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. Galbar
    Apr 11, 2020
    0
    The 1 island limit killed the game for me. It`s annoying not being able to design my own island when sharing the switch with other users.
  2. Abanachen
    Apr 11, 2020
    0
    I was so excited to play this game but only to found out that the game is limited to ONE ISLAND per console. SERIOUSLY!? I don’t get to name anything, upgrade anything or own anything. What’s the purpose of playing this game if you’re not player one? I started the game on my sisters island and there was NOTHING left for me to do. WORST DESIGN OF THE YEAR! I had more fun playing a PS3 gameI was so excited to play this game but only to found out that the game is limited to ONE ISLAND per console. SERIOUSLY!? I don’t get to name anything, upgrade anything or own anything. What’s the purpose of playing this game if you’re not player one? I started the game on my sisters island and there was NOTHING left for me to do. WORST DESIGN OF THE YEAR! I had more fun playing a PS3 game released in 2010. Never quit a game this fast in my life.… Expand
  3. Jonpage
    Apr 12, 2020
    0
    No me gustó es horrible, creo que mejor hubiera sido que no vendan cartón a 400 euros.
  4. hassickboy
    Apr 12, 2020
    0
    one island? returning now. not buying a second switch just so my wife can also play the $60 game we paid for.
  5. Quoththeraven25
    Mar 30, 2020
    3
    A lot to love about this game. I don't understand how in 2020 we are limited to one file (island) per Nintendo switch. My wife and I had a blast with Pokemon, being able to enjoy our play throughs separately but still had that sense of camaraderie in Pokemon Home. I want to give this game a 9. I really did enjoy every moment in game, but its almost game breaking when you have anotherA lot to love about this game. I don't understand how in 2020 we are limited to one file (island) per Nintendo switch. My wife and I had a blast with Pokemon, being able to enjoy our play throughs separately but still had that sense of camaraderie in Pokemon Home. I want to give this game a 9. I really did enjoy every moment in game, but its almost game breaking when you have another person wanting to play but has to literally take a back seat. You better not make your brother or sister mad, could end up wasting a lot of your well earned bells.… Expand
  6. UltimateOctobot
    Mar 31, 2020
    0
    You are searching something to play during coronavirus, certainly this is not the game you want to play during this period.
    This is the MOST BORING GAME i ever played. If you are searching something new, maybe you just buyed a new switch, THIS IS NOT THE GAME YOU WANT TO BUY!!!!
    If you are not interested in life simulation, creativity or virtual friendship DONT BUY THIS GAME, DONT EVEN TRY    You are searching something to play during coronavirus, certainly this is not the game you want to play during this period.
    This is the MOST BORING GAME i ever played. If you are searching something new, maybe you just buyed a new switch, THIS IS NOT THE GAME YOU WANT TO BUY!!!!
    If you are not interested in life simulation, creativity or virtual friendship DONT BUY THIS GAME, DONT EVEN TRY IT!
    WORST 50€ SPENT.
    I PREFER TO PLAY FORTNITE INSTEAD OF THIS SH! T.    … Expand
  7. hihahan
    Apr 16, 2020
    10
    for evryone who hates the fact u can only have one island.
    animal crossing has always been this way stop complaining.
  8. StaveIsle
    Apr 13, 2020
    0
    It is not a multiplayer game. it is a single-player game where others can visit and support your Island. That's it. No method to change Residents or share Residency. Tech support had zero solutions. My wife and I allowed our son to play the game first and it is now unplayable for us. I'd get a refund if I could. We bought it as a multiplayer game and shared family experience.
  9. Martin98765
    Apr 12, 2020
    0
    Be aware of I restriction per one console. Ony one of lucky one from household will get full experience of game.
  10. paolylo
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    10 because of how the game forces players to socialize on Discord, Facebook groups, or anywhere that offers chances to earn more bells, increase their catalog, or play around by collecting villagers while allowing introverts the option to grind away on crafting materials and collectibles. It really doesn't punish the impatient ones for changing the date and time on System Settings because10 because of how the game forces players to socialize on Discord, Facebook groups, or anywhere that offers chances to earn more bells, increase their catalog, or play around by collecting villagers while allowing introverts the option to grind away on crafting materials and collectibles. It really doesn't punish the impatient ones for changing the date and time on System Settings because everyone does it anyway. I couldn't ask for a better way to kill time on the Switch/Switch Lite.… Expand
  11. vbueso
    Jun 27, 2020
    10
    Best game of Nintendo history. The GOTY 2020. Nintendo is a factory of amazing and perfect videogames. And ACNH is their best master game.
  12. zeroryoko1974
    Jun 21, 2020
    8
    Great game, play it so much. It does have some problems like having to have a separate switch to have separate islands, and lack of bulk crafting.
  13. silmaril464
    Dec 25, 2020
    0
    I'm about to enter 2021, I can't understand why Nintendo, with its dire and incomprehensible decisions, spoils one of the best games that has been released this year on its portable console, making the absurd decision to allow only one island per console, limiting greatly increasing the game options to users who have not started the game, and forcing those players to play on the islandI'm about to enter 2021, I can't understand why Nintendo, with its dire and incomprehensible decisions, spoils one of the best games that has been released this year on its portable console, making the absurd decision to allow only one island per console, limiting greatly increasing the game options to users who have not started the game, and forcing those players to play on the island that the first user created, limiting progress to the pace of the creator of the island. There is not even the option to buy another game for the same console, if you want to play on your own island, your only option is to buy a new console (€ 350). Thank you very much NINTENDO, thank you for taking care of and thinking about the people who feed you, your players.… Expand
  14. landi
    Jun 27, 2022
    0
    Way to boring for my taste. Switched to "Stardew Valley" instead as this game simply is to less and a waste of time.
  15. moby323
    Mar 23, 2020
    5
    Game of the year, one of the best installments in the whole series. Anyone who has enjoyed this series will absolutely love this game. It is very deep and well paced with almost endless ways of having fun.
  16. The_Man_With_No
    Apr 19, 2020
    6
    Only first player can create an island, it is an actual issue for others, but not for me and should still be fixed. This game has a lot of charm and some fun, but a lot of the charm is stepped on by how overly tedious the game is and how terrible the programmers are on a technical side. Want to join an island with a bunch of friends and hold an event? Well, welcome to about 10 minutes ofOnly first player can create an island, it is an actual issue for others, but not for me and should still be fixed. This game has a lot of charm and some fun, but a lot of the charm is stepped on by how overly tedious the game is and how terrible the programmers are on a technical side. Want to join an island with a bunch of friends and hold an event? Well, welcome to about 10 minutes of loading screens because every person who comes in NEEDS to essentially reset the island and have a giant loading screen.

    It isn't just when it comes to playing online, it is just about every aspect from finding certain characters and needing to prompt dialogue with them 5x to get to the right spot (let's pretend that programmers can't make dialogue a continuous thing lol) or trying to fish and the fish moving a little bit out of your way and having to cast the line with little to no aim. You constantly miss shovel spots, hit spots, balloons, and so many things because the way the game is designed is just... very incredibly poor.

    The developers basically see traditional gaming and try to piss on it, which is fine and dandy, but what's left is a technically bad game with overly tedious moments that take control of the game 95% of the play. It seems like Nintendo hired 3rd year programming students who have some help from veterans on how to get stuff done, but overall you can tell the programmers in this game are just daft and at the end of their wits, which is why it also doesn't shock me that it is one island per Switch, it's literally them being incapable of programming that logic into the game.    … Expand
  17. wesker2012
    Apr 6, 2020
    5
    I wanted to try out Animal Crossing because of the fans. I played for about a week and while relaxing, I started to realize it wasn't my kind of game. It was just too simplistic in what you could do in the game. I know the game expands later but it just took too much time for me to get there without the feeling of incentive to come back. It also felt a bit too kiddish for me. The slowI wanted to try out Animal Crossing because of the fans. I played for about a week and while relaxing, I started to realize it wasn't my kind of game. It was just too simplistic in what you could do in the game. I know the game expands later but it just took too much time for me to get there without the feeling of incentive to come back. It also felt a bit too kiddish for me. The slow progression of the game was really too slow for me and just felt like there wasn't much game there. Also, the villagers wouldn't say much of interest and repeat the same things, and while I like games where you have to figure out things on your own, it also wasn't very intuitive on what to do at times for new players to the series. In my experience, it felt very half baked. The core gameplay felt like what I could do in other games which are a lot more fun, varied, and engaging. The one main plus was the cute, polished hd visuals.… Expand
  18. arnobiojr
    May 9, 2021
    9
    Algumas melhorias são necessárias, como o excesso de diálogos, mas é um jogo que me faz querer jogar todos os dias e sem pressão
  19. sebos80
    Sep 30, 2020
    4
    Big hype like for that boring gamę. Crafting and collecting, this is essence of Animal crossing, and of you want achive something, y need spend hours only collecting Wood, Stones etc.
  20. MishterBobo
    Aug 15, 2020
    0
    I cannot play a game I bought, the way I want, simply because Nintendo has placed greed above all other priorities. I cannot play because someone else in my household owns a copy and we share a switch. Limit it to one island per cartridge, that's fine. But one per console? Take a step back Nintendo and rethink your decision.
  21. guitarmaniac004
    Jul 2, 2020
    7
    So I've managed to rack up more than 170 hours in this game so far, making it my most played game of the year so far.

    I also think one island per console is a huge annoyance but it's not worth giving the game a 0/100 (ya big babies) I start off I only played a small amount of new leaf before this game so I was going into this game with little to no knowledge. So I'm no long time fan    So I've managed to rack up more than 170 hours in this game so far, making it my most played game of the year so far.

    I also think one island per console is a huge annoyance but it's not worth giving the game a 0/100 (ya big babies)

    I start off I only played a small amount of new leaf before this game so I was going into this game with little to no knowledge. So I'm no long time fan of the series or anything or the sort.

    I guess I'll start off with the pros:

    -This game is so damn peaceful.
    -Despite the slow progress at the start of the game it never leaves you bored, it leaves you wanting more.
    -The progression of your island is entirely up to you.
    -The detail of the graphics, animations and lighting is absolutely gorgeous, a huge step forward from previous games.
    - The ability to terraform is a big bonus (although it has its own issues).
    - If you are a collector/achievement hunter (which I most definitely am), this game will give you plenty to work towards.

    So with plenty to do and more to do than ever, what could go wrong... right??
    Well a lot apparently.
    The cons!!:

    -While crafting is a huge step forward for the series, as well as all the benefits it gives. It is the single most tedious experience I have experienced in a long time. It is also the worst part of this game. Why do I have to craft one item at a time, and whyyyyyy does it take so long to craft that ONE item? I spent (and I counted) 7 minutes making
    twenty fish bait.

    -The tools have no durability bar so you can never tell when they're about to break.

    - Of course one island per console is a massive pain in the ass. It's obviously used to get more people to buy their consoles and I guess it works. So great job Nintendo marketing team! (ya knobs).

    -Terraforming can turn your island into a beautiful paradise, but it's going to be hell before you get there. It feels clunky to use. You will hit the wrong patch is dirt 9 times before hitting the right one. It's just an all round mess right now and needs a serious overhaul.

    -While you can track your bugs and fish, you can't track the fossils you have donated, which was in the last game so I have no earthly idea why they removed it.

    -Villagers personality types are far too similar to other villagers. I'm sick of hearing three separate villagers talk about "the bugs in their floor". There needs to be more diversity between each villager.

    FINALLY, this is not giving nintendo flack for making a shoddy game, I think it's beautiful, addictive and a great way to blow off steam. So I'm just going to give some suggestions the game needs in the future.

    -The ability to craft multiple items at a time.
    -Manilla clams stacking.
    -More buildings/shops to build from Tom Nook (Like the coffee shop, or disco).
    -Tracking fossils
    -An easier way to terraform
    -The ability to boot a villager from your island instead of ignoring them for 2 months.
    -Durability bars for tools
    -Less frequent rain. My island is starting to look like a jungle.
    -Less time it takes to go to another island, seriously I spent probably 3 minutes talking to orville.
    -An auto-sort option for my inventory.

    You'll see that 90% of these are just quality of life features. Which is exactly what the game needs. I don't care about a diving update if the game continues this way.

    Well that rant is over. Hope nintendo read this stuff... they probably don't... BUT MAYBE THEY DO... nah they don't.    … Expand
  22. juanandesign
    Aug 2, 2021
    10
    Honestly, most of the haters and complainers of the game is people who had played more than 500 hours in less than a year, begging form more content in a 50$ with no DLCs game. It´s absurd. The game gives you a crazy amount of content and hours of fun. Relax and enjoy it, and remember, it is just a game!
  23. Alexkhan
    Apr 13, 2020
    0
    i wanted to play with my daughter and go to visit islands of each other but nintendo is too greedy. Shame nintendo!
  24. BFM
    Mar 27, 2020
    6
    Playing this game for one week now (without time-cheating), I still have fun, and appreciate the new tasks and changes that I see every day.

    But I am unsure how long this will last. I' already very disinterested in what the characters have to say. The job of collecting resources (fish, wood, fruit, bugs) in order to grow the town or get new stuff feels more and more like a joyless    Playing this game for one week now (without time-cheating), I still have fun, and appreciate the new tasks and changes that I see every day.

    But I am unsure how long this will last.
    I' already very disinterested in what the characters have to say.
    The job of collecting resources (fish, wood, fruit, bugs) in order to grow the town or get new stuff feels more and more like a joyless grind.

    Especially crafting / buying objects is senseless.
    You can't use ANYTHING except a few simple music instruments.
    Bicycles, lawn mowers, Scooters, toys .... nothing is interactive, everything is just to look at.

    The only thing in this game that you can do besides gathering resources and placing furniture is ...
    sitting down on things.

    I wish I could tell you how the multiplayer is, but I have no idea.
    Nintendo doesn't let me play this game online.
    I have a huge list of friends that own and play this game.
    But there is no way to connect with them.

    It seems like I would need to know how to contact those people IN REAL LIFE and then give
    them a special generated code to invite them to my island.
    Just let me invite people from my friend list PLEASE.

    Graphics, animation, sound design and atmosphere are all fine.
    But tasks like growing plants, fishing or mining minerals feel very shallow and unrewarding in comparison to Stardew Valley.
    Animal Crossing could learn a lot from that game.    … Expand
  25. Bluespell1
    Nov 9, 2020
    6
    I Disappointed with the game. It's kind of a boring game. Not much to do for the most part and doing stuff feel's empty. I feel like it takes a very long time to get anything done. You get to the point were you have a large stack of crafting materials then half of what you would usually do is gone.
  26. REPSAJ
    Mar 25, 2020
    7
    This is arguably the best Animal Crossing yet, but for returning players it might be a pretty disappointing experience.

    I somehow wish this could be my first AC experience, as the game is full of things to discover and do, and undoubtedly has that animal crossing magic of the previous games. Unfortunately, it also is plagued by the same annoyances of the previous games such as the    This is arguably the best Animal Crossing yet, but for returning players it might be a pretty disappointing experience.

    I somehow wish this could be my first AC experience, as the game is full of things to discover and do, and undoubtedly has that animal crossing magic of the previous games.

    Unfortunately, it also is plagued by the same annoyances of the previous games such as the cumbersome interface, and it does not add a whole lot of new and interesting gameplay mechanics and improvements to entertain returning animal crossing veterans. To me, it seems like nintendo was a bit lazy with this one.

    I was really looking forward to this game, but after a week of playing it, its hard to shake the thought im essentially playing a game that hasnt changed any core mechanics to entertain long time players. Which sucks, as i would have loved to dive into animal crossing once again, but there is just too little incentive for me to go on my third animal crossing adventure.

    Tldr: been there, done that    … Expand
  27. HungryVovka
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    Это игра, в которой можно по-настоящему расслабиться) Квинтэссенция фермы, социальной игры, квестов, экономических игр в рамках полноценной игры. Обязательна к покупке каждому владельцу Nintendo Switch, независимо от любви к жанру. Серьёзно, попробуйте)Это игра, в которой можно по-настоящему расслабиться) Квинтэссенция фермы, социальной игры, квестов, экономических игр в рамках полноценной игры. Обязательна к покупке каждому владельцу Nintendo Switch, независимо от любви к жанру. Серьёзно, попробуйте)
  28. Lhant
    Oct 6, 2020
    4
    To put it simply, this series thrives more than any other I know of on its long term appeal. Traditionally the series has done this primarily by filling the game with such an abundance of content that you can play for years and still be surprised and see new things occasionally. This particular game in the series has FAR less content to support its long term appeal than ANY other game inTo put it simply, this series thrives more than any other I know of on its long term appeal. Traditionally the series has done this primarily by filling the game with such an abundance of content that you can play for years and still be surprised and see new things occasionally. This particular game in the series has FAR less content to support its long term appeal than ANY other game in the series long history, despite the fact that the majority of the features it does have are not even new.

    Yes, they are releasing free content updates occasionally. But at the rate they are going with these updates, it would take many many years to even catch up to this games predecessor in terms of content (AC: New Leaf, 3DS), let alone surpass it.

    This game has made a number of improvements to the formula, but it's severe lack of content kills it for me. It takes quite a few hours of playing for you to really notice how much less this game has, but once you really get a feel for that it is hard for me to still give this game any praise. I have very little hope that Nintendo is every going to fully correct this unless they seriously step up their game with the updates.    … Expand
  29. Sanastusa
    Aug 1, 2020
    10
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 2020 - Play Time: 370 hours (and going)

    Start this off by saying this type of game is not for everyone. But for the ones who enjoy Animal Crossing or "Slice of Life" games, its a amazing game that came out when the world needed it most. Right at the start of the worldwide pandemic, ACNH released and allowed us to enjoy a virtual life while being forced to    Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 2020 - Play Time: 370 hours (and going)

    Start this off by saying this type of game is not for everyone. But for the ones who enjoy Animal Crossing or "Slice of Life" games, its a amazing game that came out when the world needed it most. Right at the start of the worldwide pandemic, ACNH released and allowed us to enjoy a virtual life while being forced to stay indoors.
    A simple groundwork of starting off on a isolated paradise island; You are tasked by Tom Nook to help develop your island to a livable home that people will want to come visit and live at. Finding all sorts of villagers along the way to come move to your island. There is almost 400 different villagers you can find that range in personalities and looks. Try to be nice to the non kawaii ones. They have feelings too. Besides Shari.
    A game that never really "ends" I was debating on when to write a review but I have achieved a 5 Star Rating Island and now have began to try and catalog all items in the game. There have been a couple updates and each one adds in something new to experience. This game is a enjoyable work of art that can easily be viewed as a stress relief. It also holds a special place for me as me and my girlfriend like to play it together and hold little special dates when we have the time.
    Well done Nintendo.    … Expand
  30. ruben1100
    Aug 10, 2020
    9
    A very good game, in which you can relax and play a bit every day. The only bad thing would be the late game, after so many hours you do not have so much to do and it gets monotonous.

    About the limitation of only one island I don't think it interferes with the experience. Just enjoy the game .
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 111 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 110 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 111
  3. Negative: 0 out of 111
  1. Universo Nintendo
    Dec 19, 2020
    95
    Animal Crossing New Horizons is basically perfect. Full of wholesome content that helped us cope with the COVID-19 pandemics, the game keeps the heart of its predecessors while innovating enough to make it unique. It may not have won Game of the Year but it'll be the game we all remember from 2020, for sure.
    Read full review
  2. The Digital Fix
    Jun 22, 2020
    80
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a stunning new instalment in the Animal Crossing franchise, hindered only by its lack of immediate content, quality of life issues and missing returning characters and features While future updates will give the game long-term playability, for those already sipping vacation juice on their five-star islands, island life feels pretty mundane right now.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    May 12, 2020
    95
    It’s full of detail, pretty small things, and surprisingly well working simulations and systems – everything polished in such a way that the player really does care about everything that’s going on. [06/2020, p.40]
See all critic reviews »