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Introduction
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has taken the world by storm since its release on the Nintendo Switch in 2020. This charming life-simulation game allows players to escape to a beautiful, serene island where they can design, decorate, and build their own perfect paradise. Whether you’re new to the game or a long-time player, there’s always something new to learn to help you improve your island and enjoy your time in the world of Animal Crossing. This guide will provide you with helpful tips and strategies to make the most of your time in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, including advice on decorating your island, making Bells, managing villagers, and completing tasks. With these tips, you’ll become an island expert in no time!
1. Getting Started: Your First Day on the Island
The first few hours of Animal Crossing: New Horizons are about getting your bearings, setting up your island, and making sure you understand the basic mechanics. Here's how to get started on the right foot.Initial Setup and Island Selection
Upon starting the game, you'll be asked to choose your island layout. This is important as it will dictate the overall look of your island for the entire game. Don’t stress too much about this decision, as you can change the landscape later on through terraforming and landscaping.- Island Layout: Consider the location of rivers, lakes, and cliffs when selecting your island, as this will affect how you design and decorate it later.
- Choosing a Good Location: Some players prefer starting near a beach, while others may want to be close to cliffs. Take some time to explore your options.
The Basics: Learn the Controls
Once you’ve settled in, you’ll begin collecting resources like wood, fruit, and flowers. Your goal on the first day is to familiarize yourself with the controls and mechanics of the game:- Fishing and Bug Catching: These activities are essential for completing your Critterpedia, making money, and contributing to your island’s museum. Start catching as many fish and bugs as you can.
- Crafting: Learn how to craft basic tools and furniture to make life easier and to upgrade your home.
2. Building and Upgrading Your Home
One of the major goals in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is upgrading your house and personalizing your living space. Here’s how to get started on your upgrades.Paying Off Your Initial Debt
You begin the game with a small tent provided by Tom Nook, which will eventually need to be upgraded to a house. To do this, you must pay off your initial debt to Tom Nook.- Earn Bells: You’ll need to gather resources, sell fruit and fish, and complete daily tasks to make money. Don’t forget about selling to Timmy and Tommy at Nook’s Cranny, which is essential for earning Bells early on.
- Paying Off Debt: As you progress, Tom Nook will offer house upgrades, and each upgrade will come with its own debt to pay. Each time you pay off your debt, you’ll unlock a bigger home.
Customizing Your House
Once you’ve paid off your debt, it’s time to customize your home! The in-game catalog allows you to order furniture and other items for your home, and with enough customization, you can create a unique living space that suits your personal style.- Upgrading Furniture: Use resources and materials from your island to craft new furniture and decor to decorate your home. Don’t forget to invite villagers over to enjoy your new designs.
- Interior and Exterior Design: Customize your home’s interior by placing furniture and wall decorations. You can also personalize the outside by adding paths, fences, and flowers to your yard.
3. Maximizing Your Bells Income
Bells are the primary currency in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and there are many ways to earn them. Here are some tips to make sure you're collecting Bells efficiently.Sell High-Value Items
Certain items in the game can sell for a higher price, so it’s important to know which items are worth more Bells.- Rare Fish and Bugs: Catching rare fish and bugs like the Coelacanth or the Emperor Butterfly can bring in large amounts of Bells. Keep an eye out for these rare creatures.
- Turnip Trading: Every Sunday, Daisy Mae sells turnips on your island. You can then sell them at Nook’s Cranny for a profit, but be careful not to buy too many unless you know you'll be able to sell them for a good price.
Special Events
- Flea Markets and Visiting Villagers: On certain days, villagers will come to your island or host special events. Take advantage of these opportunities to sell rare items or complete special tasks that reward you with Bells and other resources.
- Hitting the Rock for Money: Don’t forget to hit the rocks on your island with a shovel. You’ll sometimes uncover Bells or rare crafting materials.
4. Villagers: How to Attract and Interact with Them
Villagers are a central part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and managing your relationships with them can greatly enhance your gaming experience. Here’s how to attract and interact with your villagers.Attracting New Villagers
The more you progress in the game, the more villagers you can invite to your island. There are different ways to attract villagers, including:- Inviting Villagers via Amiibo: Use your Amiibo cards to invite specific villagers to your island.
- Visiting Mystery Islands: By using Nook Miles, you can visit Mystery Islands, which may have new villagers that you can invite to move to your island.
Improving Relationships with Villagers
Maintaining good relationships with your villagers can lead to them giving you gifts, helping you with tasks, and even asking to move into your home.
- Give Gifts: You can increase a villager's affection by gifting them things they like. This also makes them more likely to give you rare items.
- Talk to Them Regularly: Make sure to visit your villagers every day to chat with them and strengthen your bond.
5. Designing and Landscaping Your Island
Designing and landscaping your island is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Whether you prefer a natural, laid-back aesthetic or a more structured, urban design, your island can be customized in endless ways.Terraforming Your Island
Once you unlock the ability to terraform, you can significantly alter the landscape of your island. You can raise or lower cliffs, create rivers, and design pathways to your heart’s content.- Add Paths and Bridges: Creating paths and placing bridges allows for better accessibility and adds a nice aesthetic to your island’s design.
- Place Custom Structures: Terraforming also allows you to create lakes, waterfalls, and other natural features that can be used for decoration.
Gardening and Landscaping
In addition to terraforming, gardening is another way to enhance the look of your island.- Grow Flowers: You can cross-pollinate flowers to create hybrid flowers that come in different colors and patterns.
- Place Trees: Trees add a natural touch to your island, and they also provide essential resources like fruit and wood.
6. Completing the Museum and Collecting Critters
One of the key goals in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is to complete the museum, which houses all of the critters you collect, including fish, bugs, sea creatures, and art.Fishing and Bug Catching
Each month brings new species of fish and bugs to your island, and you’ll need to catch them all to fill up your museum.- Fish in Different Locations: Make sure to fish in various parts of your island, including rivers, ponds, and the ocean. Different locations yield different species.
- Catch Bugs During Different Times: Bugs appear at different times of the day and in different seasons, so be sure to check back regularly to catch them all.
Donating to the Museum
Once you catch a critter, you can donate it to the museum, where it will be displayed in a natural environment. Completing the museum is a major achievement and provides an additional incentive to keep playing.7. Participating in Seasonal Events
Animal Crossing: New Horizons features a variety of seasonal events that are tied to real-world holidays and celebrations.Events and Festivities
During these events, you can participate in unique activities like:- Festivals: Participate in in-game festivals like Bunny Day or Halloween for special tasks and rewards.
- Holiday-Themed Items: Look out for seasonal items and furniture that become available during these events. You can craft limited-time items, which are perfect for decorating your island.
Nook Miles+ and Special Rewards
Use your Nook Miles+ to complete seasonal tasks and earn exclusive rewards. These special tasks and challenges can be found in the Nook Miles app, so keep an eye on them.8. Managing Time and Weather
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a real-time game, which means that the time and weather in the game mirror those in the real world. Here’s how to use this to your advantage.
Time Management
The in-game time runs parallel to your local time. This means that certain events, villagers, and activities will only be available during specific times of the day.- Use the Time Travel Feature: If you can’t make it to the game at a specific time, you can use the time travel feature to skip forward to the desired time. Be careful though, as this can mess with your island’s progression if used excessively.
Weather and Seasons
The weather plays a huge role in Animal Crossing, and certain activities are weather-dependent.- Rainy Days: Rain can cause flowers to bloom more quickly, which is beneficial for hybrid flowers. It also affects the availability of certain fish and bugs.
- Snowfall and Winter: During the winter months, you can collect snowflakes to craft seasonal items.
9. Making the Most of Nook Miles
Nook Miles are a special currency in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that you can earn by completing various in-game activities. These miles can be used for special rewards like customizations, island upgrades, and more.Earning Nook Miles
You earn Nook Miles by completing tasks such as:- Catching Bugs and Fish
- Upgrading Your House
- Completing Special Challenges
Spend Nook Miles Wisely
Use Nook Miles for things that will enhance your gameplay, like:- Upgrading Your Home and Island: Use Nook Miles to purchase upgrades for your home or to unlock new features on your island.
- Decorative Items: You can also use Nook Miles to buy furniture, tools, and other decorative items that help personalize your island.
