Sh-Ron Almeida
Assistant Arts and Entertainment Editor
On March 20, 2020, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” the fifth main entry in the series, was released for the Nintendo switch. Since it came out during the start of an unexpectedly vicious pandemic the timing couldn’t be any more miraculous. The game was quite enjoyable for many reasons.
For one, people were able to focus on decorating their virtual island home, putting their creative minds to work. Second, players could also converse with cute, lovable characters and invite them to their island feeling a sense of connection that was stolen from real life. Third, the players could unwind and enjoy themselves with thoughts of the Covid-19 pushed to the back of their heads. For a time, the lockdowns were a little more bearable if it meant living the best island life possible in “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”
Now, it’s been a full year since the game’s release. Updates for the game have been spaced out but nothing substantial to really keep players engaged long term. I, too, found myself realizing how dry and empty the game felt after completing a few major tasks to make my island more popular. With personal obligations being a top priority, I haven’t spent much time on my little island. It’s been at least 3 months since I hung out with my neighbors.
Last Friday while frequenting YouTube, I discovered Nintendo’s channel streaming a premiere of Nintendo Direct for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”Apparently the game’s next update was overwhelmingly massive, granting the players loads of content more than ever before.
Now I think I understand why Nintendo wanted to save “Animal Crossing: New Horizons’” new content announcements for their own, 20-minute special: Nintendo Direct. There’s a lot coming to the game, both free and premium, on Nov. 5, such as:
Several longtime favorite characters making their New Horizons debut.
More customization and decoration items.
Having the players planning new vacationers’ dream homes with the “Happy Home Paradise” paid DLC.
The combined purchase of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack which was announced in September.
Based on what was featured in the video, this big update will compel the owners of the game everywhere to dust off their controllers and return to their islands. It’s a bummer this will be the last major content update the 2020 game is going to get, according to Nintendo. But let’s be honest, knowing them, they’ll probably have even more surprises up their sleeve.
“Happy Home Paradise” comes to Nintendo eShop on Nov. 5 for $24.99. Pre-orders start on the Nintendo Switch eShop on Oct. 29.
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