Animal Crossing: New Horizons has sold 37.6 million copies, was the third best selling game of 2020, and is the Switch’s 2nd best selling game. Having just celebrated its 2nd anniversary on March 20th of this year, there’s no question that many have been diehard fans since the beginning. However, for those who haven’t played before, or have since abandoned their island (or feel as though it’s time to simply restart their game), now is the perfect time to reinvent things for the better. From overcoming challenges like having a lack of bells to what you should know before you begin, here are just a few tips that can help make island life easier to navigate.
Before you begin
If you’re restarting your long since abandoned island or you’re playing the game for the first time ever, there are a few key points that you should take into consideration before you begin. For example, choosing your starting map wisely is a must — not only will a wise choice help you in the grand scheme of things where logistics are concerned, but it can make for more aesthetic gameplay. That said, it’s generally recommended that you choose a map with a large open area that’s near the sea and has a large open space, which will allow you plenty of room to place objects/buildings, and access resources.
If you’re playing the game for the first time or you haven’t visited your island in quite a while, revisiting the ACNH terminology couldn’t hurt, especially when it comes to staying on top of things. A comprehensive glossary of ACNH terms can be especially useful to reference, as it will help you to stay up to date with the AC community and in the know when it comes to terms like ‘dreamies’ (a term that refers to the villagers you most want to live on your island), or ‘gyroids’ (special musical items that can be dug up from the ground).
The best ways to get more bells
Because bells, the signature ACNH currency, is the backbone of every player’s island, it’s imperative that you keep a steady flow of income. With a lack of income resulting in Tom Nook’s reminders to pay back loans, daily activities are perhaps one of the easiest and most simple ways to get a reliable stream of income. However, for those to increase their bell income in a more substantial way (with the help of a small investment), planting a money tree is the way to go. Should you decide to plant up to 10,000 bells, for example, you’ll find a return of triple the amount in around 5 or 6 days — bringing you larger amounts of income at one time.
Decorating like a pro
For many players, one of the best aspects of ACNH is the ability to customize and decorate your home to your heart’s content, though many can find the task challenging — especially if you’re new to the game or haven’t had a good track record with the Happy Homes Academy. However, by investing in furniture sets (and using multiple pieces of one set together), and coordinating your color schemes, you’re sure to create a space that’s well put together. And, because the Happy Home Academy scores and awards prizes for well designed homes, gaining inspiration for new designs is a must, and is something that can be done via the Animal Crossing Community online, where players often share their design codes on social media.
Whether you’re creating your island for the first time or you’ve decided to start over, there are several aspects of the ACNH gameplay that are essential to take into consideration. By choosing the best map, ensuring you have a stable form of bell income, and designing your home like a pro, you’re sure to create the ideal island in no time at all.