TLDR Review: Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Verdict
Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch excels as a soothing, charming sim that rewards patience and creativity, making it perfect for casual play and fans of cozy, community-driven games. However, if you are looking for a more robust multiplayer experience or less reading-heavy gameplay, this might feel limiting unless friends have their own Switch and copies of the game. For a tranquil, highly customizable island life where you build a community at your own pace, this game is a standout choice. If you're interested in a similar social life simulation but want stronger multiplayer on one device, consider exploring other multiplayer-focused games, but for pure island relaxation, this is hard to beat.
- Top pro:
- Offers a mellow, laid-back gameplay experience perfect for relaxation and unwinding.
- Top con:
- Gameplay involves a lot of reading due to text-based character conversations, which may slow down the experience for some players.
Pros
- •Offers a mellow, laid-back gameplay experience perfect for relaxation and unwinding.
- •Features cute, charming graphics and wholesome animal character interactions suitable for players of all ages, including young kids.
- •Real-time day and season cycle matches real life, enhancing immersion and encouraging daily check-ins.
- •Provides a unique, calming game world that appeals equally to adults and children.
- •Allows up to 8 players (with multiple Switch consoles and game copies) to play on the same island via online or local wireless.
- •Encourages creativity in customizing and building your island paradise with a wealth of natural resources for crafting and decorating.
- •Runs smoothly and delivers consistent quality gameplay as expected from a Nintendo title.
Cons
- •Gameplay involves a lot of reading due to text-based character conversations, which may slow down the experience for some players.
- •Multiplayer options are limited when sharing a single device, as up to four players can play simultaneously on the same island only with additional accessories and separate accounts.
- •Players sharing the same Nintendo Switch device must collaborate on one island, lacking independent progress for each user without separate consoles and game copies.
- •Not well suited for group play on a shared screen or spectator-friendly gaming sessions, which might disappoint players seeking more dynamic multiplayer action.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from 12 retailers in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen May 10, 2025.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Price | Last seen | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| $52.99 | May 10, 2025 may have changed | ||
| $55.95 | May 10, 2025 may have changed | ||
| $59.00 | May 10, 2025 may have changed | ||
| $59.99 | May 10, 2025 may have changed | ||
| $59.99 | May 10, 2025 may have changed |
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
