It's finally time!

Direct starts at: 7:00 am PT, 10:00 am ET, 3:00 pm GMT

Discussion about the new Direct should be posted here.

ACNH Update 2.0 being released November 5, 2021

New Spots, New Encounters

The Roost

Enjoy a cup of coffee with Brewster at the Roost in the museum! Residents of the island can come, amiibos can be invited, and multiple players can attend at the same time!

Kapp'n Boat Tours

Find him at your island's pier. He'll take you to visit mysterious islands with different flora, different seasons, and different times of day!

Harv's Island Update

Help Harv upgrade his island with a plaza! Donate bells to help Leif, Kicks, Cyrus, and others set up shop! Cyrus can customize ready-made furniture that you can't customize yourself. Katrina and Tortimer will also make appearances, and Harriet can teach you some new hairstyles!

Group Stretching at Resident Services

Participate with your villagers and visitors, by using button or motion controls on the Joy-con controllers.

Island Ordinances

Resident Rep can now enact Island Ordinances, including Beautiful Island, Early Bird, Night Owl, and Bell Boom ordinances!

Home Services Upgrade

More house exterior options, and new storage expansions, up to 5000!

New Nook Mile Redeemable Options

Cooking DIYs with new "growable" ingredients!

Pro Decorating License with new ceiling and lighting decor and accent walls!

Pro Construction License means you can now have 10 bridges and 10 inclines!

New Fence Recipes and customizable fence options!

Pro Camera App with "Handheld" and "Tripod" modes!

Custom Designs Patterns+ means you can now use patterns for clothing and can be placed as flooring and wallpaper!

11 New Hairstyles

11 New Reactions

Island Life 101 Phone App

More new furniture items, including new storage shed that connects to home storage that can be placed almost anywhere on your island, and a new ABD machine that can also be placed on your island!

Other New Features to Island Living

12 New KK Slider Songs

Gyroids can be grown by digging up gyroid fragments, planting them, and then watering! Gyroids make interesting sounds that can be used with music in your home. They can also be customized!

New furniture at Nook's Cranny!

New tool: Wooden Ladder Step Up Kit. Permanently place ladders around your island! Can be purchased at Nook's Cranny.

"Navigate" tight spots in rooms with lots of furniture in the way!

Neighbors can now invite you to their home or make a surprise visit to yours!

This will be the last major free content update for New Horizons

Please see pinned comment for the new paid DLC information!

On March 20, 2020, one of the most anticipated AAA titles of the generation finally released… oh and came out that same day too I think. Bad jokes aside, New Horizons was a real lightning-in-a-bottle moment for the Nintendo Switch. In a time when everyone was miserable and stuck in their homes all day, New Horizons came out at just the perfect moment to help people cope with not being able to go outside and socialize for the foreseeable future.

And me personally… I just watched it unfold from the sidelines. I’m not an Animal Crossing guy, mainly due to the shenanigans with the real time clock. It’s just not the kind of life sim for me given my IRL schedule. I mainly stuck to Xenoblade Definitive Edition and Fire Emblem Three Houses for my pandemic coping sessions. But I have heard Animal Crossing fans complain about several key things in this game. Namely the durability on your tools, bland villager dialogue, cumbersome menuing, and limited online options.

This game was also a victim of the “free updates” model that Nintendo loves doing with their multiplayer games. Wherein they put out a new entry for full price that’s considered half-baked compared to previous installments, and hope players keep playing long enough to download the free content updates whenever Nintendo decides to finally put them out. Remember Froggy Chairs? Nintendo eventually did.

Thankfully the free updates, infrequent as they were, did apparently add enough substantial content back into the game to satisfy longtime fans. All of this culminated in the Happy Home Paradise DLC in October 2021, which is also available for NSO Expansion Pack subscribers as well. I’m sure this was a magical game for a whole lot of people, and no one should take those memories away from you. But now that the world has returned to some semblance of normalcy, I thought it’d be a good time to look back at this game a bit more critically.

More things announced in the September 4th Direct, found here:

GET YOUR HYPE ON HERE!

Please use this thread to contain your hype/thoughts/memes/dreams while we get ready for the release!

2.20.2020 Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct MegaThread

Please use this thread for all pre-event hype and speculation, as well as post-event thoughts reactions.

Watch & Discuss

The event has now ended

Recap of announcements

Tom Nook has an eye for business. That’s why the staple Animal Crossing character took time out of his very busy schedule to host a new video presentation about his latest endeavor, the Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package. In the presentation, he details the ins and outs of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, launching exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems on March 20. The video covers everything you, a potential Deserted Island Getaway Package customer, need to know to get started: an introduction to your new island life, the basics of home ownership, details about your new neighbors, land development, exploration, crafting and so much more.

“The Animal Crossing games offer players a unique and relaxing escape from the stresses of everyday life, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons builds on that by letting players build their own island utopia from scratch,” said Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “When Nintendo Switch owners pack their virtual bags and move into their new island home, they will experience more ways to customize their Animal Crossing life than ever before. Just like Nintendo Switch itself, the game lets you play the way you want to play.”

Before you set off on your own island getaway, check out the full video at . Some of the highlights of Tom Nook’s information session include:

Features new to the series!

• Life on the Island: Nook Inc. confidently recommends a trip to a remote deserted island. And that’s not just because it’s the only company that offers this type of package! On the island, life is as peaceful and relaxing as it gets. Since the island is deserted, you can create your new life from the very beginning – just like a pioneer! Time flows as naturally as in the real world, including seasons and day and night cycles that mirror real time.

• DIY: By collecting specific materials around the island, you can craft a wide variety of things, including tools and furniture. DIY workshops teach you how to enrich your life by crafting DIY recipes. As you become more familiar with DIY, you can even learn special skills like changing the color of your DIY furniture or decorating them with custom designs.

• NookPhone: Nook Inc. will provide some basic necessities and services, including your very own NookPhone. It has standard apps, like a camera and map, but over time, new applications will be added to support your island needs. The camera can be used to take in-game photos all over the island – you can even add fancy filters like all the cool kids are doing!

• Nook Miles: For players looking for more concrete goals, and to help offer guidance and inspiration on the island, you can take advantage of the Nook Mileage program. As you fulfill certain challenges and experiences, you will earn miles to pay off the cost of the getaway package or, eventually, to exchange for in-game rewards. Rewards range from in-game Nook Inc. merchandise and helpful items that can enrich your time on the island, to tickets that you can use to visit distant islands.

• Island Tours: These “mystery island tours” are at the whim of the pilot, so you never know where you will end up! Once on these smaller islands, feel free to gather as many items as you want – like DIY materials and creatures – and take them back with you to your island.

• Party Play: With the Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway package, up to eight people can live on one island.* In Party Play, you can call up to three other players to explore the island at the same time. Whoever calls the others will be the Leader, making the others the Followers. It’s easy to change out the Leader, letting others quickly take charge. Any creatures or items found by Followers will be stored in a recycle box at the Resident Services building!

• Land Development: While you can cross rivers on your island by pole-vaulting and climb elevated land using ladders, you can also change the landscape by adding bridges and slopes. Once your island is fully decked out, you’ll receive a permit to freely pave your own paths, as well as perform major construction like changing the paths of rivers or building and demolishing cliffs. With your own maintenance and construction permits, you can flex your creative muscles on the land itself, not just the stuff on it.

• NookLink: Yes, Tom Nook likes to put his name on everything. But when it’s a Nook product or service, you know you are getting something that’s high quality. With NookLink, which is part of the Nintendo Switch Online app, you can scan a Custom Design QR Code pattern from previous games Animal Crossing:** New Leaf or Animal Crossing:** Happy Home Designer with your real-life smartphone and then download them to Animal Crossing:** New Horizons. When connected online, you can talk with friends who also have the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game with the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app using your smartphone as a keyboard or for voice chat. NookLink will launch in March, soon after the selected departure included in your Deserted Island Getaway Package.

A detailed breakdown of the Getaway Package experience!

• Choose Your Island: Before boarding your flight to the island, you will choose the island from a range of options. Choosing to live in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, for example, will affect the timing of the seasons, so select the location that suits you best. When the seasons change on the island, so do the activities. For Northern Hemisphere residents, spring will just be starting when the game launches on March 20, so expect blooming cherry blossoms to show up soon!

• Orientation: After landing on the island, you will receive a helpful orientation session from the Nook Inc. staff. At this time, you’ll be provided with the tent that’s included with your getaway package. You can chat with other island residents about where you want to set up your new home, and help them choose their home locations as well. Resident Services:** The Resident Services facility is available to support your daily needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They provide you with services such as the sale of everyday goods, the purchase of unwanted items and helpful advice.

• Become a Home Owner: The tent provided to you by Nook Inc. is great, but have you considered a house? Home loans have no deadlines, interest or assessment, and you can pay your loan back at your own pace. A house offers much more space than a tent and also includes storage space for any extra furniture and baggage. Once you own a home, you can channel your inner interior designer, setting up the walls, flooring and furniture however you like. You can also use extension and remodeling services to expand and customize your home even more.

• Customization Deluxe: Animal Crossing:** New Horizons offers more customization options than ever before, from personalizing the look of your character all the way down to skin tone, hairstyle and clothing, to placing buildings and items wherever you want on the island. You can even decorate the inside and outside of your home! Turn that island into a MY land!

• Airport: This is the first place you will land on the island. (It is an airport, after all.) It’s also available to use 24 hours a day, beginning on the day after your arrival. At the airport, you can invite residents of other islands to your own island via the internet or local wireless. You can also travel and visit other islands yourself! Up to eight people can play on a given island at one time**, so feel free to get a good group together and make some fantastic memories.

• Island-wide Broadcasts: At the start of each day, Mr. Nook, CEO of Nook Inc., will make a broadcast to all residents, updating them with the latest on important island events and advice about how to best enjoy island living.

Features and updates to further your island enjoyment!

• New Residents: When you first land on the island you will only have a few animal residents living there with you. But as you develop your island from the ground up, more neighbors will visit and choose to move in. You can even invite some of the new residents to live there yourself! There’s nothing better than a welcoming neighbor.

• Free Updates: Free updates will be added after the game launches, with seasonal events continually added throughout the year. The first free update will be on launch day, March 20. By installing this update, you can celebrate Bunny Day with a special event in April. If you own both Animal Crossing:** Pocket Camp for mobile devices and Animal Crossing:** New Horizons, you’ll receive special items in each game. Details will be announced at a later date on the official Animal Crossing:** Pocket Camp Twitter account.

• Additional Facilities: As you grow your island, more facilities will be built. This includes a museum showcasing the rich ecosystem of the island, a shop full of ready-made furniture and goods you can’t craft yourself, a tailor offering clothing and fashion items, and a campsite where you can invite guests for recreational purposes.

• Tourists & Events: Your island will not only be home to new residents, but also tourists as well! These temporary visitors are always welcome and can offer up items that cannot be crafted on the island. Visitors can also participate in fun events like Fishing Tourneys and Bug-Offs, which will pop up throughout the year. Through free updates to Animal Crossing:** New Horizons, new special events and seasonal guests will be introduced.

• amiibo Support: Animal Crossing:** New Horizons supports amiibo figures and amiibo cards from the Animal Crossing series. You can also invite these familiar faces to Photopia, an island that exists in the game, where you can place models in creative photo shoots.

• Twitter Takeover: Keep an eye out for social media savvy Tom Nook, who is rumored to take over the @AnimalCrossing Twitter account right after today’s video presentation. Animal Crossing:** New Horizons launches in stores, in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and on Nintendo.com on March 20 at a suggested retail price of $59.99. In addition to the game, players can accessorize with Animal Crossing:** New Horizons Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite Carrying Cases, available in stores at a suggested retail price of $24.99 each.

A special-edition Animal Crossing themed Nintendo Switch system will also be available in stores on March 13 at a suggested retail price of $299.99. The system takes design inspiration from Animal Crossing: New Horizons (sold separately), with lovely pastel green and blue Joy-Con controllers that are white on the back, with matching pastel green and pastel blue wrist straps and a white Nintendo Switch dock, adorned with images of characters Tom Nook and Nooklings Timmy and Tommy.

For more information about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, visit .

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit .

*Up to eight Nintendo Account holders can live on the same island within each game. With one Nintendo Switch system and one game, up to four of those Nintendo Account holders can play on the same island at the same time (additional accessories required). With additional systems and games, up to eight players can play on the same island at the same time via local wireless or online play. Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online. Games, systems, additional accessories and Nintendo Switch Online membership sold separately.

**Additional games, systems, accessories and/or Nintendo Switch Online membership required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.

FAQ

What is a Nintendo Direct?

A Nintendo Direct is a pre-recorded video presentation to make game announcements and provide fans with general updates directly from Nintendo.

What is the difference between an Animal Crossing Direct and a standard Nintendo Direct?

This presentation will ONLY include information about Animal Crossing, unlike a traditional Nintendo Direct that would focus on a variety of games and topics. This one is approximately ~25m in length.

What if I can't watch the Nintendo Direct live due to work/school/etc.?

If you would prefer a spoiler-free experience, we will be editing the top section of this post to include a direct link to Nintendo's official video replay (once it's available). We will also edit a recap of the announcements into the post body. Just don't scroll down! This helps prevent you from accidentally seeing any trailers or video thumbnails if you visit Nintendo's YouTube channel listing or the Nintendo Direct website.

There WILL be spoilers here on the subreddit, so watch the video first!

If you see any posts that should actually be here in the MegaThread, please do us a favor and hit the report button.

Our SOP for posts is as follows:

• We will allow one post per announcement.

  • The post we allow may not necessarily be the one that was submitted first. We typically will receive about 15 of essentially the exact same post in the span of about 60 seconds and will select the one that has the best title and links directly to the original source when available.

• Commentary on the announcement(s) should take place either in this thread or on the related separate announcement post. Each person's specific opinion does not need its own post.