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. Thecookiegamer
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    already my 2020 goty, played it for about 35 hours now and i love it!!!!!!!
  2. AimlessImp05
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This new AC game is far beyond anything I or anyone could have hoped for. It is still AC and for those who played New Leaf you will find many similar aspects suck as the first person being the community rep like being the mayor in new leaf.

    For those who read the negative views about one island per switch seem forget that you only got one town per save, 3ds, or gamecart like the    This new AC game is far beyond anything I or anyone could have hoped for. It is still AC and for those who played New Leaf you will find many similar aspects suck as the first person being the community rep like being the mayor in new leaf.

    For those who read the negative views about one island per switch seem forget that you only got one town per save, 3ds, or gamecart like the previous games. If you had a digital download of new leaf you only got one town per 3ds. You get one island per switch because that's where the save data is saved to. Like a ps4 or xbox you don't save data to the disk you save to the system.
    The local play could be reworked to be better but if you are done being a helper you can change leaders allowing the new leader to do everything they couldn't before. And with anything new in a series it will still need more work before it is perfected.
    The only complaint i really have would be tool durability but a tool breaking is a minor inconvenience as being stung by wasps when you shake a tree and there is plenty stuff around to make new tools its not even a problem.

    I honestly find my self just opening the game and listening to it so i can sleep. There is far more goals and things you can do now. And one of the best features we have always needed is the bug and fish critterpedia tells you if something has been donated so you don't need to scour your museum to see what your missing from what you caught. This game is beyond peaceful and is the next step towards wasting months of my time like new leaf and those before it.    … Expand
  3. ZoeSh
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    Enjoying this game so much so far. Really feels like a great, undated version of the original DS game. I don't really understand why everyone is complaining about the multiplayer. It's been fine for me so far.
  4. MutantDJ123
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Excellent. Visually adorable. Music is fantastic. So many things to do plus cute characters. Child friendly with really cool gameplay. Love it.
  5. Fenris86
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    When you need a break from life and you want to chill with some animal friends, gather fruits, explore, build and feel like you have a great vacation on your own island - Just play Animal Crossing!
  6. raneylane
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    As a long time animal crossing fan, this game is a dream. It was more than worth the wait. Heck, I would've waited even longer.
  7. TheShade_
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This is the best animal crossing game! So addicting! There is so many things to do!
  8. Kitsunuki
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    It's an amazing daily time waster I enjoy. It could be improved sure, maybe next iteration, but as of now the formulae works and I am fine with this version. Also if they were to make it open world or have an infinite amount of towns, your town wouldn't mean anything or be special. It wouldn't be Animal Crossing.
  9. StacyFire
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    I've been playing the game nonstop everyday, I love it! This game came out at the perfect time seeing as how everyone is locked in their homes
  10. meganpachira
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Definitely the best Animal Crossing game, my fave switch game too probably. The games have always been made for sharing and it was common knowledge before release that it was one island per console. People be butthurt
  11. LukasGibson
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    I think everyone on here bashing it and giving it’s a 0 because Nintendo locked it to one island per console is an a s s h o l e. So I’m rating it 10/10 to offset all of the negative reviews. Enjoy buying 2 switches!
  12. SabooKazoo
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Amazingly fun, never gets old, never run out of things to do. Graphics are extremely well done. The creativity and options are awesome. Absolutely fantastic game!!
  13. WiedezTz
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    It's a really good game, I loved this game, I want to play more. This is a game that you can do what you like, the villagers has personality and you can like that one and not like this one. Is a simple game, but very especial
  14. Randompersons
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Amazing, frankly, one of the best games I have ever played. Emphasis on "I". This series isn't for everyone (which you can clearly tell by the 0 reviews from action junkies), but once you get into it, it's one of the most fun experiences out there. Just set your expectations right, and have fun.
  15. SSWAGNER
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    I decided to tune in and let everyone reading know that Animal crossing New Horizons is a wonderful game in the Animal crossing series. The sales and positive reviews speak for itself, but there is a lot that could be improved. I would of liked to see more streamlined menus, sometimes when selling and navigating menus it can be a bit slow, an option to speed things up would of been nice,I decided to tune in and let everyone reading know that Animal crossing New Horizons is a wonderful game in the Animal crossing series. The sales and positive reviews speak for itself, but there is a lot that could be improved. I would of liked to see more streamlined menus, sometimes when selling and navigating menus it can be a bit slow, an option to speed things up would of been nice, and with the multiplayer, I think the way we invite other players to our town could of been more streamlined and have less loading screens.

    One big complaint people have is with the way Nintendo decided to handle multiple users playing. You can only have 1 island, and the first person to launch the game is basically the one in charge, the 2nd player has a slightly limited experience, for instance, you have to wait for the 1st player to trigger certain events such as building Tom nooks store, or deciding on where to place a bridge, and until they do that, your island will be kind of locked in a state where you don't have access to those things until player 1 unlocks them. On one hand it is a bad decision, given how there are better ways this could of been managed, but on the other hand this is Nintendo, and their vision, and this is how all animal crossing games have been more or less. However I think they should of went the extra step with multiple residents living together and I hope that they can improve things even more in the coming patches or next release.

    While this game is amazing and has things that can be improved, I think a lot of the review bombing is from people that have a serious case of "You didn't make the game I wanted you to make and now i'm upset". Life goes on people, you don't like something, speak up, but review bombing a game in this manner is just silly.

    9/10    … Expand
  16. pers0n
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    A beautiful game. This game is full of relaxing music and actions. It hits home where other games in the series shine. It add new and interesting game play that makes your island yours. Now you will e seeing reviews annoyed Bout the how you can only have 1 island per console. This personally doesn't bother me and I play with 4 other people. It's fun to play bulld our island together. PlusA beautiful game. This game is full of relaxing music and actions. It hits home where other games in the series shine. It add new and interesting game play that makes your island yours. Now you will e seeing reviews annoyed Bout the how you can only have 1 island per console. This personally doesn't bother me and I play with 4 other people. It's fun to play bulld our island together. Plus it's true to past animal crossing games… Expand
  17. MiniGod
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Amazing game. It's a shame that people are giving such a harsh review for one aspect of the game. An aspect that doesn't affect game play at all. To say it's a great game, but then giving it a 1 or a 0 out of 10, is childish. Animal Crossing New Horizons is everything I have expected it to be and more. It is an easy 10 out of 10 for me and I hope that people still but it and don't letAmazing game. It's a shame that people are giving such a harsh review for one aspect of the game. An aspect that doesn't affect game play at all. To say it's a great game, but then giving it a 1 or a 0 out of 10, is childish. Animal Crossing New Horizons is everything I have expected it to be and more. It is an easy 10 out of 10 for me and I hope that people still but it and don't let these ridiculous reviews sway them in any way.… Expand
  18. Gabotinus316
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    Yeah I got addicted to this it's really great! It could have a better multiplayer, but that's about it.
  19. bumblebutts
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This is a wonderful game that doesn’t deserve these petty 0 review scores. You have a problem? Contact Nintendo. This game gives me something to look forward to every day while I’m stuck in quarantine, much like the rest of the world. I love playing multiplayer with my online friends and collecting all the fossils, bugs, and fish for the absolutely gorgeous museum. The new interior designThis is a wonderful game that doesn’t deserve these petty 0 review scores. You have a problem? Contact Nintendo. This game gives me something to look forward to every day while I’m stuck in quarantine, much like the rest of the world. I love playing multiplayer with my online friends and collecting all the fossils, bugs, and fish for the absolutely gorgeous museum. The new interior design mechanics are a lifesaver and I love this game so much. Please give it a try, and don’t listen to those petty 0 reviews akin to a whiny five year old child not getting what they want.… Expand
  20. EthSchDI
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    The game is a wonderful, peaceful, and adorable masterpiece that is probably the best of all previous animal crossing games. Although I was initially distressed at the shared island for multiple users, now that I'm used to it it's actually a fun little feature. Overall amazing and relaxing, definitely worth it!
  21. Charlieboy808
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    The game is fantastic. Just as it always has been. Giving us a clean slate with absolutely nothing on the island gives us a new challenge like we've never had before. To those people who are review bombing the game, take your extremely weak minded comments some where else. You are ruining a good game with your nonsense. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. Throwing a zero at a gameThe game is fantastic. Just as it always has been. Giving us a clean slate with absolutely nothing on the island gives us a new challenge like we've never had before. To those people who are review bombing the game, take your extremely weak minded comments some where else. You are ruining a good game with your nonsense. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. Throwing a zero at a game because of one single thing. Shame on you.… Expand
  22. SenpaiJake
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    Animal Crossing has been a series beloved by many, and for good reason. It is a feel-good, calm and open-ended game that allows the user to live a second day-to-day life among the animals of the world. Animal Crossing: New Horizons stays true to that formula - in some cases - while also breathing a much needed plume of fresh air into the series.

    New Horizons drops the player into a    Animal Crossing has been a series beloved by many, and for good reason. It is a feel-good, calm and open-ended game that allows the user to live a second day-to-day life among the animals of the world. Animal Crossing: New Horizons stays true to that formula - in some cases - while also breathing a much needed plume of fresh air into the series.

    New Horizons drops the player into a deserted island setting with two other random villagers. You are here by order of Tom Nook and his apprentices Timmy & Tommy, who have set a vacation package for you. You start off the game in a cycle of material grinding and crafting, almost as if you just started a new Minecraft world. The newest functionality in the series to date here is the crafting and use of raw materials. You will build tools (a lot), harvest raw materials from rocks and trees, and continue crafting each day to make new furniture, fulfill any requests Tom Nook lays out for you, and to even build some homes.

    While there are no true end-goals or end game, Animal Crossing has never been about that. The game does give a player a general direction, in which you and Nook will build the island into a bustling little community, where you have complete control on housing location, bridges, inclines, and even the terrain! The creativity mixed with the endless amount of items there seems to be leaves for many to dump hours daily into a series you would typically only play for an hour or so every so often. This in addition to the Nook Miles, a set of finite and smaller infinite goals, allows for an addictive and repetitive game play experience. House decorating has received a major overhaul with the new drag and drop editor (a godsend!). The developer definitely focused a lot on small details too, with the gorgeous graphics depicting realistic rain, wind rustling the trees and weeds, detailed bugs and fish, and even the ability to eat fruit for a reason!

    While New Horizons expands in many ways, there are some choices that have left the game feeling a little bit lonely, and others confused. Things such as Gyroids and the Cafe, or other staples of the series are completely missing. The Happy Home Academy no longer has a cool online showcase of player homes, and has gone back to simply sending you random gifts each week. A lot of the Nintendo-themed game items seemed to have disappeared, and the ones available have become extremely harder to obtain and there are few of them. One of the saddest changes to me so far seems to be with your villagers. There are so many to possibly have move in, but unlike older games where villager interaction was a major part of what you do, it feels very stripped down in New Horizons. Villagers, more often than not, repeat the same dialogues each day, and usually don't have much to say in general. It's rare to get one caught on a tangent, or ask you random questions, or request your help finding an item. In New Leaf you could even play games like Hide and Seek with them, but in New Horizons it seems they'd rather stay home or stretch in the town plaza and say a couple blips to you and that's it.

    Lastly, multiplayer and the handling of saves naturally come into the discussion. A lot of people have shared concern over the fact one system has one island, and while it might be shocking to new players, this isn't the only Animal Crossing to function this way. One system usually holds one world for multiple players to play on. While they have locked progression to the first user; a bad call in many ways, the overall state of it is typical here but I can see why it would obstruct the fun for many families or couples who only have one switch. General multiplayer, especially online and local wireless, is basic and for that its fun. You can set best friends, and you can all visit each other's islands to talk to locals, hang out, and acquire materials. No qualms there.

    Lastly, we have to look at the save backups. There currently exist no way to do so, but they have stated they're working on a system to cater to those that need it.

    New Horizons is an amazingly fun and addictive title with beautiful graphics, cheery and calming music, and endless creative possibilities. While it's a great AC game, many series fans will be bummed about the loss of many series mainstays and might find it lacking for that matter, but it has become widely accessible for that reason, and I can safely say it is a wonderful game and I can't recommend it enough for its gameplay and aesthetic alone.    … Expand
  23. Mintypaws
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    It’s really cute and fun. It makes me smile and if you want some fun to pass the time pick it up
    People are review bombing it because they don’t like one island per switch.
    But that doesn’t affect me and is a perfect game for me.
    If your lonely and want some friends pick up this game
  24. magnussh
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This game is just awesome! Everything about the game is so polished, cute and well-made! I just know this is a game I will be spending the majority of my quarantine time on as well as many more hours after! My favorite game on switch and the best game in the Animal Crossing series so far!
  25. 4Plants
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Finally an animal Crossing where we can put our leave down outside of our house and it can actually be the object. Even though animal crossing in the past was played for years in our house--including my elderly mother who played happily played 'A New Leaf' from the day it came out until now; Our hopes finally came true with New Horizons. I like that when we go into our house we can turnFinally an animal Crossing where we can put our leave down outside of our house and it can actually be the object. Even though animal crossing in the past was played for years in our house--including my elderly mother who played happily played 'A New Leaf' from the day it came out until now; Our hopes finally came true with New Horizons. I like that when we go into our house we can turn the toggle switch so we have a 360° view of each room. I wish we could do that on the outside of the house as well. … Expand
  26. missjessicadawn
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    I have played Animal Crossing since the very first game was released. New Horizons is what we've all been waiting for. It is absolutely PERFECT. I didn't sleep for two days because I couldn't stop playing this game. I HIGHLY recommend this game for everyone of all ages. :-)
  27. SirPirawin
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    Not the greatest game on the switch, but definitely a great game nonetheless.

    This game retains the relaxed and addictive atmosphere the series is known for while also offering many quality of life improvements, such as choosing where other villagers live and the ability to place furniture outside. Many people are having issue that multiple users on the same switch can only play on    Not the greatest game on the switch, but definitely a great game nonetheless.

    This game retains the relaxed and addictive atmosphere the series is known for while also offering many quality of life improvements, such as choosing where other villagers live and the ability to place furniture outside.

    Many people are having issue that multiple users on the same switch can only play on the same island, however this has been a staple of the series since the beginning. Don't believe the review bombers, this game is worth your money. Being able to play on the same island can be a fun experience. You and your other islanders can work together to make a little piece of paradise. It is true that only the first character made can go though the starting tutorial, but this is honestly a great choice as it can be slow and put many people new to the series off.    … Expand
  28. Nibbles123
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    I have been a massive fan of the Animal Crossing franchise for a while. Love the whole updated feel the game gets on the Switch, so many little details left out of earlier games look soo much better on this console. Having fun with friends trying to get all the different fruits so I can grow my little fruit empire, and a great way to pass the time while stuck indoors.

    The crafting can    I have been a massive fan of the Animal Crossing franchise for a while. Love the whole updated feel the game gets on the Switch, so many little details left out of earlier games look soo much better on this console. Having fun with friends trying to get all the different fruits so I can grow my little fruit empire, and a great way to pass the time while stuck indoors.

    The crafting can be a little grinding at times, but when you have nothing else planned for the day, then I shall chop wood and hit stones to my heart's content.    … Expand
  29. Jeffward9
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Great game! So much fun and so much to do. They really stream lined a lot of stuff to make it quicker and easier which I really appreciate.
  30. Emmettmonty
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This game tweaks so many tiny irritable game parts of the series past that adds to a game you can play all day.
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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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