Animal Crossing: New Horizons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Animal Crossing: New Horizons across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Nintendo reveals Japan’s best-selling digital games for February 2026 – Pokemon and Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined battle for first
Nintendo has released the top-selling digital games for the Japanese Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 eShops for February 2026. Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined topped the Switch 2 charts, while Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen led on the original Switch. The data includes sales for numerous titles across both platforms.
Haunted Pikachu dolls? Dead-eyed Ditto-humans? The very weird post-apocalyptic world of Pokémon Pokopia is easily the most fun I've had with Pokémon in ages
Pokémon Pokopia offers a uniquely weird and fun take on the series, set in a post-apocalyptic world where players embody Ditto-like creatures. The game blends familiar elements from titles like Animal Crossing and Minecraft with a subversive streak, featuring dark humor, existential themes, and engaging management sim mechanics. Developed by Omega Force, it promises a refreshing and deeply personal experience for fans.
Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review – Budget Flash
The Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 offers a stylish and feature-rich budget alternative for Nintendo Switch owners, boasting customizable RGB lighting and Hall Effect thumbsticks. While it includes programmable buttons and digital trigger stops, occasional wireless connection drops and a lack of gyro support and HD Rumble prevent it from fully rivaling Nintendo's official Pro Controller.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (7th March)
Several Nintendo Life staff members share their weekend gaming plans, with many focusing on the newly released Pokémon Pokopia. Other titles mentioned include Resident Evil Requiem, Planet of Lana II, Blue Prince, and Esoteric Ebb across Nintendo Switch and PC platforms.
Nintendo Switch eShop charts – March 7, 2026 – Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen lead again
The Nintendo Switch eShop charts for the week of March 7, 2026, show Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen retaining their top positions. These titles are expected to hold their spots until the upcoming release of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream next month.
Do Pokémon evolve in Pokémon Pokopia, or does the spin-off change the rules?
Pokémon Pokopia will not feature traditional Pokémon evolution; instead, players must attract each evolved form separately by creating specific habitats. The game blends elements of Animal Crossing and Viva Piñata, and its Pokédex will provide requirements for attracting each Pokémon, as there are no leveling or battling mechanics.
Famitsu software sales (2/23/26 – 3/1/26) – Top 30
Famitsu has released its weekly Japanese software sales data for the period of February 23 to March 1. Resident Evil Requiem debuted at the top of the charts on PlayStation 5, followed by its Nintendo Switch 2 version. The Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch platforms dominated the top 30 list with numerous new and existing titles.
How Dream Islands Work In Pokemon Pokopia
This guide explains how Dream Islands work in Pokemon Pokopia, offering randomized locations for players to gather extra resources like rope, fruit, and rare metals. To access these islands, players must find Drifloon and specific Pokemon dolls, such as Eevee or Pikachu, which correspond to different island types and resource pools. Players can visit one Dream Island per day, and revisiting the same island is possible until the daily reset.
PlayStation Store: February 2026’s top downloads
The PlayStation Store's top downloads for February 2026 show Resident Evil Requiem leading sales on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. The article also details hardware sales figures for various consoles, with the Nintendo Switch family of consoles dominating overall unit sales.
Japanese Charts: Resident Evil Requiem Scares Off The Competition
Resident Evil Requiem debuted at the top of the Japanese sales charts, selling over 155,000 units on PlayStation 5 and over 38,000 on Nintendo Switch. Tokyo Xtreme Racer also made a strong debut on PlayStation 5, while Mario Tennis Fever slipped out of the top three. The Nintendo Switch family of consoles continued to dominate hardware sales in Japan.
New Research Proves What We Already Knew: Women Are Underserved By Game Industry
New research from Ampere Analysis indicates that women constitute 48% of the gaming market, yet often cite a lack of suitable games and toxic communities as barriers. While games like The Sims 4 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are popular for their customization options, they can also feature expensive DLC and monetization schemes. Despite slow progress, some titles like Apex Legends have shown improvements in inclusivity, though challenges with player communities and business practices persist.
As Animal Crossing players look to move en masse to Pokopia, one mega fan has instead built an entire island complete with its own lore dedicated to Ditto
A dedicated fan has created an elaborate island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, named Dittonga, as a tribute to the newly released Pokémon Pokopia and its character Ditto. The island features detailed lore and recreations of Pokémon characters, showcasing significant dedication beyond the typical player experience.
Pocket Camp is Shutting Down—Here’s What You Need to Know About the Transition and the Future of the Franchise – Geeky Sweetie
Nintendo announced that Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will cease online services on October 31, 2024, transitioning to an offline version that preserves player progress. The decision is attributed to declining player engagement, server costs, and a potential shift in focus to new projects, including future Animal Crossing titles. Despite the closure of the mobile game, the Animal Crossing franchise remains popular, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons being a significant success on the Nintendo Switch.
Is Fields of Mistria the Ultimate Nostalgic Farming Sim for ’90s JRPG Fans? – Geeky Sweetie
Fields of Mistria is a cozy farming simulator that blends '90s JRPG nostalgia with modern mechanics, featuring pixel art reminiscent of Lunar Silver Star Story and Eternal Blue. It offers robust farming gameplay inspired by Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, alongside inclusive customization options and PC/Steam Deck optimization. Despite a sometimes rushed time system and a daunting map, the game is praised for its community-driven development and heartfelt storytelling, earning a 4.5/5 rating.
Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal – Excited? Disappointed? A Little of Both. – Geeky Sweetie
The author expresses mixed feelings about the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, finding some new games exciting but lamenting the prevalence of remasters and ports. Disappointment is particularly noted regarding the lack of new cozy games like Animal Crossing, despite appreciation for the hardware improvements and features like voice chat. While still planning to preorder, the author hopes for more original and exclusive titles in the future.
Games Inbox: Is it worth buying a PS5 in 2026?
Readers discuss whether it's worth buying a PlayStation 5 in 2026, considering the potential release of the PlayStation 6 and the option of purchasing a Switch 2. Other topics include the appeal of extraction shooters like Marathon, the behavior of zombies in Resident Evil Requiem, and Nintendo's secretive approach to announcing new games for the Switch 2.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition review - Refurbished | TechStomper
This review of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition highlights its ability to polish, preserve, and present the original game's wonder. The refurbished console offers the best possible experience for the beloved title.
Pokémon Pokopia | Critical Consensus
Pokémon Pokopia, a life-simulation spin-off, has received a critical consensus of 88, making it one of the highest-scoring Pokémon games. Developed by Koei Tecmo's Omega Force, the game blends sandbox elements from titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Minecraft with a unique Ditto-centric narrative. Critics praise its charming world-building and engaging gameplay loop, though some note minor issues with dialogue duplication and story-gating.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Getting 3.0 Update and Switch 2 Edition - NintendoFuse
Nintendo announced a free 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, launching January 15, 2026, which includes new features like a resort hotel, expanded storage, and online island design capabilities. A "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" of the game will also be released on the same date with enhanced visuals, improved controls, and expanded online play, available as a standalone purchase or an upgrade pack for existing owners.
Quiz: How well do you know Animal Crossing? | Quiz
This quiz tests your knowledge of the Animal Crossing series, covering trivia from its original release to the Nintendo Switch version. It aims to challenge fans on their familiarity with characters, features, and game mechanics.