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. Onlyforyeeting
    Mar 27, 2020
    0
    Very disappointing was excited to have my own island but had share and 2 player mode is awful why isn’t spilt screen the fact we can’t make more islands is worst than EA f*ck you Nintendo. I feel very lost doing things I’m new player and there is no real sense of direction and it took me 20 to figure out how to fish
  2. SuperMaxxii
    Mar 27, 2020
    0
    DO NOT BUY ANIMAL CROSSING
    Especially if you have more than 1 person that wants to play on the same switch.
    Each switch is allowed 1 save file.
    Not each profile.
    Each individual Switch unit.
    So if you have a partner, or kids that are excited to start their own island and play, get ready to disappoint.
    What a gigantic waste of money
  3. Ulisesg
    Mar 27, 2020
    3
    I don't understand why is it one island per console. Also implement better activities for Co op even if you have 2 consoles there's not that much to do.
  4. cosmiagrl81
    Mar 27, 2020
    2
    Incredibly pissed - I just wasted my money and now Nintendo is gonna have to hear me **** about it. This game only enables ONE save file per switch. I bought this game for my brother, sister, and I and now only one of us can experience the full gameplay since the founder is the sole person to make decisions that impact the island. I have countless switch games that enable multiple saveIncredibly pissed - I just wasted my money and now Nintendo is gonna have to hear me **** about it. This game only enables ONE save file per switch. I bought this game for my brother, sister, and I and now only one of us can experience the full gameplay since the founder is the sole person to make decisions that impact the island. I have countless switch games that enable multiple save files and are the same price if not cheaper. This is incredibly overpriced and poorly designed. Although this game does deserve many of its raving reviews, if you share a switch with other people it is a waste of money. Looks like I just bought my sister a sixty dollar game. Great. I hope you repent for your sins Nintendo and stop shoving money up your buttocks.… Expand
  5. ViiDough
    Mar 27, 2020
    2
    I really enjoy animal crossing, this game is great, if you are the first player to play the game on the console, I see no reason why they would make it so that every user on the console has to share an island and that only the first user to play it can enjoy the full experience of the game. It ruins the game for me as I let my brother play the game first, I play the game more and I amI really enjoy animal crossing, this game is great, if you are the first player to play the game on the console, I see no reason why they would make it so that every user on the console has to share an island and that only the first user to play it can enjoy the full experience of the game. It ruins the game for me as I let my brother play the game first, I play the game more and I am unable to do everything he is able to do. this is what happened to me, I was going to pay half for animal crossing and my brother was supposed to pay for the other half, but we played the game for a while and found out that the second player is extremely limited to what they can do compared to whoever played the game on the console first- not just when you're playing together, but when you're playing alone, just because you weren't the first to play the game on the console- it's a huge letdown. I really like the game, but I can barely do anything, even when I'm playing alone just because I wasn't the first to play the game on the console, and It's like that on purpose, so I doubt they'll fix it. I'll have to buy a whole new console and copy of the game just to get the full experience, while my brother gets to play it normally.
    I'd rather not even play it at all.    … Expand
  6. Giangi
    Mar 27, 2020
    9
    Firstly, I would like to say that this game absolutely worth the wait. It is clear that the development team put in a lot of effort and care into each detail, interaction and activity, and is what makes this game so charming to look at and play. Secondly, whilst I understand that Nintendo are being a bit greedy with money, these review bombs are utter rubbish as they complain aboutFirstly, I would like to say that this game absolutely worth the wait. It is clear that the development team put in a lot of effort and care into each detail, interaction and activity, and is what makes this game so charming to look at and play. Secondly, whilst I understand that Nintendo are being a bit greedy with money, these review bombs are utter rubbish as they complain about something that has been a part of Animal Crossing from day one: the fact that one copy of the game comes with one town or island in this case. They even addressed this in the direct. People enjoy complaining to gain attention it seems. And lastly, this game may have its faults and short comings (as no game is perfect), but it has a good sense of longevity. It's a game you can play for years to come.

    My score: 9.8/10    … Expand
  7. StunnerPony
    Mar 27, 2020
    4
    Well, my brother and I just found out that he can't create his own island on Animal Crossing or actually do much of anything since he's considered to be Player 2 and needs me to do everything before he can :T

    This sucks and just feels like Nintendo trying to force us to buy not only a second copy of the game, but also a SECOND Switch since there can only be one save file per Switch.
  8. JustinASec
    Mar 28, 2020
    4
    The game is amazing, but the fact that I have to get another switch so my girlfriend can play her own island is insane and is kinda EA levels of greedy. If only I could save my island to the cloud, or even my SD card, she could play, but that's all disabled for reasons.
  9. Mik540
    Mar 29, 2020
    2
    I saw all the great reviews for this game so bought it for my wife and me to enjoy. I really enjoyed getting into this game but it all fell apart when my wife logged in to have a go. She tells me we have to share an island which I thought must be wrong! It's a modern 21st century game so multiple ave files are surely standard. Nope.is meant that I couldn't collect resources she hadI saw all the great reviews for this game so bought it for my wife and me to enjoy. I really enjoyed getting into this game but it all fell apart when my wife logged in to have a go. She tells me we have to share an island which I thought must be wrong! It's a modern 21st century game so multiple ave files are surely standard. Nope.is meant that I couldn't collect resources she had collected to progress my game.
    I completed a mission on my next go and she then couldn't enjoy the mission in her own time. This now feels like chore to enjoy the game.
    As such I have deleted my data so she can enjoy the game at her own pace. Unfortunately I can't return this game for a refund, which would be my ideal solution, as it was a digital download.
    Fingers crossed for a patch to fix this poor decision    … Expand
  10. Tyler797
    Mar 29, 2020
    0
    1. No transferring islands and characters to another Switch.
    2. Co-op is a joke and not fun.
    3. No option to have multiple islands per Switch. 4. Only the first account to move into the island will have the full experience. While the rest of people that move into the island can’t do anything to contribute to the progress the island. And will have to wait for the lead islander to do    1. No transferring islands and characters to another Switch.
    2. Co-op is a joke and not fun.
    3. No option to have multiple islands per Switch.
    4. Only the first account to move into the island will have the full experience. While the rest of people that move into the island can’t do anything to contribute to the progress the island. And will have to wait for the lead islander to do everything.
    5. What’s with the removal of the gyroids?

    I got this game to share and build a island together with my girlfriend, but I can’t without buying a second Switch. This game is great fun (alone), but these greedy intentional practices need to stop.    … Expand
  11. robsterlobster
    May 16, 2020
    0
    I played this game for a while and loved it, i probably put in 20 hours but I was struggling to advance the plot. I put in so much effort paying off debt and gathering resources and going to new islands to invite people to come live on my island and still nothing. Later I discovered I was missing a ton of recipes that the main player of the console also had. WELL! that was 20 hours wastedI played this game for a while and loved it, i probably put in 20 hours but I was struggling to advance the plot. I put in so much effort paying off debt and gathering resources and going to new islands to invite people to come live on my island and still nothing. Later I discovered I was missing a ton of recipes that the main player of the console also had. WELL! that was 20 hours wasted because apparently the second player on this game has no responsibility, can't advance the plot, is missing tons of craft recipes and is generally seen as a much less important player. I'm done with this stupid game and I can't believe I spent $60 on it. pisssseddddd

    Edit: I deleted the game, started over as the main guy, played for a while...even at its best this game is boring and shallow. The characters are all cookie cutters and one dimensional, the items that you find and craft have very limited to no functionality, the game play is designed to be as tedious as possible. Still pissed I spent $60 on this game. Stardew Valley is 1/4 the price and 200 times better, thus it is 800 times better. Get Stardew instead.    … Expand
  12. daddyro
    Apr 1, 2020
    2
    I am saddened by this game. I was incredibly excited to play, and seeing that there would be couch co-op I was even more excited since I could share the experience with my Fiance! BUT, I was disappointed. There is a one island per console rule and player one has all the control. All materials are shared between players so if you chop up all the wood, hit all the rocks, and dig up anythingI am saddened by this game. I was incredibly excited to play, and seeing that there would be couch co-op I was even more excited since I could share the experience with my Fiance! BUT, I was disappointed. There is a one island per console rule and player one has all the control. All materials are shared between players so if you chop up all the wood, hit all the rocks, and dig up anything from the ground... there will be nothing left for player two. Your best bet is to try and save up miles and visit a mystery island... which is annoying as hell. Player two can't help build homes and you can't trade bugs/fish between players either. This all has been very frustrating since my Fiance hasn't had much fun playing alongside me. The game itself has some odd mechanics too. Fishing and digging are hard as hell. There is no indicator that you are facing the right direction so most of the time you end up missing your target. Crafting items is a **** and a half. If you want to craft multiple items, you have to click to craft, watch the animation, then click back in to craft again. Repeat until you build as many items as you want. Super time consuming and annoying. All tools will break eventually, and I wish there was a durability indicator so you are aware when it will break. I do enjoy this game while playing alone, but it's a real bummer that we can't have our own separate islands and have equal participation. If that gets fixed and the other minor things change, I'll be happy with the game, but for now, I am disappointed.… Expand
  13. juicyadam
    Apr 1, 2020
    0
    I was so excited for this but limiting the game to one island per switch has ruined this experience for me.
  14. cbartondock
    Apr 4, 2020
    0
    A master class in corporate greed - this isn't a game so much as the visual manifestation of a spreadsheet. You can't have multiple islands per console, hence there can only be one player who gets to do the "story missions" from Nook. Your online account is linked to the animal crossing user rather than to the switch user, so you can't have someone visit your island unless you are playingA master class in corporate greed - this isn't a game so much as the visual manifestation of a spreadsheet. You can't have multiple islands per console, hence there can only be one player who gets to do the "story missions" from Nook. Your online account is linked to the animal crossing user rather than to the switch user, so you can't have someone visit your island unless you are playing as the person who has an online account or unless you pay for multiple online accounts. Truly jaw droppingly anti consumer. Do yourself a favor and skip this wretch.… Expand
  15. LighteningA
    Apr 4, 2020
    0
    If you have kids you have to purchase another switch as you can only have one island making your 2nd on the game loosingnout in progressing and is more or less obsolete
  16. SmittyBit
    Apr 5, 2020
    2
    The game seems like it could be fun, but the ONE ISLAND PER CONSOLE limit is a deal breaker. Social islands are a neat idea, but shouldn't be shoved down the throat of gamers. This is my first time ever playing an Animal Crossing game, and im stuck as a resident on someone else's island with no control? No thank you.
    Nintendo seems to be saying "You don't want to experience this neat    The game seems like it could be fun, but the ONE ISLAND PER CONSOLE limit is a deal breaker. Social islands are a neat idea, but shouldn't be shoved down the throat of gamers. This is my first time ever playing an Animal Crossing game, and im stuck as a resident on someone else's island with no control? No thank you.
    Nintendo seems to be saying "You don't want to experience this neat feature we came up with? Well WE think you really have to. This game is not for you."    … Expand
  17. MartinJoren
    Apr 9, 2020
    0
    First: my bad score is based on the fact that only ONE island can be used per console.

    My gameplay review is a lot better. I've only played it for a few days so still exploring but WOW, there are so many options to discover. I found myself playing every time for just 'one little bit more' and a few hours have passed. I really like the casual looks and simple gameplay. I haven't got a    First: my bad score is based on the fact that only ONE island can be used per console.

    My gameplay review is a lot better. I've only played it for a few days so still exploring but WOW, there are so many options to discover. I found myself playing every time for just 'one little bit more' and a few hours have passed. I really like the casual looks and simple gameplay. I haven't got a Nintendo Online membership but so far I don't really miss it. Maybe I will get one later on because of the nice options to visit other people's islands to get more exotic species of fruit etc.
    My review would be a lot better if Nintendo would allow to have my other family members have their own island in stead of 'plundering' mine.

    If you play alone definetely buy one, if you have a famliy i would really reconsider unless you like to make really strict rules regarding playing on one island....    … Expand
  18. hardwAy11
    Apr 21, 2020
    0
    Only one island per system alowed. Being the second player sucks. I don't want to be forced to buy another console.
  19. Hazmatbrigade
    Mar 29, 2020
    9
    The game is beautiful, and arguably thus far the most relaxing title in the series thus far. Most negative user reviews are complaining about something that has been true since the days of the Gamecube release (though technically, the GC game was limited by needing another physical memory card, not another console). The game allows for only 1 town/village/island per console. ThisThe game is beautiful, and arguably thus far the most relaxing title in the series thus far. Most negative user reviews are complaining about something that has been true since the days of the Gamecube release (though technically, the GC game was limited by needing another physical memory card, not another console). The game allows for only 1 town/village/island per console. This facilitates sharing an island with your family, but removes the ability for each person to be in charge of their own island. This *can* be a deal breaker for some people.… Expand
  20. DrCogent
    Mar 27, 2020
    0
    This games save features and coop features are broken and make the game useless for more than one person to play it. It’s an abomination. Do Not Buy.
  21. Oerwinde
    Apr 2, 2020
    3
    Can't progress in the game because my wife started playing first and all game progress is tied to whoever plays first. Holy crap dumb game design. Hopefully will get patched with a fix as soon as possible.
  22. RegTom
    May 3, 2020
    0
    The one island per console thing should be a warning on the purchase screen. What an asinine way to limit the use of a switch to one person.
  23. AngryTrey
    May 2, 2020
    0
    I took the game back and returned it the moment I saw you aren't allowed to make multiple islands. The decision wasn't even greedy since pretty much no one is going to buy a new switch for that. It's just plain stupid and ruins fun for so many people.
  24. bulletchan
    Mar 28, 2020
    9
    Nintendo never hid the fact it was one island per Switch. Please cry more. The true fans are too busy enjoying themselves to give a damn.
  25. super_spongeman
    Apr 1, 2020
    0
    Bought to play with my girlfriend, never gotta happen i guess - one island per console.
  26. Nathan53
    Apr 27, 2020
    10
    Review bombing a game doing well is not cool and I hope metacritic staff do something about this.
  27. zyzolol
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    IGN's Review:

    *Animal Crossing is a SOCIAL Simulation Video Game.*
    *Multiplayer: "THERE'S NOT MUCH TO DO, Than get in each others way."*
    *IGN Verdict: 9 ... WHAT THE ACTUALLY **** SOMEONE SHOULD BE FIRED FROM HIS JOB.*¨

    NEVER TRUST CRITIQUES - THEY ALL LIE - FIRST WARCRAFT 3 REFORGED, NOW THIS ****
  28. RagnarX213
    Apr 17, 2020
    3
    Absolutely MEH

    Like most Switch owners, I was very excited for this release. I felt like this would be a great game to enjoy with the wife and our 8 year old daughter. The game looks very cute and the characters are adorable. The graphics are easily the biggest +. The concept itself is great but the execution is just terrible. This game was released before it was finished. Its as    Absolutely MEH

    Like most Switch owners, I was very excited for this release. I felt like this would be a great game to enjoy with the wife and our 8 year old daughter. The game looks very cute and the characters are adorable. The graphics are easily the biggest +. The concept itself is great but the execution is just terrible. This game was released before it was finished. Its as simple as that. This is not a complete game. There isn't really any campaign which is just preposterous. It would have been so easy to send your character on a variety of cute quests to help the islands residents, but no... Everything about this game, aside from the graphics need to be refined. It feels like no one tested this game before it was released. There is a long list of issues that should have been fixed prior to release. No option to craft multiple items (unbelievable). Not enough resources to craft things (even if youre prepared to grind). Terrible controls for building (its a crafting game but you feel very limited in what you can do and where you can place things). Not enough quests. Seriously just preposterous. Even the mobile version of this game has better quests. All you do is keep paying off enormous loans to build up your house, its just an endless grind that isn't very creative or innovative. This game is the definition of half-baked. I wont even get into the fact that its only one island per console. In my opinion Dragon Quest Builders II is a much better game if you want to play a crafting type game. There are just so many things about this game that aggravate me when its being touted as a game that is enjoyable and relaxing. I guess I will give it a 3 because of the beautiful graphics, otherwise I would be hard pressed to pay $20 for this half baked rubbish    … Expand
  29. Mnkyofthefamly
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    I'm confused as to why there is such an outrage over the fact that there is only one Island per switch. There has always only ever been one town per cartridge. This complaint is EXTREMELY nonsensical and review bombing the game isn't going to help.
  30. Yes_it_is
    May 1, 2020
    0
    Can't play because the single user limit. I guess it would be a good game if there is only one person in your household that wants to play.
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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 »