The Interlude

The Animal Crossing franchise is one of those old friends you’re always happy to see. No matter how much time has passed since you last talked, every time they come back into your life you get this warm fuzzy feeling and a sense of comfort. That’s exactly how I felt watching the new Nintendo Direct for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Buckle up folks, because we received so much content that it barely fits into one article.

In a 20 minute livestream, Nintendo announced a multitude of updates coming to one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games of all time. A social simulator where players build a home and interact with adorably anthropomorphic creatures, Animal Crossing cemented its pop culture status in the early months of the pandemic. The latest updates include the return of beloved characters from previous games like Brewster, Kapp’n, and Katrina. New features like farming and cooking are finally arriving. The museum has its beloved cafe (and gyroids!) once again. Never before seen furniture and items will be available at Nook’s Cranny (including our savior, froggy chair). 

Available on Nov. 5, this will also be the last free major update to the game. But in terms of new paid content, we’ll definitely be getting that as well (more on that later). Without further ado, here are the new features and updates that I can’t stop thinking about. Sorry in advance if I missed any, I am literally just too excited!!

Nothing like a hot coffee to get your day started. Screenshot via Nintendo.

Brewster’s Cafe

The beloved pigeon, Brewster, is back and better than ever. Teased during Nintendo’s last direct, Brewster’s Cafe will now be open 24/7 inside the museum. Players can buy a cup of Joe and hang with familiar faces, including your villagers and NPCs such as Isabelle. Unlike past versions of the cafe however, players will also be able to scan amiibo cards to hang out with any villager or characters they’d like! You’ll also be able to drink coffee with any online players visiting your island. 

Being serenaded by Kapp’n is a Top 10 life experience! Screenshot via Nintendo.

Kapp’n’s Boat Rides

Just like in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Kapp’n and his boat are back. The sea turtle will be docked on your island’s pier and can take you to mysterious, uncharted islands — after his classic serenation, of course. These islands will differ from the ones you visit using Nook Miles, since they can vary in time zone and seasons, and are home to plants not seen before.

Who needs astrology when Katrina can tell us fortunes? Screenshot via Nintendo.

Harv’s Island & Its New Neighbors

Harv’s Island is known for being a creative hub where players can create their own photo studios with their villagers and amiibo cards. The island is getting a pretty decked out upgrade and will include space for traveling NPCs to set up shop. Similar to the concept introduced in Animal Crossing: City Folk, players will unlock different shops and characters after donating a certain amount of bells. Some of the new and old faces you’ll be able to interact with include Reese, Cyrus, Redd, and my personal favorite, Katrina the fortune teller.

When it comes to storage, more is more. Screenshot via Nintendo.

More Storage, More Hairstyles, More Bells

After hearing player’s pleas for more accessible storage, Nintendo has finally listened. You’ll be able to keep up to 5,000 items in your storage and access to it anywhere on your island via a storage shed. Bells from your bank account will also be available wherever you go through a new ABD, the game’s version of an ATM. Harriet, the sweet pink poodle who gave players haircuts when the concept of changing your look was introduced in City Folk, will also be offering 11 new hairstyles to players while visiting Harv’s Island.

It’s officially soup season on your island. Screenshot via Nintendo.

Farming and Cooking

Animal Crossing fanatics have yearned for cooking or farming options to be added to the game for years. Now, we’re getting both! Farming simulators have become a staple in the genre of cozy games, so it’ll be interesting to see how New Horizons fares with this concept. Players can collect recipes as DIY’s and cook dozens of dishes by growing crops such as carrots, tomatoes, wheat, and sugar canes. You’ll also be able to eat or place the prepared food on furniture around your island.

Island Additions & Town Ordinances

Introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, players can enact town ordinances which change the ways of life on your island. The Early Bird ordinance will make it so villagers and shops wake up early, the Night Owl ordinance will make things open later, and so on. Players will also be able to add more inclines and bridges around their islands, as well as new design features to the exteriors of their homes. Gyroids — the unique, oddly shaped mini trees that sing different tunes — are also back, and will be buried around your island.

Froggy Chair! Froggy Chair!! FROGGY CHAIR!!! Screenshot via Nintendo

New Furniture, New Songs, New Items — Yes, Including Froggy Chair

Using a new “Pro Decorating License,” players will have access to hanging furniture such as shelves and chandeliers, and can place different designs on each wall of their homes. KK Slider will also be singing a dozen new songs. And of course, new furniture items will be available at Nook’s Cranny. This includes permanent ladders for cliffsides, new fences, and everyone’s favorite, the iconic froggy chair. 

More Villager Interactions

Players can now do morning yoga and stretches with their villagers in their island’s plaza. You’ll be able to keep up with your villagers’ movements using the interactive joy-cons of the Switch. This concept hasn’t been seen since Animal Crossing: Wild World, and I’m honestly pretty impressed that they brought it back. It’s such a sweet but simple concept that keeps interactions with villagers feeling fresh and fun. The new handheld camera mode will also let players capture their villagers up close and personal. Eleven new facial reactions are available as well. And just like in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, villagers can visit players in their homes, or invite players over for a chat and cup of coffee.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a second home, the Happy Home Paradise DLC might be worth the money. Screenshot via Nintendo.

And Finally…Happy Home Paradise DLC

Happy Home Paradise will be a new (but not free) downloadable addition to New Horizons. Players will have the option to travel off their islands to build vacation homes for characters with the help of a few new (and adorable) faces at Paradise Planning. Just like the often forgotten 3DS game Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, you’ll interact with villagers and NPCs alike to help make their paradise dreams come true. Some new designing features, such as changes in lighting and more interior walls or pillars, will become available on your own island as well. And to top it all off, you’ll be able to change the interior designs of your villagers’ homes on your own island as well. The DLC will cost $24.99 and can also be purchased as part of Nintendo Switch’s new online expansion pack.

Happy Home Paradise, New Horizons 2.0, and 48 new amiibo cards will be available to download and purchase on November 5. Preorders for Happy Home Paradise begin October 29. While this may be the last free update we get for New Horizons, all the new content is bound to make players enjoy the game for years to come. If you need me, I’ll be waiting next to my Switch until the update is available.