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. WhimsicalPhares
    Apr 3, 2020
    2
    This would be a great game if not for the one island limit per console. I created my account second and I'm tired of being treated like a second class citizen. You have 0 power as player two and the island is way too small for multiple people. Nintendo needs to stop being greedy and fix this. Don't buy unless you have the entire console to yourself.
  2. rooted
    Apr 4, 2020
    1
    If you own this game and a Switch just for yourself you will probably like this game very much. But if you share a console with someone (a family member or your girl/boyfriend) it will undoubtedly end with an arguments and anger. I can't even imagine having two children and one console. I will recommend this game only if Nintendo fix this no. of players limitation.
  3. Bogeyt15
    Apr 4, 2020
    1
    1 island per switch ruins the experience for both players due to having to fight for resources. Nintendo's solution? BUY ANOTHER SWITCH FOR A MEASLY 300 DOLLARS (if you can find one one in stock.) **** this game and **** nintendo's greedy asses
  4. Serzern
    Apr 4, 2020
    0
    Only one island per switch. Not even per game. Worst decision ever. My girlfriend bought the game and is therefore player one but now I have to wait for her to progress the story. I can't even buy my own copy of the game to fix this it's infuriating.
  5. juhaszmark
    Apr 5, 2020
    0
    A game that can only be played by one account. And its not about the horrible multiplayer, you can't even play it singleplayer as a second acount.
  6. Totte
    Apr 7, 2020
    0
    My boyfriend and I bought the game together and he was the first one to play, and now I’m stuck as the 2nd player who don’t get the same experience. It sucks because we both payed but now only one really gets the opportunity to play. Really disappointing
  7. Bovril
    Apr 7, 2020
    0
    Wow, I wish I’d read the reviews before buying this. Not having multiple islands on 1 Switch has left my daughter in tears and my son defensive about his island. I wouldn’t have bought this knowing the problems it was going to cause especially as it was supposed to help during the lock down. Poor show Nintendo.
  8. asies123
    Apr 8, 2020
    0
    I loved this game until it literally made me have a fight with my boyfriend over the 2nd player being a glorified visitor.

    Nintendo should either make the resident representative title a transferable one or let one have multiple savefiles with the game, it truly destroyed any positive feelings I had towards this game.

    I would ask for a refund but I can't go to the store due to the coronavirus
  9. acicali
    May 12, 2020
    0
    This is truly bittersweet. I'm unable to even purchase this game because of the development decisions regarding one island per-console. We have a Nintendo Switch because it's a family console. I play as a parent, and several of my children also play. We have 4 joy-cons as well as *many* games. We will not be purchasing Animal Crossing because we do not wish to choose who gets to play itThis is truly bittersweet. I'm unable to even purchase this game because of the development decisions regarding one island per-console. We have a Nintendo Switch because it's a family console. I play as a parent, and several of my children also play. We have 4 joy-cons as well as *many* games. We will not be purchasing Animal Crossing because we do not wish to choose who gets to play it and who gets to "not play" it secondarily. If a future update resolves this issue, count us in.… Expand
  10. Carlitosssss
    May 12, 2020
    0
    To the buffoons who thought making this game damn-near inaccessable to a second account on the same console: congratulations you have utterly and completely screwed the pooch. My girlfriend and I spent our hard-earned money because we thought this would be a fun experience for both of us to share. Now imagine our disappointment at the realization that one of us would get a complete gameTo the buffoons who thought making this game damn-near inaccessable to a second account on the same console: congratulations you have utterly and completely screwed the pooch. My girlfriend and I spent our hard-earned money because we thought this would be a fun experience for both of us to share. Now imagine our disappointment at the realization that one of us would get a complete game while the other would get a slap in the face and a note that said: thank you for your money idiot! I will make it my life's priority to disparage this game in front of anyone who dares mention it. I will spit fire and hellstone at the person who dares glorify this fart parade of a game for I can accept a video game company trying to make money off my stupidity but I will not accept a game company making money off their own stupidity.… Expand
  11. laurlaur84
    May 13, 2020
    1
    This is a super fun game and it really should have a higher score. However, I cannot get over the fact that you cannot have multiple islands on one console. Never in my life have I seen a game where you can’t have save files for different users, and I think it’s atrocious to believe that people will shell out the money for a second console just to play it separately. That is not how a gameThis is a super fun game and it really should have a higher score. However, I cannot get over the fact that you cannot have multiple islands on one console. Never in my life have I seen a game where you can’t have save files for different users, and I think it’s atrocious to believe that people will shell out the money for a second console just to play it separately. That is not how a game should work. I shouldn’t be limited to what other people I play with are doing, and vice versa. That’s not truly creating my own island, which is the whole appeal of the game. Nintendo, fix this. NOW.… Expand
  12. theAlah
    May 10, 2020
    8
    0/10 one Nintendo Switch = one Island. I will not buy the game until you change it.
  13. BELLjr8
    Jul 12, 2020
    1
    Cheesy childish garbage. Why does this even exist!? Who on their right mind would pay money for this?
  14. SuperDuck23
    Apr 23, 2020
    9
    A wonderfully relaxing, peaceful and unique video game experience that won't be to everyone's taste, but for its target audience it will be like a dream come true.
  15. Plunderwondr
    May 2, 2020
    1
    Unfortunately game is effectively unplayable due to being the second person trying to play on the switch. Can't even buy a second cartridge to play my own game...
  16. 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
  17. SaberwolfTribal
    Mar 29, 2020
    8
    This new animal crossing has some new things like crafting but not all new things are good. Because you can't craft multiple, the time to craft craft things like fish bait is increased to an unacceptable amount. Using fish bait as an example you need to 1. Go to bench and select craft something. 2. Select the recipe you want to craft 3. See a cute animation for crafting 4. Have yourThis new animal crossing has some new things like crafting but not all new things are good. Because you can't craft multiple, the time to craft craft things like fish bait is increased to an unacceptable amount. Using fish bait as an example you need to 1. Go to bench and select craft something. 2. Select the recipe you want to craft 3. See a cute animation for crafting 4. Have your character exclaim they made the thing you told them to and 5. select craft something else. Repeat as many times as you plan to craft, and this game is getting 10's? Its good but no 10. I give it an 8. -1 for the lack of multicraft and -1 for requiring the lower version of a tool to craft the better version, thats adding steps again and has the same problems of multicraft.… Expand
  18. swavmirj
    Apr 15, 2020
    5
    TL;DR: This game locks out anyone wanting to share a console with a household by removing core game functions (story progression, infrastructure tools) to players 2 to 8, and only allows for complete collection of elements if players engage in local co-op with other game owenrs or they subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online (see below for details).

    4.5 out of 10 seems a fair score to give    TL;DR: This game locks out anyone wanting to share a console with a household by removing core game functions (story progression, infrastructure tools) to players 2 to 8, and only allows for complete collection of elements if players engage in local co-op with other game owenrs or they subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online (see below for details).

    4.5 out of 10 seems a fair score to give a game that put in a huge amount of effort to create a beautiful, well executed, addictive game that alienates half its player base. For each player in a household to have the full experience, you would need to spend $408AUD per person ($79 for a copy of the game, $329 for a Nintendo Switch Lite). Safe to say, no game is worth $408.

    Here are some of the features that players 2 to 8 on a single game miss out on: Story elements, bundles of free recipes, and island editing tools (infrastructure projects, moving buildings/houses, terraforming).
    This would be the equivalent of BotW only allowing the first person to boot the game to fight the Divine Beasts and Fight Ganon, but allowing all other players to collect hearts, stamina, and resources for player one.
    Or, it would be the same as only allowing the first player to boot up Super Mario Odyssey to collect moons, while every other player could only collect coins.

    Furthermore, none of the promotional materials, nor any reviews of the game have indicated that collecting all the materials within the game is capped for anyone looking for a purely single player experience. As an example, a single console and island has access to a maximum of half the fruit species available unless they engage in local co-op with another owner of the game, or subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online. Datamining revealed that players visiting Mystery Islands will only be exposed to their Native Fruit, and a "Sister Fruit". No matter how many Mystery Islands you visit, these will be the only two fruits you'll be exposed to.

    The shady nature of the promotions around collecting, combined with the lack of autonomy given to all players beyond player one, is why this game is getting slammed by players. That is why such a beautiful game, with addictive gameplay, does not deserve the full praise it deserves, when it is so clearly trying to force people into purchasing multiple copies and consoles to fulfil the experience.    … Expand
  19. iMustang
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    This was my first time diving into this cherished franchise and I must say all my hype and excitement was very much matched. The atmosphere of this game feels exactly like a vacation, a place you can get away and enjoy life however you want. Catching fish, planting flowers, visiting new places, a museum, and shopping, all while meeting adorable animal friends along the way. The sheerThis was my first time diving into this cherished franchise and I must say all my hype and excitement was very much matched. The atmosphere of this game feels exactly like a vacation, a place you can get away and enjoy life however you want. Catching fish, planting flowers, visiting new places, a museum, and shopping, all while meeting adorable animal friends along the way. The sheer amount of stuff you can do in this game is insane, to a point that a completionist like me wonders if you can really do it all, not that it'll stop me from trying! Then the social element with friends makes the experience even better, as the communication with hunting bugs and fish, different stuff to craft, or even the "stalk market" all make you feel like you're apart of something larger as a whole (even lager than the feeling of your own island community gives you). That's exactly the feeling the developers want you to have with this franchise, and it certainly resonates within each and every one of us. And even simplified, visiting islands and showing off your own is just fun! (So long as everyone plays nice)

    This was a time in my life when this game was exactly needed, and has brought me so much joy and peace. I know I'll be playing this game for months and years to come, and even when the next Animal Crossing game comes out, New Horizons will always hold a special place in my heart for being my entry into this beautiful series.    … Expand
  20. luinishida
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    This game really came with a huge change, compared to the previous ones, craft, the miles option, the evolution is being wonderful and has a lot to do differently from the old versions, I love it, and I hope that a dlc solves this problem of having just an island, and always bring new news and maybe an expansion! Congratulations Nintendo!

    Ps: i wish i could keep things out of the house    This game really came with a huge change, compared to the previous ones, craft, the miles option, the evolution is being wonderful and has a lot to do differently from the old versions, I love it, and I hope that a dlc solves this problem of having just an island, and always bring new news and maybe an expansion! Congratulations Nintendo!

    Ps: i wish i could keep things out of the house in boxes or wardrobes and not need to enter the house to save, taking the option of customizing only for mirrors    … Expand
  21. DrPopoDopolis
    Dec 14, 2020
    8
    The multiplayer is very underwhelming. And so limited. So many things that you can do in single player are turned off in online multiplayer mode, so when my friends came to visit my town I honestly found myself waiting for them to leave so I could get back to what I was doing. Also, when inviting 2, 3, or more players to your town everyone has to watch a cut scene when anyone lands orThe multiplayer is very underwhelming. And so limited. So many things that you can do in single player are turned off in online multiplayer mode, so when my friends came to visit my town I honestly found myself waiting for them to leave so I could get back to what I was doing. Also, when inviting 2, 3, or more players to your town everyone has to watch a cut scene when anyone lands or takes off. It becomes a long annoying process. And then people try to leave while others come in and it becomes this bottle neck traffic jam. It gets annoying.

    Otherwise the game is great for me, but I am not sharing my switch with anyone.    … Expand
  22. BeeBoy4
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    The best Animal Crossing edition yet! Amazing graphics and improved gameplay, I absolutely love it and it's the perfect thing to keep occupied with throughout this period of social distancing due to covid-19
  23. acnhrowan
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    It's a truly beautiful game. You can really tell how much care they put into this game with all the little details, leaves blowing in the wind and the way light hits and reflects off objects. I really enjoy the way custom designs smooth out the pixels now, as it allows for more versatile designs. The villager personalities are incredibly charming. It would take so many words to express howIt's a truly beautiful game. You can really tell how much care they put into this game with all the little details, leaves blowing in the wind and the way light hits and reflects off objects. I really enjoy the way custom designs smooth out the pixels now, as it allows for more versatile designs. The villager personalities are incredibly charming. It would take so many words to express how much I love this game, so I'm going to stop there. I've been waiting a long time for this game, and I'm so thrilled to be able to play it now. It is a good way to escape from reality during these dark times with quarantine and all that.… Expand
  24. Thewingedkitty
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    It's great! Lots to do and it isn't big thing to share an island with other players because you can also visit other people's islands.
  25. sunsun88
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Amazing new addition to the already awesome series! I love how much work the dev and design teams have put towards this game! It is truly a labour of love. Wonderful graphics, new dialogue, new villagers, new concepts, crafting, and improvements on existing concepts such as house decor, outfits, etc.
  26. hanniecrossing
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This is the best game of the series. It combines all of the best elements of the previous games and whips them into something magical, while still introducing new elements to create an overall fantastic game. It's also extremely aesthetically pleasing to look at, which is a huge plus. I bought the game the day it came out and cannot stop playing. While other games in the series I couldThis is the best game of the series. It combines all of the best elements of the previous games and whips them into something magical, while still introducing new elements to create an overall fantastic game. It's also extremely aesthetically pleasing to look at, which is a huge plus. I bought the game the day it came out and cannot stop playing. While other games in the series I could only play for about 30 minutes out of the day before feeling bored or like there was nothing to do, I find myself playing this one for hours and still feeling like I could do more. Overall, amazing game, and I can't wait to play it for years to come.… Expand
  27. GabsLidDav
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Just about the happiest game available right now! The game continues with the cute AC style from all the other games, but gives you loads more options to customise your characters face, hair and outfit. It combines some of the home design from HHD and the crafting element of Pocket Camp to make the game different enough from its predecessors. It's a tad monotonous at times, just like allJust about the happiest game available right now! The game continues with the cute AC style from all the other games, but gives you loads more options to customise your characters face, hair and outfit. It combines some of the home design from HHD and the crafting element of Pocket Camp to make the game different enough from its predecessors. It's a tad monotonous at times, just like all the AC games, but it's the perfect way to kill time while the world's on lock down! You can only have 1 Town per switch, but that's the same as all the previous AC games, like New Leaf and Wild World. There is always pleanty to do, but you can play at your own speed, getting lots done every day, or hardly anything at all!… Expand
  28. LilyBryan
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    An excellent addition to the Animal Crossing library. Gorgeous graphics and sound design. Nostalgic, but with many new things to explore!
  29. markkbara122
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Probably the best animal crossing game to date. Great for all-time players and new ones alike. The wait for the game was worth it, as it shows a leap from previous entries. It has good online play and charming characters. New options to explore and find things. It helps to relax, pass the time and interact. A great game overall. If you are scared by the mixed user reviews, just note, allProbably the best animal crossing game to date. Great for all-time players and new ones alike. The wait for the game was worth it, as it shows a leap from previous entries. It has good online play and charming characters. New options to explore and find things. It helps to relax, pass the time and interact. A great game overall. If you are scared by the mixed user reviews, just note, all of the negative ones complain on the lack of being able to have two islands in the same switch. I don't have this problem myself, but if you have no interest in having multiple islands do not hesitate on getting this game.… Expand
  30. MustBeRyan
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Really fun game! An update on the older games while keeping the charm of the series!
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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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