Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
Latest coverage
I didn't have Nintendo releasing a new Switch Lite bundle on my 2026 bingo card, but there's one coming
Nintendo has announced a new Nintendo Switch Lite bundle for Europe, which includes the game Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and a 30-day trial of Nintendo Switch Online, launching October 28th. Despite the console being seven years old and the upcoming Switch 2, Nintendo is still offering this bundle, potentially as a more affordable option for parents.
Media Molecule Reportedly Working on Animal Crossing Style Game
Media Molecule is reportedly working on a new social simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, with a potential reveal in 2027. The project, which is not a live-service game, marks a departure from the studio's previous user-generated content platforms like Dreams. This new intellectual property is expected to be the studio's first release in seven years.
LittleBigPlanet Developer Reportedly Working on Animal Crossing-Like Game for 2027 Release
LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule is reportedly working on a new social simulation game, similar to Animal Crossing, with a potential release in 2027. The article suggests the game will focus on social interaction and community building.
Exclusive interview: Cakes and consoles – the story of Marj Santaromana, gaming’s celebrity baker
Marj Santaromana, a celebrity baker, has combined her passions for gaming and professional wrestling into a unique artistic career. Inspired by wrestling and games like WWF No Mercy and Pokemon, she creates intricate edible replicas of consoles, cartridges, and characters. Santaromana has gained recognition for her work, crafting cakes for celebrities like John Cena and bands like TOOL, while also appearing on Food Network and participating in Mr. Beast challenges.
UK software sales chart for the week ending September 12, 2026 – Onimusha: Way of the Sword doing well
The UK software sales chart for the week ending September 12, 2026, shows Onimusha: Way of the Sword climbing to the number one spot. Nintendo titles Pokemon Pokopia and Mario Kart World also saw significant movement, ranking third and sixth respectively.
Top 20 best-selling GameCube games of all time in the U.S. revealed
New sales data from Circana's Mat Piscatella reveals the top 20 best-selling GameCube games in the U.S., coinciding with the console's 25th anniversary. Nintendo titles dominate the list, with Super Smash Bros. Melee leading, followed by Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Kart: Double Dash. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is the highest-ranking third-party title at number eight.
The Sunday Papers
This article presents a surreal journey through a supermarket, encountering various gaming-related articles and discussions. It touches upon "The Blood of Dawnwalker," a sports business scandal involving Steve Ballmer and the NBA, a review of "The Blood of Dawnwalker's" stealth mechanics, and a guide on hosting LAN parties. The narrative blends fictional encounters with commentary on real-world gaming and business topics.
The confusing discrepancies of Nintendo Switch 2 Editions
This article analyzes the inconsistent naming conventions and pricing for Nintendo Switch 2 Editions and game updates. It highlights discrepancies where some games receive free performance enhancements without being labeled as a 'Switch 2 Edition,' while others are paid upgrades with minimal new content, leading to confusion for consumers.
Nintendo is a far better industry leader than PlayStation and this week proved it - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Nintendo is a superior industry leader compared to Sony, citing Nintendo's consistent output of high-quality single-player games and reasonable pricing. The author criticizes Sony's recent strategies, particularly its perceived lack of major game releases and fan-unfriendly decisions, contrasting it with Nintendo's focus on franchises like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and other beloved titles.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – September 12, 2026 – Metroid Dread makes a comeback
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of September 12, 2026, show a resurgence for Metroid Dread following the announcement of Metroid Ravenous. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream remains the top seller, while the new release Dragon Quest Heroes: Torneko’s Mystery Dungeon – Classic HD also charted.
Famitsu software sales (8/31/26 – 9/6/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of August 31 to September 6, 2026. Onimusha: Way of the Sword for PlayStation 5 led the charts, followed by Rhythm Heaven Groove for Nintendo Switch. The data includes sales figures for both new releases and cumulative totals for established titles.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake price leaks through Nintendo itself, and it's one of the cheaper Switch…
The price for a rumored remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly leaked via the Australian Nintendo Store at AU$94.95, suggesting a $60 USD price point. This places it similarly to Yoshi's Crafted World and below other premium releases like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, indicating Nintendo may view it as a traditional remake rather than a full-scale reimagining.
Nintendo reportedly issued accidental Switch 2 ban wave, but is now being reversed
Nintendo reportedly issued an accidental ban wave affecting legitimate Nintendo Switch users worldwide, accompanied by error code 2124-4508. The company is now reversing these bans, with some users reporting their systems have been unbanned. The cause is suspected to be an internal server issue, though Nintendo has not officially commented.
UK software sales chart for the week ending September 5, 2026 – Onimusha, Orbitals debut
The UK software sales chart for the week ending September 5, 2026, shows Onimusha: Way of the Sword debuting at #2 with 87% of sales on PlayStation 5. The Nintendo Switch exclusive Orbitals launched at #3. The Blood of Dawnwalker took the top spot.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – September 5, 2026 – Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on a crazy run
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of September 5, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream continuing its strong performance with nearly eight million copies sold. The game remains at the top of the overall charts, followed by other popular titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Minecraft.
Petit Planet's delightfully cosy galactic take on Animal Crossing is the closest we'll ever get to the life…
Petit Planet, HoyoVerse's new space-themed life simulation game, offers a cozy experience heavily inspired by Nintendo's Animal Crossing. Players can build their own planets, catch creatures, and befriend villagers, with the potential for extensive decoration. While the game's core gameplay loop is engaging and reminiscent of Animal Crossing on PC, concerns remain about its potential gacha mechanics.
Famitsu software sales (8/24/26 – 8/30/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its Japanese software sales data for the week of August 24-30, 2026. Rhythm Heaven Groove topped the charts on Nintendo Switch, while Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 debuted high on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 respectively.
Petit Planet Gives Animal Crossing Its First Serious Rival in Years
miHoYo's upcoming life simulation game, Petit Planet, is shaping up to be a serious contender in the genre, drawing clear comparisons to Animal Crossing. The game features a human protagonist tasked with revitalizing planets populated by anthropomorphic animals, offering familiar mechanics like crafting and village building. While the demo showcased a polished experience, concerns linger regarding potential gacha mechanics and the use of AI in its development, despite assurances from HoYoverse.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – August 29, 2026 – Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 debuts
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of August 29, 2026, show "Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream" retaining the top spot. "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2" debuted at #21 overall and #7 on the download-only chart. Other top titles include "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," "Minecraft," and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe."
Why my kids gave up on Roblox and started playing real console games - Reader's Feature
A reader shares how his children, after being heavily involved in Roblox and Fortnite, have shifted their gaming focus to older console titles like those on the Nintendo 3DS. He notes their renewed interest in games like Mario Kart 7 and Tomodachi Life, finding them more engaging than the popular online platforms.
