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. chazzout
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    Can't even meaningfully play as player 2 on one console, total bs that breaks the game.
  2. Templecom
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    The first player creates an island, names it, and plays.
    The second player plays on the island of the first player, he does not have his own island.
    Problems between my two daughters.
    I hope Nintendo rectifies this design error.
  3. wanderi
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    You can only have one island per SWITCH. All accounts on one switch must share one island, and so the first player is the only one getting the full experience. This has to be fixed. Many people can't afford to purchase a new switch for everyone who wants to play. I guess Nintendo has just decided to be greedy.
  4. Diegocosta12
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    Only one island per switch..... seriusly nintendo??? We need a update soon....
  5. 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
  6. Fyle
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    Incredible to see that you can't have more than one island. I bought this for my wife, my daughter and me. My wife began to play first, as you know, my daughter and me are unable to create our own island. Incredible to see this, Nintendo advertised their switch as a family friendly console. Seeing as this move goes in the COMPLETE opposite direction, it is just unforgivable. I wouldIncredible to see that you can't have more than one island. I bought this for my wife, my daughter and me. My wife began to play first, as you know, my daughter and me are unable to create our own island. Incredible to see this, Nintendo advertised their switch as a family friendly console. Seeing as this move goes in the COMPLETE opposite direction, it is just unforgivable. I would understand this for a specific solo game, but we're taking about animal crossing... Since my daughter really wanted to play the game throughfully, my wife had to just forget about the game and leave it to her. She played nearly every animal crossing games until now.… Expand
  7. lcb3
    Apr 3, 2020
    7
    Overall, I think this is a decent title and I would have rated it higher except for the problems with multiple accounts playing on a single switch. The primary user (my wife in my case) can get certain objectives but I can help by gathering the resources she needs to complete them quickly. Other that that, I haven't run into any real negatives in playing (although I find the new "Bunny"Overall, I think this is a decent title and I would have rated it higher except for the problems with multiple accounts playing on a single switch. The primary user (my wife in my case) can get certain objectives but I can help by gathering the resources she needs to complete them quickly. Other that that, I haven't run into any real negatives in playing (although I find the new "Bunny" stuff rather annoying). Overall I've had fun playing together as well as individually.… Expand
  8. ThorTheEpic
    Apr 3, 2020
    3
    If you're player 1, this is a fun continuation of the Animal Crossing series. It keeps a lot of core mechanics such as fishing, weeding, bug catching, etc., and adds an interesting crafting mechanic. You get to build up your island with amenities and help new animal neighbors move in. However, if you're not the first player (island representative), your gameplay will be limited. You can'tIf you're player 1, this is a fun continuation of the Animal Crossing series. It keeps a lot of core mechanics such as fishing, weeding, bug catching, etc., and adds an interesting crafting mechanic. You get to build up your island with amenities and help new animal neighbors move in. However, if you're not the first player (island representative), your gameplay will be limited. You can't help with moving in new villagers or getting shops up and running. You're arbitrarily restricted from parts of the game. You don't get access to crafting recipes or tools you need until player one passes certain milestones. Some recipes are only ever given to player one. And there's no way to have access to the whole game as player two. You have to buy a whole new console (yes, console, not game.) If you're the only person who uses your Switch or nobody else will ever want to play Animal Crossing on it, it's an excellent game. But expect any secondary players to be locked out of some of the game and disappointed.… Expand
  9. sevenseven
    Apr 3, 2020
    9
    Would be 10/10, but they don't let you have multiple islands. If you buy another game on a separate profile you should be able to have a second island. So, instead you have to buy another switch to have more than one island which is stupid.
    (I am the only one playing this game in my family) Game play has been great. Typical animal crossing do nothing all day in real life while doing a lot    Would be 10/10, but they don't let you have multiple islands. If you buy another game on a separate profile you should be able to have a second island. So, instead you have to buy another switch to have more than one island which is stupid.
    (I am the only one playing this game in my family) Game play has been great. Typical animal crossing do nothing all day in real life while doing a lot in game. Enjoying the new egg hunt too.    … Expand
  10. Naroyto
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    Where do I begin, no this isn't your regular blind rant of someone complaining about, one switch one island. I'm here to educate you why I chose to give this sorry installment they would like to call New horizons this score. Allow me to elaborate first and foremost this is an excellent single player game. To call it multiplayer would mean you have some sort of undying fanboy inside youWhere do I begin, no this isn't your regular blind rant of someone complaining about, one switch one island. I'm here to educate you why I chose to give this sorry installment they would like to call New horizons this score. Allow me to elaborate first and foremost this is an excellent single player game. To call it multiplayer would mean you have some sort of undying fanboy inside you telling you that it is. After many iteration this latest installment offers NOTHING and I mean ZERO new concepts, ideas or features involving multiplayer game play. That is what makes this such a lackluster game. I mean you go to a town and then what? Nothing absolutely nothing especially those posh elites thinking that you must do nothing to change a town or even run because it wears out the grass. Why have them over then? To show off your island that was obtained obviously by means of time travel and you have the audacity to set rules on your throne of lies? Seriously if you time travel you are only cheating yourself of the true experience of the game which is to grind and work hard for your accomplishments and should think twice about posting your "perfect" town for fake internet points. With nothing to penalize time traveler they just ruin the point of the game and finish it within a week. This game offers nothing new compared to the older games in fact the museum received an overhaul on its interior yet there is less to fill it with. Yes that's right because there are no paintings and no deep sea creatures to turn in.

    Another thing about that. There is still no new additions to the bug, fish and fossils list and that's shameful just going to find the same ones over again with nothing new to find.

    The crafting system was the most exciting thing I wanted. Until the gimic ran out faster than starting tools could last. Seriously it became more of a chore than a fun feature. There's no insensitive to get better gear if the cheapest one does the same job as a golden version of the tool. And on that note how about you explain why golden tools break? They are not supposed to break they are a symbol of one's accomplishments to obtain them and should not be reduced to the games gimic.

    Don't get me started with the island tour nonsense. And I paraphrase "each island you go to will never be the same as the last so make sure you do everything you can before you leave because we won't be coming back ever" yet, there are countless times I've visited the island with the same layout and same island shape and nothing in them. Way to bait and switch the experience of visiting 5 islands on end with slight differences.

    I'm glad that the events are stowed away so people can't just time travel to get everything off season that's right I'm talking to you time travelers, you're no better than businesses selling their Christmas stuff in August. Boy how hypothetical you all must be.

    Worst part is that they made a conscious decision to push the game release date further down the to ensure quality yet there is so many bugs in the game especially game breaking. You can lose your save file for popping a balloon in the sky. Yup every time you do that you risk data loss. Tell me again why was the game pushed back? If that was the choice why wasn't time spent to better multiplayer features. To summarize the game is great single player, terrible multiplayer and so much content is missing the game is bare bones and I'm not talking about holiday things I'm talking about what to do in game. There's nothing to do after an hour of play because the daily "chores" are completed that fast.    … Expand
  11. srijansin91
    Apr 3, 2020
    8
    It is so incredibly relaxing compared to many games but it is not without flaws. Its simplicity can also cause understandable polarisation in reviews. If 'impatient', 'action-hungry' or 'likes-to-skip-cutscenes' describes you at all, you will not enjoy this game. At times the dialogue and real-time day progression system will test you but giving it a chance and taking it slow will yieldIt is so incredibly relaxing compared to many games but it is not without flaws. Its simplicity can also cause understandable polarisation in reviews. If 'impatient', 'action-hungry' or 'likes-to-skip-cutscenes' describes you at all, you will not enjoy this game. At times the dialogue and real-time day progression system will test you but giving it a chance and taking it slow will yield undeniably cute moments worth your waiting. If you plan to play more than one person per switch drop this review score by 3 points (I never liked Nintendo's insistence on having ten consoles and copies of the game for per gaming family)… Expand
  12. Thomas1112097
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    The one island per switch thing is the most stupid and scammy thing ever. i just want to play the game without ruining it for my family.
  13. Gord352
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    Bought this game for my girlfriend hoping she would get really into it (especially during isolation). She hasn't really taken to it yet so I've launched it on my Switch and am on my way to customising my own Island which i'm finding a lot of fun. This is my first ever experience of an Animal Crossing game and I think the perfect place to start as you go from barren unpopulated island toBought this game for my girlfriend hoping she would get really into it (especially during isolation). She hasn't really taken to it yet so I've launched it on my Switch and am on my way to customising my own Island which i'm finding a lot of fun. This is my first ever experience of an Animal Crossing game and I think the perfect place to start as you go from barren unpopulated island to building a full community - I've never been into games like this but it is really addictive!

    Note: I'm fortunate in that I have my own original Switch and my girlfriend has the Switch Lite so the 1 island per console rule isn't hindering either of us. I hope for the rest of the people review bombing here that Nintendo do update it to 1 island per user because that is understandably very annoying!    … Expand
  14. Kaito34
    Apr 3, 2020
    8
    "I can't read and/or am uninformed, better review-bomb a game and give it a 0, regardless of actual experience with gameplay" -average ACNH reviewer.

    To get this out of the way: Yes, one island per device is frustrating, but we knew this and this has been the case for every animal crossing game. This information was announced by Nintendo, has been covered in the media and is explicitly    "I can't read and/or am uninformed, better review-bomb a game and give it a 0, regardless of actual experience with gameplay" -average ACNH reviewer.

    To get this out of the way: Yes, one island per device is frustrating, but we knew this and this has been the case for every animal crossing game. This information was announced by Nintendo, has been covered in the media and is explicitly mentioned in the Nintendo E-shop and on the box for physical copies. Review-bombing a game out of ignorance is rather pathetic and it's sad to see such an extremely misleading user score, which hardly reflects the game, merely the frustration of angry fans that didn't bother to read or inform themselves.

    As for the actual game, it's hardly a secret at this point that it's a stellar game. Arguably one of the best life simulators and in terms of visuals, gameplay and overall feel, absolutely an upgrade over older games. It's a fantastic experience, a perfect game to just relax with and, unless you're a so-called "time traveler", a game that will last you for years to come due to absolute tons of customization and options not present in earlier titles.

    However, not all is perfect and there are a few points of critique I have, mostly when comparing to older games, most of which boil down to missing content. Nintendo's approach to this game is to periodically add updates including new content, which is exciting, but creates uncertainty. Stuff like swimming, the cafe, club LOL, the dream suite etc. all seem to be missing from the game and while obviously not a necessity, I believe many fans would like to see their return or at least an equivalent substitute for some of the features unlocked by some of these facilities. These may be added in future updates, seeing how datamines include placeholders for a museum cafe and even gyroids, but what else will be added remains to be seen.

    In general, the game is absolutely solid and feels more accessible than ever, as well as being released during a lockdown, assuring tons of hours of fun during these boring times. Everyone can enjoy it- (as long as they each have their own Switch...) and is a top recommendation for any Switch owner. Strong 8-9 from me, depending on future content to be added.    … Expand
  15. JacquieMichelES
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    "One Dictator, Seven Slaves" same-console multiplayer is a huge disappointment. We bought this game to *share* it- one island, one screen, shared decisions and contribution
  16. steno
    Apr 3, 2020
    1
    Only one island per switch, so bad..me and my brother wanna play this game but we can't buy another switch for only this game.
  17. DRoty
    Apr 3, 2020
    3
    Hopefully they see this game’s user score. Their detestable cash grab for co-op mode squanders the games potential. Could have been great, can’t support now.
  18. vault2wasteland
    Apr 3, 2020
    0
    GET RID OF THE BUNNY EVENT!

    Seriously this stupid event was for fun for an hour but now I can't catch fish and the sky is constantly full of useless eggs so I have to ignore the ballons and miss the ones that actually give you useful loot or I have to pull my slingshot out every 2 seconds to figure out if it's a useless balloon or one I actually want to go for. I can't get enough wood    GET RID OF THE BUNNY EVENT!

    Seriously this stupid event was for fun for an hour but now I can't catch fish and the sky is constantly full of useless eggs so I have to ignore the ballons and miss the ones that actually give you useful loot or I have to pull my slingshot out every 2 seconds to figure out if it's a useless balloon or one I actually want to go for. I can't get enough wood or stone items because half to 2/3 of them turn into those stupid flipping eggs. I can't get enough fossils for the same reason

    This event has ruined my favourite parts of animal crossing.

    I am no longer enjoying myself    … Expand
  19. Jayce007
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    This game is a ridiculous cash grab by the corporate pigs named nintendo, they limit the islands to one per console! Especially in this trying time they are testing people and soon people will realize they are just using them for money! I thought nintendo was better than this, I would expect such behavior out of EA but nintendo is worse than EA because they are costing us $300 dollarsThis game is a ridiculous cash grab by the corporate pigs named nintendo, they limit the islands to one per console! Especially in this trying time they are testing people and soon people will realize they are just using them for money! I thought nintendo was better than this, I would expect such behavior out of EA but nintendo is worse than EA because they are costing us $300 dollars minimum each for people who do not own a switch! ($300 is the price of a switch mini and a copy of new horizons.) The only way nintendo can make this up to their customers is to remove the one island per console rule and put out a formal apology. I, myself am sending nintendo a dm daily on my instagram @jaycewornick to remove the one console per island rule and I invite others to do so as well.… Expand
  20. Saradg
    Apr 2, 2020
    1
    This could have been a great game if you simply could create more than one island. My sister got the whole family hyped for this great game without realizing no one could actually take any decisions, we could just follow her lead since we weren’t the first one to play on the device. For a game that prides itself on self-discovery and the freedom to do what you want, there is very littleThis could have been a great game if you simply could create more than one island. My sister got the whole family hyped for this great game without realizing no one could actually take any decisions, we could just follow her lead since we weren’t the first one to play on the device. For a game that prides itself on self-discovery and the freedom to do what you want, there is very little choice. The switch was conceived with groups and families in mind. Why can’t every family member play their own way? Most people don’t have the money to just buy another switch and are now stuck having spent 80$ on a game that not everyone can enjoy the same way. Shameful.… Expand
  21. Newusernumber5
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    Separate islands for each profile should be a given. I'm not buying another switch just to have my own island. I'm also not going to play on my kid's island because it's not my island. This limitation should be in bold print and all caps on the cover of this game so people know what they're walking into. Nintendo will do nothing to address this and as a lifelong Nintendo player it's crazySeparate islands for each profile should be a given. I'm not buying another switch just to have my own island. I'm also not going to play on my kid's island because it's not my island. This limitation should be in bold print and all caps on the cover of this game so people know what they're walking into. Nintendo will do nothing to address this and as a lifelong Nintendo player it's crazy frustrating. Never looked at Metacritic in my life, but heard this is where to go to vent.… Expand
  22. sturgie96
    Apr 2, 2020
    2
    Super beautiful and wonderful game(for one person) same as many ppl, is very frustrating to spend money on a game that allows only one person per gaming console to fully enjoy and access lots of the game. Super simple fix, so hope they can lose a bit of the greed.
  23. ConMan98
    Apr 2, 2020
    10
    This is a beautiful reincarnation of the Animal Crossing Series. I'm gonna be coming back all year to make sure I fill out my museum. This game makes it incredibly simple to join up with my friends too, offering an in game texting tool so I can hit them up to visit my island if I see them on. Tools break annoyingly often though...

    I will say I got my own switch and am the only player on    This is a beautiful reincarnation of the Animal Crossing Series. I'm gonna be coming back all year to make sure I fill out my museum. This game makes it incredibly simple to join up with my friends too, offering an in game texting tool so I can hit them up to visit my island if I see them on. Tools break annoyingly often though...

    I will say I got my own switch and am the only player on my island. I understand the people that have been negatively impacted by the one island feature and I regret that.

    As for me, I love it! 10/10    … Expand
  24. Antey17
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    I have 2 kids that were looking forward to play and as multiple reviewers mentioned - the game is limited to one island per switch. The second person can play, but they are not getting the full functionality and have limitation on quests etc. Did not expect this BS from Nintendo. This is pure greed and I will not spend another dollar on their product.
  25. Jacinta
    Apr 1, 2020
    0
    UPDATE: we just unlocked terraforming, and it looks like this is another feature that player 2 misses out on. I don’t even care that I share an island with my bf, but the fact I can’t make any impactful changes to how the island looks sucks - I was really looking forward to creating a beautiful island but all I can do is plant flowers & trees. I can’t make pathways, bridges or terraform atUPDATE: we just unlocked terraforming, and it looks like this is another feature that player 2 misses out on. I don’t even care that I share an island with my bf, but the fact I can’t make any impactful changes to how the island looks sucks - I was really looking forward to creating a beautiful island but all I can do is plant flowers & trees. I can’t make pathways, bridges or terraform at all. I can’t understand why Nintendo has done this Like many others here, I’m really disappointed by the restrictions of player 2/ any player that isn’t the founder. Me and my bf got this game to play together but soon found out player 2 can’t make any executive decisions, doesn’t have access to any of the quests, can’t place buildings/infrastructure, and ultimately misses out on a lot of the story. This sucks!! It means one of us misses out on the full experience of the game. This is unfortunately not rectified by the option for co-op play, which is just a joke. Co-op works by having one ‘leader’ that can play as normal, and then the ‘followers’. The followers can’t access their tool wheel, inventory or leave the same screen as the leader, which just results in really boring gameplay. The follower is just essentially reduced to being a pack mule for the leader, and unable to really contribute in any way, as it takes so long to cycle through your tools to really be able to do anything. It sucks because it would’ve been SO fun to play together co-op, but Nintendo really missed the mark with these limitations. The only work around is to get a new switch and second copy of the game, which is ridiculous! It’s such a shame because playing the game solo has been really great, but the fact that you have to buy multiple consoles for everyone to get the full experience of the game is just terrible, and for that i can’t justify giving this game a good rating… Expand
  26. dohden
    Apr 2, 2020
    4
    The co-op multiplayer makes this game completely unplayable for the family, so disappointing.
  27. JBMc
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    I do not understand the decision to limit the number of islands to one on the Switch. If I want to experience the game for myself, my options are to delete my girlfriends island, or go purchase an additional Switch and re-purchase the game? I used to think EA and Blizzard were bad. First time ever purchasing Animal Crossing, and unless fixed, I can guarantee this will be my last. Do theI do not understand the decision to limit the number of islands to one on the Switch. If I want to experience the game for myself, my options are to delete my girlfriends island, or go purchase an additional Switch and re-purchase the game? I used to think EA and Blizzard were bad. First time ever purchasing Animal Crossing, and unless fixed, I can guarantee this will be my last. Do the right thing. At least Bungie and Bethesda communicated to their - rightfully - angry fan-bases when their games were broken. Unacceptable. This makes Soldier 76 Fallout look like game of the year. If you plan on playing this game with a live-in partner, don't bother. Absolute waste of money and player-2's time.… Expand
  28. RonRocker777
    Apr 2, 2020
    10
    A beautiful and very fun game. Having an island per console is fine. If you are looking for a local cooperative game, play something else, as Animal Crossing was always intended to be an individual life simulator. The cooperative it's just an extra.
  29. itisabelle
    Apr 2, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Awful !

    Yes , the game is beautiful. Yes, the characters are adorable. Yes, it's great to customize your character the way you want without going to the hairdresser's. Yes, it's awesome to put furnitures everywhere in your island.

    But what I HATE and strongly prevents me from enjoying the game is :
    - crafting permanently your tools because they always break after only a few uses : even the iron tools end up shattering really quick !
    - crafting items and collecting D.I.Y cards : I hate to go farming for iron, stones and especially wood !
    - the tarentulas, even if, apparently, they're a really good thing because they're worth a lot of money !
    - the wasps, especially when you use an axe with trees !
    - paying real life money for the online multiplayer feature !
    - paying real life money to transfer patterns !
    - no swimsuit !
    - the Photopia island is useless !
    - Finding Gulliver's circuits on the beach ? No way ! I loved his little guessing game in "New Leaf".
    - the Easter even is really painful because those eggs often replace fish : I don't want to fish for eggs, but for fish !

    I love "New Leaf" with all my heart, but I hate "New Horizons". I seriously think I'm gonna sell it back.

    Maybe I'm not an Animal Crossing fan after all...    … Expand
  30. dreamyraynbo
    Apr 2, 2020
    0
    The fact that only one player per console can have their own island or any kind of control over the progression of the island is absolutely ridiculous. I am absolutely boggling that any company thought that would be acceptable to players. If I thought I stood a chance at getting a refund for a $60 game that only one of us can play, I would try.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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 »