Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Famitsu sales (5/11/26 – 5/17/26) – big Nintendo Switch 2 sales ahead of price increase
Famitsu reports the latest Japanese hardware sales figures, with the Nintendo Switch 2 leading sales at 217,922 units. Software charts show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream at the top, followed by several Nintendo Switch 2 titles like Pokemon Pokopia and Mario Kart World. The data also includes sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
Nintendo and LEGO announce LEGO Donkey Kong set
Nintendo and LEGO have announced a new LEGO Donkey Kong set, with a teaser trailer stating it is "rolling soon." This collaboration expands on their existing partnership, which began with Super Mario products and has since included Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda franchises. The upcoming set follows a recent Donkey Kong game release on Nintendo Switch.
Switch 2 Co-Op Picks for Couples Without a Shared TV | TAG
This guide highlights six Nintendo Switch 2 co-op games suitable for couples who play together but rarely share a screen. It categorizes recommendations based on different playing scenarios, such as schedule mismatches, travel, or playing in separate rooms, emphasizing games that work well with each player using their own device.
Animal Crossing Flocked Figures Return This Fall
Bandai Namco and Nintendo are re-releasing flocked figures of 10 popular characters from Animal Crossing: New Horizons starting in Japan in September 2026. These figures, which were originally released in 2021 and 2022, will be identical to the previous versions and are expected to receive a worldwide release. The game is available on the Nintendo Switch.
Gotta Net 'Em All In Bite-Sized Bug Collector 'Kabuto Park' For Switch
Kabuto Park, a bug-collecting and battling game developed by Doot and published by Seaven Studio, is set to release on Nintendo Switch on May 28, 2024, for $5.99. The game, which has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam for its simple combat and colorful art style, offers a short 2-4 hour gameplay experience focused on collecting bugs to form battle teams.
Nintendo Alarmo Has Received A Small Update Today
Nintendo has released firmware Version 4.0.0 for its Nintendo Alarmo sound clock. This update introduces a new "Random Selection from Favorites" feature for alarms and changes the scene selection method. The update also includes general stability improvements and bug fixes.
UK software sales chart for the week ending May 16, 2026 – Tomodachi Life at #1, Indiana Jones gets Nintendo Switch 2 bump
The UK software sales chart for the week ending May 16, 2026, sees Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream return to the number one spot. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle re-entered the top 40 at second place following the release of its Nintendo Switch 2 version.
UK Charts: Indiana Jones Commences His Great Circular Crusade On Switch 2
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle debuted at number 2 on the UK physical sales charts for the Nintendo Switch 2, with 99% of sales on that platform. Despite a strong launch, it was outsold by Nintendo's Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. The strong performance of Indiana Jones on the Switch 2 suggests high demand for major ports on the upcoming console.
More Nintendo LEGO Sets Are Being Retired Soon
Several LEGO sets based on Nintendo franchises, including Super Mario, Mario Kart, and Animal Crossing, are being retired soon. This follows the recent retirement announcement for the first Legend of Zelda LEGO set. The affected sets are listed on LEGO's 'retiring soon' page for the US and UK.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – May 17, 2026 – Yoshi overthrows Pokemon Pokopia
The latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of May 17, 2026, show "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book" taking the top spot, dethroning "Pokemon Pokopia" due to pre-load sales. "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" and "Outbound" also entered the top ten.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – May 16, 2026 – Tomodachi Life on a strong run
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of May 16, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot. Several other popular titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also feature prominently in the all-games list, while download-only games like Pokemon FireRed and Nine Sols are highlighted.
Is Nintendo Switch Online worth it in 2026? Our verdict
This analysis evaluates the value of Nintendo Switch Online in 2026, considering its evolution since its 2018 launch. While initial online play faced criticism, the service now offers a robust library of retro games from NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, and more, alongside features like cloud saves and free DLC for Expansion Pack members. Despite some drawbacks like limited drip-feeding of new retro titles and certain game exclusions from cloud save functionality, the subscription is deemed a worthwhile investment due to its expanded benefits and competitive pricing, especially with family plans.
How Casual and Mobile Gaming Became a Mainstream Hobby for Busy Adults - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Casual and mobile gaming have become mainstream hobbies for adults, with players in their 20s, 30s, and beyond forming a significant market share. These games are favored for their short, pick-up-and-play sessions that fit into busy adult schedules, contrasting with the longer time commitments required by AAA titles. The perception of gaming as a niche activity for younger males is outdated, as gaming is now a popular and widely adopted activity across diverse adult demographics.
Nintendo Is Beating EA At Its Own (Cozy) Game
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream offers a surprisingly deep and engaging life simulation experience, surpassing The Sims 4 in its ability to make Mii characters feel alive through extensive customization and external personality displays. While simpler than The Sims 4, its polished features, seamless autonomous behavior, and charming world provide a refreshing alternative in the life-sim genre. The game's success highlights a potential learning opportunity for Electronic Arts, as players express dissatisfaction with The Sims 4's monetization and bugs.
Nintendo Is Beating EA At Its Own (Cozy) Game
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream offers a surprisingly deep and engaging life simulation experience, surpassing The Sims 4 in its ability to make Mii characters feel alive through extensive customization and external personality displays. While simpler than The Sims 4, its polished features, seamless autonomous behavior, and charming world provide a refreshing alternative in the life-sim genre. The game's success highlights a potential learning opportunity for Electronic Arts, as players express dissatisfaction with The Sims 4's monetization and bugs.
Famitsu software sales (4/27/26 – 5/10/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released Japanese video game sales data for the weeks of April 27 - May 3 and May 4 - May 10. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Pokemon Pokopia were the top-selling titles on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 respectively. The data includes sales figures for a variety of games across multiple platforms.
Japanese Charts: Tomodachi Life Overtakes Pokopia As The Best-Selling 2026 Release
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has become the best-selling physical release of 2026 in Japan, selling nearly 300,000 units during the Golden Week sales period. The Nintendo Switch 2 console also saw strong sales, moving over 214,000 units. Pokémon Pokopia remains a strong seller, securing the second position.
Famitsu sales (4/27/26 – 5/10/26) – big numbers for Nintendo Switch 2
Famitsu has released Japanese hardware and software sales data for the period of April 27 to May 10, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales with over 214,000 units, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was the best-selling software title. The data reflects two weeks of sales due to recent Japanese holidays.
Nintendo clarifies hardware price rises were due to sustained component and market costs
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that recent hardware price increases for the Nintendo Switch were due to sustained rises in component costs, foreign exchange rates, and oil prices, which are expected to continue. He emphasized that maintaining hardware profitability is crucial for the sustained growth of their dedicated video game platform business. Furukawa also highlighted the strong performance of the Switch and the importance of software like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia in driving hardware sales and user transitions.
Petit Planet Preview - Bursting with Charm and Character
Petit Planet, a new cozy life simulation game from HoYoverse, offers a charming and character-driven experience heavily inspired by the Animal Crossing series. The preview highlights its polished mechanics, including resource gathering, crafting, and character interaction, with a focus on slow, steady progress and accessible gameplay suitable for all ages. The game features a cohesive and beautiful art style, with character designs familiar to HoYoverse fans and vibrant, pastel-like illustrations.