In times where virtual meetings are safer and smarter than hanging out in person, people have been making the most of the technology available to them, and that includes Animal Crossing: New Horizons. With online gaming faster and more accessible than ever before, Nintendo fans have taken to connecting with others through Animal Crossing, spurred on by the benefits of 8-player capability and voice chat.
But what happens when fishing and bug-catching run their course? How can one keep their esteemed guests entertained like one would in real life? Fear not, for here are 10 excellent ideas to keep any virtual island party as entertaining as a physical one, more or less.
10 Casino Night
If coming up with ideas for decorating a whole island is tricky, consider adding a space solely for fun and entertainment, such as a virtual casino. Though the slot machines and arcade games, unfortunately, can't be played, the Colorful wheel item makes betting and winning all too possible, with zero real-life risk. Players can use bells, gold nuggets, Nook miles tickets, or even clothing to simulate the thrill of luck and chance alongside their friends. Time to bet on black!
9 Fashion Show
Make every head turn and every sequin shine with a genuine runway for fashion shows. If legitimate, famed designers can do it, then why can't players do it, too? Not only can almost any outfit be created in the game, but wand items allow for ultra-fast costume changes, as well as name-dropping said creation. Consider hosting an outfit-designing contest, or show off the best designs by other players, whether it be Ballroom or Cottagecore.
8 Hide & Seek
A classic in the Animal Crossing series, players have been able to play Hide and Seek with their villagers since City Folk, but never has such a massive, player-oriented game been possible until New Horizons. The endless creativity that terraforming brings allows for unique hiding places that bring an extra level of challenge to the game, especially if players have never seen their friend's island layout before. Ready or not, here comes fun!
7 Mini-Convention
The first thing many people do when they get their hands on customizable programs is recreate their favorite characters and fandoms, and New Horizons is no exception. The latest entry in the series brings several updates to custom design patterns and clothing.
With this newfound freedom, elegant, long ball gowns are possible, as well as mystical robes and adorable sun hats, but most importantly, Bowsette is possible. It only takes one Google search to find outfits for whatever fandom desired, from Sailor Moon to Star Trek.
6 Movie & Show Re-enactments
Players have taken to Harvey's Island in ways Nintendo may have never expected, creating YouTube videos, short skits, and re-enactments of popular shows and movies. Why not bring friends into the equation and recreate scenes on the island itself? Pictured above is a hilarious enactment of hit musical Phantom of The Opera's titular song, complete with appropriate costuming and the singing reaction. Who knows what other culturally iconic texts could be created in this video game?
5 Diving Contests
The timer item is great for having small competitions to see who can catch the most bugs or fish (or both), but now that diving has been introduced in wave one of the Summer update, a whole new avenue of competing amongst friends has been opened. Timers now count how many undersea creatures are caught, allowing players to keep track of who has nabbed the most ocean life.
4 Obstacle Course
Terraforming brings in endless possibilities, but there are those innovative players who took one look at terraforming and thought "how can I make a thrilling competition here?" Obstacle courses require time to set up and free island space, but the warming excitement that such an event can bring is absolutely worth it. Creators have implemented not only tools such as ladders and vaulting poles but New Horizons' groundbreaking new ability to hop. Truly, this is the golden age of hopping in gaming.
3 Pass The Parcel
This classic British party game involves the passing of a parcel while music is playing, similar to musical chairs. When the music stops, whoever is holding the parcel gets the present inside. Variations on this can include a present within each layer of wrapping paper, which unfortunately is not possible in Animal Crossing (yet.)
By playing some good old K.K. Slider tunes, players can pick up and drop the parcel until the host stops the tunes, granting ownership to whoever's inventory the parcel ends up in. The prize could be absolutely glorious...or a complete dud, for comedic effect.
2 Item Swap
A noble cause taken on by many, filling out the entire Animal Crossing item catalogue is a long and arduous task, one that would take much longer on one's own. Thankfully, it's easy to gift and share items with friends, even encouraged, and having an item swap is the perfect social venue to do it. Some opt for a more marketplace feel, but secret gift exchanges are excellent as well: Folks can splurge for more expensive items, or impose a spending limit to cheaper ones.
1 One Word Stories
If players aren't using the Nintendo Online app, communicating within the game can be somewhat tedious, especially relying on the game's own keyboard. Typing a whole sentence can be tedious, doubly so without the touch screen available in docked mode, but why not turn that on its head and make it the point? Some may remember crafting "one word stories", often an elementary school or camp activity that consists of everyone going around and saying one word to create a larger story, often silly and full of surprises in nature, and doesn't that encapsulate the Animal Crossing experience perfectly?