island per switch is either an inexplicable oversight or a shameless cash grab. The first person to set up the island is the only player that can progress the story and do anything significant to the island making it a pedestrian and boring experience for any other player playing on the same switch. Please Nintendo,Great game with one crippling flaw that makes it near unplayable. One island per switch is either an inexplicable oversight or a shameless cash grab. The first person to set up the island is the only player that can progress the story and do anything significant to the island making it a pedestrian and boring experience for any other player playing on the same switch. Please Nintendo, either allow for co-proprietary rights between players on the same island or allow for one island per individual player. My wife started our island and I feel like an NPC when I’m playing because I can’t build houses, progress the story mode, or many other fundamental features of the game that make it what it is. The $60 price point is only worth it for the original creator of the island, while any other players on the same switch are not allowed access to $60 worth of features.… Expand
  26. neon_island
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    They purposely create problems only to try and sell you solutions later!
    You cannot backup your save files in any capacity that doesn't involve giving Nintendo MORE money than the roughly $260-$360 you spent in total just getting the game!
    They lock your save file TO THE SWITCH! This means you can only have ONE island PER CONSOLE! As if that isnt bad enough, if your Switch breaks you    They purposely create problems only to try and sell you solutions later!
    You cannot backup your save files in any capacity that doesn't involve giving Nintendo MORE money than the roughly $260-$360 you spent in total just getting the game!
    They lock your save file TO THE SWITCH! This means you can only have ONE island PER CONSOLE! As if that isnt bad enough, if your Switch breaks you arpotential hours you spent playing will just be GONE unless you pay an additional $20 a year for cloud saving. Which who knows how long the lifespan of that could be in 4 years...    … Expand
  27. yongkit
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    I have to quit playing because my family is ruining my experience. I'm the superfan who went out of my way to buy the limited edition console and preorder the game, launch it at midnight to start my island. In all the previous entries, excluding New Leaf, I shared towns with my family members over the decades of my upbringing. I understand why there's only one island per switch. Truly, II have to quit playing because my family is ruining my experience. I'm the superfan who went out of my way to buy the limited edition console and preorder the game, launch it at midnight to start my island. In all the previous entries, excluding New Leaf, I shared towns with my family members over the decades of my upbringing. I understand why there's only one island per switch. Truly, I get it. For purposes of game manipulation, etc. Plus it keep the player's attachment to the island, since you can't make a new one without having to sacrifice the progress you've already made. They've done this in all the other entries! So it makes sense, of course. However, this is not the Animal Crossings that have come before. It offers endless customization. So how can I enjoy my island when my casual gamer family members are constantly ruining my island? With tires all over the land, hoarding the star fragments, buying all the items, giving animals random items to put in their homes, their own homes are ugly, their coordination is unbelievably bad, items everywhere, trash everywhere. I'm the only one working during this global pandemic, as well as a full time student. I want to spend an hour or two a day taking care of my island but when I get there, everything's already done or so horribly ruined that I can't bare to play. I can't believe I bought this and I bought a console just to play this. It's honestly damaging my relationship with my family and causing me to have even more negative feeling during this hard time. I'm so upset with Nintendo and they need to patch the game to fix it.… Expand
  28. Guiermo
    Mar 29, 2020
    1
    This is our families very first time playing Animal crossing. There are 5 people in our family they love to play on the switch. During this time of being quarantined in our home, we thought this would be a great game for the kids to take their mind off of what’s going on in the world. The 5 year was the first to play the game, not knowing really how to read, he simply clicked throughThis is our families very first time playing Animal crossing. There are 5 people in our family they love to play on the switch. During this time of being quarantined in our home, we thought this would be a great game for the kids to take their mind off of what’s going on in the world. The 5 year was the first to play the game, not knowing really how to read, he simply clicked through things and just started running around the island having a blast. After that every other person in family played on their own users. We realized that we were all located on the same island. No big deal we thought. We each played for a few hours, but none of us could figure out how to make an axe. None of us had the option. After several frustrating searches we found out that since the 5 year old started the game first, he is the only one that can really play the game. Meaning that no one on the switch can make any decisions. We had to delete all the saved data for everyone and start fresh on 1 user. This is unacceptable. The switch is meant to be a console with multiple players. Every other 1st Party Nintendo has a separate save system for each users own progression. Mario Kart, Zelda, Smash Bros.… Expand
  29. illiahn
    Mar 29, 2020
    1
    The game itself? Fun, BUT ONLY IF YOU ARE ONE PERSON. If there is more than one person in your household who wants to play this, you have to buy a SEPARATE CONSOLE ENTIRELY for them to play on their own island.

    Incredibly disappointing. Just another way to gouge people for money.
  30. LTGuu
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    Horrible 2nd player limitation and relationship breaker for Switch with shared users fighting for who will be the Owner and loser be a second class citizen/refugee with almost no fun.
    As a new Animal Crossing player this is such a disappointment.
  31. Denis_hat_bug
    Mar 29, 2020
    1
    No cloud saving No cloud saving No cloud saving No cloud saving No cloud saving No cloud saving No cloud saving No cloud saving
  32. respectedd
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    One island per console is the most asinine game design I have ever seen and there are no warnings about it anywhere from Nintendo before you buy the game. This has ruined the experience for my wife and me. I will be seeking a refund of this game.
  33. titus7809
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    Seriously Nintendo!? The whole "one island per switch" is the worst possible idea imaginable. I get the idea that Nintendo wants to stop "cheating" within the game, but couldn't they get around this by not allowing other users islands to interact? So essentially each user would have a completely different world. I spent $60 on this game to not even be allowed to enjoy it because I didn'tSeriously Nintendo!? The whole "one island per switch" is the worst possible idea imaginable. I get the idea that Nintendo wants to stop "cheating" within the game, but couldn't they get around this by not allowing other users islands to interact? So essentially each user would have a completely different world. I spent $60 on this game to not even be allowed to enjoy it because I didn't start playing it first. Such a disappointment.… Expand
  34. Dutchess4545
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    My brother can’t have his own island. Sharing with him is troublesome and one of us is always left with no resources. NINTENDO, PLEASE FIX
  35. Jcbrizu
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    One island per console is inexcusable and anti consumer practice. Instant 0/10
  36. xenomachina
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    The Nintendo Switch has one of the best profile systems of any game console. Each player can have their own profile, and games saves are kept completely separate.

    Because of this, I was very surprised to discover that Animal Crossing: New Horizons goes out of its way to circumvent the profile system. The first player to play the game is given the full experience. All other players are    The Nintendo Switch has one of the best profile systems of any game console. Each player can have their own profile, and games saves are kept completely separate.

    Because of this, I was very surprised to discover that Animal Crossing: New Horizons goes out of its way to circumvent the profile system. The first player to play the game is given the full experience. All other players are given a downgraded experience. Parts of the game are just missing, like naming your island, or choosing its layout. Progress in the game for all players is also gated by the primary player's progress. And all players are forced to have the same island, with limited space and limited resources.

    If I'd known this, I wouldn't have purchased this game, as we have one Switch shared by two kids. How is it fair to let one of them be the "island representative", while the other is treated as a second-class citizen by the game?

    Searching online I see others trying to excuse Nintendo's behavior here, saying "Animal Crossing has always been like that", but:

    1. This is false. On the 3DS you could only have one game save per cartridge, but you could use multiple cartridges with a single 3DS. On the Switch you need two separate consoles.

    2. When classic games with limited save slots are ported to the Switch, the number of save slots from the original are normally made *per-profile* on the Switch. For example, in Link's Awakening there are only 3 save slots. In the Switch version, there are 3 save slots *per-profile*. Likewise, one would expect that Animal Crossing would have one game save *per-profile* on the Switch.

    3. Having mis-features in the past is not an excuse for propagating them into the future.

    Nintendo went out of their way to make the game terrible for anyone but the first player. It's pretty clear that their motivation for this is greed. Instead, they've made me strongly consider returning this game, and avoiding their platform in the future.    … Expand
  37. Niclink_21
    Mar 30, 2020
    2
    So far from what I have seen, I am slightly disappointed with this game. I enjoy the new features such as the nookphone and the various quality of life fixes. The new museum looks AMAZING and the graphics look amazing as well. There are, however, many things I am disappointed with. For one, many staple NPCs of the series have been cut. Brewster, Redd, Dr. Shrunk, Harriet, Pelly & Phyllis,So far from what I have seen, I am slightly disappointed with this game. I enjoy the new features such as the nookphone and the various quality of life fixes. The new museum looks AMAZING and the graphics look amazing as well. There are, however, many things I am disappointed with. For one, many staple NPCs of the series have been cut. Brewster, Redd, Dr. Shrunk, Harriet, Pelly & Phyllis, and Katrina have all been cut. In addition, the art gallery has been entirely cut from the museum. Nook's Cranny now only has one upgrade. There are very few buildings to construct. The amount of buildings and facilities you construct would be equivalent to the amount of buildings and facilities that would be available day 1 in other games. Diving has been removed and the there are now only 6 different kinds of fruits. I am mixed on crafting. On one hand, crafting provides a new and fun way to create certain furniture and outdoor furniture. On the other hand, If you remove the crafting and the nook miles system from the game, this game would have no substance. I'll just put it this way, this is the first animal crossing game where I have had nothing to do except log in, play the game for a total of 10 mins, and sign out. Each animal crossing game released up to New Horizons was a culmination of everything great from the games previous. This is the first game in the series to regress in design and gameplay and that just doesn't sit well with me. This game was rushed and hopefully, with updates, this game can improve, but for now, this game is all style and no substance, and I'll be sticking to city folk or new leaf.… Expand
  38. carpetao
    Mar 31, 2020
    1
    I bought this game, looking forward to sharing a beloved franchise with my kids. I am deeply disappointed.

    Only the first profile to play gets a a game. Everyone else gets to be a second class tourist. Multiple profiles have to share that island, and only the primary player can travel to deserted islands, make building decisions, and things like that. Instead of experiencing a    I bought this game, looking forward to sharing a beloved franchise with my kids. I am deeply disappointed.

    Only the first profile to play gets a a game. Everyone else gets to be a second class tourist. Multiple profiles have to share that island, and only the primary player can travel to deserted islands, make building decisions, and things like that. Instead of experiencing a beloved franchise, I have kids fighting over who gets to dig up fossils, collect the seashells for income, etc..etc... The decision not to have separate islands for separate profiles is a decision that's baffling, cold-hearted, and bringing conflict to my household.    … Expand
  39. SilvioVaso
    Mar 31, 2020
    0
    No Nintendo Just no. Nintendo you have to realize that families don't have multiple switches the switch is a family console and you decided to make it 1 island per switch. nobody is gonna buy a new switch just to have another island. The game was meant to be an island for you and only you you shouldn't expect people to receive this well. I have a sibling and we were ecstatic when we gotNo Nintendo Just no. Nintendo you have to realize that families don't have multiple switches the switch is a family console and you decided to make it 1 island per switch. nobody is gonna buy a new switch just to have another island. The game was meant to be an island for you and only you you shouldn't expect people to receive this well. I have a sibling and we were ecstatic when we got this game. We got this game for primarily my sister but I was also ready to make my own island until i realized that me and my sister would have to share a island Now at first i was okay with this but then it set in that If i was the leader my sister couldn't pick up a branch. Nintendo please fix this. You will be praised if you will… Expand
  40. Liilaah
    Apr 1, 2020
    0
    My boyfriend and I went halfsies on the game only to realise that one of us wouldn't even really get to play it properly. Pretty lousy of Nintendo - can't imagine 7 people happily being side characters in someone else's game as their only experience. I deleted my saves and let him have it since he's more excited to play, what a waste of my money.
  41. KisaHitora
    Apr 2, 2020
    1
    Honestly I was waiting so long for this game and not being able to have separate islands for everyone playing on the switch kinda ruins it for everyone. Won’t be buying future AC games if they are like this. Such a money scheme. The game was almost perfect.
  42. Apollyon145
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE OERSON IN YOUR BOUAE THAT PLAYS!!!!

    What a crock of **** Bought this game for my daughter but wanted to try it out. We can’t have two islands?! What genius made this decision? And the solution is “buy another switch”?! This needs to be fixed immediately. I would return the game if I could. I’ve been playing games since the original Atari and    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE OERSON IN YOUR BOUAE THAT PLAYS!!!!

    What a crock of **** Bought this game for my daughter but wanted to try it out. We can’t have two islands?! What genius made this decision? And the solution is “buy another switch”?! This needs to be fixed immediately. I would return the game if I could. I’ve been playing games since the original Atari and this has to be one of the most selfish and idiotic decisions made by a gaming company. Way to step up during a time people are stuck inside....    … Expand
  43. JazziCat
    Apr 10, 2020
    1
    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME IF YOU PLAN ON USING IT FOR LOCAL MULTIPLAYER (meaning more than one use in the same household).

    I cannot stress this enough as it will cause you no end of frustration, headaches, angry crying and resentment. I say this for the simple fact that there is no true multiplayer function that will satisfy everything within the game. The only person that has any say or    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME IF YOU PLAN ON USING IT FOR LOCAL MULTIPLAYER (meaning more than one use in the same household).

    I cannot stress this enough as it will cause you no end of frustration, headaches, angry crying and resentment. I say this for the simple fact that there is no true multiplayer function that will satisfy everything within the game. The only person that has any say or control or can actually do anything worthwhile is the VERY FIRST person to start playing the game on the console. Everyone else is literally just a slave to their whims. i can't even sugar coat it because it's caused no end of anger and frustration for my partner and I when we've tried to play together. They lost all interest as they literally couldn't progress the story, gain DIY recipes from Tom Nook, nor actually make any meaningful decisions within the Island (such as placing residents or setting up bridges or really doing anything of note at all). They have stopped playing entirely and that has killed my joy as i'll never be able to play with them all due to Nintendo's greed. For a company that stresses being the best multiplayer and family friendly console on the market they sure did a good job of tearing families apart with this title. Like they've got great multiplayer function in almost every other game, yet decided to go money hungry with this entry for whatever reason. Locking each switch to 1 Island (even if you have multiple ID's with multiple online ability, and even with multiple game codes purchased) is just terrible restrictive and straight up greedy (and i say this as they have yet to offer a valid reason for restricting it in this way so i can only make my own inferences)

    Understand that I'm not really upset at locking the switch to 1 Island per switch, that actually makes some sense to me. The reason for the review being this low is the fact that they Advertise this game as a family friendly game, which it is clearly not, What is fun about being relegated to a servant of the first person to start the game? If they simply added a function to change the Resident Representative in-game then none of us would have reviewed this with such vehemence.

    Think about this: If this game was purchased for a household with multiple kids or in a house with multiple roommates that all love the AC series and looked forward to playing this, if for whatever reason the 'main' person who started playing (not even the one who actually bought it because they don't restrict it to actual accounts) was not able to play for an extended period of time, either due to illness, or they were stuck in quarantine at a different location, or they simply stopped playing, then you have effectively killed all progress and joy for the remaining members of that household. NO ONE will be able to move the game forward so long as that player never plays again. That is why we are all distraught over Nintendo's decision, and have every right to rate this game as such. Nintendo never shed any light on this, because had a parent of children, or partner in a relationship known that the others they live with will NEVER have the same ability or privileges across the board then they wouldn't have purchased it in the first place. Why cause strife intentionally when we're already dealing with everything else going on in the world?

    So i write this review, not to review bomb, but as a warning for all future purchasers to beware of what they'll be getting themselves into.

    Now that i've said that, to validate my review i will state that until we discovered this terrible game design decision, it was a really fun and enjoyable game to play, but i will not rate it higher than a 1 until Nintendo even acknowledges this issue let alone be proactive and fix it. (A 1 because there was enjoyment at one point, but now no longer).    … Expand
  44. Hollowman064
    Apr 22, 2020
    0
    I have never played an Animal Crossing game before and decided to play this one for the first time. BIG MISTAKE! The fact that we get such a tiny island that we are forced to share it with other profiles is ridiculous. I can't enjoy the experience when someone else is taking all the resources and they can't enjoy the experience because I can't play often enough to advance the game. Even ifI have never played an Animal Crossing game before and decided to play this one for the first time. BIG MISTAKE! The fact that we get such a tiny island that we are forced to share it with other profiles is ridiculous. I can't enjoy the experience when someone else is taking all the resources and they can't enjoy the experience because I can't play often enough to advance the game. Even if we did delete the save file and start in their profile, it doesn't help because I still wouldn't be able to do anything without resources. This is the stupidest concept to force upon people and a giant waste of money. I feel ripped off and I want my money back!… Expand
  45. deadlyblaze
    May 2, 2020
    0
    One island per switch. My girlfriend likes it because I gave her the island. I hate this game because as a second ‘player’, I can do almost nothing.
  46. Only2bashACNH
    Apr 29, 2020
    0
    Doing my part to lower this game's score to say "f4ck you" to Nintendo. I bought this as a game my wife would enjoy, and she likes it, but I can't enjoy it too because some poopbutts at Nintendo decided one island per switch was a good idea. You greedy S.O.Bs
  47. Eveydude
    May 1, 2020
    0
    DON'T BUY THIS GAME UNLESS ONLY YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SO-CALLED "PRIMARY PLAYER" IS LITERALLY THE ONLY PLAYER WHO HAS THE PRIVILEGE TO CONTRIBUTE!!!!!! I almost gave this game a 10/10 until I realized how messed up compared to the rest of the ENTIRE GODDDAMN SERIES!!! This is because when you start by needingkm to give Tom Nook 5 bugs or fish,    DON'T BUY THIS GAME UNLESS ONLY YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SO-CALLED "PRIMARY PLAYER" IS LITERALLY THE ONLY PLAYER WHO HAS THE PRIVILEGE TO CONTRIBUTE!!!!!! I almost gave this game a 10/10 until I realized how messed up compared to the rest of the ENTIRE GODDDAMN SERIES!!! This is because when you start by needingkm to give Tom Nook 5 bugs or fish, only the primary player, which is my sister in my case (who PLAYS THE FREAKING LEAST)
    This game would get a 10/10 if there eren    … Expand
  48. frediy
    May 1, 2020
    0
    I bought a switch and this game only to find I can only play it in an extremely limited way because my partner is the primary player on the island. Apparently you need to buy an additional switch in order to play the game. No problem if you’re rich I guess. I can’t believe what bloodsuckers the people at Nintendo are. They evidently have no concern for their users. I have paid money for aI bought a switch and this game only to find I can only play it in an extremely limited way because my partner is the primary player on the island. Apparently you need to buy an additional switch in order to play the game. No problem if you’re rich I guess. I can’t believe what bloodsuckers the people at Nintendo are. They evidently have no concern for their users. I have paid money for a game I will never be able to play. It’s absolutely horrifying that a game company could deliberately make this decision. It is simply unfathomable to me..… Expand
  49. EricWoodward
    May 2, 2020
    0
    Can't unlock terra forming because im not the island representative... Why s this a feature???? I quit the game because i WOULD HAVE TO RESTART by buying the game again for a third time to get it right. Absolute joke. There is no possible way for me to unlock terra forming without restarting.
  50. raumac
    May 2, 2020
    0
    I set up this Metacritic account just to write this review, in the hopes it will get Nintendo's attention to correct this obvious flaw in Animal Crossing New Horizons.
    ...
    WHY is there only one Island per console? This is an UNFORGIVABLE SIN in Console gaming. Please correct this obvious flaw immediately! We have multiple player profiles on the console, and would like to each have our    I set up this Metacritic account just to write this review, in the hopes it will get Nintendo's attention to correct this obvious flaw in Animal Crossing New Horizons.
    ...
    WHY is there only one Island per console? This is an UNFORGIVABLE SIN in Console gaming. Please correct this obvious flaw immediately! We have multiple player profiles on the console, and would like to each have our own Island. Currently, only one of us can effectively play this game, with the other players in our home having to effectively just watch as the on Mayor of the Island plays the game.
    ...
    CORRECT THIS NOW!
    ....
    We should be able to create multiple save games, and have multiple Islands on a single Switch Console. Otherwise, the game is effectively meaningless.
    ...
    CORRECT THIS NOW!
    ...
    I am absolutely dumbfounded that Nintendo decided to make this decision. I hope this issue is corrected quickly.
    ...
    I am giving this game a zero score until this issue is corrected.    … Expand
  51. eudon
    May 2, 2020
    0
    THIS GAME HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL TO ENTERTAIN FAMILIES BUY IT FAILS DRAMATICALLY. Trying to wrap my head around how Nintendo thinks they will make more money from people buying completely new switches for each sibling to just play Animal Crossing is so absurd. I really want to play this game to its full potential and run my OWN island that isn't my brothers island who is now crying becauseTHIS GAME HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL TO ENTERTAIN FAMILIES BUY IT FAILS DRAMATICALLY. Trying to wrap my head around how Nintendo thinks they will make more money from people buying completely new switches for each sibling to just play Animal Crossing is so absurd. I really want to play this game to its full potential and run my OWN island that isn't my brothers island who is now crying because he wants me off his island. I CANT BELIEVE SUCH A BEUTIFUL AND SWEET GAME CAN CAUSE SO MUCH CHAOS. wow Nintendo ya did it again.… Expand
  52. Keminari
    May 2, 2020
    0
    I got this game with my slightly smaller sister, we split the costs, and I decided that for once, I would be nice and let her try this game out first, fully expecting that we both could have our own islands. Turns out I was wrong. I spent 30 dollars of my own money for an experience that I will never have that my sister will, all because I was trying to be nice. This is a huge problem, andI got this game with my slightly smaller sister, we split the costs, and I decided that for once, I would be nice and let her try this game out first, fully expecting that we both could have our own islands. Turns out I was wrong. I spent 30 dollars of my own money for an experience that I will never have that my sister will, all because I was trying to be nice. This is a huge problem, and like many other negative reviews, I feel like the game is limiting me to a side character and nothing else. I still don't get why even on a system with a profile system Nintendo would still put in the one island per console thing.… Expand
  53. crazycasti
    May 3, 2020
    0
    For those who say "I don't understand review bombing" well try playing as "villager B" and come back
  54. Lemmeadem
    May 3, 2020
    0
    One island per console is a pathetic limitation and I will endeavour never to purchase anything associated with the game, its developers or its brand (Nintendo, too, shall be relegated to the dung heap of history as it was for me for decades before the Switch gave compelling reason for me to consider them before this blatant compulsion to buy a second console for one games' ease of use).
  55. Devonsays
    May 3, 2020
    0
    The Switch is marketed toward family gaming. Great. Then comes Animal Crossing the game which can only be enjoyed by one family member in the house because you’ve decided to depart from the convention of allowing separate game saves. Was it a hired dunce that just didn’t consider the obvious drawback this is? Or were the moneymen fat-eyed with greed so much so that somehow they thought itThe Switch is marketed toward family gaming. Great. Then comes Animal Crossing the game which can only be enjoyed by one family member in the house because you’ve decided to depart from the convention of allowing separate game saves. Was it a hired dunce that just didn’t consider the obvious drawback this is? Or were the moneymen fat-eyed with greed so much so that somehow they thought it swell to entice families to go fully absurd and buy a whole new switch device for one freaking game? I have no issue leaping to a zero until this is fixed. What a ridiculous move that warrants just as ridiculous a response.… Expand
  56. passivemenis
    May 3, 2020
    0
    The bottle neck that is one island representative per Nintendo switch is by far the worst game mechanic imposed on players. If you have a single household switch and your spouse/partner/child get a hold of the game, create the island first, and talk to Tom and his son first, good luck progressing with the game. The first player who starts anything in the game is now the representative andThe bottle neck that is one island representative per Nintendo switch is by far the worst game mechanic imposed on players. If you have a single household switch and your spouse/partner/child get a hold of the game, create the island first, and talk to Tom and his son first, good luck progressing with the game. The first player who starts anything in the game is now the representative and if they quit a week later then you have to restart your entire island and progress to appoint a new representative. That could be hours upon hours of progress which you have to restart because of a broken mechanic. What’s the point of a representative to begin with? Every save file should have their own island and Nintendo should allow people to progress at their own rates. Terrible game mechanic. If you own a switch with multiple people who play on it, avoid this game. It will create family feuds and will be a waste of your hard earned dollars if you’re going to share the game.… Expand
  57. marith99
    May 3, 2020
    0
    At first, I was ecstatic to finally be able to play this game. I was having a lot of fun playing the game, but then I found out that you could only have one island per console. I live with my sisters and we all share the switch. Once I found out, I didn't want to play anymore and regretted buying it. This is just a ridiculous restriction. Literally Ultimate Smash Bros, you can haveAt first, I was ecstatic to finally be able to play this game. I was having a lot of fun playing the game, but then I found out that you could only have one island per console. I live with my sisters and we all share the switch. Once I found out, I didn't want to play anymore and regretted buying it. This is just a ridiculous restriction. Literally Ultimate Smash Bros, you can have different save files. I know that only having one island per console is normal for Animal Crossing games, but for Nintendo to basically tell its consumers to buy another console for another island is stupid. Especially since the Switch goes for about $300 each right now. Jokes on me that I bought Animal Crossing, but I won't be a consumer of Nintendo anymore unless they fix this mess of a game.… Expand
  58. Catamaknae
    May 4, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Horrible servicio, como es posible que solo una cuenta pueda progresar y la segunda esté tan limitada. No es justo que todos no tengan las mismas oportunidades… Expand
  59. Linkvi_17
    May 8, 2020
    2
    Three words: secondary players sucks. And it is not normal that for the fact of including the multiplayer, the second, third and on going players have to stuck in doing nothing instead of having their own islands and fully enjoying the game. The only good thing is the originality of including the crafting system
  60. HolyMoly8
    Jun 5, 2020
    0
    I bought this game for myself and my girlfriend. I thought it would be okay for both of us to play it, but that was not the case. The fact that each Switch console can only have 1 island in total, ruins the whole game if more than 1 person wants to play. I was looking forward to playing it, but as I want my girlfriend to have a good time with it, I am unable to play at all because of theI bought this game for myself and my girlfriend. I thought it would be okay for both of us to play it, but that was not the case. The fact that each Switch console can only have 1 island in total, ruins the whole game if more than 1 person wants to play. I was looking forward to playing it, but as I want my girlfriend to have a good time with it, I am unable to play at all because of the huge restrictions put on anyone who is not the island representative. And when playing co-op together, all you can do is run around, equip tools and use them, and pick up items, which don't even go to your inventory, because you don't have an inventory. If you can play it alone, it's a great game, but as it stands, I can't play a game that I payed for. It's an absolute joke.… Expand
  61. obzhora69
    Jun 4, 2020
    2
    Lost my progress because nintendos stupid policy of not supporting cloud save
  62. Chabracadabraaa
    Jun 4, 2020
    0
    1 island per Switch, really Nintendo?! I bought the game and it's great but I can't play it because my girlfriend don't want me to mess up her island... So what now, I am supposed to buy an other Switch? Good one!
  63. ervyll_d
    Jun 6, 2020
    0
    I've bought nintendo switch only to play animal crossing with my wife, but because of that ridiculous limitation that only one person is island maintainer and it cannot been changed, I am unable to progress with storyline on my account. Good advice: if you want to play in animal crossing with other person simply DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!
  64. Goosefrag
    Jun 6, 2020
    0
    Lovely game... And I am a huge Nintendo fan, but I can't get over the fact that my partner and I can't have our own islands and our own individual games. I wouldn't even be that opposed to buying another copy of the game, but we'd need an entirely new switch console! We didn't know this, so my partner has now just been put on my island with no real way to progress with his own story andLovely game... And I am a huge Nintendo fan, but I can't get over the fact that my partner and I can't have our own islands and our own individual games. I wouldn't even be that opposed to buying another copy of the game, but we'd need an entirely new switch console! We didn't know this, so my partner has now just been put on my island with no real way to progress with his own story and nowhere near the same immersive experience I had. I am so disappointed in Nintendo. I never normally bother rating games but this just feels like a massive, massive oversight.… Expand
  65. Immadaf
    Jun 6, 2020
    0
    This one island stuff is not acceptable for a game in 2020. We wan't to play the full expierence. Fix this.
  66. Bedris
    Jun 6, 2020
    0
    This game deserves less than a zero, because if you share the game with another person, such as a sibling, one player will have all content locked behind a $200 paywall, because of the idiotic one island per console. I was excited to be able to experience this game, but my hopes were quickly crushed by this.
  67. jaskin444
    Jun 7, 2020
    0
    This game is a huge letdown. The camera is atrocious constantly blocking your line of sight preventing you from seeing what you want to do. The tool durability is retarded in a game where you spend most of your time using them. This game had potential but managed to piss it all away.
  68. LobsterBM
    Jun 8, 2020
    0
    Unable to actually play the game I payed for because SO opened it first? How is this ridiculous cash grab allowed ? I am not gonna buy another switch to play a game just to have my own island.
    Do not buy if multiple people use the same console.
  69. Jonkokanon
    Jun 8, 2020
    0
    The fact that you can only have one island on a system is straight up garbage. I live with siblings and I am not too keen about sharing a island.
  70. abaddon27
    Jun 9, 2020
    0
    Brother started playing first, there is nothing to do when i start playing as second player. lets make a game about community but make anyone but the first player a second class citizen. extremely limit the amount of resources, and lock story progress to the first person. But its about the community right? Also no recipes for anyone else who wants to play but first player. It's almost asBrother started playing first, there is nothing to do when i start playing as second player. lets make a game about community but make anyone but the first player a second class citizen. extremely limit the amount of resources, and lock story progress to the first person. But its about the community right? Also no recipes for anyone else who wants to play but first player. It's almost as if they want you to buy another 300$ console and 60$ game.....almost like it worked for there sales.......… Expand
  71. Zeusbot48
    Jul 3, 2020
    0
    Only one island per switch? Terrible design decision. What possible reason could they have for having this arbitrary restriction besides forcing people to buy more switches if they want their own island.
    Seems fairly on brand for Nintendo though.
  72. Patacorow
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    The main game is great, a classic Animal Crossing experience with tons of new features and a great setting. It really is a lovely game.

    However, problems begin to surface when you want to play with another person. I purchased this game to make the corona quarantine easier for me and my gf, but as soon as her character arrived at the island (I arrived first), we found out she was nothing    The main game is great, a classic Animal Crossing experience with tons of new features and a great setting. It really is a lovely game.

    However, problems begin to surface when you want to play with another person. I purchased this game to make the corona quarantine easier for me and my gf, but as soon as her character arrived at the island (I arrived first), we found out she was nothing more than a 'secondary' citizen.

    She couldn't get new DIY recipes, participate in new projects, put things in the museum or even help with existing projects. Her progress was limited by mine, and since I don't play as much as her, she basically got a watered down version of the game.

    This is obviously a conscious design decision on Nintendo's part to encourage players to purchase more Switch consoles, since you cannot have more than one island on the same one. This creates a TERRIBLE experience for anyone who is not the first player - I can only imagine how much this would suck for a whole house of people who want to play together.

    This is similar in vein to how the online features are locked only to players with an online subscription. If they are not present - other local players can't play online, so the only way to work around this is to create the online subscriber's character in local multiplayer using another controller, and then just have them stand around, allowing other players to use online features. Again, a stupid, GREEDY design decision by Nintendo.    … Expand
  73. The_Argo
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    No spoilers here, have hardly played the game for one reason. You can only have one island per Switch so if someone else starts the game first it is their island and you can only do so much. Made me stop playing after an hour.
  74. Inmysights
    Mar 27, 2020
    0
    I bought animal crossing new horizons as a present for my wife but as a lot of people can understand it was also a present for myself. She had the first go at it and later when I sat down and switched to my account I find out that I cannot have my own island? I need to live on my wifes island? This is a crazy descision by nintendo and has ruined the game for me and countless others. ThereI bought animal crossing new horizons as a present for my wife but as a lot of people can understand it was also a present for myself. She had the first go at it and later when I sat down and switched to my account I find out that I cannot have my own island? I need to live on my wifes island? This is a crazy descision by nintendo and has ruined the game for me and countless others. There is no reason not to allow each user to have their own island except greed. Trying to force people to get a second switch. Shame on you nintendo… Expand
  75. nsmnavid
    Mar 29, 2020
    2
    I was very excited for this game, in fact it was the first game that I got for Switch to play with my girlfriend or by myself. However my girlfriend started playing the game first and then I joined. Initially I thought, well it is ok that we can only have one island, I can at least contribute to it, but I was wrong. The single player game is non existent for the second player on theI was very excited for this game, in fact it was the first game that I got for Switch to play with my girlfriend or by myself. However my girlfriend started playing the game first and then I joined. Initially I thought, well it is ok that we can only have one island, I can at least contribute to it, but I was wrong. The single player game is non existent for the second player on the island. Then I thought, ok at least co-op should be good. But no co-op game is also pretty bad experience. So I gave it 2 because it is a good game for my girlfriend, but for me as the second player is waste of $60 .… Expand
  76. KillUEz
    Apr 6, 2020
    0
    To the people who call the backlash an unjustified review bombing you probably are playing single player and have no issues. To rank a game on just a part of it and expect everyone else to ignore the giant issue and give the game an A+ is stupid. Also there were complaints about single island before the game even came out and they never bothered fixing it. The only way they are going toTo the people who call the backlash an unjustified review bombing you probably are playing single player and have no issues. To rank a game on just a part of it and expect everyone else to ignore the giant issue and give the game an A+ is stupid. Also there were complaints about single island before the game even came out and they never bothered fixing it. The only way they are going to fix it is by people vocally saying "It's a problem and making the game unenjoyable to many".

    I wouldn't mind buying a 2nd copy of the game but needing a 2nd switch at the cheapest 260$ per switch plus the games 80$ each for a whopping total of 680$(CAD) for two people to enjoy their own island is absurd. There is no point in buying a 2nd console just for Animal crossing alone. Nintendo is turning into Bethesda/Blizzard. Wouldn't be surprised if mtx and lootboxes or other "surprise mechanics" on the way.

    When you have a game that you own and can't even get yourself motivated to play it despite loving the genre and 100s of hours in past entries simply because you have two players and one console you truly deserve a 0.    … Expand
  77. SammyHauguth
    May 8, 2020
    1
    Turnip price is always less then what I paid for turnips... It's 66 today, and I paid 99...

    How am I gonna make bells? When there is no way in doing so?
  78. bryanmanio
    Apr 30, 2020
    0
    I would return this, but I cant. I let my girlfriend play for a few hours, only to realize I couldn’t make my own island after the fact. I want her to play it, but I bought it to enjoy myself. I guess I just can’t play it now, fun.
  79. VvNeo2000vV
    Apr 4, 2020
    0
    Same as what everyone else is saying! 1 console 1 island, ridiculous. What a transparent attempt at Nintendo trying to sucker people into buying more switch consoles. Probably because the switch lite bombed so badly they are trying to get people to buy them. It’s ridiculous that at least make each paid online service account make their own island. One per $300 dollar console is justSame as what everyone else is saying! 1 console 1 island, ridiculous. What a transparent attempt at Nintendo trying to sucker people into buying more switch consoles. Probably because the switch lite bombed so badly they are trying to get people to buy them. It’s ridiculous that at least make each paid online service account make their own island. One per $300 dollar console is just unforgivable. Me and my 2 daughter want to make our own islands, but no that will cost us an additional $720 dollars is Nintendo out of their f’n minds? Whoever designed this game should be fired.… Expand
  80. Grimzer
    Mar 26, 2020
    4
    After hearing that you can only have one island per console, as well as the co-op experience being completely neutered, I won't be picking up the game unless it ever gets fixed.
  81. Giel88
    Apr 7, 2020
    0
    Bought this game for my girlfriend and me so we could both play on our household Switch. Well, apparently the second player can't do jack ****. What a disappointment.
  82. AllUltima
    Apr 11, 2020
    0
    My girlfriend started before me on my switch so now I basically can't play it.

    The limitations put on all other players are unreasonable; don't expect to have ANY fun as any player but the main player. The second player to join an island cannot so much as craft a flimsy axe or craft a watering can. You pretty much can't play if you aren't the player that created the island. 1 island per    My girlfriend started before me on my switch so now I basically can't play it.

    The limitations put on all other players are unreasonable; don't expect to have ANY fun as any player but the main player. The second player to join an island cannot so much as craft a flimsy axe or craft a watering can. You pretty much can't play if you aren't the player that created the island. 1 island per switch is the most insane limitation nintendo has ever published.    … Expand
  83. Extrevious
    Apr 4, 2020
    1
    Nintendo has made an interesting marketing decision for a supposed family company and directly put families in the ditch with how they’ve decided to manage the saves in the game. They have decided that there can only be one island per SWITCH not per account which confuses me as a player since every other switch title (Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Breath of the Wild, Stardew Valley, Super SmashNintendo has made an interesting marketing decision for a supposed family company and directly put families in the ditch with how they’ve decided to manage the saves in the game. They have decided that there can only be one island per SWITCH not per account which confuses me as a player since every other switch title (Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Breath of the Wild, Stardew Valley, Super Smash Bros Ult. and Mario Kart) all extremely popular titles and games that have brought the switch up to level with PlayStation and Xbox and they all have SEPERATE saves. I genuinely don’t understand a player focused decision other than they want to make as much money as possible off of players. Please Nintendo, fix this for the people who love the game but also want to play it with their family members and even friends because I don’t want myself or them to be forced to delete their save so that another person can experience the full game.… Expand
  84. xasllanx
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    Como segundo jogador, quando entro na ilha o jogo simplesmente não vai a lugar algum. Todos os eventos do jogo para expandir a experiência só podem ser feitas pelo primeiro jogador na ilha. Dropei do jogo em 2 dias pois é completamente impraticável. Para minha esposa certamente seria uma experiência melhor se ela não tivesses ficado tão desapontada com esse problema com nossa pequena olhaComo segundo jogador, quando entro na ilha o jogo simplesmente não vai a lugar algum. Todos os eventos do jogo para expandir a experiência só podem ser feitas pelo primeiro jogador na ilha. Dropei do jogo em 2 dias pois é completamente impraticável. Para minha esposa certamente seria uma experiência melhor se ela não tivesses ficado tão desapontada com esse problema com nossa pequena olha compartilhada que também abandonou completamente o jogo. Se fosse para ser um sistema assim tão ruim, podia ao menos ter a opção de ilhas separadas.
    Péssima experiência    … Expand
  85. kayanh21
    Mar 29, 2020
    1
    One island per console? What were they thinking! My wife and I wasted $65 on a game that only one of us can enjoy completely. What an absolute ripoff.
  86. brownieman182
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    So bad. So boring. You do absolutely nothing. Bought this for my 6 year old, he was the second user, could do very little as all limited to main user. Tried to remove me, but had to delete ALL saved data (for both) in order to do that.
  87. nodar
    Jun 20, 2020
    0
    The first player gets a very nice experience, it could be a good game, but Nintendo had to try to force people to buy personal switches so they severly limited the non-first players gameplay. As "resident representative" you get to enjoy the whole game but the other (in theory) 7 players get a very limited experience.

    If they at least remove these limitations it can still be saved. Or    The first player gets a very nice experience, it could be a good game, but Nintendo had to try to force people to buy personal switches so they severly limited the non-first players gameplay. As "resident representative" you get to enjoy the whole game but the other (in theory) 7 players get a very limited experience.

    If they at least remove these limitations it can still be saved. Or even better, don't limit it to one island per console!    … Expand
  88. huggysocks
    Mar 27, 2020
    1
    This may be a family friendly game but it is not a family game. Only one person can play this game at a time. You can not start a second island in a family game. Gameplay is good but I would only recomend this game if you are buying it for one kid and dont plan to play yourself.This one decision ruined a otherwise fine game.
  89. dark0153
    Apr 5, 2020
    0
    Crashes and game breaking bugs (blocked invited villager houses)
    Local play disconnects frequently
    Amiibos are not supported Shared save file with all users on console (breaking the multi user OS sandbox) Full of exploits and cheats (item dupe, time warp) Real time based with limited time window in-game events (12 pm real time = 12 pm in game) Can't play and fully enjoy all content unless    Crashes and game breaking bugs (blocked invited villager houses)
    Local play disconnects frequently
    Amiibos are not supported
    Shared save file with all users on console (breaking the multi user OS sandbox)
    Full of exploits and cheats (item dupe, time warp)
    Real time based with limited time window in-game events (12 pm real time = 12 pm in game)
    Can't play and fully enjoy all content unless you change your real life schedule    … Expand
  90. Unreal011
    Jul 8, 2020
    0
    why why why only 1 island for 60$ that unacceptable cant share the game with others
  91. Kronos_God
    Mar 27, 2020
    0
    Ну что за дичь? Полная параша, в которую невозможно играть.
  92. EIIsworth
    May 6, 2020
    0
    Not going to give it a good rating unless they undo these anti-consumer things.
    - 1 island per console
    - no cloud saving possible

    Why even getting Nintendo Online Subscription?
  93. Dreamare
    May 25, 2020
    0
    When i "attempted" to play this game i was player 2... and all i gotta say is, what... the... literal... **** Why is there only 1 island per Nintendo Switch? Why does player 2 only exist to exist and nothing more? Why am i practically forced to suck the dick of someone i don't wanna play with when i just wanted to play ALONE? And why the hell did Animal Crossing on Gamecube have a betterWhen i "attempted" to play this game i was player 2... and all i gotta say is, what... the... literal... **** Why is there only 1 island per Nintendo Switch? Why does player 2 only exist to exist and nothing more? Why am i practically forced to suck the dick of someone i don't wanna play with when i just wanted to play ALONE? And why the hell did Animal Crossing on Gamecube have a better island system than the newest game on the Nintendo Switch? I would say something positive but i haven't been able to play the ****ing game, so uh... i can't.… Expand
  94. GenkiYokota
    Jan 27, 2022
    0
    Boring game with empty activities and heavy and boring progression.
    Plus it doesn't allow you to create more than one island per console, which is a dirty tactic to force you to buy another one.
  95. Vexxen
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    If you want another save File you have to purchase a 300$ switch again? If Sony or Microsoft did this they would be finished. Animal Crossing is not a 10/10 but it is a 0 when there are no save files for a game that had 5 years of development wow
  96. Kaiser1871
    Apr 1, 2020
    3
    I honestly fell left behind when playing this game. It feels like I am an NPC in this game. So here is the jist, I bought the game the day after it came out, I more or less bought it on impulse. I let the game download, and my brother got his mitts on it and began the game. I just got on, and learned that I have to share the island with him. Now this alone, I can get past, what bugs me isI honestly fell left behind when playing this game. It feels like I am an NPC in this game. So here is the jist, I bought the game the day after it came out, I more or less bought it on impulse. I let the game download, and my brother got his mitts on it and began the game. I just got on, and learned that I have to share the island with him. Now this alone, I can get past, what bugs me is that IM LIMITED ON WHAT I CAN DO. What I can do is 100% reliant on my brother's work, it is VERY poor game design. It is GREEDY to make your customers buy ANOTHER SWITCH. You can't even cloud save... This game is fun though. Like I normally don't play games like this, but from my limited amount of things I can do, I enjoyed it. Usually I love Nintendo and their products, but this is the first time I have felt cheated by them. I'm sure this game deserves a higher score, alas, I haven't played Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I've played Animal Crossing: New Horizons - The Demo.… Expand
  97. CrossGuy
    May 1, 2020
    0
    It is unacceptable that nintendo made it so second player literally gets almost no game. Second player will not even have 1% of the privileges first player has. The worst thing is that nintendo will not do anything about it because they did it on purpose, to sell more consoles. I once again day, **** you nintendo for ruining the experience.
  98. Zedsnack
    Apr 6, 2020
    0
    I had been looking forward to this game for a long time, but unfortunately I share my switch console with another AC player. So now I have to share an island and when I log on there aren't even sticks left to complete the DIY workshop. On top of that if I want my own island I can't even blow money on a second copy of the game; I would have to buy an entire new console. What a joke.
  99. nafechinde
    Apr 1, 2020
    1
    i didnt like it, so having abdominal cramps as so much money wasted.
    so im warning others to not get simped
  100. ElNepesillo
    Jul 9, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pinche juego culero, la verdad es una pérdida de tiempo. Mejor ahorren su dinero y compran Skins en Brawhalla.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Switch Game of 2020
1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 111 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 111
  3. Negative: 0 out of 111
  1. Universo Nintendo
    Dec 19, 2020
    95
    Animal Crossing New Horizons is basically perfect. Full of wholesome content that helped us cope with the COVID-19 pandemics, the game keeps the heart of its predecessors while innovating enough to make it unique. It may not have won Game of the Year but it'll be the game we all remember from 2020, for sure.
    Read full review
  2. The Digital Fix
    Jun 22, 2020
    80
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a stunning new instalment in the Animal Crossing franchise, hindered only by its lack of immediate content, quality of life issues and missing returning characters and features While future updates will give the game long-term playability, for those already sipping vacation juice on their five-star islands, island life feels pretty mundane right now.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    May 12, 2020
    95
    It’s full of detail, pretty small things, and surprisingly well working simulations and systems – everything polished in such a way that the player really does care about everything that’s going on. [06/2020, p.40]
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