It might be a long, long while before the successor toAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis released, as recent rumors suggest thenextAnimal Crossinggame won’t release until 2026. It’s possible that the nextAnimal Crossingtitle won’t be made available until after the Nintendo Switch 2 is released. This is disheartening news for fans that have done all there is to do on their island and have been craving new content.
A return to the tried and true content ofAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsmight be enough to satisfy these cravings. In the four years since the release of the game, players have discovered all its secrets and cataloged them online, but it’s always a great time to indulge in some nostalgia and create a customized island of dreams.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is Always Great for a Fresh Start
The fact thatAnimal Crossing: New Horizonshas not received new content since November 2021is something of a double-edged sword. It’s disappointing to come to the conclusion thatitis a complete game and that there are no more surprises in store for players. That said, this means that allAnimal Crossing:New Horizonscontent is out there and available for players to discover. Rather than being surprised by new events, items, or characters, players know exactly what’s in store for them in the game, so they can plan out their ideal island without worrying about unknown updates.
This might sound like a small consolation to players that have been wondering if the game is worth a second (or third or fourth) playthrough, but some of the mostamazingAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsislandsshowcased online are the result of careful planning by knowledgeable players. By knowing exactly what items are available in the game and what customizations options are possible, they have been able to build intricate islands that anyone would be lucky to visit in the real world.
Certain items like purchasable furniture were not made available for customization until the 2.0 update. Players could then take their items to Reese and Cyrus on Harv’s Island and choose from various color schemes or Custom Designs uploaded by players.
It’s arguable that with the possibility of the 2026 release window, 2024 is a good year to revisitAnimal Crossing: New Horizons. Players would have enough time to enjoy the seasonal events and views, build their ideal island, and befriend their favoriteAnimal Crossingcharactersbefore the release of the next game. Starting now would give players room to get into, and then get back out of,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsbefore another game comes around.
The 2.0 update also added 16 new villagers that players could invite to stay on their island.
A Nostalgic Return To Old Animal Crossing Islands
Starting fresh is predicated on players making the bold move of deleting their old island and starting over entirely. For those who have had the same island they started with back in 2020, this option may seem extreme. One of the biggest complaints fans have had over this otherwise well-received game is the fact that players are limited tooneAnimal Crossing: New Horizonssave file per Switch console. Many fans may balk at the idea of erasing all the hard work they have put into a single save file.
For those players, returning toAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis akin to visiting a museumdedicated to the time they spent on the game years ago. It’s nice to visit, but they have likely found all the fossils, captured all the critters, and collected all the genuine art offered by Redd. There isn’t new content for them to explore and therefore not much incentive to stick around for more than a half hour or so.
It will depend on how attached a player is to the island sitting inside their save file right now to say whetherAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis worth playing in 2024. As it was in 2020, it is a fantastic game that can make time spent inside on the couch fly by. The graphics are stylized to the point that it will be a long, long time before they appear dated. The gameplay is just as engaging as it was upon release, but wandering around a completed island is not nearly as enjoyable as building one from scratch. A 2024 playthrough of thenow classic, cozy gameAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsis worth it if players are willing to become beginners once more; otherwise, it may be best left to someone’s memories.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
