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. Mchand9818
    Mar 27, 2020
    2
    One island per console pretty much ruins it. At the very least there should be an option to allow players on the same console to have equal power when it comes to decision making within the island.
  2. mediamajors
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Is it just me or is anyone else getting tired of Nintendo's game restrictions??
    I bought this game for my girlfriend with every intention of creating and sharing a island together but she arrived at the island first and now I feel like my island experience has been watered down. I'm unable to have my own save file and I'm unable to progress the game in any meaningful way. I'm basically a    Is it just me or is anyone else getting tired of Nintendo's game restrictions??
    I bought this game for my girlfriend with every intention of creating and sharing a island together but she arrived at the island first and now I feel like my island experience has been watered down. I'm unable to have my own save file and I'm unable to progress the game in any meaningful way. I'm basically a worker bee. Thanks for creating a wonderful innocent game and then drowning it with monetary restrictions Nintendo. I suppose you expect me to go buy another switch... Oh wait you can't find them because Nintendo doesn't understand what is expected of them    … Expand
  3. cheekynandoseu
    Mar 28, 2020
    0
    Sorely disappointed with the choice to make it one island only per console. Not only this, but to give essentially all of the power to the first user? It's a completely greed-ridden business tactic if you ask me. What I cannot justify is that this decision was made for a game released on a home console, one promoted and marketed to be played and shared with your family and friends. I'veSorely disappointed with the choice to make it one island only per console. Not only this, but to give essentially all of the power to the first user? It's a completely greed-ridden business tactic if you ask me. What I cannot justify is that this decision was made for a game released on a home console, one promoted and marketed to be played and shared with your family and friends. I've never played an animal crossing game in my life, I was so looking forward to it seeing as I had purchased the special edition console for my partner, and I was met with nothing but dissappointment, as all I can essentially do is place decorations and steal resources. As a first time Nintendo buyer, this experience has left a bad taste in my mouth already.… Expand
  4. barfnarf
    Apr 9, 2020
    0
    Thia game has caused nothing but grief in my house because of the 1 island per switch rule
  5. DutyStalker
    Apr 20, 2020
    2
    Ok so I actually created my MC account just to review this game. I read it had been review bombed on here so bought it anyway despite all the bad reviews, after owning for a week I can actually believe there would be that many negative reviews it is really disappointing. Me and my daughter hammered Stardew valley for hours/days on end she has been so excited for this to replace it. The gfxOk so I actually created my MC account just to review this game. I read it had been review bombed on here so bought it anyway despite all the bad reviews, after owning for a week I can actually believe there would be that many negative reviews it is really disappointing. Me and my daughter hammered Stardew valley for hours/days on end she has been so excited for this to replace it. The gfx are better and as a single player game she says its ok, but the multi player game they really dropped the ball so you can only have one island per console. At first I didn't think this was too much an issue we could both play on that island although I would have liked to have a separate island under my user account I can progress and send my character to hers it's not possible. One progressing player PER CONSOLE. Basically if you are the person playing with the island owner everything you do is pointless, items you pick up go straight in the island recycle bin. So you can switch leader but this is just covering up the fact this is equally pointless as what's the point nothing you do matters you may be able to access your nook phone as leader but then the other person's stuff just goes straight in the recycle bin instead. It's sad as my daughter is 8 she loves us playing games together she wants me to play this but it's just mind numbingly boring for the second player. The second player can pick items up they go straight in the town recycling bin so unless you want to run all way back there the leader may as well pick everything up as you are never more than a few steps away from each other as you as sharing the same screen, I basically spent hours just following her around like a dog on a lead, and every time I pick my damn bone up it vanishes into the village bin and only my owner can pick it out, following her doing absolutely nothing you can't even explore as you get teleported right next to them when you reach the edge of the screen. I can tell she's disappointed when I say you just play on your own but Jesus there is only so many hours you can spend pointlessly walking around after someone with no purpose what so ever and if you do get involved and pick some items up you have to walk all way back the town centre to pick them up and even then only the leader can access them so I pick them up we walk all way to town Square then she picks them out she even said I may as well pick them up in first place because then we don't have to run back and forth. I think to call this a multiplayer game at all is a disgrace. I'm not a review bomber just a very disappointed dad. We bought it for multiplay and we are playing Stardew valley again a week later that cost us £10 years ago. I tried to keep the review serious but multiplayer is a joke so we had 5min fun her making me out silly outfits on, apart from that I honestly have had more fun playing with the old paperclip Microsoft office assistant. Everything switch seems to be a cash cow theese days, Nintendo asking £59 for mario kart 8 deluxe still which is just a rehash of mario kart 8 that came out 7 or so years ago on their last gen console and super Mario Bros u "Deluxe", some crook in Nintendo saying yes let's take our old game bang deluxe on the end and re release it still for top money on the new console. I will not be buying another Nintendo game system. It's only getting 2 stars as a single player game it's alright but only one player can play single player unless you buy another switch and another game as all the other user accounts have to use the same island only the island owner can progress on. Just glad my other child is 2 and doesn't understand as I would be livid at the thought of having to buy another switch and game so he could play single player as well what a damn disgrace I am utterly disgusted with this money grabbing joke of a game. Bottom line want a fun game to play with your kids get Stardew valley or Minecraft might be old but just as good and the price is spot on value for what you get. This game replaces nothing, better yet get a Windows 95 pc and have a conversation with the office assistant. PATHETIC... PATHETIC!!!!… Expand
  6. gun661
    Apr 20, 2020
    4
    "#1 Best Switch Game of 2020". Catch 10.000 fish in a minigame that requires 2 A-button presses, catch 10.000 bugs in a minigame that requires 1 A-button press, chop 10.000 wood, mine 10.000 ore, dig for 10.000 fossils, and pop 10.000 balloons/lootboxes for rare pieces of furniture. Click through the same repeating speech bubbles when interacting with your NPC villagers. Later in Animal"#1 Best Switch Game of 2020". Catch 10.000 fish in a minigame that requires 2 A-button presses, catch 10.000 bugs in a minigame that requires 1 A-button press, chop 10.000 wood, mine 10.000 ore, dig for 10.000 fossils, and pop 10.000 balloons/lootboxes for rare pieces of furniture. Click through the same repeating speech bubbles when interacting with your NPC villagers. Later in Animal Crossing: New Horizons you can also edit the layout of your 3D-level, piece by piece. One of the "best games of 2020" is a cumbersome 3D-level-editor in which you have to do busy work to gather randomly appearing 3D models of furniture, dress up your character, and outfit an empty museum which probably no one but yourself will visit. This whole "game" is like outfitting an empty museum which will never be visited by many interested visitors. That's about it, that is the extent of interaction this game provides - for the "multiplayer" part see almost every other review. The only feature that made me play this game 5 minutes a day for several days is the "skinner box", i.e. the variable rewards, i.e. the chance that maybe a rare piece of furniture appears in one of the balloons/lootboxes or in one of the ingame stores. But after you've placed your rare piece of furniture and after you've equipped your new fancy hat, there's just nothing much to do but grinding and looking at good looking 3D items.… Expand
  7. gabriot
    Apr 8, 2020
    2
    If this game were made by ANY OTHER company than Nintendo they would have never gotten the free pass by critics this milquetoast sub mediocre uninspired trashbag of a game received.

    It's one of the worst games I've played on the Switch. Where to even begin. For starters, the completely F-U Nintendo gave to fans of people that have multiple family members that play on their Switch is    If this game were made by ANY OTHER company than Nintendo they would have never gotten the free pass by critics this milquetoast sub mediocre uninspired trashbag of a game received.

    It's one of the worst games I've played on the Switch. Where to even begin.

    For starters, the completely F-U Nintendo gave to fans of people that have multiple family members that play on their Switch is just beyond excusable. If you aren't the main player account of the switch you a.) Cannot create a different island b.) Can't visit anyone online without linking and paying for a completely brand new online account and c.) Can't actually advance the game AT ALL and have to wait for the main account player to actually progress the game for everyone else. This is some ActiBlizzard level BS I wouldn't expect from Nintendo, scary sign for things that may be to come.

    But even if all that were fixed it's still just such a bad game. There's NOTHING to do here! Seriously what is there to do? The crafting system is the most rudimentary I've ever seen in a game, the graphics suck, the dialogue - oh my GOD the dialogue is mind numbingly frustrating. 90% of it is meaningless, but it just goes on and ON and ON AND ON!! You just sit there pressing the "a" button over and over again rolling your eyes that you have to sit through yet another endless bit of dialogue that goes in circles and circles, repeating the same thing he's saying over and over and OVER AGAIN. For instance in a recent update there is a bunny that lets you know there are eggs to be found for a limited amount of time until Easter (or "Egg Day" as their PC overlords commanded them to call it). That's all he says in essence, but it takes 20 freaking pages of dialogue going in circles over and over again that you have to sit through for him to say it.

    And on that note every single npc in this game just has literally nothing to say, like EVER. No personality, no actual tasks to be done, no real interactions, NOTHING! It's just such a bad game. How anyone can enjoy this is beyond me. Avoid it like the plague.    … Expand
  8. Chucko
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    This delightful game is helping me cope with lockdown. Having not played since City Folk, it's just what I needed in a new AC console game.
  9. Iznax
    Mar 23, 2020
    9
    Nintendo is on a constant high note with the Switch.
    Another best in the series for one more amazing IP.

    If you were on the fence about getting in to Animal Crossing there is no better time to start, and if you are a fan this is a must!
  10. hukt_own_fonikz
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Best Animal Crossing to date. Crazy attention to detail, lots of freedom, the neighbors have more personality, even the Nooks have turned away from their life of crime and are pleasant to chat with this time around. Lots of sequenced events which feels fresh for the series, and there are lots of tasks to accomplish. If you want the game badly enough that you need your own personal island,Best Animal Crossing to date. Crazy attention to detail, lots of freedom, the neighbors have more personality, even the Nooks have turned away from their life of crime and are pleasant to chat with this time around. Lots of sequenced events which feels fresh for the series, and there are lots of tasks to accomplish. If you want the game badly enough that you need your own personal island, you're much better off owning your own Switch and copy of the game. Otherwise enjoy the enhanced Party Play mode where you both get to experience the game together. Animal Crossing is a social game at heart.… Expand
  11. robyAp
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    The best game in the entire franchise. Refine and expand what your past installment did.
  12. DestinyLord1134
    Apr 8, 2020
    0
    This game is completely ruined by the fact you need to have 2 concoles and 2 games to play in the same household, especially when the price for entry is currently over 500 dollars for the console and game because of price gouging.
  13. vceolin
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    awesome game, incredibly fun. Makes me want to go to sleep irl earlier just to see what new things I will have on my island in the next day
  14. Jaimeastur
    Mar 23, 2020
    9
    Es un juego muy bien hecho, te sacará de tu rutina, a mi me encanta jugarlo con mi hija de 4 años, podemos jugar los dos a la vez y se lo pasa de maravilla
  15. RyanElliott
    Mar 21, 2020
    9
    This game is pretty good, it's good to see animal crossing back at it's feet (after that one garbage game on the wii u) the games charming, funny sometimes. and just everything animal crossing.
  16. darxiv
    Apr 3, 2020
    4
    I have had to rewrite my review. I expected more content for player 2 after the first week and upgrading buildings. Sadly this game is only meant for 1 player. If you are not the citizen representative then you are playing a very shallow game. Everything you can do is nothing compared to the first person on the island.

    Very frustrating experience since there are some great improvements    I have had to rewrite my review. I expected more content for player 2 after the first week and upgrading buildings. Sadly this game is only meant for 1 player. If you are not the citizen representative then you are playing a very shallow game. Everything you can do is nothing compared to the first person on the island.

    Very frustrating experience since there are some great improvements to other parts of the game.    … Expand
  17. IRhodes
    Mar 23, 2020
    9
    Great game and so relaxing. If you liked the previous ones in the series you'll this. Many new features and enhanced but still charming graphics. Must buy switch and switch kite game
  18. Olivierdotwmv
    Mar 24, 2020
    0
    Extremely anti consumer game. Nintendo is only getting away with this because their fans accept anything from them
  19. FlyingPiloswine
    Mar 24, 2020
    9
    I am a single player that does not have to share an island, and who sees online interactions as a small quirk instead of a needed feature. This game is amazing for me.

    However, I am 100% in support of the anger and frustration my fellow users who have to share an island are experiencing. If I had to share with a sibling or my wife, I would be extremely angry. It just isn't fair that you    I am a single player that does not have to share an island, and who sees online interactions as a small quirk instead of a needed feature. This game is amazing for me.

    However, I am 100% in support of the anger and frustration my fellow users who have to share an island are experiencing. If I had to share with a sibling or my wife, I would be extremely angry. It just isn't fair that you don't get your own save file and agency. We all can't afford multiple game consoles for the sole purpose of having a unique save file. That is downright preposterous, and I am certain it was some big wig exec who decided that.    … Expand
  20. Poochingus
    Mar 26, 2020
    5
    It is hard to give this game a lukewarm score, but that is what ended up happening with this game.

    From a gameplay standpoint, it is very surely animal crossing. It includes most of the features from past games, some which were lost including some bugs and fish. This is all nice. It is as expected. The good: -better graphics with dynamic lighting based on weather -customization of    It is hard to give this game a lukewarm score, but that is what ended up happening with this game.

    From a gameplay standpoint, it is very surely animal crossing. It includes most of the features from past games, some which were lost including some bugs and fish. This is all nice. It is as expected.

    The good:
    -better graphics with dynamic lighting based on weather
    -customization of your Island allows for making the exact town you want
    -putting furniture outside for the first time
    -nook miles gives daily and long term motivation to do many varied things in the game and allow for faster progress and reduce boredom
    -You now progress more than just your house and the store, which gives a better sense of growth
    -museum is way more pretty
    -custom items are an amazing addition, custom hats, shirts, pants, skirts, face art(think adding facial hair) , and even ground tiles can be added.

    The Bad:
    -Made multiplayer very poorly
    -multiple people in the same town cannot help add to growing the town, and can get soft locked by recipes that aren't given to them
    -Island tied to your console, not the game save on the cart or even your nintendo account/profile
    -you cannot transfer you Island(save data) to another console
    -Nintendo refuses to provide cloud saves for no good reason(claiming to prevent cheating and manipulation, even though time travel is still possible and used heavily).
    -Not enough new content. The game needed a new villager type or two. Needed way more new bugs, fish and fossils to keep me trawling the waters and carefully treading between trees. At that, different tree types would have been nice too.
    -crafting only 1 item at a time. It gets tedious and annoying to craft tons of items in a sitting. No idea why I can't craft 20 fish bait at once instead of one at a time, watching the animations over and over. That isn't gameplay, that isn't fun, that isn't relaxing.
    -Would have liked to see other static town NPCs make a return, especially bather's kin with the observatory and the cafe. The police dogs are also sorely missed.

    This had the chance to be the quintessential animal crossing, but it failed on all fronts and just became another iteration, a fun one, but nothing special. It isn't a Smash Ultimate, but if you want a relaxing game or just a return to the series, it is adequate. Just don't expect to enjoy any multiplayer, this is a very single player game, and be sure you have the switch console you want to have forever, don't settle for a console you don't want, because upgrading either means a new console, or losing ALL your game progress.    … Expand
  21. DJTwinz
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Animal Crossing is a charming game that is a fantastic upgrade from previous entries in the series. The game is visually gorgeous and adds so many details and things to discover for players. In the game the player has many options to make the island THEIR OWN through the freedoms of placing anything outside to terraforming it to your liking. I’ve already put in almost 40 hours in and hopeAnimal Crossing is a charming game that is a fantastic upgrade from previous entries in the series. The game is visually gorgeous and adds so many details and things to discover for players. In the game the player has many options to make the island THEIR OWN through the freedoms of placing anything outside to terraforming it to your liking. I’ve already put in almost 40 hours in and hope I can keep playing for a long time. While being limited to one island may seem terrible to many seeking their own islands on the same Switch Animal Crossing is meant to be a social expierence with friends and family members. Animal Crossing is also a large game for the Switch and as the switch stores user data on the console I’d imagine multiple islands would take a large amount of space without an SD card. I’ve enjoyed playing with my family and will continue loving this game that has so much passion and detail put into it and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to relax or have fun.… Expand
  22. Hoenn
    Mar 27, 2020
    1
    I will only fix my score once Nintendo:

    Allows us to move the Resident Services building, get rid of the campsite, craft in bulk, and have additional islands on the same console.

    Otherwise I'd give the game an 8.
  23. TheRealHighKing
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    It's a great visit back to the series. I guess I'm not too blasted away by the one island per switch because my wife and I have had our own for various other reasons and games long before this, and it's not like it was a secret before the game launched.
  24. Cephey
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    I hate HATERS, i set 0 to all heaters! There is no anymore point in user score when just some dump haters set 0, and that mean NOTHING.
  25. SuperKrampus
    Mar 27, 2020
    10
    Best game that I have EVER played! So much thought and care went into turning this into a genuinely immersive experience. Personally, the 1 island per switch problem didn’t affect me as I have my own personal switch and my brother who also plays has HIS own. The characters are way more lifelike than in Animal Crossing New Leaf and I feel like my island is truly mine. You can placeBest game that I have EVER played! So much thought and care went into turning this into a genuinely immersive experience. Personally, the 1 island per switch problem didn’t affect me as I have my own personal switch and my brother who also plays has HIS own. The characters are way more lifelike than in Animal Crossing New Leaf and I feel like my island is truly mine. You can place furniture inside OR outside as well as building shops, bridges, ramps and even a giant robot! With the shops you can find carefully designed furniture and clothing! Most of the furniture you buy can even be customized into multiple styles, truly making it feel like yours! You can also craft your own furniture such as chairs, tables and beds! It makes it feel like you have a part in your island life. With the clothing store you can buy hats, shirts, pants and more! Unfortunately this game has been review BOMBED by people who in the end won’t make change! This is the best Switch game and I highly recommend. This game is a 10/10, not 5.7.… Expand
  26. KoiFish
    Mar 24, 2020
    8
    It’s a good game, well designed, good art direction, lots to create. It’s not a game for everybody, but if you’re even a little creative you’ll enjoy it and it’ll be relaxing fun. However the game does drop a point for me due to the forced sharing of an island on the same console. It has always been part of the franchise, but it was largely due to technological limitations in my opinion.It’s a good game, well designed, good art direction, lots to create. It’s not a game for everybody, but if you’re even a little creative you’ll enjoy it and it’ll be relaxing fun. However the game does drop a point for me due to the forced sharing of an island on the same console. It has always been part of the franchise, but it was largely due to technological limitations in my opinion. But sharing an island isn’t horrible in fact it can lead to a much more interesting experience. If we ever get the option to have separate islands my score will go up to a nine. Long and short of it is: if you think you’d like it, you will. If you’re interested give it a try… Expand
  27. Aapo
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Absolute Joy! It is just so fun and relaxing! And i hate you people who are bombing The reviews down cause u dont get your two islands per console **** you
  28. AB6785
    Mar 21, 2020
    10
    I honestly think that this is one of the best games I’ve ever played. There is so much attention to detail with this. I hope that they continue to update everything as time goes on to add even more content.

    My only issues with the game so far are: - It’s slow to start so do everything you can and then skip your clock forward until you have the full museum and the store. - The cut scenes    I honestly think that this is one of the best games I’ve ever played. There is so much attention to detail with this. I hope that they continue to update everything as time goes on to add even more content.

    My only issues with the game so far are:
    - It’s slow to start so do everything you can and then skip your clock forward until you have the full museum and the store.
    - The cut scenes when people join and leave your island are annoying after a while and are far too long.
    - The island tours need to provide more of a benefit because if you have enough friends, you likely will have all of the fruit anyway.    … Expand
  29. alpharin
    Mar 22, 2020
    8
    why one island? and why not a speaker doesn't make any things? but i love timmy's paws!! and the game is very addictive
  30. Meave
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Love Love LOVE this new addition to the Animal Crossing saga. So many things to do and it is SO MUCH FUN!
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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]
See all critic reviews »