Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
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Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – April 19, 2026 – Mouse: P.I. For Hire and Pragmata off to strong starts
The latest Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for the week of April 19, 2026, show Mouse: P.I. For Hire and Pragmata off to strong starts, ranking second and third respectively. Pokemon Pokopia holds the top spot, while Pragmata's Deluxe Edition also charted in the top ten.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream players are making their pets Pokemon
Players of the upcoming Nintendo Switch title Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream are creating pixel-art Pokemon as in-game pets, with some users even designing their Mii characters to resemble Pikachu. The game, which has been in development since 2017, is set to launch in Spring 2026 and allows players to build and customize their own islands.
Why Gamers Secretly Crave Horror in Their Cozy Games
This article explores the appeal of horror elements being introduced into non-horror games, citing examples like Minecraft cave sounds and Subnautica's deep-sea encounters. Developers leverage psychological contrast and trust to create memorable, surprising moments that resonate with players, blurring genre lines and potentially leading to a 'cozy horror' subgenre.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – April 18, 2026 – Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream launches on top
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of April 18, 2026, show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream retaining the top spot after its official launch. Several other popular titles like Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and various Pokémon games also feature prominently in the rankings.
What we've been playing - "I started with maple trees behind the bank"
Several individuals share their recent gaming experiences across various titles. Connor details a deep grind in Old School RuneScape, Victoria discusses a 25th-anniversary item in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Bertie recounts a successful run in Slay the Spire 2 on a Steam Deck, and Kelsey describes the chaotic start of their island in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.
Ranking all of Nintendo’s Switch 2 upgrade packs from worst to best
This article ranks various paid upgrade packs for Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, evaluating their value based on performance boosts, graphical improvements, and added content. Titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Super Mario Bros. Wonder are highlighted for their substantial additions, while others like Super Mario Party Jamboree and Pokemon Legends: Z-A are criticized for offering minimal unique features for their cost.
I love Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, but having no Switch 2 version is a mistake
Despite being a delightful addition to the Nintendo Switch library, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream would greatly benefit from a Nintendo Switch 2 version. The article highlights how the game's customization mechanics and mini-games are hindered by the older console's hardware limitations and lack of support for the Switch 2's advanced mouse controls, which are now considered essential by the author.
Can you time travel in Tomodachi Life Living the Dream?
This guide explains whether time travel is possible in Tomodachi Life on the Nintendo Switch and details the significant penalties incurred. Adjusting the system's date and time allows for time travel, but it results in shops not refreshing and Mii hunger not updating for 24 hours. The article advises against time traveling due to these drawbacks, though it notes that time traveling for other games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons is safe as long as the system time is reset before launching Tomodachi Life.
PSA: You Definitely Don't Want To Time Travel In Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream
Nintendo has issued a warning that time traveling in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream does not provide benefits and instead causes negative consequences. Adjusting the system clock will cause shops to stop refreshing for 24 hours, and this timer resets if the clock is changed again. The game is best played in real-time bursts.
White House uses Wii Sports to promote Iran War and Japan is not happy
The White House has faced criticism, including from Japan's Foreign Minister, for using copyrighted video game footage, specifically from Wii Sports, in propaganda videos promoting military operations. Nintendo has remained silent, though other companies like Microsoft have also seen their games used in similar contexts without comment. The article also touches on politicians using video game metaphors in public addresses.
Famitsu software sales (4/6/26 – 4/12/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its latest Japanese software sales data for the week of April 6th to April 12th, 2026. Pokemon Pokopia leads the charts on the Nintendo Switch 2, followed by Mario Kart World. Starfield makes its debut on the PlayStation 5 in the top 30.
Kingdom Come Deliverance and Animal Crossing inspired this medieval cozy game where you hang with tiny dragons and make art, and it's launching to great reviews: "Hans capon mentioned therefore GOTY"
Scriptorium Master of Manuscripts, a medieval simulator inspired by Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Animal Crossing, has launched to positive reviews on Steam. The game tasks players with transcribing and decorating manuscripts, featuring over 2000 medieval art assets and the ability to have pets like tiny dragons. The developer emphasizes that the game is entirely human-made with a zero-tolerance policy for AI-generated content.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure's City Town DLC makes the Wheatflour Wonderland expansion seem like a dress rehearsal
The City Town DLC for Hello Kitty Island Adventure expands the game with a new area and the character Usahana, offering a more integrated experience than the previous Wheatflour Wonderland expansion. While the slow-paced quest progression may initially feel frustrating, it encourages daily engagement and provides a sense of accomplishment as players rebuild the town.
Japan: Nintendo Switch 2 reigns supreme and Pokemon Pokopia remains No.1
The Nintendo Switch 2 was the best-selling hardware in Japan for the week of April 6-12, 2026, selling over 52,000 units. Pokemon Pokopia for the Nintendo Switch 2 remained the top-selling software. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S also saw sales figures reported.
Japanese Charts: Combined PS5 Sales Can't Even Beat Switch Lite
Recent Japanese sales charts show the Nintendo Switch family of consoles outselling the PlayStation 5 significantly. Despite combined sales of all PlayStation 5 models not surpassing the Nintendo Switch Lite alone, the Switch 2 continues to be the most popular console. This trend suggests that recent PlayStation 5 price increases may be impacting sales.
US: Nintendo Download for 16th April, 2026
Nintendo has announced its latest download offerings for the Nintendo Switch, featuring new releases like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, PRAGMATA, and MOUSE: P.I. For Hire. The update also includes new music tracks from Animal Crossing and a limited-time event in Pokémon Pokopia. Additionally, a Spotlight Sale on select digital games is now available on the Nintendo eShop.
Famitsu Sales: 4/6/26 – 4/12/26
Famitsu has released its physical game sales data for Japan for the week of April 6-12, 2026. Pokemon Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2 remained the top seller, while Starfield for PlayStation 5 was the highest-selling new release. Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales, followed by the Nintendo Switch family.
Famitsu sales (4/6/26 – 4/12/26) – Nintendo Switch 2 leads hardware sales
The latest Japanese hardware sales data from Famitsu for the week of April 6-12, 2026, shows the Nintendo Switch 2 leading with 52,058 units sold. Software charts are topped by 'Pokemon Pokopia' on the Switch 2, followed by 'Mario Kart World' and 'Starfield' on PlayStation 5.
New Hori Switch 2 Controllers and Bags Based on Animal Crossing
Hori has announced new Nintendo Switch accessories and controllers inspired by the Animal Crossing series, featuring characters like Tom Nook and Celeste. These items are set to release in Japan on June 30, 2026, with potential for a worldwide release. The announcement coincides with the franchise's 25th anniversary.
Nintendo Music Celebrates Tomodachi Life Switch Launch With Special Update
Nintendo has released ten new tracks from Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on its mobile music app to celebrate the game's launch on the Nintendo Switch. The update adds a total of 22 minutes of music, with no new tracks scheduled for release next week. Nintendo also recently celebrated the Animal Crossing 25th anniversary with a GameCube soundtrack release.
