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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. IslandCrossing
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    When my partner first told me about Animal Crossing, I was kind of excited. I’m from a tropical region and, while I hadn’t played it as a kid, I had played Harvest Moon, and the prospect of making my own cute farm island was a reassuring way to pass COVID-19 quarantine. The reality was not cute. My boyfriend didn’t think I wanted to play for some reason and set up the island and strippedWhen my partner first told me about Animal Crossing, I was kind of excited. I’m from a tropical region and, while I hadn’t played it as a kid, I had played Harvest Moon, and the prospect of making my own cute farm island was a reassuring way to pass COVID-19 quarantine. The reality was not cute. My boyfriend didn’t think I wanted to play for some reason and set up the island and stripped it of all resources. I had no idea how ACNH worked so I started a save file thinking I would either get my own island or have different resources generated for my file, or like anything a reasonable designer would think of, right?
    Instead of starting with a tutorial explaining what choices would be permanent and unchangable, I got a message that just told me to put my tent down. Noticing all the trees were bare, I confusedly put my tent close to my bf’s and tried to figure out what to do. After running around breaking my flimsy tools for two hours trying to get wood and stone that wouldn’t spawn, I looked up what was happening. Not only was there no way to respawn resources other players had hoarded, accidentally or not, as the non “representative resident” I couldn’t donate to the museum until it was complete and I could not build the store nor decide where it was placed. I also learned that expanding our houses was impossible if they were too close, which seems like vital clarifying information in a game aimed at children.

    We tried playing for a few days but even though we were communicating it was not working out. We play video games very differently. I am impatient. My partner doesn’t like to put much thought into games or rush. I found out that I could time surf but my partner doesn’t want to do that since he is, apparently, “an animal crossing purist” or rather he doesn’t want the villagers to be “mad at him for cheating.”

    For those who are reading and saying “so what you’re just not trying to cooperate” we really are and ACNH doesn’t really provide anything to help with that! There’s no shared inventory pool so multiple players can easily contribute to helping build up the town.
    In order to send resources to other accounts on the same system you have to either mail them per item for 200 bells each (time consuming and not cheap x 12 items per day). Not exactly helpful. So after two days I had switched to hitting Nook miles achievements and using all my miles for nook tickets so I could actually like, get anywhere in the game without stripping the island of resources he needs to build the town. My partner was surprised I payed off my home loan before him. I told him I was using the Nook tickets like a revolving door to rack up achievements and resources. He said he had not used a ticket yet and had just bought hair styles. He was embarrassed to tell me this. I realized I was making him feel bad about his playing style just by him having to watch how I play. I normal speed through games faster than he does but he never has to play the same file I do until ACNH. We had thought this would be a fun bonding activity while we were locked in but it wound up being stressful and anxiety inducing.

    The feeling we had fostered around the game was not one of shared joy and reassurance, but unease and mutual resentment, I resented that I could not run the island and build the town and my boyfriend resented seeing the rushed way I was playing since it took the relaxing element of playing away from him. So yesterday, I emptied my inventory out on the ground and deleted my Animal Crossing file. We have pretty good communication and lots of other games I enjoy so while upset, I’m know my ACNH experience isn’t as bad as it could be. I know if I was a kid ,who are the ~main group~ this game was made for, who had to share this with a sibling while in quarantine I would be crying. Even if we bought a second cartridge we can only have one island per switch system.
    Half the world is unemployed for at least a month, does Nintendo really expect people to buy second and third switch systems to play one game fairly?

    TLDR: I rate this game 0/10 for worsening an already traumatic experience of being trapped in my house with no control over the world, and making my partner and I feel bad for just wanting to play a game differently. Bad user experience design for no easy item sharing while demanding people share an island. This was frustrating as adults with good impulse control, I cannot imagine how infuriating it is for the target audience of children and teens.    … Expand
  2. Crimsonfangss
    Mar 26, 2020
    3
    Would easily be a 9 or 10... if I wasnt completely unable to progress for letting my little sister play first, meaning she is resident rep. She swears she is never asked to complete the tasks needed, or else it's unclear. All I can do is spend nook miles to farm resources before handing the console back to her. Worse still, only the resident rep is given crafting recipes, so no ladder forWould easily be a 9 or 10... if I wasnt completely unable to progress for letting my little sister play first, meaning she is resident rep. She swears she is never asked to complete the tasks needed, or else it's unclear. All I can do is spend nook miles to farm resources before handing the console back to her. Worse still, only the resident rep is given crafting recipes, so no ladder for me..... would like to know went diving is gone to, as we were looking forward to it.… Expand
  3. noname000
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    Experience from the whole game was ruined by the fact that second player is just a barely more than a visitor. They can't do anything that is going to make an impact on the game moving forward. If this whole cash grab strategy with one island is fixed, then the game is 10/10
  4. Tuckerbox
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    I cannot believe this game will only allow 1 island per switch. Not even 1 island per game card, which even then is ridiculous. I want to play this so badly but to do so I need to buy a WHOLE other switch? Despite not agreeing with even needing another game card at least it would mean I can still enjoy this game and I would have totally done so. This greed by Nintendo is very disappointingI cannot believe this game will only allow 1 island per switch. Not even 1 island per game card, which even then is ridiculous. I want to play this so badly but to do so I need to buy a WHOLE other switch? Despite not agreeing with even needing another game card at least it would mean I can still enjoy this game and I would have totally done so. This greed by Nintendo is very disappointing to see as I have always been such a big fan of them. The entire premise of the console is to be for family and sharing yet they pull a stunt like this. Very disappointing Nintendo I hope they fix this soon.… Expand
  5. MrDripyDrip
    Mar 26, 2020
    1
    The fact that they force you to buy another switch to actually be able to enjoy the game if you’re not the primary player is so greedy i have never seen anything like that, disappointed.
  6. Baddy1927
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    Can only have access to one island per console. No good to me or my misses as we can't play individual games. Sold it, lost £10. May rebuy the game if they update it but it's not looking likely. Utter ****
  7. Hanlond
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    Gameplay is determined by the first login. They pick the island and all other users exist on their island and have a completely frustrating game play experience. Save your money.
  8. Eldurjn
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    I bought this game and my husband unlocked pretty much everything already. Now I wanna play but it only allows one island per person. Even if I buy another copy of the game it would not let me have another save.
  9. evan22
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    This game is great for one player. As dozens of other reviews say, the problem starts when you have multiple people in the house. My girlfriend was just as excited to try this game as I was when we got it, so you can imagine the disappointment for both of us when we discovered how there can only be one island. As player 1, I spend most of my gameplay feeling guilty and feeling bad aboutThis game is great for one player. As dozens of other reviews say, the problem starts when you have multiple people in the house. My girlfriend was just as excited to try this game as I was when we got it, so you can imagine the disappointment for both of us when we discovered how there can only be one island. As player 1, I spend most of my gameplay feeling guilty and feeling bad about making decisions that she’s not allowed to participate in or trying to balance between wanting to do everything but not wanting to take all the resources from her. As player 2, she spends the gameplay basically just being a visitor to the island, never able to make any actual changes or shape the island how she really wants. She’s also locked out of many little tasks (such as helping Gulliver). This simple mechanic that would be easy to fix in an update has truly ruined the experience for both of us. The fact that Nintendo is trying to use this as an opportunity to sell more switches is absolutely absurd and it’s honestly really disappointing. It turned what should have been a happy and fun experience for us both into a really disappointing one all in the name of corporate greed. Shame on Nintendo.… Expand
  10. Bobyjane
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    Obviously a cash grab from Nintendo. Anyone who played animal crossing before shouldn’t expect the same experience with this.

    One island per switch and you have to pay to get more ? What happened providing a game where everyone in the household can play they own game ? Seriously disappointed. Skip
  11. ReaperSNW
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    A fun game and a good way to put a new spin on an older franchise. Great evolution in the series and it made playing with other people a lot easier. Can not stop playing.
    And to all the review bombers... Even a bad amount of research would have told you everything you're complaining about MONTHS in advance. We already knew there was only one island per console and that you'd have to play    A fun game and a good way to put a new spin on an older franchise. Great evolution in the series and it made playing with other people a lot easier. Can not stop playing.
    And to all the review bombers... Even a bad amount of research would have told you everything you're complaining about MONTHS in advance. We already knew there was only one island per console and that you'd have to play with each other or have multiple consoles. Get over yourselves and learn to research a purchase before you throw money at things lol    … Expand
  12. pioslik
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    For extremely anti-consumer and immoral practices this company should be sued for huge billions of dollars.
  13. Motmaha
    Mar 24, 2020
    5
    As many have stated the pure stupidity behind the decision for one island per switch amazes me. literally just brought a switch for me and my partner with this game and one of us has to just be a tag along. Imagine any other game doing this it would be stupid please change this.
  14. UVsensitive
    Mar 26, 2020
    1
    Bought the game digitally because EB games was closed. Playing on my old switch instead of switch lite because it can connect to TV. But since my old switch isn't my main, it has to be connected to the internet to see if I can play my own game. So I can literally only play at home.I wanted to be on my old switch so my gf can start and account and I could help her. But she doesn't get toBought the game digitally because EB games was closed. Playing on my old switch instead of switch lite because it can connect to TV. But since my old switch isn't my main, it has to be connected to the internet to see if I can play my own game. So I can literally only play at home.I wanted to be on my old switch so my gf can start and account and I could help her. But she doesn't get to experience any of the game. Now she has to play on my switch, while I play on hers. Once we buy 2 more physical copies so we can play.

    Never left my review for a game in my life. This is just greedy    … Expand
  15. Cashdown
    Mar 26, 2020
    1
    1 island per console means that after splitting the game 50/50 with my girlfriend I feel like a player 2 being unable to do most things. This issue needs fixed.
  16. mikehook1
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    The perfect game has come out at the perfect time. The days are moving quick.
  17. Alex5jan
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    The fact only one person gets to play per switch is insulting. What about if I have two kids? Returning this money grab of a game. Shame on you!
  18. bruhmoment2
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    I've never been a HUGE fan of the franchise, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons quickly caught my attention with its gorgeous art style and large amount of content. Above all that, this is the most fun I've had with any switch game, and it's also the most relaxing game I've played in such a long time. The sheer amount of joy this game emits will put a big grin on your face and urge you toI've never been a HUGE fan of the franchise, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons quickly caught my attention with its gorgeous art style and large amount of content. Above all that, this is the most fun I've had with any switch game, and it's also the most relaxing game I've played in such a long time. The sheer amount of joy this game emits will put a big grin on your face and urge you to play more. As soon as you think there isn't anything to do, just talk to Tom Nook and he'll give you at least three different tasks. Albeit the start of the game is a little slow, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons is absolutely brilliant, the perfect escape to our current quarantine situation, and is already a GOTY contender.… Expand
  19. LyoreC
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    I love sharing a game with family members, only to find out the first person to play the game is the only person who actually gets to experience the game fully. There is literally no point in me playing this game unless I want to walk around shaking trees and building fishing rods, while the first person to play the game actually gets to enjoy what I can only assume is a good game. I onlyI love sharing a game with family members, only to find out the first person to play the game is the only person who actually gets to experience the game fully. There is literally no point in me playing this game unless I want to walk around shaking trees and building fishing rods, while the first person to play the game actually gets to enjoy what I can only assume is a good game. I only played the game for an hour and I want that hour of my life back, thanks Nintendo.… Expand
  20. warc9
    Mar 26, 2020
    9
    It's a fantastic game. Just fun to play. Nice and relaxing. The Island is a bit small but it doesn't change the overall fun of the game. People have been giveing this game a 0 just beacuse it only gives you one island per switch and while that could be a minor annoyance it doesn't take away from the fun of this game at all.
  21. Patacorow
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    The main game is great, a classic Animal Crossing experience with tons of new features and a great setting. It really is a lovely game.

    However, problems begin to surface when you want to play with another person. I purchased this game to make the corona quarantine easier for me and my gf, but as soon as her character arrived at the island (I arrived first), we found out she was nothing    The main game is great, a classic Animal Crossing experience with tons of new features and a great setting. It really is a lovely game.

    However, problems begin to surface when you want to play with another person. I purchased this game to make the corona quarantine easier for me and my gf, but as soon as her character arrived at the island (I arrived first), we found out she was nothing more than a 'secondary' citizen.

    She couldn't get new DIY recipes, participate in new projects, put things in the museum or even help with existing projects. Her progress was limited by mine, and since I don't play as much as her, she basically got a watered down version of the game.

    This is obviously a conscious design decision on Nintendo's part to encourage players to purchase more Switch consoles, since you cannot have more than one island on the same one. This creates a TERRIBLE experience for anyone who is not the first player - I can only imagine how much this would suck for a whole house of people who want to play together.

    This is similar in vein to how the online features are locked only to players with an online subscription. If they are not present - other local players can't play online, so the only way to work around this is to create the online subscriber's character in local multiplayer using another controller, and then just have them stand around, allowing other players to use online features. Again, a stupid, GREEDY design decision by Nintendo.    … Expand
  22. TalkNoJutsu
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    This game is as wonderfully entertaining as it is broken in forcing people to buy multiple switches and copies of the game to play it to it's fullest. Nintendo are being completely trash with the way save games are being handled with this game and forcing only one Island per console.
  23. Shelly34
    Mar 25, 2020
    1
    The new Animal Crossing is really successful and it is great fun to play this game.
    There are many innovations and the gameplay has been made very motivating.
    Now comes the big BUT: You can only build one island per console and per game. That means the second player has the A .... card. We are currently playing the game in party mode on the couch together and we are just EXTREMELY    The new Animal Crossing is really successful and it is great fun to play this game.
    There are many innovations and the gameplay has been made very motivating.

    Now comes the big BUT:
    You can only build one island per console and per game. That means the second player has the A .... card. We are currently playing the game in party mode on the couch together and we are just EXTREMELY disappointed with Nintendo.
    How can you develop a game today that has such a bad couch co-op mode and then ask a family that everyone should buy a console and a game if you want to build your own island and not all the time like want to run one annoying tag after the other.
    A split screen, for example, would have been a great idea for the couch co-op, where the second player can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants, that should be possible without any problems in 2020.

    I actually would have liked to give the game 5 stars, but I'm just disappointed with Nintendo, it's not that difficult to provide a separate island for each player on a console.

    Unfortunately, all other players lose the fun of the game !!!!    … Expand
  24. LPDani
    Mar 26, 2020
    1
    EDIT:
    Some people just refuse to understand the situation so Im going to copy it directly from nintendo support:
    Is there a way to create multiple islands? You can only create one island per Nintendo Switch system, even if you use multiple games. A different system is required to create a different island. The island save data is saved on the Nintendo Switch system, so there will only    EDIT:
    Some people just refuse to understand the situation so Im going to copy it directly from nintendo support:
    Is there a way to create multiple islands?
    You can only create one island per Nintendo Switch system, even if you use multiple games. A different system is required to create a different island.
    The island save data is saved on the Nintendo Switch system, so there will only be one island (save file), even if different games are used on the same system.

    If I purchase a second system, can I transfer the save file (island data) to a different console?
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not support the ability to transfer your save file from one Nintendo Switch system to another.

    Is this game compatible with Save Data Cloud?
    This game does not support the Save Data Cloud functionality of Nintendo Switch Online.

    When multiple players live on one island, does everyone have access to the same places and items?
    There are some tasks on the island that the Resident Representative (first resident on the island) must complete before the related features will be open to other players. For example, only the Resident Representative can receive and set up Blathers’ museum tent.
    It is not possible to reassign the Resident Representative role to another player. If certain places or items in the game aren’t available for island residents, have the Resident Representative progress to the point where the item or feature is available for them, then try again.

    So for people who are trying to defend this by saying this was always the case with the franchise, firstly its not true, secondly its frikkin 2020, there is literally no logical reason for not letting people have multiple save files, the only reason is to make people buy new consoles.
    If you intend to play alone, lucky you, but most of us don't. Think of a couple or a family with kids, don't tell me they should buy a new console for each family member just because "the franchise was always like this". Im sorry, but this is just BS.

    Original review: Was looking forward to play this with my wife, then I came across the information that the game is limited to one save per SYSTEM, so not even buying two copies of the game is enough, I would need to buy another switch just for this game... wtf director Aya Kyogoku and Producer Hisashi Nogami ?? why dont you want me to buy your game??    … Expand
  25. LuckyAlfred
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    I have played the game for about 30 hours now and had a lot of fun. I see that a lot of people don't like the wait, but if you say that then why did you buy the game? And there is always the option of time travelling. I had a huge blast with the game so far and it came out at the perfect time for corona.
  26. zockoL
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    this game is totally good, except for that one island feature. i can't play AC: New Horizons without waiting for my girlfriend comming from work and continue playing, cause she is the major. **** system
  27. EldLiger
    Mar 26, 2020
    3
    Animal Crossing has always been a charming, simple game designed to be a relaxing sandbox. New Horizons definitely checks all those boxes, even if it does very little to actually improve on the game's age old formula.

    One thing I see as a big step back (or at least a completely stagnant characteristic on par with harvest moon's stubborn refusal to include same-gender relationships while    Animal Crossing has always been a charming, simple game designed to be a relaxing sandbox. New Horizons definitely checks all those boxes, even if it does very little to actually improve on the game's age old formula.

    One thing I see as a big step back (or at least a completely stagnant characteristic on par with harvest moon's stubborn refusal to include same-gender relationships while indie games like Stardew Valley do it so well) is the island sharing mechanic. I see a lot of people complaining that anyone who complains about this just wants to be ¨boosted¨, to stop whining and enjoy the game. The only logical reasoning is that those people are so entitled that they cannot imagine the game was not made for their sole enjoyment or so socially challenged that they cannot fathom how a family might want to share a console while still having a full gameplay experience for all players.

    While I will not rant on and on about how this is completely unacceptable, it does show that the developers either can't design a game that allows for separate and independent save files (a worrying prospect) or did not imagine that some people might like having their own, separate sandbox experience without either having to limit their own or other people's experience in order to do so, after multiple installments of a very family-friendly game (families usually have more than one people in them, and many will have more than one member interested in the game), which is brings me to believe that while Animal Crossing will always be able to deliver in charm, it will never grow to be better than what it is and will always be.

    This might be the last Animal Crossing game I will purchase, unless I see some effort on their part on actually creating an evolving experience with each game.

    TL,DR: Good and fun, buy if you have your own console, skip it if you have to share with someone else.    … Expand
  28. koort12
    Mar 26, 2020
    0
    This game should be punished for ruining the multiplayer user experience in the name of increasing their console sales. This is not, and should not be acceptable to the current industry regardless of the quality of solo game. Consoles that have such heavily integrated user accounts and such profound multiplayer capability should not restrict users usage to one save per console.
    Wake up    This game should be punished for ruining the multiplayer user experience in the name of increasing their console sales. This is not, and should not be acceptable to the current industry regardless of the quality of solo game. Consoles that have such heavily integrated user accounts and such profound multiplayer capability should not restrict users usage to one save per console.
    Wake up consumers and set consumer boundaries!! Wake up Nintendo and stop abusing the system for your sales!! Show us you actually DO CARE and CHANGE THIS ONE SAVE PER CONSOLE ATROCITY!    … Expand
  29. BeanMachine
    Mar 26, 2020
    4
    I really wish I could give the game a 10 but the decisions made in order to make money from this game are so greedy. It is intentionally set up to make people buy multiple consoles per household.

    I initially got over the "one island per console" aspect, however the fact that I can't make any island decisions or lose out on DIY recipes because I didn't play first is ridiculous, there    I really wish I could give the game a 10 but the decisions made in order to make money from this game are so greedy. It is intentionally set up to make people buy multiple consoles per household.

    I initially got over the "one island per console" aspect, however the fact that I can't make any island decisions or lose out on DIY recipes because I didn't play first is ridiculous, there should at least be an option to change the representative of the island. Another issue is that the multiplayer aspect was heavily advertised but is really clunky and awkward. I was really excited for both of us to have friends on the island but you can't cross local and online play, meaning only one person can play while a visitor is on your island. Im just really disappointed because the game has the potential to be spectacular, and if you're a solo player with no other players in the household it is great, but rather than try to make the game as enjoyable as possible for everyone, they decided to make it less enjoyable for secondary players in the hopes people will buy multiple consoles.    … Expand
  30. Nowice
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    C’est un jeu complet, relaxant, et beau... une version bien finie bref un très bon jeu
Page:

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 »