As the world is stuck indoors, Nintendo has released Animal Crossing: New Horizons at the perfect time. Now beginners and franchise fans can join together to play in this beautiful and tranquil world.
The social simulator is a very relaxed game, with no timed quests or rushed elements. However, there are things to do, features to unlock and some secrets to discover. If you've never played Animal Crossing title before then you may find yourself a little overwhelmed in places. There are also some new features that could even confuse franchise fans.
With this in mind, here are some tips to help you out. These are the things we wish we knew before starting to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Updated: May 2nd 2020 By Helen Ashcroft: Animal Crossing: New Horizons has now been out for a few weeks and new players are still flocking to the game. With the first major update having already brought new content in the form of seasonal events we've taken another look at the questions newcomers are asking.
In this time of uncertainty, many are finding comfort in the predictability, relaxed pace, and slow and steady nature of the game. With this in mind, we've added more tips to help out anyone who is new to the Animal Crossing.
15 You Can Reset The Island
When you begin as part of the journey to your new home you'll be asked to choose from one of four island layouts. Once this is done you'll land on your new island, which will have a native fruit and two villager neighbors.
The assignment of layouts, fruit, and neighbors appears to be random and if you don't like the combination you've been given then you can quickly reset the game before the autosave feature kicks in and try again.
14 Keep Talking To Tom Nook
Tom Nook is there is help and if you get stuck then you need to head to guest services. Asking him "what shall I do?" will let you know what the priority tasks should be.
During the first few days, he will also offer suggestions to you, such as attending a DIY workshop and bringing him some bugs. If you follow these then you will unlock important recipes and island features.
13 Pay Off Your Debt As Soon As Possible
While the game is slow-paced, paying off your initial debt of 5000 miles unlocks a lot of features you'll need. As such, trying to pay this off as soon as possible will really help you.
The aim is to get the basics set up and your island fully explorable as quickly as possible, as well as upgrading from a tent to a house to access storage facilities. Paying off these miles will help you do that.
12 Miles Are Easy To Earn
Earning miles is much easier than you may expect as they are linked to everyday tasks you can complete from the first day you land.
Gathering, selling, building and learning DIY recipes will all award miles. You can also earn miles for things like filling in your passport details, chatting to your neighbors, exploring your Nook Phone's features and clicking the ATM-style machine in guest services each day.
11 You Can Sell Everything (But You Shouldn't)
When it comes to trading your wares everything can be sold, even weeds. However, resources take time to replenish so be careful. Early tools are flimsy and break quickly. While they are easy to craft, if you've sold all your crafting materials you're stuck paying hefty prices for rubbish items.
Try and keep back at least a few of the items needed for crafting these basic tools. If you do get stuck Timmy will sell you the tools but not the materials, and it will cost you a few hundred bells.
10 Fish And Bugs Are Seasonal
While you're playing catching fish and bugs will be a huge part of your experience. While you can always catch both, each month specific bugs and fish come and go from the different hemispheres. Checking this information will help you work out if there's anything you need to grab for Blathers before it vanishes.
When you are catching insects or fish if the pop up says "yes!" before you get the obligatory pun that means the creature is new. This helps you know what to donate. You can also check the critterpedia for an owl next to the bugs entry.
9 You Can Shake Trees With A Net In Your Hand
Shaking trees can be a rewarding experience. Each day two pieces of furniture can be shaken from hardwood or cedar trees, along with twigs and fruit. However, you can also shake bugs from trees, including wasps.
If you hit a wasps nest the instinct is to either stand there and be stung, resulting in a puffy face that scares villagers or run away and then usually be stung. Carrying a net gives you a third option, turning around and catching the wasps. Doing this will help Blathers and net you a profit, literally.
8 Balloons Are Rewarding
Shooting down balloons is something you'll want to do as soon as possible, so we advise getting your hands on a slingshot when you can. They drop all kinds of useful items and offer a regular boost to your supplies.
Balloons can drop bells, DIY recipes, furniture, crafting materials, clothing, and even seasonal event items. They spawn every 5-10 minutes on the East side of the island between 5 am and 6 pm and on the West overnight.
7 You Can Dig Up (& Plant) Bells
If you've seen a little glint on the floor on wondered what it is, then wonder no more. This is a hidden stash of bells. Once you've unlocked the shovel then digging in this spot will reward you with 1000 bells in a bag.
There appears to be one hidden stash per day but you can triple your money by replanting it. A bag of bells can be planted in the glowing hole and will yield three bags of bells matching the value of the one planted in three days' time.
6 Prepare For Island Adventures
Even if you don't have friends linked to your account, you can still visit other islands. To do this you can save up miles and purchase tickets for Dodo Airlines from Tom Nook. You'll get the first one free.
These are one-way trips so once you've been you can't return without buying another ticket (and then you'll go somewhere else). As such we recommend you clear your pockets and take just an axe, spade, fishing rod, and net. You'll also need a pole and ladder if you have them to find wandering villagers and explore more of the island.
5 Invest In The Pretty Good Tools
The pretty good tools are an item that lives up to their name. You'll need a flimsy version of each tool and a couple of extra items to craft them but they last much longer, making them a worthwhile early investment.
These are purchased by miles and we recommend them as your next big purchase after your initial debt is paid. They are especially handy when exploring other islands, as these trips are one time only.
4 Turnips Are A Solid Investment
Every Sunday Daisy Mae will appear on your island to sell turnips. She's always around from 5 am until midday but sometimes stays later. Speaking to her will give you the chance to buy turnips in stacks of 10 for around 100 bells each.
These can then be sold during the week to Timmy and Tommy, either on your own island or on a friend's island. Prices can rise to as much as 600 bells, meaning huge profits can be made quickly. Just make sure you don't time travel and sell before Saturday night!
3 Speak To Your Villagers
Your villagers on the island can really help you out. They may give you supplies for tasks or point you in the right direction. If they are crafting you can also ask what they are making to gain a DIY recipe.
When you visit other islands with Nook Tickets you may also find wandering villagers. If you can approach and chat with them then they'll express interest in joining your community. This is essential for filling the island and unlocking more elements of the game, including ladders and bridges.
2 Connect With Friends To Expand Your Catalog
If you have a Nintendo Switch Online account then you can visit friends islands. This can bring huge rewards. Fruit and flowers that aren't native to your island can be sold for more bells so swapping these is great but there are also other advantages.
Picking up and putting down an item on a friend's island will store it in your nook catalog, allowing you to purchase it later when you have the funds. You can also buy furniture, wallpaper, flooring, and clothes from a friend's selection and even take advantage of their turnip prices.
1 Pay Attention To The Little Things
As you explore the island paying attention will help you out. For instance, on the beach, the shadows in the water are fish, the bottles often contain DIY recipes and those tiny dots that squirt water? Digging those up will yield clams, that can be turned into fish bait.
Elsewhere a star-shaped crack indicates a fossil and one of your rocks will contain bells when hit. Guest services offer advice, the ATM machine gives free miles and neighbors can be really useful.