Animal Crossing: New Horizons On Nintendo Switch: A Comprehensive Guide

by Jhon Lennon 72 views

Hey everyone! Are you ready to dive into the charming world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch? This game is more than just a game; it's a social simulation that lets you build your dream island, befriend adorable villagers, and live a life of blissful relaxation (with a touch of debt to Tom Nook, of course!). Whether you're a seasoned Animal Crossing veteran or a complete newbie, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the sandy shores of your new island paradise. We'll cover everything from the basics of gameplay to advanced tips and tricks for maximizing your island experience. So, grab your fishing rod, your net, and your best island outfit – let's get started!

Getting Started in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Welcome to Your Island Getaway

So, you've decided to embark on the Animal Crossing: New Horizons journey! After a brief introduction and choosing your island layout (trust me, pick carefully!), you'll find yourself on a deserted island with a couple of fellow human villagers and the ever-present Tom Nook. Your first task? Setting up your tent and paying off your initial moving expenses. The game starts slow, which is by design. This gradual pace is part of what makes Animal Crossing so relaxing and enjoyable. You'll be spending your first few days learning the ropes, gathering resources, and familiarizing yourself with the island's layout. Don't worry, the game will gently guide you through the early stages, introducing you to the core mechanics. These core mechanics include shaking trees for fruit and branches, fishing in the sea and rivers, catching bugs with your net, and digging for fossils and buried items. Selling these resources to Timmy and Tommy at Nook's Cranny is your primary source of income in the beginning. Early gameplay is all about resource gathering, crafting basic tools, and paying off your initial debts to Tom Nook. It's also about exploring your island, getting to know your neighbors, and slowly but surely, making it your own. It's a charming start to a charming game!

As you begin to explore and interact with the environment, you'll discover new materials that you can use to craft tools, furniture, and other items. Crafting is a fundamental part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You'll learn recipes by finding DIY (Do It Yourself) recipes, either in bottles washed up on the beach, from villagers, or by purchasing them at Nook's Cranny. You will quickly learn to craft a flimsy fishing rod, a flimsy net, and a flimsy shovel. Each time you craft a tool, it will break eventually, so the more you use it, the faster it breaks. Don't worry, you can upgrade these flimsy tools into better and sturdier ones as you progress in the game. Learning how to craft is essential for progressing in the game and customising your island. Your island will start with a small selection of resources, so you will need to gather resources from other places in the game, such as from other islands. This can be accomplished through the use of Nook Miles Tickets, which allow you to visit mystery islands. On these islands, you can find different resources, catch rare bugs and fish, and sometimes even find new villagers to invite to your island. The joy of the first few days is in the discovery: finding that perfect spot for your tent, catching your first rare fish, or making a friend among your villagers. It's all part of the charm.

The NookPhone and Its Features

Your NookPhone is your best friend in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It's a handy little device that provides access to various apps that are crucial for your island life. Here's a quick rundown of the essential apps:

  • Camera: Capture those precious island moments with this app. Take photos of your villagers, your creations, and the beautiful scenery. Share them with your friends!
  • DIY Recipes: This is where you'll find all the DIY recipes you've learned. It's your crafting bible!
  • Nook Miles: Track your Nook Miles progress, redeem rewards, and purchase Nook Miles Tickets to visit mystery islands. This is your primary source of income, rewards, and adventure in the early game!
  • Passport: Customize your character's profile and show off your island style.
  • Map: A handy map to help you navigate your island and locate villagers.
  • Critterpedia: Keep track of all the bugs and fish you've caught. This is how you know when to go fishing!

Regularly check your NookPhone for updates and new features, as it will be updated throughout your gameplay.

Basic Gameplay Mechanics

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has simple gameplay mechanics that are easy to pick up, but a little difficult to master. Here's a quick overview:

  • Gathering Resources: Shake trees for fruit and branches, chop trees for wood, dig up fossils and buried items, and collect weeds. These resources are essential for crafting and selling.
  • Crafting: Use DIY recipes and gathered resources to craft tools, furniture, and other items.
  • Fishing: Cast your fishing rod and wait for a bite. Patience is key! Sell the fish to make bells.
  • Bug Catching: Sneak up on bugs with your net and catch them to sell or donate to the museum.
  • Island Exploration: Explore your island, discover new areas, and interact with your villagers.
  • Bells and Nook Miles: Earn Bells by selling items and completing tasks. Use Nook Miles to pay off your debts to Tom Nook, to purchase Nook Miles Tickets, and to unlock other exciting features.
  • Interacting with Villagers: Talk to your villagers, give them gifts, and help them with their requests. Building relationships with your villagers is one of the most rewarding aspects of the game.

Island Life: Building Your Dream Paradise

Upgrading Your Island and Home

As you progress, you'll want to upgrade your island and your home. Here's how:

  • Resident Services: This is the heart of your island. As you pay off your debts and complete various tasks, Resident Services will be upgraded. The initial tent will become a building and a plaza. Later on, more options become available at Resident Services, such as terraforming features and island customization features.
  • Your Home: Expand your home by paying off mortgages to Tom Nook. Each expansion gives you more space to decorate and personalize your home. This is the main financial sink in the game, so be ready to spend a lot of time fishing and catching bugs!
  • Building Bridges and Inclines: To make your island easier to navigate, you can build bridges and inclines. This requires a significant amount of bells, but it's well worth the investment.
  • Terraforming: After unlocking the island designer app on your NookPhone, you can reshape your island's cliffs and rivers to create your dream layout. This is one of the most exciting features in the game and gives you endless creative possibilities.

Decorating and Customization

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers extensive customization options. Here's how to decorate and personalize your island:

  • Furniture: Collect furniture from Nook's Cranny, balloons, and DIY recipes. Arrange furniture inside and outside your home to create a unique atmosphere.
  • Clothing and Accessories: Change your character's outfit with clothing items purchased from the Able Sisters, or by crafting clothing items. Customize your character's appearance with hairstyles and accessories.
  • Island Theme: Choose an island theme and decorate accordingly. This could be anything from a tropical paradise to a Japanese garden or even a spooky Halloween theme!
  • Custom Designs: Create custom patterns using the Custom Design app and apply them to clothing, furniture, pathways, and more. This is where you can truly express your creativity and make your island unique. Try to share your designs with the rest of the world! There are thousands of designs available.

Befriending Your Villagers

Your villagers are the heart and soul of Animal Crossing. Here's how to build relationships with them:

  • Talk to Them: Chat with your villagers daily to learn about their lives and build friendships. Don't ignore them, as they will ignore you too!
  • Give Gifts: Give your villagers gifts to increase your friendship level. Consider gifting them items that match their style and personality, or wrapping gifts from the shop!
  • Do Favors: Help your villagers with their requests, such as delivering items or catching fish. Helping them will make them like you more, and will eventually give you rewards!
  • Send Letters: Send letters to your villagers with gifts or encouraging messages. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference.
  • Celebrate Birthdays: Attend your villagers' birthday parties to show them you care. They will enjoy celebrating with you!

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Maximizing Your Income

  • Sell Resources: Sell fruit, bugs, fish, and fossils to make bells. Learn the best sell prices to maximize your income, such as by selling to the special visitor, Flick, or C.J.
  • Turnip Trading: Participate in the Stalk Market (buying and selling turnips) to make huge profits. This is a risky, but potentially lucrative, strategy that can earn you millions of bells. Pay attention to the turnip prices on your island and on other islands. Selling turnips at the right time is the most profitable way to make money.
  • Complete Nook Miles+ Tasks: Complete daily Nook Miles+ tasks to earn extra Nook Miles, which you can redeem for Bells, items, and Nook Miles Tickets.
  • Sell to Flick and C.J.: Flick buys bugs and C.J. buys fish for higher prices than Nook's Cranny. Wait for them to visit your island to sell your collections and maximize profits.
  • Shake trees Every day, trees generate a variety of items. Always shake your trees and collect them to get some free bells and resources.

Efficient Resource Gathering

  • Fruit Farming: Plant fruit trees and harvest the fruit daily to increase your income. You can plant more trees than you start with, so fill the land with trees!
  • Island Hopping: Visit mystery islands to gather resources, catch rare bugs and fish, and find new villagers. Bring your best tools and be ready to spend some time exploring.
  • Fossil Hunting: Dig up fossils daily and identify them at the museum. Sell any duplicates for a good profit.
  • Keep Your Inventory Organized: Make sure you have enough space in your inventory for all the items you want to collect. Keep the tools on hand, as you will use them very frequently. You can also craft and use storage sheds.

Community and Multiplayer

  • Visit Other Islands: Visit your friends' islands to trade items, gather resources, and get inspiration for your own island.
  • Invite Friends: Invite friends to your island to play together. The more, the merrier!
  • Online Communities: Join online communities and forums to share tips, trade items, and connect with other Animal Crossing players.
  • Trading: Trading is a great way to acquire rare items, complete your collection, and get furniture. You can use online communities and trade with your friends.

Conclusion: Your Island Adventure Awaits!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch is a game that offers endless possibilities for creativity, relaxation, and social interaction. By following the tips in this guide, you'll be well on your way to building your dream island and creating lasting memories. So, what are you waiting for? Start your Animal Crossing adventure today and experience the joy of island life! Remember to be patient, enjoy the journey, and most importantly, have fun!

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!